Cheltenham’s parks and gardens are flourishing, with selected areas of grass left to grow throughout the town to encourage wildflowers and support biodiversity.
Throughout the growing season grass in selected areas is left unmown where it’s practical and safe to do so. Grass required for recreational use continues to be regularly mown, but areas around these, and some verges can be left uncut enhancing the aesthetics and encouraging urban wildlife. This provides a ‘nectar feast’ for pollinators such as honeybees, bumblebees, butterflies and moths, and beetles.
This is in addition to Cheltenham’s existing permanent larger meadows in places such as Pittville Park and Cox’s Meadow which have been sown with seeds harvested from Leckhampton Hill.
Councillor Paul Baker, cabinet member for waste, recycling, and green open spaces, said: “We’re really proud of how Cheltenham’s green spaces are developing. By letting some areas of grass grow, we’re giving wildflowers and pollinators the space they need to thrive. I’m really keen to expand the areas of meadow in our town and likewise to expand the areas not mowed throughout the growing season. We would welcome suggestions from residents.
“At the same time, we’re taking a fresh approach to planting in places like the Long Gardens on the Promenade. We’re moving away from traditional bedding to a new perennial-based planting scheme with a mix of perennials, shrubs, bulbs, and evergreens. The plants have been chosen to reduce maintenance and watering, support urban wildlife, provide year-round colour, and are better suited to our changing climate.”
To give feedback on meadow areas, email [email protected].
Find out more on the council’s website, including more information on the council’s parks and gardens.
For press enquiries contact: communications team at [email protected] or telephone 01242 264231.
Notes:
Below are the locations where selected areas will not be mowed during the growing season:
Brizen playing field
Chargrove Lane open space
Coronation square roundabout
Hesters Way Park
Humpty dumps open space
Manor Farm open space
Swindon Village
Cirencester Road open space
Hillview/ Cheriton open space
Pendil Close open space
