 The Trees of Stratford Park
by Nilma Dole
The lush green views of
Stratford Park is a green flag awarded area of Stroud in Gloucestershire
in south west England. Decorated with a wonderful array of beautiful
trees, the aroma of sweet-smelling Cedar of Lebanon, Monkey Puzzles,
Wellingtonias as well as Western Red Cedars, European Larch, Indian Bean
trees, Tulip trees offer peace and solitude for those seeking shelter.
Along with Walnuts, Beech, Oaks, Willows and Chestnuts, the Park has
been a lovely haven for many residents and visitors alike. Encompassing
a large park and lake including a leisure centre complex, Stratford Park
is a tourist attraction with its humble people and impressive Cotswolds
beauty.
It is located on the outskirts of Stroud near Paganhill and
Whiteshill. It is also the region of the first wholly successful British
campaign to save trees from road-widening. The park received national
attention in August 1989 when the Stroud District Council arranged for
security workers and tree-fellers to attend at midnight to remove
thirteen trees they thought stood in the way of a road-widening project.
 However, local people knew of the ‘secret’ operation and banded
together to protect the trees. After a stand-off that lasted till dawn,
the police called off the operation on grounds of public safety.
The following year the first ‘traffic calming’ scheme in
Gloucestershire was introduced without the need to cut down any trees.
In the three years that followed, Gloucestershire County Council
statistics revealed that accident rates on the affected stretch of road
had been halved. The trees remain in their glory to this day.
The Stratford Park has one of the finest collection of mature trees
in the area and rivals the nearby Westonbirt Arboritum.
It can be seen when you’re just going for a walk or a family picnic
or if you want to pop into the nearby pub near the gates of the park.
Many trees were a shared order with Westonbirt in the late 1890s’. In
total there are in excess of 800 trees within the park. The park also
has its own woodland within the grounds.
The Museum in the Park is set in Stratford Park which is housed in a
Grade II 17th century wool merchant’s mansion. Objects and colourful
displays celebrate the rich history and heritage of the Stroud District.
The modern extension houses, our temporary galleries and visitor
facilities. If you’re up for some active exercising or some swimming
while on your tour, check out the Leisure Centre building.
In 1975, the Leisure Centre was opened within the grounds of the park
to offer a host of leisure activities for the people of Stroud. The
leisure centre offers plenty of facilities including a gym, 25 metre
indoor swimming pool with viewing area, outdoor pool (with rare 10m
cast-in-situ curved concrete 3-level diving board), trampoline, three
sports halls, outdoor astroturf all-weather pitch, hard court tennis
courts, and a bowls pitch.
There are also squash courts and badminton courts. Social events are
also held at the leisure centre.
The traditional park includes a Victorian bandstand which hosts band
concerts during the summer and there is plenty of space for dog walking
and other leisure activities. There is a lake which is often used for
angling competitions. It contains many fish, ducks and swans. There is a
6-inch (150 mm) scale model railway track skirting the lake.
So remember that by going to the Stratford Park, you’re a
self-acclaimed tree hugger. |
