Coronation Park, Helston benefits from the CIRIA BIG Biodiversity Challenge
It is always a great privilege to be involved in the CIRIA BIG Biodiversity Challenge and, as in previous years, Wildflower Turf Ltd was the overall prize sponsor at last year’s awards.
Originally launched in 2013, the BIG Biodiversity Challenge invites the construction industry to add at least one new biodiversity enhancement to construction sites, developments, or existing buildings. The BIG Biodiversity Challenge continues to be recognised as the number one industry initiative for raising awareness of, and delivering, biodiversity within construction and the built environment and each year attracts entries from high-profile organisations such as Kier, Heathrow Airport Ltd, Thames Water and Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks.
The 2019 Overall Winner was Cormac Solutions Ltd for Cornwall Council’s Green Infrastructure for Growth programme. Cormac Solutions Ltd was also successful in winning the ‘Project of the Year – medium/large scale Award’ for the same project.
Cornwall Council’s Green Infrastructure for Growth programme has led the way in environmental net gain and worked with local communities to re-think areas of green space. As part of the project, public urban spaces within seven towns have been improved for both people and wildlife, with over 40Ha of public urban space enhanced.
As sponsor of the Overall Winner category, Wildflower Turf Ltd provided Cormac Solutions and Cornwall Council with a prize comprising 200m2 of our Native Enriched Turf. Native Enriched Turf, as the name suggests, contains a mix of both native and naturalised wildflower species and is perfect for adding colour and enhanced interest to areas that may benefit from a cottage garden feel.
Coronation Park in Helston was selected as a high-profile public space suitable for the creation of Cornwall Council’s new wildflower meadow. Helston’s flagship park boasts a children’s play area, a café, and a popular boating lake. The Native Enriched turf installed will provide a wonderful habitat for pollinators, beneficial insects and wildlife and help to improve the overall ecosystem of the area. Rumour has it the local swans, coots and ducks have also been very impressed with the park’s new meadow!
Alongside the Coronation Park installation, a portion of the turf has also been laid at Kimberley Park in Falmouth, contributing a lovely aesthetic for locals and visitors alike.
Coronation Park’s wildflower makeover commenced in July of this year, with the Native Enriched turf laid by staff and volunteers from South Kerrier Alliance CIC (SKA CIC) a social enterprise formed by volunteers to address the needs and aspirations of the people of South Kerrier, Helston and its surrounding parishes. The volunteers laid the turf before trimming, rolling and then thoroughly watering the finished meadow.
SKA CIC also installed a timber rail to help protect the new wildflowers as they began to establish and there are plans afoot to also install two new timber seats and a sign outlining how Coronation Park’s wildflower meadow came into being.
Supporting the CIRIA Awards indulges our passion for supporting and encouraging action that promotes and improves biodiversity within the urban environment. While the CIRIA Big Biodiversity Challenge Awards for 2020 is currently on hold as a result of the uncertainties of COVID-19, we look forward to a time when the Challenge and Awards will once again be putting the best of the best to the test.
For further information about the CIRIA BIG Biodiversity Challenge Awards, click here. If you would like some more information about Wildflower Turf Nature Enriched turf, or any of our other products, then please do get in touch on 01256 771 222 or email us at wildflower@wildflowerturf.co.uk.