Northfleet Urban Country Park facts for kids

Northfleet Urban Country Park is a wonderful green space. You can find it in Northfleet, a town in Kent, England. This park is a great spot for families and friends to enjoy nature.

The park is surrounded by several roads. These include Springhead Road, Thames Way, and Vale Road. A railway line, which goes from Dartford to London, forms its northern edge. Gravesham Borough Council owns and takes care of this park. They make sure it's a fun and safe place for everyone to visit.

Park History: From Pit to Park

What Was Here Before?

Before it became a park, this land had a different life. Until the 1940s, it was used for farming. People grew crops or fruit in orchards here.

Later, the land was dug out. It became a large chalk pit. This pit was quite deep, about 8 to 10 meters down. Imagine digging a hole as deep as a two-story building!

Becoming a Landfill Site

In 1957, the area was approved to become a "refuse tip." This is another name for a landfill site. It's a place where rubbish and waste are buried.

By 1992, special pipes were put in. These pipes helped to release "landfill gas." This gas is naturally made when rubbish breaks down underground. It's important to let it out safely.

Creating a Country Park

In August 1996, Gravesend Council decided to turn the landfill into a beautiful park. They wanted to create a place with lots of different natural areas. These included a lake, woodlands, and open meadows. They also planned wetlands, which are marshy areas great for wildlife.

The park was designed to have fun activities too. There was a trim trail for exercise and a play area for kids. They even planned toilets and a small shop.

Building the Park

To make the park, a lot of work was done. About 130,000 cubic meters of clean topsoil was brought in. This is a huge amount of soil! It was used to raise the ground level. The land was made higher by about two to four meters.

After the land was raised, new paths were built. These paths were made for walking and cycling. They let people explore the park easily.

Adding Nature to the Park

The park was made even better with lots of new plants. Many native trees and shrubs were planted. Wildflowers were also added. These plantings helped create different homes for wildlife. For example, a wetland swale was created. A swale is a shallow ditch that helps manage water and creates a damp habitat.

Where is the Park Located?

Northfleet Urban Country Park is located to the west of Gravesend. You can get into the park from different sides. On the eastern side, you can enter from Vale Road. If you are on the western side, you can use the entrance from Springhead Road.