Derby City Council is working with Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and the University of Derby on the first large-scale urban rewilding project in the UK, in the city’s largest public park.
More than 2,000 people took part in a public consultation in early 2022 and the results, and Derbyshire Wildlife Trust’s vision for rewilding, were accepted by the Council’s Cabinet in August 2022.
Now it’s time to add detail to the vision. The Trust and the Council have been talking to local residents and park users in recent months, and the Trust wants to learn about how people use, and want to use, the space.
The Trust has announced three new dates for evening walks around Allestree Park in June, and confirmed details for three sessions during July and August to listen to the views of the public.
Each of the June walks has a different theme and is an opportunity to chat about the rewilding project. Everyone is welcome to attend one or more of the walks, or join them all.
All walks take place from 6.30pm to 8.30pm at Allestree Park, starting from the car park off Duffield Road, Derby DE22 2EU. Contact allestreepark@derbyshirewt.co.uk for any enquiries.
Tuesday 13 June: Nature’s recovery
- Walk and talk about how Allestree Park can be an even more amazing place for people and nature, and help combat climate change.
Wednesday 14 June: Wild wellbeing and community spaces
- How the park can provide community growing, orchards and enterprises and wild wellbeing opportunities.
Tuesday 20 June: A park for everyone
- How Allestree Park can be even more welcoming to everyone. An opportunity to share thoughts on cycling, walking, running, fishing and other ways to enjoy this special space, together.
The three sessions on Saturday 15 July, Sunday 23 July and Saturday 5 August are the chance to look at the draft master plan for the rewilding project, with all feedback helping to shape the final plan, due for publication in the autumn.
As well as themed walks around the park on these days, the Evergreen Club at Cornhill, Allestree will be open from 10am to 3pm giving the chance to drop in and have a look at the draft plan and give feedback.
All walks around Allestree Park on these days start at 11am and 11.30am, and cover themes including nature’s recovery, accessibility and inclusion, views on bike tracks, circular walks, fishing and running routes, community growing and orchards, making space for children and young people, and more. Full information about the themes for each day can be found on the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust website.