Scroll down to see how the new Crystal Palace Naturespace has been progressing...
July-August 2016
This summer the teaching area has undergone more work to create a flatter and more even surface that will be more accessible for wheelchair users and buggies. The pond has also been lined and populated by the college's arboreal team. Despite a slip in our programme of works after bad weather delayed the landscaping, we are now on track to launch in October. We are now working on the finishing touches that will bring the space to life. These include adding bird and bat boxes, minibeast 'hotels', decking around for the pond to allow groups to pond dip and installing the interpretative elements. We will be posting more information here soon about the launch of the space as well as community sessions in the space for this autumn and winter.
May-June 2016
The teaching area has been levelled out and given a top soil dressing ready for grass seed.
The 6m wide path leading in and around the wildlife area is now complete.
Capel Manor's flock of Portland and Whitefaced Woodland Ewes and lambs helping keep the grass down with some conservation grazing on the wildlife area.
Our beautiful 'interpretative' benches have been made and are now having their finishes touches added. They will be embellished with hand-drawn, burnt-in images and ideas about things to hear, see and find within the Nature Space. These benches will form part of the seating area within the teaching space.
April 2016
All of the hard landscaping is now complete. Our students are now about to start a programme of work to finish off the landscaping. This will include: clearing all rocks and rubble, clearing some more bramble along the fence line, leveling out pond, removing about three dead trees and cutting grass. This will begin on 18th April.
February-March 2016
Landscaping and surfacing is now underway phase. We are creating an outdoor classroom/teaching space with seating. New paths will allow visitors to move safely around the space. Some 'wilder' areas will be inaccessible to people which will allow wildlife to flourish. A pond
is being created which will be available for facilitated pond dipping sessions. Most of the site will be step-free and wheelchair accessible. One area will be stepped.
is being created which will be available for facilitated pond dipping sessions. Most of the site will be step-free and wheelchair accessible. One area will be stepped.
Start of the path from the main gate.
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6m wide path leading to the teaching area.
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Path leading down to the steps. A pond will be sited on the right where the land is quite level.
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Teaching area, in the progress of clearing all brambles up to the chestnut fencing then levelling.