Connecting School Children with Nature in Crumpsall

Background

The Green Spaces Fund was established to support community-led projects that increase the amount and quality of accessible, nature-rich green space across Greater Manchester, particularly in the areas where people need it most.

Crumpsall Lane Primary School applied for funding through the Greater Manchester Green Spaces Fund with the hopes of creating a vibrant greenspace that would benefit pupils at the school, and residents in the neighbouring sheltered accommodation. Groundwork were recommended to the school by our partner Sow The City to handle the design and installation of the greenspace.

We wanted to convert a derelict corner of the grounds into something useable and environmentally friendly. The benefits of being outdoors for both mental and physical health are well documented and we wanted to offer something more from a greenspace perspective.  

Creating A Vibrant Greenspace

After being successful with their funding application, the school worked alongside our Landscape Architects to design a space which would allow the children to connect with the world around them through touch, taste and smell.

Features of the new greenspace include:

  • Raised planters for herbs and edibles
  • A shallow water play pit and sand pit
  • A small garden area with playing areas, a woodland trail and wooden seating
  • Bug hotels and insect posts
  • Flower beds with colourful native plants

There are also plans to add a Willow tunnel in the Springtime, and develop other areas within the school grounds.

New flowers and shed in the greenspace
A vibrant greenspace with a woodland trail and flowers
An aerial photograph of the completed greenspace

We want to encourage our youngest members of the school community to further develop their knowledge and understanding of the world around them through this greenspace.

The space was also created to invite the local community into the school by allowing residents from the neighbouring accommodation, many of whom don’t have their own gardens, to attend nature-themed workshops in the greenspace outside of school hours.