Forest of Marston Vale facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Forest of Marston Vale |
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Marston Vale Forest Centre
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| Map | |
 Location in Bedfordshire
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| Geography | |
| Location | Bedfordshire, England |
| Coordinates | 52°03′48″N 0°28′29″W / 52.06327°N 0.4747°W ACoordinates: Extra unexpected parameters |
| Administration | |
| Status | community forest |
| Established | 2000 |
The Forest of Marston Vale is a growing "community forest" located in Marston Vale, Bedfordshire, England. It stretches from the towns of Bedford and Kempston towards the M1 motorway. A special charity called the Forest of Marston Vale Trust helps to manage and develop this forest.
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What is a Community Forest?
A community forest is a large area where people are working to plant many new trees. The goal is to create beautiful woodlands and green spaces for everyone to visit and enjoy. These forests also help wildlife and improve the environment. The Forest of Marston Vale is one of twelve such projects in the United Kingdom.
How the Forest Began
The Marston Vale area was once famous for making bricks. However, the brickmaking industry started to slow down in the 1970s. This left behind many empty pits and spoiled land. The idea for the Forest of Marston Vale was to transform these areas. It was started by groups like the Countryside Agency and the Forestry Commission. They worked with local councils to make the forest a reality.
The forest covers a huge area of about 158 square kilometres (61 square miles). Most of this land is privately owned. However, landowners are encouraged to plant trees. The aim for community forests like this one is to eventually have 30% of the land covered in trees.
Exploring the Millennium Country Park
The main public area in the Forest of Marston Vale is the Millennium Country Park. This park opened in the year 2000 and covers about 2.5 square kilometres (1 square mile). It's a great place for outdoor activities.
Features of the Park
The Millennium Country Park has several lakes, including the very large Stewartby Lake. There are also many wetland areas, which are important for different kinds of birds and other wildlife. Visitors can enjoy walking, cycling, and exploring the natural beauty of the park.
The Forest Centre
At the park, you'll find the Forest Centre. This is a visitor centre with lots of useful facilities. It has a Lakeside Cafe where you can grab a bite to eat. There's also a shop and clean toilets. If you want to explore the park on two wheels, you can even rent bikes here. The official website says that about 250,000 people visit the park every year.
There are also plans to create an even bigger park. This new park will be called the Bedford River Valley Park. It will be located to the east of Bedford and will cover over 3 square kilometres.
