We are now in Lockdown 3 and the Park is as popular as ever with dog walkers, joggers and families out for ‘essential’ exercise, particularly on days when the sun is shining. The fountain has been turned off for the winter and the leaves are off the trees.
The Park keepers regularly put out food for the birds and there is usually a squirrel to be seen round the feeders as well as pigeons, blackbirds and smaller birds like the Tit family. They have also been building some new raised beds along some of the footpaths which have been planted with herbs. Perhaps the start of a scented garden?
In the first lockdown, painted stones appeared along the side of the paths by the fountain. Affectionately nicknamed Conor the snake, the number of stones grew rapidly with painted rainbows and messages of hope. The council has now fixed the stones firmly in place as a tribute to the community spirit.
Although it is the highest part of Scunthorpe, the park is also the wettest and regularly floods after heavy rain. There is one hollow fringed with weeping willow trees that always flooded, forming a large pond. Not only did it look attractive, it was also loved by children and dogs. However, someone must have decided it was a H&S risk and several years ago a copse of water loving trees were planted in an attempt to dry out the area. It didn’t work and the area still floods. The copse has turned into a damp and rather squalid area.
The Beast from the East 2 left the park covered with several inches of snow, much to the delight of children with their sledges. It did result the unwary getting a bootful of cold muddy water if they ventured off the path onto the grass.
The first snowdrops appeared in January, hazel catkins were appearing and birds were also beginning to sing, a sure sign that spring is coming.
