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• Bulwell Bogs is miraculously transformed into a green oasis - in just three months

• Date:

  13th July 2004

• Contact:

  Sarah Egerton

• Organisation:

  The Civic Trust

The Green Flag Award scheme was at the heart of improvements to Bulwell Bogs in Nottingham, which had become derelict by 2001 and proposals had been put forward for a nearby bus terminus. However, these plans were strongly rejected by more than 300 local residents and subsequently scrapped.

From as early as 1887 when ‘The Battle of the Bogs’ began, the local community have ensured they have the final say on any changes to the site. For this reason, Nottingham City Council worked intensely with residents in bringing about the miraculous creation of a safe green oasis in the space of just three months!

The transformation began back in the winter of 2002 when the council’s Area Development Officer, Paul Fletcher, surveyed the site and took photographs. He then developed a PowerPoint presentation detailing problems, and provided designs and concept drawings that would improve the park - all proposals were related to the Green Flag Award criteria. This was then shown to a large group of local residents and various other stakeholders, who all agreed with the proposals put forward.

It took just three months to transform the park at a cost of £190,000, of which £90,000 came from the Single Regeneration Budget and the rest from the council. Construction began in March 2003 and ended in June. Green Flag Award judges arrived that summer and highly praised Bulwell Bogs, commenting, “Bulwell Bogs is a welcoming and well used small community park. The park makes good use of its natural river feature and the community influence on artwork, seating and even bins is commendable. Bulwell Bogs met the Green Flag Award criteria by a comfortable margin and should be extremely proud of its achievements.”

The Friends of Bulwell Bogs have now been busy for more than two years developing the park for the benefit of local people. Vice Chair, Jackie Morris said, “It’s made a vast difference to the town, being a pleasant and safe environment. It has created our own oasis in the middle of town and enhanced the river side.”

Friend and Chairman, Diana Lingley said, “This has been the best thing that has happened in the town for years. The town has a new lease of life. The development process was also made interesting and fun for everyone, thanks to the way in which Paul managed the project and the clear objectives and aims set out in the Green Flag Award criteria.”