Community groups and residents across Waltham Forest swooped in and took 100,000 bulbs to plant in their local parks and open spaces to give a blaze of colour across the borough next spring.
The bulbs were provided by Waltham Forest Council and reflects its work to improve biodiversity by providing pollinators and other insects with a source of food early in the year.
Species that were available included 30,000 mixed crocus, 5,000 snowdrops, 5,000 aconites, 20,000 grape hyacinth and 30,000 mixed narcissi.
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The free bulb give away started in 2004 when just 1,000 bulbs were given away to a dozen community groups
Last year 25,000 bulbs were given away to around 100 groups and this year saw 100,000 bulbs being shared between nearly 240 community groups demonstrating the popularity of the scheme and the commitment residents have to helping further improve our borough.
Our thanks go to everyone who helps make Waltham Forest blooming lovely each spring.
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By April 2020 we will have planted around 1,800 more new trees across the borough as part of our work on the climate emergency to improve air quality.
A key part of that planting programme took place during National Tree Week (Saturday 23 November to Sunday 1 December 2019 when we planted trees in nine parks across the borough.
The tree species were specimen pine trees which are particularly effective at improving air quality. This was funded by the Greener City Fund Community Tree Planting Grant Scheme.
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A total of 71 such trees were planted across the borough.
The parks which had these trees planted were:
- Chase Lane Park, 17 Waverley Avenue, Chingford
- Drapers Field Park, Temple Mills Lane, Leyton
- Kitchener Road Park, Kitchener Road, Walthamstow
- Leyton Jubilee Park, Seymour Road, Leyton
- Leyton Manor Park, Capworth Street, Leyton
- Mansfield Park. Mansfield Hill, Chingford
- Memorial Park, Chingford Mount Road, Chingford
- Pimp Hall Park, Simmons Lane, Chingford
- St James Park, Essex Road, Walthamstow
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Earlier this year, as part of a £1.2 investment in Cheney Row Park, Walthamstow, we planted 467 trees including semi-mature trees.
This was the largest single planting of trees that has happened in a Waltham Forest Park which reflects the Council's commitment to tackling the climate emergency.
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 Around £100,000 of improvements will be made to Rolls Park and Sports Ground, in Hickman Avenue, funded from the Centenary House scheme in Lena Kennedy Close.
Proposals could include installing a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) which may include:
- An Energy Cross Trainer
- An Energy Spinning Bike
- An Energy Recumbent Bike
- A Smart Energy Hand Bike, which can also be used by wheelchair users
- Two Outdoor Table Tennis Tables
- Basketball Hoops
- Football Goals
There will also be a footpath link from Centenary House to Rolls Park.
On the second Sunday of every month the Friends of Cheney Row Park (FoCRP) holds a litter pick.
Recently there’s been a lot of young people coming along to join in, so they asked them why.
Here’s what some of them said:
“I like it! It’s fun!” says Jessie, aged six. “It’s like a treasure hunt or an Easter egg hunt but it also makes me feel happy for the world.”
“I like the litter-pick stick best,” says Noah, aged eight. He even has his own ‘pick-up stick’ that he brings from home to use.
Bella, aged 12, agrees that it is a great thing to do. “At first, I didn’t think it would be as fun as it is,” she said. “I’m not usually outside, so it’s nice to get out in the sun and help the environment. Plus I found 51p!”
Come and join them on Sunday 12 January 2020, 11am – 1.30pm.
You can keep up to date with what’s happening through the Cheney Row Park email newsletter.
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Do you want to be involved in improving your local park? 'Friends of Parks' groups work with the Council's Parks and Open Spaces Team to create better open spaces.
Each group helps care for a specific park or green space in the borough.
All Waltham Forest residents are welcome to join a Friends Group, or help to establish one in your local green space.
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You received this newsletter because you signed up for news about the parks and open spaces in Waltham Forest.
There are now email newsletters set up for most of the Council's services plus regeneration sites across Waltham Forest so if you are interested in other services please sign up for those newsletters too.
Please encourage friends and family to sign up so they too can stay connected with what's happening in our borough.
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