Renovation of Crowton Millennium Green

The environment

By sympathetically renovating the Millennium Green our aim was to enhance the space for both visitors and nature alike. By improving the green space we have enabled more people to visit us, to not only enjoy what our volunteers have developed, but to take away ideas for use in their own gardens. We regularly display child friendly ideas from Cheshire Wildlife Trust on the notice board, such as how to build a small pond and what to do in your garden for wildlife each month. The children from our local school have painted the bird boxes - see photo - installed by our volunteers. In addition we have planted new hedging donated to us by The Woodland Trust, improved the pond area (now enjoyed by nesting ducks) and recycled any natural materials for areas for shelter for any wildlife . We also now have a visiting little egret and otters have now been seen in the area.

The local economy

As the Millennium Green is only a relative small space and we have limited funds, we utilised our local volunteers to the very best of their considerable abilities and for the more formal roles we called in local contractors to mend the internal fencing, lay the pathway and to provide us with a tree report.

Volunteering, jobs & education

The Millennium Green has historically been looked after by a local gentleman who continues to do an excellent job attending to the grassed area all year round; which is much appreciated by all. In addition, our group of volunteers now attend four or five times per year attending to the larger jobs such as the refurbishment project and ongoing maintenance. The after school club at our local primary school enjoyed painting the bird boxes. The Parish Council are very grateful for all of their hard work and they are enjoyed immensely by all visitors. Our noticeboard was the Parish Council old one refurbished for us to put on the Millennium Green by a local man. We add information from Cheshire Wildlife Trust and share dates with visitors and residents about when our volunteers are to return.

Activity, health and leisure

Reflecting on our original forecast, the refurbishment of the Millennium Green has enhanced the accessibility of the space to all visitors and has enabled users to utilise the site throughout the year, regardless of weather conditions. The repair of the bridge has provided a safe way of crossing the stream and users continue to be able to enjoy the site now safely away from the busy road. The wider gateway has improved access by those with pushchairs and mobility challenges.