From Waste to Resource: Hespin Wood Community Park
"How can the regeneration of landfill site which incorporates landscape programmes promote both biodiversity and rural community well-being?"
The project site, known as Hespin Wood, is situated in Carlisle, Cumbria. It serves as the largest landfill in Cumbria and functions as a sorting station where materials can be recovered and reprocessed. Hence, converting this landfill site into a park and shutting the recycling facilities down would be an unwise choice. This is because if the operations cease, there will be no alternative waste processing facilities available in Cumbria, ultimately resulting in the exacerbation of waste colonialism.
Therefore, by regenerating it, habitat connectivity can be restored at both the spatial and site scales without the need to halt the operation of waste processing facilities. The landfill regeneration project reconnects habitats and achieves ecological balance by serving human and wildlife needs, as well as providing recreational, learning, and diverse life sanctuaries for the surrounding community.
Hespin Wood Community Park has become a lush and lively refuge for the local community and visitors. This regenerated area not only serves the need of inhabitants in rural Carlisle but also provides a tranquil retreat for recreationists travelling to attractions such as Hadrian's Wall and Solway Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). As well as protecting wildlife from limited site access, which has disturbed their capacity to travel between habitats. To keep wildlife safe around humans, Hespin Wood Community Park prioritises wildlife connectivity. Incorporate plant species that thrive in woodland and wetland habitats to create smooth design transitions. Integrate wildlife breeding sites and add lookouts, pavilions, and observation platforms to attract visitors.
