Milton Creek Country Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Milton Creek Country Park |
|
|---|---|
Footpath under construction
|
|
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
| OS grid | TQ 912 653 |
| Area | 128 acres (52 ha) |
| Created | 2011 (Was Church Marshes in 2001) |
| Operated by | Swale Borough Council, |
| Open | 7 days a week, dawn until dusk |
| Status | complete |
| Website | Milton Creek Country Park |
Milton Creek Country Park is a large green space in Kent, England. It covers 128 acres (about 52 hectares) and is located near Sittingbourne. This park used to be known as Church Marshes Country Park. It offers a mix of nature and fun activities for everyone.
Contents
Where is Milton Creek Park?
The park is located near the Kemsley Down hills, right by Milton Creek. This creek flows into the Swale, which then connects to the River Thames. These waterways helped shape the area's history. The marshes in the park are named after Holy Trinity Church in Milton Regis.
A Look at the Park's Past
The land where Milton Creek Country Park now sits has a very long history. Archaeologists have found signs of Saxon and Roman settlements nearby. Holy Trinity Church and Castle Rough are two old historical sites still standing in the area.
From Industry to Nature
In the Victorian era, this area was busy with industry. People built barges here and dug up gravel for making bricks. Barges would take bricks to London and bring back waste. This waste was then burned or buried at the site. Churchfield Wharf, a spot in the park, was also once used for breaking up old ships.
The area was also home to the Romani people (Romany)/traveller community for some time.
A Landfill Site Transformed
The park's land was once a brick and gravel pit. Later, it became a landfill site, where rubbish was buried. This landfill closed in 1973.
After it closed, the site needed a lot of work to make it safe and clean again. This was due to environmental laws. Swale Borough Council worked with groups like Groundwork Kent & Medway and Rural Arising Ltd. These companies specialize in cleaning up old industrial sites. They also helped train local teenagers, giving them valuable skills.
Creating a Green Space
The main goal was to create a safe and exciting green space. It needed to be a place where people from nearby towns could enjoy nature. Work on the park started in 2001 and happened in eight stages.
This included:
- Cleaning up pollution and gases from the old landfill.
- Protecting and improving wildlife habitats.
- Planting new trees, bushes, and meadow plants.
- Building paths, picnic areas, and play spaces.
Growing the Park
In 2008, Swale Borough Council decided to make the park even bigger. This was when they planned the Sittingbourne Northern Relief Road, which runs along the park's edge. The park was expanded to include the Saxon Shore Way. This path connects Sittingbourne town centre to the park. It passes by old wharves like Grandsdens Wharf and Church Wharf. The park was officially renamed Milton Creek Country Park in 2009. The idea was to create a "green heart" for Sittingbourne.
The park cost £2.25 million to create. Most of the money came from the Thames Gateway project. The rest was given by Kent County Council.
Community Involvement
Groundwork helped start a volunteer group called "Friends of Church Marshes." This group meets regularly and helps with park activities. They also helped build many of the paths you can walk on today. Artists have also created special artworks to celebrate the park.
Milton Creek Country Park officially opened on June 4, 2012.
Park Features and Fun
As part of the Thames Gateway Parklands project, new footpaths and artworks have been added. These can be found along Milton Creek on the Saxon Shore Way.
A new car park was finished in 2012, making it easier to visit.
Play Areas for All Ages
The park has a large area for community events. Churchfield Wharf is a special spot next to the new road bridge.
There's a "sandscape" area designed for younger children. It has slides, a bridge, and a big seat for parents. For older kids, the "marshland" space is perfect. It features a tall "space-net" that looks like the ropes on old barges. There's also a hill where teenagers can relax and hang out.
Fishing and More
The large lake in the park is managed by the Kemsley Community Angling Preservation Society (KCAPS). This club allows both members and the public to enjoy fishing.
Amazing Wildlife
Working with Kent Wildlife Trust, various groups have created special homes for animals. You might spot rare creatures like the great crested newt and the shrill carder bee. Other wildlife in the park includes common lizards, clouded yellow butterflies (Colias), glow worms, and slowworms.
The northern part of the creek is very important for wildlife. It's part of the Swale Estuary Special Protection Area (SPA), a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and a Ramsar Site. These titles mean it's a protected area for birds and other wildlife.
A small, old orchard in the park is being restored. This will add another natural feature. The Forestry Commission has also helped fund the planting of trees in the woodland area.
Birds often seen at the park include redshank, black-tailed godwit, teal, and grey plover.
How to Get to the Park
You can reach Milton Creek Country Park from several places:
- Kemsley Recreation Ground
- Grovehurst Road
- Newman Drive (which becomes Recreation Way)
- Walsby Drive (in the housing estate)
- Miller Close (in the housing estate)
- Green Porch Close (near Holy Trinity Church)
- Gas Road (near CPM)
- The Northern Relief Road
The National Cycle Route 1 also passes by the park on Saffron Way. The Swale Heritage Trail, another long-distance path, now ends at the park via the Northern Relief Road.
