Tiny Forest to be created in city park

The Tiny Forest will be planted at John Clare Recreation Ground

Residents have been invited to take part in the planting of a city's first Tiny Forest.

Peterborough City Council will plant the trees at John Clare Recreation Ground, off Hallfields Lane in Gunthorpe, later.

The forest consists of 600 fast-growing native trees planted densely in a tennis-court size plot.

The project is part of the council’s aspiration to plant an additional 37,400 trees over the next 11 years. It follows a successful funding bid to the Forestry Commission’s Local Authority Treescapes Fund (LATF).

According to data from Earthwatch, each Tiny Forest can attract more than 500 animal and plant species within the first three years.

The council plans to plant 4,400 trees in 2023-24.

Councillor Gavin Elsey, cabinet member for infrastructure, environment and climate change, said: “We’re delighted to have secured the funds to enable us to plant our first Tiny Forest in Peterborough.

"Not only will it encourage wildlife into our city, but it will also provide a fantastic place for our communities to get closer to nature and take time out away from the hustle and bustle of modern life."

Louise Hartley, Tiny Forest Programme Manager at Earthwatch Europe, said: “It’s vital that we give people the knowledge and skills to protect our natural world and inspire them to take positive action.”