BARNWOOD PARK and ARBORETUM SITE VISIT

3rd October 2023

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The project site for the AD5604 Sustainable Technology module is within the Barnwood parish of Gloucester, formerly land owned by the Barnwood Trust and now administered by the city council with much management assistance from the local Friends group. The site consists of a park, an arboretum and a balancing pond created to mitigate runoff flooding risk from surrounding urban developments.

According to the notice board the site contains a mixture of mature native and ornamental trees set in an area of unimproved grassland and the whole area is managed as a local nature reserve which can boast a ‘green flag’ award, achieved by satisfying six judging criteria, summarised here as (1) a welcoming place (2) satisfactory health & safety (3) regular maintenance (4) good management strategy (5) improving biodiversity and (6) community involvement.

The weather was perfect for the site visit and following a brief introduction given by two Friends, we were guided first through the arboretum identifying and discussing some key species: giant redwood (Sequoiadendron giganteum), Indian bean tree (Catalpa bignonioides), dawn redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides), Turkey oak (Quercus cerris), monkey puzzle (Araucaria araucana) and many more. Wildlife was also noted: a buzzard wheeling above, butterflies flickering through the dappled shade, dragonflies, evidence of badgers and foxes. Then out onto the area of the balancing pond, the purpose of which was explained, and students made careful note of the wetland plants such as great reedmace (Typha latifoli) and soft rush (Juncus effusus). It was a good time to start to learn the Latin names.

But our thanks should go to Ron and Elaine Keasley from the Friends of Barnwood Park for accompanying us on this very useful morning visit.