Wigg Island facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wigg Island |
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A remnant of the Runcorn and Latchford Canal on Wigg Island
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| Type | Local nature reserve |
| Location | Runcorn, Cheshire, England |
| Area | 23 hectares (0.23 km2) |
| Etymology | Named for Charles Wigg's earlier chemical works |
| Operated by | Halton Borough Council |
| Awards | Green Flag Award |
Wigg Island, also known as Wigg Island Community Park, is a cool place to visit in Runcorn, England. It's a special park and a Local Nature Reserve, which means it's protected for its nature.
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Where is Wigg Island?
Wigg Island is located in Runcorn, England. It sits right between the River Mersey and the Manchester Ship Canal. To get there, you cross The Old Quay Bridge. This bridge is a swing bridge, meaning it can swing open to let boats pass! It was built in 1894 and is a very old and important building.
Is Wigg Island a Real Island?
Even though it's called Wigg Island, it's not completely surrounded by water. It used to be a saltmarsh area near Runcorn. When the Manchester Ship Canal was built, it cut off this land from the town. So, it ended up between the canal and the River Mersey. There's a small strip of land that connects it, making sure the canal stays full of water. This strip also has a bike path that goes to other places like Port Warrington and Moore Nature Reserve.
The History of Wigg Island
The island is named after a person called Charles Wigg. He started a factory there in the 1860s. This factory used chemicals to get copper from rocks. People called his factory "Wigg works."
From Factories to Nature Park
Over the years, other companies took over the factory. In 1926, a big company called ICI bought it. They even built a new chemical factory on the site. During the Second World War, one of these factories was used to make a special chemical called mustard gas.
After the war, ICI kept working there until the 1960s. Then, all the factory work stopped. The area had a lot of different chemicals in the ground from all the factories. But don't worry, it's safe now!
Opening as a Community Park
After a lot of work to clean up the area, Wigg Island was turned into a community park. It officially opened on April 19, 2002. The Mayor of Halton and a famous birdwatcher named Bill Oddie were there for the opening!
What Can You Do at Wigg Island?
Wigg Island is now a wonderful place for nature lovers. It covers about 23 hectares (that's like 23 football fields!).
Nature and Wildlife
It's a great spot for people who love to watch birds. You might even see special wild flowers like Bee Orchids growing there. The park became a Local Nature Reserve in 2004, which means it's a protected area for plants and animals. It has even won an award called the Green Flag Award for being a well-managed and welcoming green space.
Park Features
There's a visitor centre where you can learn more about the park. You'll also see a wind turbine, which helps make clean energy. The park is looked after by the local council, Halton Borough Council. If you visit, you'll also see the Mersey Gateway Bridge passing over the island. This big bridge opened in 2017.
