Blackleach Country Park facts for kids
Blackleach Country Park is a wonderful place to explore in Walkden, Greater Manchester. It's like a big, natural playground where you can enjoy the outdoors. You'll find it just half a mile from the town center, in an area called Hill Top. This park is extra special because it's a Local Nature Reserve, which means it's protected for its wildlife. It has also won the Green Flag Award, showing it's a really well-managed and welcoming green space.
Discovering Blackleach's Past
Blackleach Country Park wasn't always the peaceful nature spot it is today. A long time ago, this area in Walkden was a busy industrial zone. There were factories here that made different chemicals.
The Dye Factory and "Stink Bomb Hill"
One of the more well-known factories at Blackleach made dyes. These are special colors used for fabrics and other materials. Next to this factory, there was a very large pile of waste. People in the area called it "Stink Bomb Hill." It got this name because it had a very strong, sulfur-like smell.
Sometimes, some of the dyes would accidentally get released into the air. This caused one of the hills in the park to turn a striking purple color at its peak! People heard about the purple hill and some even brought children there. They believed the unique air might help with certain coughs. It was also common for white clothes hung on nearby washing lines to get a purple tint from the air.
