Trap Grounds facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Trap Grounds |
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 View of the Trap Grounds |
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 Trap Grounds
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| OS grid reference | SP 503 081 |
| Civil parish |
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| District | |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Oxford |
| Postcode district | OX2 6XW |
| Dialling code | 01865 |
| Police | Thames Valley |
| Fire | Oxfordshire |
| Ambulance | South Central |
| EU Parliament | South East England |
| UK Parliament |
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| Website | trap-grounds.org.uk |
The Trap Grounds, also known as Trap Grounds Town Green, is a special nature reserve in Oxford, Oxfordshire, England. It's owned by the Oxford City Council, which is like the local government for Oxford.
Contents
Exploring the Trap Grounds
This nature spot is located in North Oxford. You can find it east of the railway line and the Burgess Field Nature Park. To its west is the Oxford Canal and Hayfield Road. To the south, you'll find SS Philip and James' Church of England Primary School and Aristotle Lane. North of it are Frenchay Road and the Waterways housing area.
Further west, there's Port Meadow and the River Thames. A bit further north is a special area called Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), known as Hook Meadow and The Trap Grounds. There are also some nearby gardens called Trap Ground Allotments. The Trap Grounds used to be much bigger, even including Burgess Field, but now it's mostly surrounded by the city of Oxford.
The Trap Grounds covers about 3.8 hectares (which is almost 9.5 acres). This land used to be a place where rubbish was buried, but it has been cleaned up and turned into a beautiful nature area. You can explore different parts of it, including:
- Woodland areas with trees
- Reed beds, which are marshy areas with tall grass-like plants
- Peaceful ponds
- Grassy spots
- Paths, including a cool boardwalk that lets you walk over wet areas.
There's only one main way to get into the Trap Grounds. You'll find it just south of the Frenchay Road Bridge on the Oxford Canal. Keep an eye out for wildlife, like slow worms, which are legless lizards that look like small snakes!
The Story of the Trap Grounds
The Trap Grounds has an interesting history, especially about how it became a protected nature area.
In 2002, there was a big public discussion, called a public inquiry, about whether the Trap Grounds should become a "town green." If it became a town green, it would mean the public could always use it for recreation.
In 2003, there was another attempt to make the Trap Grounds a town green. This time, it was part of a plan to build houses on the land. But people who loved the Trap Grounds fought against this idea.
Later, between 2005 and 2006, a major legal case about the future of the Trap Grounds went all the way to the House of Lords, which is a very important court in the UK. The case was between Oxfordshire County Council and Oxford City Council.
In 2007, a person named Catherine Robinson received a top award from the Campaign to Protect Rural England. She got this award for her amazing work in protecting the Trap Grounds from being developed into buildings. Thanks to her and others, this green space was saved!
In 2010, a new walkway was built on the site, making it even easier for people to explore. There was some discussion in 2012 about how much access people should have to the site, balancing nature protection with public enjoyment.
Helping Hands: The Friends of The Trap Grounds
The Friends of The Trap Grounds is a group of volunteers who really care about this nature reserve. They work hard to help look after the Trap Grounds, keeping it a beautiful and healthy place for both people and wildlife. They do things like clear paths, look after the plants, and make sure the area stays clean.
Panoramic view
Images for kids
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The entrance of the Trap Grounds.
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A pond at the Trap Grounds.
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Waterway through the Trap Grounds.
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The boardwalk in the Trap Grounds.
