November 2008 Update

The Earthworks are nearing completion, although phase one is being re-landscaped in order to hide the waste transit station. The trees on the site are growing well and most of the park has greened over. The Fishing Lake has got new boarwalks around the perimeter including a new bridge. A disabled swim is being installed and the litter and dog waste bins are now being regularly emptied.

December 2007 Update

The Earthworks for the sight are now due to be completed by May 2008, almost two years ahead of schedule! More planting is due to take place in the spring although the site is already full of wildlife, look out for foxes and rabbits and if you are really lucky you may spot the resident kingfisher.

May 2007 Update

By November 2007, the earthworks for phase 3 will be complete allowing for the seeding, planting and landscaping of both the centeral section and the northern section next to the fishing lake. The final phase of the earthworks located adjacent to the church are due to begin soon and wildlife is currenlty being relocated to allow work to commence. This work is anticipated to take about a year.

Allister Campbell the site Ecologist has moved to a new job and the position has now been taken up by Rohan Holley.

Planting Days

January and February saw two successful planting days. Despite the weather there was a good turn out of hardy volunteers of all ages all eager to lend a hand in planting trees in phase one of the park.

December 2006 Update

The area known as Phase 1, the south-eastern edge of the site next to the light railway, is establishing well. Most of the grass has now taken and the ponds are full. You may have noticed that lots of the trees have died because of the very hot summer this year. Many of the trees will be replaced this winter, and planting days will be organised for further areas of tree planting within Phase 1.

The contractors on site are busy filling the area between the poplars and the fishing pond which is part of Phase 2. They hope to have all the soil in the area by Christmas. Groundwork Medway Swale are currently writing all the documents necessary to tender the work so that landscape contractors can go on site to seed the area, plant trees and shrubs, install bins and benches and lay a network of paths. The proposal for the Phase 2 area is to make it a wildlife haven, with a mix of habitats: open grassland, wildflower meadows, coppiced willow and native shrub planting. No date is available yet for when we hope to get this work done as we are still trying to raise the funds to pay for the work.