Parks and countryside
Improvements complete at Rough Wood Local Nature Reserve
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Visitors to Rough Wood Local Nature Reserve in Willenhall are now enjoying improved access thanks to a new pathing project.
Work to resurface the paths was completed in October, thanks to £43,000 of funding secured through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), funded by the UK Government.
Around 2,300 metres of pathways have been resurfaced across the site, making it easier and safer for residents, walkers, and nature groups to explore the area all year round.
“ Rough Wood is a much-loved green space, and these improvements have made a real difference for everyone who visits. The paths are smoother, safer and more accessible, opening up the reserve to even more people. “
Local school, Woodlands Academy of Learning, will also benefit from the works. The school has made use of the nature reserve for many years to deliver outdoor learning sessions. In the coming year, more than 400 pupils will access the site for sessions, with the new paths making a big difference for children with mobility difficulties.
The improvements were celebrated with a community event bringing together local walkers, councillors, volunteer litter pickers, and members of Walsall Council’s Healthy Spaces team.
The group set off from the Rough Wood car park before splitting into two activities, a Nordic walk through the newly resurfaced paths and a litter pick and seed collection session to help maintain and enhance the reserve’s biodiversity.
The resurfacing forms part of Walsall Council’s ongoing work to improve and protect parks, nature reserves and open spaces across the borough.
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