Artichoke trail wins national award

A nature trail designed and created by schoolchildren, a local art group and park rangers, has won a major award.

The St Ann’s Wells Gardens Artichoke Nature Trail is receiving a national innovation award - one of only 11 such awards - from national Green Flag scheme organisers.

Opened by the council last summer, the trail transformed a problem area into an exciting new resource for children of all ages.

The project included creating pathways and a central raised bed, planting bluebells and snowdrops and designing information signs.

“Children were playing in an area of shrub beds near the café, trampling plants and damaging small trees”, said Ranger Sarah Heyes.

“Rather than try and stop it, we decided to create a new play area and invited local children to help us develop ideas.”

Working alongside the Artichoke Artgroup’s  Solange Leon were youngsters from their artgroup and nearby Somerhill and Davigdor schools

The project’s integrated arts approach fuses poetry and theatre, and included creating a book on the five Bs - butterflies, birds, bugs, bats and bees.

Involving children in the project was brilliant,” said Sarah. “They now feel the trail belongs to them and as a result are much more careful when playing, and aware of staying on the paths we built.”

“Parents have also told us that the new design makes it easier for them to keep an eye on their children and stop them from climbing where they shouldn’t!”

Green Flag Award judges explored the nature trail while visiting the park during the summer.

They described the Artichoke Nature Trail as a ‘wonderful achievement’ and were particularly impressed with the signs which include the children’s wildlife designs.

Brighton & Hove Council’s Environment Councillor Pete West said: “We are incredibly proud to have won this award and created something really special. St Ann’s Well Gardens is one of our busiest and most popular parks and is a particular favourite with families.