Oak Plantation Community Woodland, off Knowsley Lane in Huyton, has now re-opened to the public following a £260,000 improvement scheme by Knowsley Council to transform it into an accessible and improved natural public open space for the local area.
Oak Plantation is a historic woodland, originally forming part of the land at the Knowsley Hall Estate, but now owned by Knowsley Council. Thanks to funding secured through the nearby Earlsfield Park Housing and commercial developments, the Council has delivered a range of infrastructure and landscaping improvements.
The works will help to improve Oak Plantation’s visibility and accessibility for the community. In addition, the works will also enhance its biodiversity value for local wildlife.
Works to allow public access to the site have now been completed and visitors to the woodland can now see:
- Two prominent visitor entrances off Knowsley Lane with a further entrance through Lord Derby Memorial Playing Fields.
- Over 1km of pathways, creating accessible woodland walks and recreational routes throughout the site.
- Improvements to the natural habitats of the site, including the ponds, grasslands, watercourse and the woodland itself through vegetation management and essential tree works.
Further works to be carried out in the New Year will see the installation of new welcome signs and bins at the entrances, as well as seating throughout the site. Further habitat works are also expected, including improvements to the watercourse, as well as underplanting works in the woodland and meadowland management works.
However, Oak Plantation can now be enjoyed over the Christmas period following its re-opening, so if you have not yet made a visit, take a look over the holidays at this newly improved community woodland for North Huyton.