Woodland play planting day
Saturday 27th November, 10am-4pm, Suitable for all Here at Gillespie Park we have been busy making a brand new woodland area in the park. The space was given to us by Arsenal last year, and we have spent some time renovating it so that it can be enjoyed by visitors to the Park. The space is an exciting mixture of play space, natural woodland features and a fully accesible forest path through the trees. As part of the project we are planting a large area of hazel coppice. Hazel has been grown by foresters for many years, and the art of coppicing or cutting hazel at the base to the plant to encourage long shoot growth, has been practiced for centuries. The long bendy hazel poles produced by coppicing have lots of uses around the reserve, and is all part of helping us to become more self sufficient here at the Park. We are also putting in some new Silver Birches, to help the space blend in with the existing woodland. Most exciting of however is the creation of some living willow structures in the play space. Willow is an incredibly versatile plant, and grows new roots from cut branches, or whips, very quickly. These bendy whips can be weaved together to creat incredible living structures. Come join us for a day of tree planting and willow weaving at Gillespie Park. Make sure you're wearing clothes suitable for the weather, all equipment and tools will be provided. See you there!
Matthew
