The idea
The Mosaic Nature Reserve is a 100 acre regenerated sand quarry situated in Austerfield Doncaster.It is a haven for wildlife and is a valuable site for biodiversity.
Currently only the able bodied are able to access the site as the entrances are too narrow for wheelchairs and pushchairs to access.
By improving the entrance at the East of the site with an A frame stile and at the South Entrance with a fence and A frame barrier stile anyone who has additional mobility needs will be able to access the reserve.
Whilst the less able may not be able to use all of the footpaths in the reserve there is a picnic area in close proximity to the East entrance which gives access to a peaceful environment within a green open space where people can enjoy nature.
Better access for all will increase community cohesion and improve physical and mental health and well-being as well as reducing social isolation.Community and family events can also be held in the reserve if we have improved access.
What we'll deliver
- Install two A frame barrier stiles
- Install one metal fence
- Install side bar fixings to the A frames
Why it's a great idea
The Mosaic Nature Reserve is a well established facility which has been in use for the last 20 years.It is not currently accessible to everyone due to the entrances not being suitable for wheelchairs, mobility scooters children’s bikes and pushchairs .If access is improved by installation of suitable entrances everyone regardless of their mobility will be able to access the nature reserve.This in turn will increase the number of visitors particularly those with additional mobility and mental health needs.
We will be able to hold community events if we have better access to the reserve.
The adjacent Austerfield Study Centre has students from local schools with special needs, for some of these children the access to the reserve is difficult and so they cannot always be included in some of the activities that the centre facilitate on the reserve for example wildlife watching.
We would like to see access for all to the reserve and this project is one stage to achieving this.
Steps to get it done
- Installation of fence and A frame stiles
Improving the access to the reserve is currently part of a bigger project. Our plan is to improve some of the footpaths and our goal is to make a 1km circular route which is accessible for both wheelchairs and pushchairs.
However unless we can provide accessible entrances this project cannot easily be progressed.
We have developed a small picnic area within easy access of the East entrance which even if someone cannot access the footpaths within the reserve can still enjoy a peaceful environment in a green space where they can connect with nature..We have seen an increase in the number of visitors during the Covid 19 pandemic and would like the interest in this nature reserve to continue. Increased visitors will in turn help to increase the number of volunteers. As we are a charity we are reliant on donations and it would be beneficial to be able to have fund raising events that everyone can enjoy participating in
