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• Managing Organisation:

  Halton Borough Council

• Contact:

  Tim Booth

• Telephone:

  0151 424 2061 
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Information about this open space

Wigg Island is a 25-hectare Community Park situated on the southern banks of the river Mersey and accessed by a swing bridge over the Manchester Ship Canal.  Formerly chemical works, the site was heavily contaminated but is now a triumph in industrial land reclamation and was designated a Local Nature Reserve in 2004.  Facilities include walkways and paths, a car park, picnic areas and bird-watching hides overlooking the estuary.  Viewing areas enable visitors to see a wide variety of wildfowl and waders including Shelduck and Curlew. The woodland areas contain a good variety of finches all year round and provide ideal nesting habitat for several migrant warbler species.  The meadows support a rich variety of native wild flowers, including the bee orchid.  A wide variety of events are held in the park, from bat walks to circus skills workshops and environmental activities are provided for schools and other groups.  The Friends of Wigg Island group takes an active role in the site and was involved in the construction of willow living art and the “Troll Trail” wooden sculptures.  The new Visitor Centre is an iconic building inspired by a circular Saxon fort that once stood further downstream.  Sustainability measures include the use of recycled materials in construction, harvesting rainwater from the roof for hand washing and toilet flushing and wind turbine power generation.  Wigg Island’s location with spectacular views over the estuary makes it both a peaceful refuge and a stimulating informal recreational facility for the residents of Halton.