Letter: 'Re-wilding' on The Stray to attract wildlife

Maybe Harrogate’s parks department could use the current restricted access to West Park/Montpellier Stray to implement some changes.

There is already plenty of flat green parkland that offers open space for games and relaxation, but a ‘managed re-wilding’ of a section of the Stray could attract more wildlife and human visitors.

Planting mixed species hedges along the West Park/Montpellier Stray footpaths, re-sowing the grass areas as wild flower meadows, creating small wooded glades with rustic seating, changing the flat areas on Montpellier Hill to be more undulating, offering a varied landscape for children to run around in and maybe creating a play area utilising a wooded area with natural obstacles.

The money should come from the organisers of last year’s cycling event who caused the current devastation but here’s a chance to create something more in tune with modern living than just a big flat lawn. Worth a thought?