The Big Lottery Fund has awarded Herefordshire Wildlife Trust an Awards for All grant to create a Nature Tots playground at Queenswood Country Park and Arboretum.

Queenswood Country Park & Arboretum is a favourite spot for families to visit and get out into nature but the existing woodland playground is a little daunting for younger children. Herefordshire Wildlife Trust will be working with local company, Copper Beech Play, who specialize in natural play equipment to create a safe space for children under 5.

The Nature Tots Playground is one of many initiatives for families being introduced at Queenswood by Herefordshire Wildlife Trust and New Leaf Sustainable Development who manage the site in partnership. The site now runs regular children’s activity sessions including an Adventure Club, a forest school inspired holiday club, WildPlay: Get Crafty, natural crafts for all ages, and a monthly Wildlife Watch Club for young naturalists. A Gruffalo Trail has also been created which runs through the Arboretum and additional seasonal activity trails are on offer each holiday.

Engagement Officer, Kate Broad, who runs the activities on site, said: “It’s fantastic that we’ll have a safe space for younger children to play. It’s great that families get out and explore the different trails through the woods but a contained play area is also important.”

The Trust plans to start work on the new playground over the winter in time to open for the Easter holidays.