Walky Forest- Grammar Street Park Management Plan

Walkley Forest

for locals and wildlife

Grammar Street Park Management Plan 2022-2027

Tien-Hsin Sung

Jessica.

INTRODUCTION

Grammar Street park is a neighbourhood park on the boundaries of the regions of Hillfoot, Crookesmoor, and Hillsborough. Within 5 minutes walking distance of Ruskin Park and Philadelphia Garden, which forms a potenial green link for the area.There are two main entrances; the south entrance is on Grammar street and Greaves street on the northeast side.

Grammar Street park is a neighborhood park on the boundaries of Hillfoot, Crookesmoor and Hillsborough; Within 5 minutes walking distance of Ruskin Park and Philadelphia Garden which forms a potential green link for the area. There are two main entrances; The south entrance is on Grammar Street, and the northeast entrance is on Greaves street.

1.1 MAJOR FEATURES

1.1 Major Feature & Facilities

There are 2 main features in Grammar st. Park; the field on the hill, which provides an open view (fig 1-1), and the wide avenue path from the past (fig 1-4). There is rich vegetation alongside the main path, with several ornamental trees giving out a vibrant vibe(fig 1-2). The playground is not fenced up, which allows a more creative style of play (fig1-5,1-8).

figure 1-1 120° open view from the hill field

figure 1-3 View of the Grammar St. entrance

figure 1-2 Ornamental tree collection

figure 1-6 Layered vegetation alongside the path

figure 1-5 Playground featuring a boulder

figure 1-8 Playground view

figure 1-4 Avenue feature

figure 1-7 Mature tree groups provide cool shady atmosphere

figure 1-9 Current locations of the facilities and view points

1.2 FACILITIES

1.4 SOCIAL PROFILE

There are not many facilities in Grammar Street park (figure 1-9).

• There are 3 bins along the main path, but non on the field. If the park holds any events in the future, adding bins would be required.

Grammar Street park is a neighbourhood park on the boundaries of the regions of Hillfoot, Crookesmoor, and Hillsborough. Within 5 minutes walking distance of Ruskin Park and Philadelphia Garden, which forms a potenial green link for the area.There are two main entrances; the south entrance is on Grammar street and Greaves street on the northeast side.

• There are currently 3 sitting areas—one in the playground and 2 on the open field. More seats and resting place is recommended for increasing the hospitality of the park.

1.1 Major Feature & Facilities

Grammar Street park is a neighbourhood park on the boundaries of the regions of Hillfoot, Crookesmoor, and Hillsborough. Within 5 minutes walking distance of Ruskin Park and Philadelphia Garden, which forms a potenial green link for the area.There are two main entrances; the south entrance is on Grammar street and Greaves street on the northeast side.

1.1 Major Feature & Facilities

• An open playground with a boulder, a slide, a set of balance beams, and a climbing web (fig 1-5,1-8)

On average, a quarter of the elderly live in the neighbourhood around Grammar Street Park; almost half of the residents are over 65 in area 2 (fig 1-11, see Appendix A ). This leads to a high percentage of health issues in the area. A lot of people are physically limited (fig 1-12, see Appendix B ). To encourage people to use the park, accessibility and inclusive design are highly in demand.

1.3 HISTORY

Grammar Street park is a neighbourhood park on the boundaries of the regions of Hillfoot, Crookesmoor, and Hillsborough. Within 5 minutes walking distance of Ruskin Park and Philadelphia Garden, which forms a potenial green link for the area.There are two main entrances; the south entrance is on Grammar street and Greaves street on the northeast side.

In the 1960s, Grammar Street Park was full of housings; there was no green space. Until 1970, the developments around the site and where the Philadelphia Garden currently is were demolished. In the next decade, the area was rebuilt into a residential community. With green space in the center, the neighbourhood has become relatively low-density residential housing, utterly different from the past. During that time, Ruskin Park was also developed from a residential area to a green space (fig 1-10).

1.5 POTENTIAL USERS

The main users are the locals and the wildlife. There are many children here after school during the weekdays. More shelters and resting places are required to encourage the elderly community to use the park more often.

1960

1970

1980

This shows that Grammar Street Park is an essential green space in the neighbourhood, and it forms a green connection with other surrounding parks. Improving the quality of this park can encourage the locals to use it more frequently.

figure 1-16 Dog walkers and dogs

figure 1-17 Children or students

figure 1-11 Age percentage of the population in range of 10 minutes walking distance

figure 1-12 Percentage of populations that are physically highly limited by health issues.

figure 1-10 Historical map of Grammar st. Park

Ruskin Park Philadelphia Garden

Philadelphia Garden

INTRODUCTION

1.6 VEGETATIONS

Some tree species grow well in the park, e.g., oak, wild cherry, willow, etc. Recommend to plant existing species.

Existing species:

Maple (Acer pseudoplatanus)

Silver birch (Betula pendula)

Hazel (Corylus avellana)

Common Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana)

Apple tree (Malus pumila)

Black poplar (Populus nigra)

Wild cherry (Prunus avium)

English oak (Quercus robur)

Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia)

Grey willow (Salix cinerea)

Elder tree (Sambucus nigra)

Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia)

Guelder rose (Viburnum opulus)

1.7 TOPOGRAPHY G

and the air is fresher compared to the Don valley. The major level changes are the slope on and the west side of the main path, covered by vegetation. It is flat and gentle throughout the rest of the park (see Appendix C ).

figure 1-19 Oak trees provide shelter and food source for the squirrels.

figure

Topography and Vegetation location

figure 1-22 The berries of the rowan can support birds and pollinators, and add a warm colour to the greens.

figure 1-24 Two small spesimen trees on the field (left: elder tree, right: wild cherry)

figure 1-25 Vegetations on the slope are complex. Some of them are self-seeded. Birds and squirrels love this area. Adding more plants can strengthen the eco-link.

figure 1-23 Poplars in the distance to break down wind. Suggest to plant more on the north side of the field.

figure 1-20 There are many mature oak trees in the park. It’s provide shelter and shade for the visitors.

figure 1-26 Border of the field connected to the residential area.

figure 1-21 Mature wild cherry trees and oak trees.

2 ISSUES

1. MICROCLIMATE: WINDY AND COLD

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Major Feature & Facilities

objective 1 : Increase tree canopy by 15% (increase 2,819m2)

Talk to the community about planting fruit trees in the park. To form a community group to look after the orchard after it's done.

Fruit forest for education and habitat conservation.

Plant fruit trees and nut trees as canopy layers e.g. apple tree, pear tree, hazel tree etc.

Plant shrubs as middle layer e.g. berries, currents etc. (Wilder, natural character, different layers,)(diagram for the fruit forest)

Orchard for local residents

Plant fruit trees and nut trees as canopy layers e.g. apple tree, pear tree etc.

(wider path and spacing for physical limited people)(diagram for the orchard)

2. FACILITIES LACK OF MAINTENANCE

Plant Bird and squirrel friendly tree species.

Create vegetation berries to break down wind. Suggest species: few black poplar and smaller tree species or bigger shrubbery

some of them are lack usage and maintenance. The steps on the west side of the field are unused and abandoned. The balancing beams in the playground are made of wood, rotten.

INTRODUCTION

3. TOPOGRAPHY: BIG SLOPE

The view on the north side of the park is limited by the slope. The only scenery those residents have is mowed grass.

4. LACK OF BASIC FACILITIES

There are only four benches in the park, three on the field without shelter, and one in the playground. There are many elderlies in the neighbourhood, setting more resting areas is necessary.

5. DESIRE LINE

There are some desired lines in the dense vegetation area on the slope next to the

Walkley Primary School

two small specimen trees on it, making the be in the park with no shelter from the wind, especially during wintertime.

figure 2-1

Adding vegetation as a barrier to break downwind speed and create shelter can increase people’s time in the park.

figure 2-3 Rotten balancing beam Suggest to use plastic wood to replace the current one.

figure 2-4

Suggest to introduce some vegetation on the northe side of the slope. (see recommendation 2-1)

figure 2-6

Suggest keeping one of the desired line for maintenance use and put some gravel on it for anti-slip.

figure 2-5 Bench facing at nothing, lack of shelter from open area.

figure 2-2 Abandoned stpes (see recommendation 2-5)

The view from the house

FUTURE VISION

3 VISION

WALKLEY FOREST - for locals and wildlife

To create an ecologically diverse, green, and leisure neighbourhood park that is being used frequently by both the locals and wildlife (fig 3-1).

4 AIMS

4.1 Improve the opportunities for local wildlife

Aim to improve the living environment for existing wildlife and potential species by creating and conserving the habitats to provide food sources and shelters.

4.2 Encourage local resident to use the park

Being close to “nature” has a positive influence on people, therefore encouraging locals to use the park has a good effect on their well-being.

5 OBJECTIVES

5.1 Increase tree canopy by 10% (2,819m2)

One single tree can support various species, so having mature and healthy trees in the park can increase biodiversity. Also, the tree canopy brings shade that creates a microclimate around it to help reduce wind speed and heatwaves under climate change.

5.2 Increase non-tree vegetations coverage to 20% of the total area of the park

(5,540m2)

A complex and diverse ecosystem relies on different layers of vegetation instead of mowed grass and trees. To increase shrubbery and herbaceous plants in the park can support more species to form a more robust and diverse ecosystem.

5.3 Hold events and activities

Grammar Street Park is a heighbourhood green space. To encourage people to use the park more frequently, holding events and activities is a way to bring people together. Through the events, attendants will know more about the park and its benefits to the environment and locals.

figure 3-1 Vision of Walkley Forest

RECOMMENDATIONS

6.1 RECCOMENDATIONS OF OBJECTIVE 1

1.1 Major Feature & Facilities

Objective 1 : Increase tree canopy by 10% (increase 2,819m2)

objective 1 : Increase tree canopy by 15% (increase 2,819m2)

Talk to the community about planting fruit trees in the park. To form a community group to look after the orchard after it's done.

Meeting with the local community and Walkley Primary School. Talk to the community about planting fruit trees in the park. To form a

Fruit forest for education and habitat conservation.

Plant fruit trees and nut trees as canopy layers e.g. apple tree, pear tree, hazel tree etc.

1-2 | priority: high

Plant shrubs as middle layer e.g. berries, currents etc.

Set up a fruit forest for education and habitat conservation.

– Mainly used and co-funded by Walkley Primary School.

(Wilder, natural character, different layers,)(diagram for the fruit forest)

Orchard for local residents

Plant fruit trees and nut trees as canopy layers e.g. apple tree, pear tree etc.

(wider path and spacing for physical limited people)(diagram for the orchard)

– Vegetation suggestions: Fruit trees and nut trees as canopy layers (e.g., apple tree, pear tree, hazel, etc.) Shrubbery as the middle layer (e.g., berries, currents, etc.). Root vegetables as ground level (e.g., carrot, potato, and beetroot, etc.)

1-3 | priority: high

Plant Bird and squirrel friendly tree species.

Establish an orchard for local residents.

– Mainly used and managed by locals.

– Organise fundraiser annually for longterm management.

Create vegetation berries to break down wind. Suggest species: few black poplar and smaller tree species or bigger shrubbery

– Wider path and protection between trees for users with limited mobility.

1-4 | priority: high

Plant Bird and squirrel friendly tree species on the slope area.

1-5 | priority: medium

Create vegetation barriers to break down wind.

– Vegetation suggestions: A few black poplars and smaller tree species, or big ger shrubbery.

Walkley Primary School

Fruit forest develope diagram

Dwarf fruit trees are easier to reach for children and people in wheelchairs.

6.2 RECCOMENDATIONS OF OBJECTIVE 2

1.1 Major Feature & Facilities

objective 1 : Increase tree canopy by 15% (increase 2,819m2)

Objective 2 : Increase non-tree vegetations coverage to 20% of the total area of the park

Talk to the community about planting fruit trees in the park. To form a community group to look after the orchard after it's done.

Fruit forest for education and habitat conservation.

Plant fruit trees and nut trees as canopy layers e.g. apple tree, pear tree, hazel tree etc.

Plant shrubs as middle layer e.g. berries, currents etc.

Plant perennial meadow floral species on the hillside using naturalistic planting to create habitat for pollinators; provide a better view from the residential housing for the locals (fig 6-9). Two thirds of the area will be done first, the rest will be done in the following year collaborate with local communities (see recommendation 3-3)

(Wilder, natural character, different layers,)(diagram for the fruit forest)

Orchard for local residents

Plant fruit trees and nut trees as canopy layers e.g. apple tree, pear tree etc.

Create a naturalistic planting area with no human entrance apart from maintenance use.

(wider path and spacing for physical limited people)(diagram for the orchard)

– Plant hight under 1.2m to keep sight line from the path.

– Use bee-friendly species to attract bee colonies.

Plant Bird and squirrel friendly tree species. Create vegetation berries to break down wind. Suggest species: few black poplar and smaller tree species or bigger shrubbery

Dense the shrubbery on the slope area to encourage Long-tailed tit to nest. Leave the leaves and feathers in the area for Long-tailed tit to build their nests.

Narrow down the width of Grammar street entrance to add a vegetation bed (1.5m width/ 20-30cm height) along the road. Use bee friendly species in naturalistic planting design (fig 6-10).

Remove the tree and vegetation near the steps, plant ground cover plants instead to keep the sight line (see fig 2-2).

Greaves St.

Walkley Primary School

figure 6-9 Perennial meadow on the hill side. It can provide shelter and food sources for pollinators and create desirable scenery for the locals throughout the year.

figure 6-6 Perennial meadow

figure 6-7 Perennail planting vision

figure 6-8 A nesting long-tailed tit

figure 6-10 Vegetation bed to increase biodiversity and greener view from the house.

6.3 RECCOMENDATIONS OF OBJECTIVE 3

1.1 Major Feature & Facilities

Objective 3 : Hold events and activities

objective 1 : Increase tree canopy by 15% (increase 2,819m2)

3-1

Talk to the community about planting fruit trees in the park. To form a community group to look after the orchard after it's done.

NOV 2022 | priority: high

Walkley Forest Planting event:

Fruit forest for education and habitat conservation.

An annual fundraiser event that allows locals to plant their own trees and take care of them afterward.

Plant fruit trees and nut trees as canopy layers e.g. apple tree, pear tree, hazel tree etc.

3-2 | priority: high

Plant shrubs as middle layer e.g. berries, currents etc.

MAR 2023

(Wilder, natural character, different layers,)(diagram for the fruit forest)

Collaborate with Walkley Primary School for an annual biodiversity project. Students make and place the bug hotels in the fruit forest to provide shelter for the insects or small creatures.

Orchard for local residents

3-3 | priority: high

Plant fruit trees and nut trees as canopy layers e.g. apple tree, pear tree etc.

MAY 2023

(wider path and spacing for physical limited people)(diagram for the orchard)

“Plant for Pollinator” event (annual):

Plant Bird and squirrel friendly tree species.

Collaborate with local communities to plant bee-friendly plants species on the hillside in 2023. Later on, each year mainly takes care work well.

3-4 | priority: low

JUL 2024

Create vegetation berries to break down wind. Suggest species: few black poplar and smaller tree species or bigger shrubbery

“Nice 2 meet U” dog event (annual):

This event is for dog owners or dog lovers. People are encouraged to bring their dogs to the park on a hot summer day to meet other dogs and their owners. There will be some activities that people can attend with their dogs, and some of them are dogs only (fig 6-12).

3-5 | priority: low

Fruit Picking & Picnic:

SEP 2024

Held by a friend group or local communities. People can go into the orchard and harvest fruits, make different desserts together, and then have a picnic afterward. The event is specially designed for bonding people of different ages.

CRITIQUES

CRITIQUE OF FEASIBILITY

The management plan serves as a guide and improvement principle for Grammar Street Park in order to make it a greener neighbourhood park that is friendly to the locals and wildlife. The critique considers whether the recommendations will work in practice and some general suggestions for them.

WILL THE RECOMMENDATIONS WORK IN PRACTICE?

The recommendations are primarily about planting new vegetation in the park and holding events that require the local community to participate. These are the main issues the come across the recommendations (see Appendix E for details).

1. LOCALS REACTION OF NEW PLANTINGS

Locals might not be happy about having more vegetation in the park. To come to an agreement, several meetings between Sheffield city council and the community are required.

2. NEW WAY OF MAINTENANCE

Some of the recommendations suggest introducing new types of vegetation that will require maintenance team members to exercise different skills from what they are currently used to.

3. LACK OF RESOURCES TO MAITENANCE

Some denser vegetation areas might raise safety conthem. It is suggested to use a low-maintenance planting design and choose suitable species. Otherwise, the maintenance team should take care of those parts first.

4. LACK OF FUNDINGS

Most of the recommendations require funding. Even though some of the events are aimed to generate income, but there is no guarantee of how much. Other than the fundraiser events and lotteries, try to collaborate with other organisations to increase the budget.

REFERENCE

FIGURES

figure 1-9

figure 1-10

figure 1-11

figure 1-12

figure 1-13

figure 1-14

figure 1-15

figure 1-16

figure 1-17

figure 6-1

figure 6-2

figure 6-3

figure 6-4

figure 6-6

figure 6-8

figure 6-12

Current locations of the facilities and view points. Digimap

Historical map of Grammar St. Park. Digimap

Age percentage of the population in range of 10 minutes walking distance . Digimap

Percentage of populations that are physically highly limited by health issues. Digimap

People with disabilities. https://inews.co.uk/news/consumer/disability-access-concerns-supermarkets-blue-badge-parking-bays-scope-566380 Families. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/want-to-get-happy-walk-the-dog/

Elder community. https://www.westend61.de/en/imageView/UUF000698/two-old-men-using-tablet-computer-in-the-park

Dog walkers and dogs. https://www.express.co.uk/news/nature/848393/dog-walks-leash-area-uk-park-beach-laws-fines-court Children or students. https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/activities-for-kids-at-your-local-park

Fruit forest develope diagram https://spiralseed.co.uk/making-forest-garden/ https://unsplash.com/photos/uRNjAWP08lE

https://unsplash.com/photos/U46bGX6KRfU

Fruit forest vision http://seeditforward.org/blog/why-fruit-forest-not-orchard/

Perennial meadow https://www.pictorialmeadows.co.uk/project_showcase/st-marys-university/

A nesting long-tailed tit https://www.audubon.org/news/brighter-days-long-tailed-tit

Dog event https://www.powderham.co.uk/events/view/muddy-dog-challenge-2020

Burnham Beeches 2020-2030 management plan

https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/green-spaces/burnham-beeches-and-stoke-common/how-we-manage-the-beeches

https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/19377915/crookes-valley-park-ponderosa-philadelphia-greenspacepdf Green Flag Award https://www.greenflagaward.org/

Crookes Valley Park_Ponderosa_Philadelphia greenspace

Living with nature https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/polopoly_fs/1.516000!/file/living-with-nature-online-2014.pdf

Pictorial Meadows https://www.pictorialmeadows.co.uk/

Weston Park Management Plan 2009-2012

OTHERS APPENDICES

Appendix A Social Profile: Age. Digimap

https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/19377766/weston-park-management-plan-university-of-sheffield

Appendix B Social Profile: Physical Limit. Digimap

Appendix C Topography: Contour. Digimap

Appendix D Recommendations

Appendix E Table of Critiques

APPENDICES

APPENDIX A SOCIAL PROFILE :AGE

age 0-15 age 16-34 age 35-65 age over 65

APPENDIX B SOCIAL PROFILE: PHYSICAL LIMIT

Relatively older Relatively younger

APPENDICES

APPENDIX C TOPOGRAPHY: CONTOUR

APPENDIX D RECOMMENDATIONS

GrammarSt.

Walkley Primary School

existed bin

dog waste bin

new sitting area

current benches

foot path

orchard/ fruit forest

shrubbery

perennial meadow

new tree canopy

existed tree canopy

APPENDICES

APPENDIX E TABLE OF CRITIQES

No. Recommendations

Critique

1.1 Meeting with the local community and Walkley Primar y School People might not be interested in the idea

T here might not be enough stewardship to take care of the orchard after ward

1 2 Set up a fruit forest for education and habitat conser vation. T here might be animals that feed on the plants in the fruit forest, and gradually become a safety concern of the students, park visitors and locals

If the vegetation grows too big, it might become a place that is not safe for the students

1 3 Establish an orchard for local residents. T here might be people who are not happy with the fruit trees, because it seems relatively harder to maintain than the grass

Bringing in the orchard will block the open view on the eld

Not sure if the soil and the windy weather is good for t he new fruit trees.

1 4 Plant Bird and squirrel friendly tree species on the slope area. T he new plants should be compatible with the existing species.

1.5 Create vegetation barriers to break down wind Tree species like poplars will block the open view on the eld which is one of the major features of the park.

2 1 Plant perennial meadow oral species on the hillside T he walking route will be restricted by the new planting on the hill side. Dogs might go in Might need some protection when it’s newly planted

2.2 Create a naturalistic planting area with no human entrance apar t from maintenance use.

If the vegetation grows too high or there’s no maintenance for cutting back it might give out a messy, abandoned feeling, and increase safety issues.

2.3 Dense the shrubber y to encourage Long-tailed tit to nest Lack of maintenance may lead to overgrowing and give out vibes that no one is taking care of the park

2 4 Narrow down the width of Grammar street entrance to add a vegetation bed along the road. Locals might nd it messy and don't want to look after the planting bed.

3.1 Walkley Forest Planting event

T here might be some concern about trees’ health because they are not planted by professionals

3 2 Collaborate with Walkley Primar y School for an annual biodiversity project

3.3 “Plant for Pollinator ” event (annual )

3 4 “Nice 2 meet U” dog event (annual )

3.5 Fruit Picking & Picnic

T here might not be funding from the school, or they have no intention to par ticipate in the project.

T here might not be enough funding to buy new bulbs for the following years to replace the dead ones from the rst year.

Not sure how many people will want to attend the event. People who don’t like dogs might not be happy about this event taking place in the park

Since the orchard is open to the public, the fruit could have already been picked Could it be better if the orchard is fenced up?