OLDHAM’S oldest park is named as one of the top places to visit as environmental charity City of Trees launches its Go Wild in the Woods campaign for the summer holidays.
The campaign aims to encourage kids to get out in the woodland and includes downloadable activities for adventures as well as rainy days too.
It starts with a free event for families on Friday, August 16 from 10.30am-12.30pm at Heaton Park. There will be a Fen the Fox Scavenger Hunt Tree Trail and brilliant fox-related craft activities.
Tandle Hill County Park is recommended as a place to visit. Oldham’s oldest park, it covers 48 hectares of parkland and boasts a mixture of wonderful woodlands packed with wildlife.
From the car park, there’s a whole network of winding paths running up to the viewpoint where you can right across north Manchester and Bury. The park is also a ‘Site of Biological Importance’ known for its fungi.
Sarah Nurton, marketing manager at City of Trees Manchester, said: “We want to encourage children to discover our local woodlands and learn more about trees, woods and wildlife habitats.
“We know it’s hard to keep young ones entertained over the summer so we’ve put together activity ideas, as well as a list of local woodlands to explore.
“Kids love playing in the woods, looking for bugs and collecting leaves. Many people don’t realise how many stunning woodland parks and nature areas there are in Greater Manchester – so get out and enjoy!”
City of Trees is also running a photo social media competition. Families just need to use the tag #gowildinthewoods in their woodland adventure images, and they could be in with the chance of winning a copy of the breathtaking book The Lost Words by Robert McFarlane and Jackie Morris.
This beautifully illustrated ‘spellbook’ conjures up nature and species-related words that are being lost in our modern-day language and bringing them back to our everyday lives.
The event on Friday, August 16 is free but booking is essential to secure your place. Contact Will Fitzpatrick on 0161 872 1660 or email will@cityoftrees.org.uk
Visit www.cityoftrees.org.uk for more information.