Blackstone Riverside Park Management Plan
(draft for consultation)
2014-2024
Worcestershire County Council Countryside Service Waseley Hills Country Park, Gannow Green Lane, Rubery B45 9AT Tel: (01562) 710025 countryside@worcestershire.gov.uk
Blackstone Riverside Park management plan 2014 - 2024
Contents
1. VISION ...... 3 2. PURPOSE OF THE MANAGEMENT PLAN ...... 3 3. INTRODUCTION ...... 3 4. SITE OVERVIEW ...... 4 5. HEALTH AND SAFETY ...... 4 6. DESCRIPTION ...... 5
6.1 ACCESS AND FACILITIES ...... 5 6.2 INFORMATION, INTERPRETATION AND PROMOTION ...... 6 6.3 VISITOR USE AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT ...... 6 6.4 ARCHAEOLOGY AND HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT ...... 7 6.5 LANDSCAPE AND LANDSCAPE FEATURES ...... 7 6.6 GEOLOGY AND TOPOGRAPHY ...... 7 6.7 HABITATS ...... 7 6.7.1Grassland ...... 7 6.7.2 Woodland ...... 8 6.7.3 River bank ...... 8 6.8 FLORA AND FAUNA...... 8 6.8.1 Flora ...... 8 6.8.2 Birds ...... 8 6.8.3 Mammals ...... 8 6.8.4 Invertebrates ...... 9 6.9 CURRENT MANAGEMENT AND RESOURCES ...... 9 7. EVALUATION ...... 9
7.1 ACCESS AND FACILITIES ...... 9 7.2 INFORMATION, INTERPRETATION AND PROMOTION ...... 10 7.3 VISITOR USE AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT ...... 11 7.4 ARCHAEOLOGY AND HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT ...... 11 7.5 LANDSCAPE AND LANDSCAPE FEATURES ...... 11 7.6 GEOLOGY AND TOPOGRAPHY ...... 11 7.7 HABITATS ...... 11 7.7.1 Grassland ...... 11 7.7.2 Woodland ...... 12 7.7.3 Riverbank ...... 12 7.8 FLORA AND FAUNA...... 12 7.8.1 Flora ...... 12 7.8.2 Birds ...... 13 7.8.3 Mammals ...... 13 7.8.4 Invertebrates ...... 13 7.9 CURRENT MANAGEMENT AND RESOURCES ...... 13 8. AIMS OF MANAGEMENT PLAN ...... 14 MAPS ...... 15 ACTION PLAN ...... 17
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Blackstone Riverside Park management plan 2014 - 2024
1. Vision
To provide a site that is a welcoming visitor attraction in North Worcestershire close to the Georgian riverside town of Bewdley. The Riverside Park will provide a gate way to the wider Wyre Forest area including the Ribbesford Circular Walk, as well as a site for informal recreation with views across the River Severn to Blackstone Rocks.
The wildlife and landscape value of the site will be maintained and where possible enhanced in a manner that is in balance with the recreational value of the site. The special qualities of the site and the local area will be interpreted for the enjoyment and education of visitors.
2. Purpose of the management plan
To provide continuity of management on the site through a 10 year programme of works. To explain the reasons for management and decide what work needs to be undertaken. To evaluate the effectiveness of management. Maximise the value of the site for wildlife and recreation. To ensure compliance with existing grant To identify projects for external funding.
3. Introduction Blackstone Riverside Park is situated on the West bank of the River Severn, approximately 1Km South of Bewdley. The site can be accessed from the B4194 or by foot on the Ribbesford Circular Path or from the A456 Bewdley by-pass. Brown and White signs are in place from the centre of Bewdley and from the Dunley to Stourport road. Map 1 shows how Blackstone Riverside Park sits in its surroundings.
The site is on land formally owned by Winterdyne Farm which was purchased by the County Council as part of the Bewdley by-pass development in 1985. The last of the derelict buildings was demolished in December 2012 as the structure had become unsafe. The site was planted up with native, broadleaf trees in several blocks with grassland in between. There is a car park on site, which has a height restriction of 2m and can accommodate approximately 35 cars. There is an easy access picnic area and other picnic benches in the wider site and currently one memorial bench, no other visitor facilities provided by Worcestershire County Council.
Several fishing pegs are located on the river bank. These are provided by and maintained by the Kidderminster and District Angling Association (KDAA). Fishermen and regular dog walkers form a large proportion of the overall visitors to the site. The Riverside Park is also well used by families for picnicking and informal recreation and people walking the Ribbesford Circular Trail.
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Blackstone Riverside Park management plan 2014 - 2024
4. Site Overview Size: 7.0935 Ha
Grid reference: OS 789742 (centre of site)
Administrative areas:
County: Worcestershire
District: Wyre Forest Parishes: Ribbesford
Tenancies:
None noted
Access agreements:
Right of access to riverside field still owned by Winterdyne Farm The owners of the fishing rights have rights of access along the riverbank south of the bypass bridge together with the right to get from the bank to the road near the southern end of this stretch.
Byelaws: the standard County Council byelaws apply.
Ownership/Tenure: Freehold
Designations: none
Date of Acquisition: 25 November 1985
Deed Packet Numbers: 7720; 1026; 2206; 1215
5. Health and safety
All of the Countryside Service sites have recorded, quarterly health and safety inspections carried out on them. These are undertaken by Countryside Sites or Assistant Sites officers in January, April, July and October. All items on the site are inspected against set standards. Tree inspections are carried out during the October quarterly inspections and in line with the tree inspection policy.
Additionally, Blackstone Riverside Park has weekly checks of key areas. These checks are on the car park, information boards, fences, gates, steps and benches. The general condition of these items is checked along with a litter pick of the whole site.
A site risk assessment has been developed. It is reviewed by the Countryside Sites Team annually.
A lifeline was present on site, close to the river bank, until November 2010. The lifeline had a history of being either stolen or vandalised rendering the lifeline useless. A record was kept of the number of times the lifeline had to be replaced over a period of time. Worcestershire County Council do not
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Blackstone Riverside Park management plan 2014 - 2024 promote access to the river at this site, no boat moorings, canoe launches and no history of swimming. As this is the case, the decision to remove the lifeline was taken. This decision was taken in line with the water rescue policy and after consultation with Worcestershire County Council Health and Safety advisers, Insurance and Legal teams.
When the new information boards were installed, safety advice was included on them to comply with the safety signage policy. This is particularly in relation to the river, advising not to enter the water. 'Do not enter the water' signs are also on some of the posts to mark out fishing pegs along the river bank.
6. Description
6.1 Access and facilities Blackstone Riverside Park is managed in line with the County Council's Greenspace Team Visitor Care Plan, which sets out the authority's approach to sites management for visitors.
The site has one formal car park which originally formed a loop with several parking bays in it. As well as being too large for the site's requirements, the layout encouraged antisocial behaviour and was very expensive to maintain. Over a period of time, the car park layout was changed and the capacity reduced to approximately 35 cars.
The car park was re- surfaced in 2011 as part of the Grow with Wyre project and is constructed of recycled road planings with a small tarmac apron to join with the road (B4194). The car park is not locked at night and is accessed through a 2m height barrier. A small layby on the B4194 which can accommodate approximately five cars is regularly used by fishermen.
One part of the former car park was dug up and laid with top soil and now has three picnic benches on it, forming an easy access picnic area. Stone produced from this work was moved to Waseley Hills Country Park and used to construct a path to connect the Country Park to Frankley. In addition to the picnic benches close to the car park, there are three other permanent picnic benches round the site and a memorial bench at the view point to the sandstone outcrop across the river.
Blackstone Riverside Park is easily accessible on foot from Bewdley following the public right of way, also part of the Ribbesford Circular Trail, along the river bank. The circular trail is often flooded so it can become muddy. The site can also be accessed via a flight of steps from the bypass, joining the Ribbesford Circular Trail under the road bridge. The steps are inspected as part of the quarterly site inspections and defects reported to the Countryside Access Team as they are on a public footpath.
There are no on site waymarked trails due to the small size of the site. The Ribbesford Circular Trail passes through the site along the river bank. Blackstone Riverside Park can be used as an alternative start point for the circular trail. Sign posts along a range of meadow and woodland paths direct visitors from the car park to join the circular trail.
Cyclists also use this path to access the site and have been permitted to do so due to the low numbers. There has not been any sign of horse riding along the circular trail or on the wider site.
The fishing rights do not belong to WCC and other than controlling the rights of access the County Council has no jurisdiction over the usage. The owners of the fishing rights have rights of access 5
Blackstone Riverside Park management plan 2014 - 2024 along the riverbank south of the bypass bridge together with the right to get from the bank to the road near the southern end of this stretch. The owner is able to let out the fishing rights, and they have been let out to Kidderminster and District Anglers' Association (KDAA).
This entitles club members, day ticket holders and participants in KDAA 'open' competitions to fish anywhere in that area at any time, although the club itself may impose restrictions regarding times of day. Sixteen fishing pegs are within the site boundary; these are provided and maintained by the KDAA. Anglers are not permitted to allow or carry out any removal of vegetation except that required for reasonable access along the bank to fishing pegs. KDAA have their own bailiffs who regulate members' activity.
There are no canoe launches or boat moorings at the Riverside Park due to the height and incline of the bank rising from the river. People attempting to launch/land canoes or moor boats at the site should be asked not to do so.
Map 2 shows the facilities provided by Worcestershire County Council at Blackstone Riverside Park.
6.2 Information, interpretation and promotion The information boards were replaced in spring 2011 as part of the Grow With Wyre project. Four information boards were installed on the car park edge along with new finger posts to enhance the link between the riverside park and Bewdley. The information boards are as follows: i) information on the site, ii) an area map to show the location of the site, iii) information board for the Ribbesford Circular Trail, iv) information board for the wider Wyre Forest area. The locations of these boards are shown on map 2.
When the new information boards were installed, safety advice was included on them to comply with the safety signage policy. This is particularly in relation to the river, advising not to enter the water. Do not enter the water signs are also on some of the posts to mark out fishing pegs along the river bank.
The strategy for promoting Blackstone Riverside Park is that defined by the Visitor Care Plan. Blackstone Riverside Park is promoted via WCC's website, the Ribbesford Circular Walk leaflet and the occasional press release.
Site staff are working with IT colleagues to develop the use of QR codes to promote the site.
6.3 Visitor use and community involvement Comment cards have been available on site from July 2011. These allow site users the opportunity to give feedback on the site along with other useful information.
The cards show that 36% of visitors are dog walking, 15% are walking without a dog and 22% are visiting for the wildlife. 12% of visitors were using the Ribbesford Circular Trail and a further 12% were visiting for a picnic.
The data collected shows 51% of visitors live within 5 miles of the site and 96% arrive by car. 75% of visitors stay between 1 and 2 hours.
The most recent visitor survey (2002) estimated that the site attracts 45000 visits per year.
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Blackstone Riverside Park management plan 2014 - 2024
There are no regular volunteer works days at Blackstone, however, the volunteers based at Waseley Hills Country Park carry out several work days through the winter at the riverside park.
The local member and Bewdley Town Council are kept informed of any significant events or changes to the park. Occasional correspondence is received from both of these parties but there has not been any other community interest in Blackstone Riverside Park.
Site staff are working with IT colleagues to develop the use of QR codes to receive feedback.
6.4 Archaeology and historic environment A basic internet search on 9 October 2014 using Heritage Gateway showed 3 possible features associated with the river in that area (2 fish weirs and a ford), but no archaeological or historic environment features on the site.
6.5 Landscape and landscape features The majority of Blackstone Riverside Park sits within the riverside meadows landscape character area. This is typified by flat low-lying topography, pastoral land use, including seasonal grazing meadows, tree cover character of individual trees rather than woodland, tree cover pattern of linear tree belts along ditches, watercourses and in hedgerows.
The North –West corner of the site sits in the principal wooded hills landscape character area. This is typified by an upstanding, wooded landscape with a sloping, in places steeply undulating topography, often on the edge of higher ground. This is a landscape of large, irregularly shaped ancient woodlands and wooded streamlines, typically forming an interlocking pattern with surrounding hedged fields. The woodlands are a key visual element within the landscape.
The landscape character areas are shown on map 3.
The site offers excellent views of the landscape of the opposite bank, most notably the large sandstone outcrop, Blackstone Rock.
6.6 Geology and topography The site is situated on the banks of the River Severn and is frequently flooded. The soil is a very fertile, free draining loam. The estimated altitude is 23 metres above sea level. The river runs along the boundary of the site from the North – East corner to the South – West corner of the site. The whole site slopes gradually down to the river.
6.7 Habitats
6.7.1Grassland Blackstone Riverside Park is formed from former agricultural land so the grass is generally improved. Until 2012, the bulk of the grass was cut on an amenity cut with small areas round the woodland blocks cut bi-annually. Since 2012, the grassland has been managed less intensively to allow the growth of flowering plants providing a nectar source. Paths and areas round the picnic benches are cut on an amenity cut to maintain access and recreation areas. The remainder of the grass is flailed in October to prevent the encroachment of scrub and the grassland becoming rank. No grassland surveys have been conducted on the site.
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Blackstone Riverside Park management plan 2014 - 2024
6.7.2 Woodland The six woodland blocks on this site were planted in 1991 with mixed broadleaf trees planted in straight rows. This has led to the trees growing very tall and thin. There are also some woody shrubs and hazel stools round the edges of the woodland blocks, see map 4.
Blackstone Riverside Park was in Woodland Grant scheme from 2003 to 2006. This grant covered work such as cutting paths through blocks 102, 103 and 104, to allow access through the trees increasing the visitor experience of the site, some coppicing and a very small amount of thinning work. Coppicing started in 2005/ 06 on a rotational basis. Each coppice plot is ready for re-harvesting in approximately 3 to 4 years due to the speed of growth on the fertile land.
This site, along with Kingsford Forest Park, was entered into the English Woodland Grant Scheme (EWGS) in May 2012. A felling licence was issued to go with the grant; this runs until 11th May 2017. A large part of this grant is to thin the woodland blocks to allow light to the floor, encouraging natural regeneration and ground flora to flourish, and the remaining trees to grow into some space. The thinning work is selective to leave 70% of the canopy and to increase the age range of the trees. Block 106 was thinned in 2012 / 13, 101 and 105 were thinned in 2013/14.
6.7.3 River bank The river bank is dominated by willow which has self set and spread rapidly, blocking the views to the River. Several large willows are on the bank, some of which were pollarded in approximately 2010. Large oak and sycamore are also present. Stretches of the willow have been cut to open up the views to the rock face on the opposite bank to the park. Fishing pegs are spaced along the river bank; the pegs and access to them are maintained by the Kidderminster and District Angling Association (KDAA).
6.8 Flora and fauna
6.8.1 Flora As previously mentioned, this site is largely improved ground and the majority of the grass was cut on a regular, amenity cut. This had not allowed plants to grow long enough to flower and set seed. Since the mowing has been reduced, the sward has become noticeably more varied in a short period of time. Large plants such as borage and burdock have become common across the site and Himalayan balsam has also spread. No surveys have been carried out.
6.8.2 Birds Kingfishers have been seen regularly on the river banks and skylarks have been noted in the local area. No other species of particular note or rarity have been recorded on the site.
6.8.3 Mammals The bank of the by-pass is host to a large number of rabbits. There have also been signs of foxes on the site. There are a large number of mole hills on the site, especially close to the river. The mole population was controlled until approximately 2006 when this was stopped as it was deemed to be not very successful and was taken as a small money saving. Muntjac, stoat, weasel, field and bank voles and pole cats are listed on the biological records as being in the local area.
Daubentons, pipistrelle and brown long eared bats are all listed on the biological records as being present in the local area. The remains of a derelict building were removed from site in December
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Blackstone Riverside Park management plan 2014 - 2024
2012 and were checked by an ecologist prior to removal. There were not any signs of bats or bat activity in the building.
6.8.4 Invertebrates Biological records data states that hairy legged mining bee has been found on site, there are no other records relating to invertebrate species for the site. Members of the sites team have noted good numbers of common species of butterflies such as peacock and small tortoise shell on the site.
6.9 Current Management and Resources Blackstone Riverside Park is owned by Worcestershire County Council and managed by the Countryside Service. The site was managed following a management plan written in 2006 by a consultant engaged by Worcestershire County Council. The actions in that plan, which had a 5 year length, were for the most part completed and the site has continued to be managed to meet the aims of that plan.
This new plan, written by the Countryside Sites Team with input from both internal and external experts and consultees, has been written to guide the management of the Reserve until 2024
Worcestershire County Council funds the staff and works on the site. Woodland work is also funded through the English Woodland Grant Scheme (EWGS) for 10 years from May 2012. Property Services fund works to the car park and height barrier. Regular mowing is part of the Sites Team grounds maintenance contract. Other works are carried out by staff, contractors and volunteers depending on the task
A full review of site management and provision in 2012, including a soft-marketing exercise, did not identify any viable alternative provider for this site.
7. Evaluation
7.1 Access and facilities The general approach to management of the site is appropriate for its type and location and should continue.
The location of the site on the riverside is one of its main attractions. This also means that part of the site is often flooded and it needs to be managed with this in mind, for example by having fixed seating so it does not float away, locating facilities out of the frequently flooded areas and an understanding that some paths will be inaccessible for some parts of the year.
Car parking at the site is sufficient for its use. The amended design has reduced incidents of the car park being used in appropriately. Regular maintenance of the entrance driveway and car park surface should continue.
The height barrier is effective at preventing unauthorised access and should be retained. There are occasional reports of inappropriate behaviour out of hours, but not sufficient to warrant regular locking of the car park.
The layby on the B4194 does not comprise part of the site and is managed by Highways. It does not present any issues for the site and is a useful facility for anglers. 9
Blackstone Riverside Park management plan 2014 - 2024
Creation of the easy access picnic area has provided a valuable visitor facility and this area should be maintained. There is scope for one additional memorial bench on the site. This could be installed towards the Northern end of the site on the Ribbesford Circular Trail. This bench will be in response to a request rather than a proactive approach.
Pedestrian and vehicle access to the site is very good. With part of the Ribbesford Circular Trail along the river bank and clear sign posts from the car park there is no need for an on-site waymarked trail.
There are multiple other paths offering the visitor the opportunity to walk through the woodland and meadow areas, revealing various views across the river. As part of the development of this management plan, Site Officers have identified, and mapped, the main path, which will be maintained. Other paths will be allowed to open and close as visitors 'desire lines'.
Cycling on site is at a minimal, acceptable level and is permitted across the site. This may need to be reviewed should it ever increase to such a level where it is damaging the habitats or creating significant problems for other site users.
Whilst horse riding is permitted on site, it is not known to happen. Riding could be allowed at a low level but is not particularly desirable as the frequently wet nature of the ground would mean it would easily become churned up, creating issues for other visitors and damaging the grassland. This may need to be reviewed should it ever increase to such a level where it is damaging the habitats or creating significant problems for other site users.
There are occasional incidents in relation to the fishing rights and fishing pegs. Site staff liaise with KDAA as and when necessary to address any issues brought to their attention and should continue to do so.
The type of bank and river conditions mean that this is not a suitable location for canoe launches or boat moorings and these activities should continue to be discouraged at this site.
There are a significant number of suggestions from comment cards for litter and dog waste bins. The Countryside Service does not usually install litter bins on sites without a daily staff presence. There is no strong reason to install litter bins at Blackstone Riverside Park
Consideration has been given to dog waste bins but none are installed to date. Wyre Forest District Council should be approached to enquire if they could service a bin with no cost to the County Council.
7.2 Information, interpretation and promotion The site has recently installed information boards. These were designed to such that the information should remain relevant in the long term. It is advisable, nonetheless, to review the content of the boards every 5 years, or after any significant site changes, to ensure their continued relevance.
Safety information must be maintained in line with the Countryside Service safety signage policy.
From comment card feedback, most visitors either have local knowledge of the site or find it when passing by. Brown & white signs should be retained to assist this. A very small number of visitors
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Blackstone Riverside Park management plan 2014 - 2024 find the site from leaflets or the council website. Development of information and interpretation linked to QR codes should continue.
7.3 Visitor use and community involvement Comment cards provide limited and useful data and should continue to be used. In the last 3 years about 50 cards have been returned. It is hoped that the use of QR codes at various locations across site will increase the amount of feedback received, and this project should continue to completion.
Evidence shows a wide range of age groups and activities on the site, in keeping with the sites location and management as a community facility. Visitors report high levels of satisfaction with the site.
Being located on the edge of a town, there is not one particular community linked to the site. There is no obvious demand for regular organised activities or volunteering on site. A coppicing day was held in 2011 which was attended by 4 people and a guided walk was organised on the site in approximately 2010 which had no attendees. The Sites Team does not have capacity at present to proactively engage with the community. Any approaches to the team would be looked upon favourably and accommodated if possible.
If resources allow it would be interesting to have a repeat visitor survey. This is unlikely in the life time of this plan.
7.4 Archaeology and historic environment Whilst this site does not appear to merit a full survey, further information to determine if there are any archaeological or historic environment features on site should be sought from Worcestershire County Council Archaeology team.
7.5 Landscape and landscape features The site has many of the characteristics of the Riverside Meadows Landscape Character. Management should seek to retain those that are present, such as continuous tree cover along watercourses, conserving existing wetland habitats and retaining natural flooding cycles.
Views of Blackstone Rock should be retained.
7.6 Geology and topography There are no geological or topographical features of note on the site. The location of the site on the riverside means that part of the site is often flooded and it needs to be managed with this in mind.
7.7 Habitats
7.7.1 Grassland The grass will continue to be mown through the grounds maintenance contract. This is to be put out to tender in November 2014 with the contract due to start in March 2015 running for a three year period.
Paths will be cut, 8 times a year, down each of the rides and a wider path cut along the river bank following the Ribbesford Circular walk. A 6m wide path along the river bank will help to control some spread of Himalayan Balsam as well as maintaining good access on one of the busiest parts of the
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Blackstone Riverside Park management plan 2014 - 2024 site. The rest of the grass will be left to grow through the summer and cut in October. This will help to increase the diversity of the grassland and provide a nectar source for invertebrates.
Since the change in mowing regime, there has been a noticeable increase in wildflowers on the site. Bi-annual grassland surveys should be carried out to monitor the changes in the sward.
7.7.2 Woodland The woodland blocks at Blackstone Riverside Park are to be managed in accordance with the EWGS. The current programme runs until spring 2017 with the felling licence running out on 11th May 2017. At the end of this period, the site should be entered into a new woodland grant scheme (and appropriate licences obtained) to ensure the long term management and funding of the site.
By the end of the current plan of works, each of the blocks will have been thinned to leave at least 70% of the canopy with the best trees retained. As the thinning work is carried out, the paths through the woodland blocks 102, 103 and 104 should be maintained and enhanced where appropriate.
Coppicing will take place round the edges of blocks 102, 103, 104 and 105 on a four yearly rotational basis.
7.7.3 Riverbank Self-set willow along the river bank should be managed in a coppice cycle to allow views across the river to the rock on the East bank of the Severn. The willow should be cut on a 5 year rotational basis. This will allow good habitat to form but will also keep the willow at an easily manageable size and keep views open.
Several large willow were pollarded in 2010, these should be re-pollarded on a 10 year rotation to maintain the longevity of the trees. The remaining willows that have not been pollarded will be inspected as part of the October tree inspections and will be pollarded in 2016 – 2017.
Access down the river bank to the fishing pegs will continue to be maintained by the KDAA as they currently have the fishing rights. This will continue to be monitored as part of the quarterly inspections for any unauthorised access or vegetation clearance.
7.8 Flora and fauna
7.8.1 Flora The grassland will be maintained under the grounds maintenance contract. As previously stated, the diversity of the grass sward has visibly increased with a reduction in mowing frequency. A survey should be carried out biannually to show this increase in diversity.
The spread of invasive species will need to be controlled as far as possible. The most effective method of control is through mowing, spraying and pulling of balsam. Balsam spreading up from the river bank will be mown while new patches of balsam appearing will be sprayed or pulled, crushed and piled in a few, small piles. The balsam should be pulled when the plants have flowered but before the seeds have formed. Spraying with glyphosate can occur earlier in the season as the stems and leaves start to grow.
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7.8.2 Birds A bird survey has not been carried out on this site. On site adverts could be used to try and find a keen local resident or group to undertake a survey.
The riverside vegetation should continue to be managed to leave low overhanging branches, providing kingfisher habitat. Areas of longer grass should be maintained as nesting sites for skylarks through the grounds maintenance contract.
Trees with nests, wood pecker holes or obvious perches in should not be felled unless there is a health and safety risk. Tree felling must take place between 1st October and 1st March.
7.8.3 Mammals The general mammal population on the site will not be controlled as they are not causing serious site damage.
Blackstone Riverside Park should continue to be managed to provide a range of habitats and food sources, such as hazelnuts and blackberries, to encourage bank and field voles. Again, on site adverts could be used to try and find a keen local resident or group to undertake a survey.
Less intensive mowing regimes should help to increase the invertebrate populations and therefore provide an increased food source for bats. This mowing regime should be continued.
Any tree felling must be carried out to maintain and where possible, enhance or create new potential roosting sites.
A bat walk should be arranged at Blackstone Riverside Park.
7.8.4 Invertebrates Less intensive mowing regimes should help to increase the invertebrate populations and therefore provide an increased food source for bats. This mowing regime should be continued.
A butterfly transect should be organised to gain more accurate records of species present on site.
7.9 Current Management and Resources Current management of the Reserve has consolidated work since its inception The Reserve is now entering a phase where most work will be routine and cyclical. The challenge is to effectively manage the needs of wildlife and the variety of site users in balance with each other. Using a mixture of staff, volunteers and contractors will continue to deliver cost-effective, efficient management.
The Reserve will continue to be managed using Worcestershire County Council resources and the EWGS funding. Appropriate opportunities will be taken to create income from the Reserve, such as the sale of firewood from the conservation management work. It must, however, be kept in mind that this is a community facility and any income generation must be in keeping with this.
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8. Aims of management plan
Continue to manage site as high quality visitor facility
Continue grassland management regime to increase diversity of site flora
Cohesively manage woodland areas across the site
Continue to manage the riverbank vegetation to provide views across the river
Optimise appropriate income generation opportunities
Maintain and enhance the landscape quality of the country park
Increase knowledge of flora and fauna of the site
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Maps 1. Context map
2. Facilities map
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Blackstone Riverside Park management plan 2014 - 2024
3. Landscape map
4. Habitat map
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Blackstone Riverside Park management plan 2014 - 2024
Action Plan To be completed once plan finalised
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