Flying Start to Park Redevelopment

Heeley Millennium Park Launch day got off to a flying start with Jacob Marsden leaping from one of the new climbing logs.

100s of local people came out in the bright winter’s sun on January 14th to celebrate the launch of the 1st phase of the Community Spaces funded improvement to Heeley Millennium Park. Councillor, Tim Rippon, officially cut the ribbon on the new mountain bike trail that now runs through the woods at the bottom of the park and around the open space alongside Well Road. Heeley Development Trust Manager Andy Jackson said “ What we’ve done here is provide something that can be used by cyclists of all ages and abilities. Some sections can be ridden by toddlers on their 3-wheelers. Some provide a challenge even for the people who built it. “ On the day Andy and another member of the Trust team – Ed Astill-Wright led groups of children on taster sessions around the track on some of the Trust’s fleet of mountain bikes.

Down by the Sheaf View the new BMX track was being put through its paces. “Wheelie Good” was the Sheffield Star’s take on it and who are we to argue with that!

 Over 600 native trees were planted – most small ones, or ‘whips’ as they are known in the business – which were brought by the Tinsley Tree Project as part of the national  Big Tree programme. There were also 3 large specimens donated by Sheffield City Council’s Community Forestry Team. All these trees were planted by local people who came along on the day and will eventually make a small woodland, framing this bit of the park. Thom White, the Park Manager said “What we’re making, we hope,  will be like a mini-Peak District. We’ve got the right tree species. More boulders and rocks and dry stone walls  are coming. The only thing we’re missing is the water. Hopefully the River Sheaf will fill that gap.”