Autumn is a busy period for parks and countryside, as the changing season brings new priorities and lots of work to prepare for winter and spring.
Here's our round up from September and a look to what's on in October.
DEFRA visit at Shire Brook Valley
DEFRA Permanent Secretary Paul Kissack meets with our officers at Shire Brook Valley
Last week we were delighted to welcome DEFRA Permanent Secretary Paul Kissack to Shire Brook Valley Local Nature Reserve to see first-hand the difference the Species Survival Fund project has made for wildlife, habitats and local communities.
The visit showcased how investment through the fund has helped restore and connect habitats, improve access to nature and create new opportunities for people to get involved in caring for their local green spaces.
A walk around the site demonstrates the benefits of natural flood management and other project achievements
During a walk around the reserve, colleagues shared some of the project's achievements, from wetland restoration and natural flood management to volunteering, education and community engagement.
There was real enthusiasm about the role that sites like Shire Brook Valley can play in helping nature recover, supporting healthier communities and creating a greener future for Sheffield and South Yorkshire.
Development in parks
Concord All Wheels Park plans progress
Plans showing proposed All Wheels Park for Concord
We're progressing plans for a new All Wheels Park at Concord Park, creating a facility for bikes, scootering, skateboarding and other wheeled sports.
Subject to securing the necessary external funding and approvals, we hope to deliver the project in 2027.
The proposed facility forms part of our wider aims to increase physical activity, recreation and community use within Concord Park, providing an inclusive space for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy.
Mount Pleasant Playground taking shape
The new scoot track at Mount Pleasant
The playground development at Mount Pleasant is taking shape. All main play equipment is now installed, and the new learn to ride scoot track is complete.
Fencing and safety surfacing will be installed over the next few weeks, followed by an upgrade for the Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) including new basketball hoops, and new markings for football, basketball and bike polo.
The new facilities are not yet open for play but we're hoping for continued fair weather so we can finish the works quickly and get the playground open for the local community as soon as possible. Watch this space!
Cllr Holmshaw awards Sharon Trees with her Newcomer trophy and certificate
Our annual Allotment Awards took place in the summer - celebrating the creativity and hard work of local plot holders.
At the awards ceremony, held in September, Councillor Brian Holmshaw, Chair of the Communities, Parks & Leisure Committee and the Allotments Advisory Group, gave out the awards and celebrated with our deserving winners.
Sharon Ashton came 1st in the Best Small Plot category, and took the Bolton Cup as the overall winner
The awards allow our green fingered growers to show off their great gardening skills and acknowledge the effort in every allotment.
Entries are judged by specialists, covering a range of categories including Environmental, Newcomer, Community Group, and awards for small and large plots.
Overall winner, Sharon Ashton of Burncross Allotments, was presented the Bolton Cup, as well as 1st in the Small Plot award.
Did you know that Graves Park Animal Farm has designated conservation grazing flocks of llamas, sheep and a small herd of cattle that we use around Sheffield to graze fields instead of cutting them.
This method of maintenance has several benefits including less diesel consumption, reducing competition from non-native species, and increasing diversity of habitats available to wildlife species.
Our four-legged colleagues were in action this week at Beaucheif Abbey.
As the nights draw in and temperatures begin to fall, spare a thought for the wildlife sharing your garden and the simple steps you can take to help them through winter.
Resist the urge to clean up your gardens too much. Leaving some dead stems, piled leaves, and log piles in place can make a huge difference, providing a crucial escape from the cold.
If you have the space, consider creating a wildlife pond and let it fill up naturally with rainwater. Don't move any plants or frogs in, they will find it themselves, and even a small pond can quickly become a hotspot for diverse nature.
The kind of wildlife pond you could create in your own garden
Autumn is also the perfect time to clean out bird boxes or put up new ones. Many birds use nest boxes for shelter on cold winter nights, and they'll be ready for next year's breeding season too.
A few simple actions now can help your garden become a welcoming place for wildlife throughout the winter and beyond.
Covering 346 acres, Ecclesall Woods forms the largest semi-natural woodland in South Yorkshire.
Almost a century ago a bird sanctuary was established in part of the woods, with an area fenced off to protect the birds from the presence of humans.
Tree canopy in Ecclesall Woods
This area has since remained untouched, being left to grow wild and is a sanctuary for many species of birds that like to nest in quiet wild spaces.
Woodland Manager Jon Dallow recently spoke to The BBC, who wrote about the sanctuary, it's place in Ecclesall Woods' timeline and the woodland's important role in Sheffield's natural and industrial history.
The Friends of Meersbrook Hall have been awarded £20,000 in grant funding to help develop their plans to secure significant external funding investment.
The grant funding will support the first year of operation and feasibility work for Meersbrook Hall, which has been closed for more than three years and if successful will enable the Group to reopen the historic Grade II listed building and bring it back into use for local people.
Meersbrook Hall. Image from Friends of Meersbrook Hall
The Friends of Meersbrook Hall have been given a license to organise and generate interest in using the hall for a variety of social, community and business purposes.
They are now looking for willing volunteers to help them with maintenance and delivery.
A Volunteers Open Meeting will be held on Monday 2 November from 6-8pm at Meersbrook Hall. For more information email volunteer@meersbrookhall.org.uk
Visitors browse exhibits among the cactai in the Pavilion
September saw yet another wonderful sunny weekend of Art in the Gardens.
Around 7,000 visitors came to Sheffield Botanical Gardens to admire the artworks over the 3 days.
More than 300 talented artists showcased their work and we welcomed new exhibitors including Natasha Clarke, Lick of Paint and live street art demos by Enzo.
The Open Art Exhibition also saw many new entries displaying a huge variety of styles and genres, with sales from the show breaking all-time records.
We're already looking forward to next year!
A great turnout at Rollestone Woods Activity Day
Families enjoying the climbing wall during the activity day
Following the appointment of our new Ranger for the Gleadless Valley Regeneration Project, a Woodland Activity Day was held at Rollestone Woods.
The free community day brought local people living in Gleadless Valley together and encouraged families to visit the woods.
Activities included a mobile climbing wall, woodland crafts, and sports activities. We brought in Sunshine Pizza Oven and kids who completed our short nature trail through the woods were also given a free slice of pizza.
This was the first woodland event hosted by new Ranger, Hannah, seeing a great turn out with around 180 people throughout the day.
What's on in October
As autumn sets in there's lots of exciting and creative events and activities to enjoy across our parks. And with spooky season around the corner you'll have plenty to choose from!
From this weekend bring the whole family along for a frighteningly fun time down at the farm. The spooky fun is on every weekend in October, plus the school holidays.
Turn up and pay on the day.
£7 per child, £2 per adult - includes entry to pumpkin picking and the Nightmare at the Farm Woodland Walk. The farm is also open as usual.
The field of pumpkins is ripe for the picking at Graves Animal Farm
