Firwood & District Residents Association in Chadderton, Oldham created the Firwood Community Wetland in 2022, a new outdoor space, which is easily accessible to the local community and a valuable wildlife habitat, thanks to support from Groundwork.

Unknown to most residents and those passing by, is a small stream which runs through the Firwood Park Estate, rising from a spring and disappearing back underground just fifty metres away. Until recently this was unutilised natural resource, now it is central to several wetland pathways.

Thanks to the support of local volunteers, Firwood & District Residents Association and Groundwork created a new, open green-space complete with a pathway, boardwalk, and low-level bridge.

Graham Taylor has been involved with Firwood & District Residents Association for over 8 years and has lived on Firwood Park since 1989. He added:

This new access to our Firwood Community Wetland has already proved to be very popular with walkers and families keen to explore the previously muddy and difficult to access area. It was great to work with Groundwork who kept us informed about their progress during the project with videos and daily reports.

Funding from the People’s Postcode Local Trust supported the physical improvement works as well as new signage, which provide information about wetland habitats and the value they bring to native wildlife.

The space will be enjoyed by many in the local community, providing an opportunity develop a love of nature whilst learning, exploring, and getting the benefit of social interaction, fresh air, and exercise. Dog walkers, families with children, the adjacent Mills Hill primary school and the local Rainbows and Brownie troops will all make good use of the wetland too.

Adam Holt, Land Manager at Groundwork Greater Manchester added,

We’ve now been working with the Residents Association for a number of years now and the area has been transformed into a really pleasant spot for locals to embrace