OXLEY PARK (OZ/ES01) - Management Plan

Click here to see general ecological data for the site

Click here to see species lists for this site

Aims and Objectives

 

Ecological

To protect and enhance biological diversity through sympathetic management by:

  • Heather ride management (north and north east of the top platform of recreation fields)
  • Grassland management - maintain rough grassland areas by non-intervention/minimal cutting and non-application of herbicides or fertilisers or similar other inputs
  • Wet meadow management already conducted on the eastern part of this site with a Juncus (rush) flush area maintained.
  • Scrub control to maintain open areas of rough grassland and herbs. Some control of rhododendron, cherry laurel and sycamore in various parts of site.

Recreational

  • To provide proposals for existing play facilities to be improved and sited at a new location within the park. To provide proposals for a new BMX track on the existing play area.
  • Maintain football pitches in the winter

Community and educational

 

  • To involve young people from the local community in the design of the new play facilities and BMX track
  • To set up a community composting centre on a portion of land on the north eastern part (north of existing allotment and adjacent to Stocksbridge Leisure Centre car park)

 

Management Prescription

 

AIM

CODE

METHOD

REASON

Heather ride management

HRM1

Cut back scrub and coarse grasses.

Maintain and enhance biodiversity.

Wood and scrub management

WSM1

Control/remove rhododendron/cherry laurel and sycamore. Maintain some scrub but also open rough grassland areas/glades.

Maintain and enhance habitat for native species.

Rough grassland management

RGM

Non-intervention - cut as little in Autumn as many invertebrates winter in stalks and seed heads.

Maintain and enhance biodiversity.

Flush and wet meadow management

FWMM

Areas left unmown during Spring, Summer and early Autumn.

Maintain and enhance biodiversity and visual amenity.

Bench construction

BEC1

Produce from locally-sourced materials with the involvement of school kids/local residents.

Local community involvement and commitment to enhancing and using park.

Bench maintenance

BEC2

Replace or repair any damage.

To ensure continued use.

Construction of composting centre

CCC1

Area required for construction of a number of bins for composting material including leaves from the park.

Provide facilities for production of compost.

Himalayan balsam control

HBC

Dig up and remove plants/roots at intervals.

Control of non-native plant.

Relocation of play facilities

PF1

Site just west and nearer to the Stocksbridge Leisure Centre. Local kids to design play area and construct with locally-sourced materials.

To encourage better access and greater use.

Maintenance of new play facilities

PF2

Replace or repair any damage.

To ensure continued safe use of facilities.

Construction of BMX track

BMX1

Local kids to design and help build BMX facility on old play area.

Increase available recreation facilities for young people.

Maintain BMX track

BMX2

Replace or repair any damage.

To ensure continued safe use of facilities.

Leaf collection

LC1

Main areas of scrub/woodland to be targeted.

For composting at the centre and use as mulch.

Management Description

                                                                       

CODE

YEAR
SEASON

 
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

 

HRM1
a

a

a

a

Winter

WSM1
a
a
a

a

a

a

Winter

RGM
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a

Winter

FWMM
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a

Winter

BEC1

a

Any

BEC2

a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a

Any

CCC1
a

Winter

HBC
a
a
a

a

a

a

Summer

PF1
a

Any

PF2

a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a

Any

BMX1

a

Any

BMX2

a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a

Any

LC1
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a

Autumn

 

 

 

Stocksbridge SRB5 Greenspace Audit undertaken by Jim Flanagan for Sheffield Wildlife Trust - see their Community Action Handbook - full of good ideas for your local site


Back to map of ecological survey sites

Inner Zone

Knoll Top

Outer Zone

Oxley Park

Bracken Moor - playing fields

East Whitwell - open space

Wood Royd

Countryside Zone

Ellen Cliff Wood

Townend Common

Industrial Zone

Dog Lichen Field

Hen Holmes Wood

Little Don - acid heath

Little Don - open space

Exchange Sidings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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