The watercourses which run through Darwin Gardens are a most valuable natural feature of the site, providing excellent wildlife habitats, some very attractive views, and the opportunity for delightful waterside walking using the progressively extended network of pathways and bridges.
However, sustained heavy rainfall has caused repeated flooding onto a pathway at the top of the site and overflowing of the gill at the lower end of the site. We are pleased to report that both these problems have now been redressed. Bradford Council Countryside Service have installed a drain across the sand path and other Council contractors have cleared accumulated silt from a culvert mouth, which should ensure free flow after heavy rain for many years to come.
The sustained period of the of sunny weather in late spring brought out a fine display of blooms, including bistort and flag iris in the upper part of the gill, marsh marigold in the pond, marsh bedstraw, honeysuckle in the hedgerow and an orchid which has been suitably protected from sheep grazing.
This fine show illustrates the success of our planned plantings plus our encouragement of native species through habitat management for wildlife conservation over the site. As a result of this and a range of other site maintenance measures to provide an attractive greenspace for visitors, Darwin Gardens received a 5th successive Green Pennant Award.