Parkwood Springs: Work planned to improve wildlife habitats in proposed Sheffield country park
The site, part of which was once Sheffield Ski Village, has already become a popular spot for walkers and cyclists
Work is set to go ahead to improve the natural habitats at Parkwood Springs, which is going to be turned into an urban country park.
The site, part of which was once Sheffield Ski Village, has already become a popular spot for walkers and cyclists who enjoy its green surroundings overlooking the city.
The government has given Sheffield City Council £19m of Levelling Up funding to regenerate the area as an outdoor leisure destination, enhancing Sheffield’s reputation as The Outdoor City.
The walking paths and mountain bike trails will be extended and upgraded.
A meeting of the council’s finance and performance policy committee yesterday (April 13) agreed to spending plans totalling £169,300.
This will enable the city Ranger Service to take on works that are intended to raise the overall quality of the site.
The project aims to improve the biodiversity of woodland, scrub, meadow and riverbank areas, saod a report to the committee.
Work to take place is envisaged to include elective thinning of the undergrowth, taking some lower branches from trees – called crown lifting – control of invasive species and re-establishing meadows.
Trailheads would be enhanced, including at six entrances to the site on Shirecliffe Road, Penrith Road, Rutland Road, Herries Road, Club Mill Road and Longley Avenue.
The rangers will also work to improve steps, ramps, surfacing and signs, widen paths and reduce the gradient of the land in some areas to improve its accessibility.
The project is expected to be complete by May 2028.