Waves of change for Local Nature Reserve

Date:  07 May 2008

Rickmansworth Aquadrome is undergoing a makeover during the next few months and it’s not just visitors who will notice the difference. With improvements being carried out on both lakes and work under way on some of the trees, the natural flora and fauna at the Aquadrome are all set to benefit.

Tree work has now been completed using a traditional management technique called pollarding. Removing the top of some of the trees will now encourage them to produce fresh shoots; prolonging their life but also allowing natural light to flood in.

New banks are being created which will be planted with lakeside vegetation, encouraging dragonflies and damselflies to flourish and nesting birds and spawning fish to return. The banks will also help prevent future erosion by dissipating wave action, and with the planting of reed beds it is hoped blue-green algae problems will be reduced.

People visiting the Aquadrome are asked not to feed the ducks near the new banks and they can help by reporting any damage to the temporary fences that have been installed, by contacting Three Rivers District Council on 01923 776611. If wildlife graze on the new plants, the fences will have to remain in place for longer.

Later this year work will begin on improving the network of footpaths, making them accessible to everyone, and renewing the existing car park. New signage, litter bins and benches are being installed and work will begin on a new toilet block towards the end of May. A new bridge has recently been built over The Gade and a replacement sluice installed in Bury Lake.

Built in traditional timber and clad in larch, the construction of a new Café in the Park will begin in June and open to the public towards the end of September.

These improvements have been made possible with funding through DEFRA’s Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund, Three Rivers District Council and the owners of the Café in the Park.

For further information on the programme of improvements people can call in to the Environment marquee at the Aquadrome during the Rickmansworth Festival on 17 and 18 May.