Stanborough Park facts for kids
Stanborough Park, also known as Stanborough Lakes, is a large park covering about 126 acres (0.5 square kilometers) in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, England. It's a popular spot for families and friends to enjoy nature and outdoor activities.
The park is famous for its two beautiful lakes, which were opened in 1970. These lakes are not natural; they were created by people! Workers dug out a lot of gravel from this area when they were building the A1(M) motorway. This digging created big holes, which later filled with water to become the lakes we see today. Even the hills around the lakes were shaped by people from the old quarry site.
Contents
Discover the Lakes
Stanborough Park has two main lakes, each with its own special features and activities.
The Boating Lake: Fun on the Water
The Boating Lake, which is the northern lake, is about 11.3 acres (45,700 square meters) in size. It's quite shallow, less than three feet deep in most places, and has a few small islands.
This lake gets its water from the River Lea at its northern end and also from a natural spring. Any extra water flows back into the river at the southern end. You'll find different types of fish, like carp, living in the Boating Lake, but fishing is not allowed here.
You can rent rowing boats for a fun ride on the water. There's also a shop by the lake where you can buy ice cream, snacks, drinks, and even food to feed the ducks!
The Sailing Lake: Adventure and Sports
The Sailing Lake, which is the southern lake, is bigger, covering about 15.3 acres (62,000 square meters). Unlike the Boating Lake, it doesn't have any islands and is much deeper, reaching more than six and a half feet in some spots.
This lake is fed by groundwater, meaning water comes up from underground. Before the lakes were built, the River Lea used to flow through this area, but it was moved to the west side to make space for the lake.
The Sailing Lake is a great place for water sports! You can try sailing, windsurfing, and even fishing here. It's a perfect spot for those who love adventure on the water.
Stanborough Reedmarsh: A Natural Haven
At the southern end of Stanborough Park, you can find Stanborough Reedmarsh. This special area is a Local Nature Reserve, which means it's protected because it's important for wildlife. It's looked after by the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust, an organization that helps protect nature in Hertfordshire and Middlesex. It's a peaceful place where you can observe local plants and animals.
Park Changes Over Time
In November 2008, some changes happened in the park. Several hundred tall trees called Lombardy Poplars were cut down in the South Car Park area. This decision was made by the Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council, even though many local people were unhappy about it.
