Seven Enfield parks are to be managed as part of the ‘nature recovery’ pilot scheme.

The neighborhood is one of 22 in the country to receive expert advice on how to transform local parks to become a “natural health service” for the community.

Seven Enfield parks are to be “transformed” by new park management plans which will prioritize “reclaiming nature” and safeguarding historic assets.

Enfield Council has been chosen as one of 22 local councils across the UK to receive advice from RSK environmental specialists and “inform restoration and management”.

New management plans have now been developed for seven local parks; Forty Hall Estate, Whitewebbs Park, Hilly Fields, Broomfield Park, Grovelands Park, Oakwood Park and Trent Park.

Once complete, the council will be able to use the plans for the next ten years and beyond to “deliver better outcomes for people and the natural and historic environment, while saving heritage-listed assets at risk”.

The survey work was undertaken by Stephenson Halliday in conjunction with other RSK group companies, RSK Wilding and Headland Archaeology. The companies have partnered with Bosky Trees to deliver a program for the council to “protect and rejuvenate” the parks and their historically and sometimes nationally significant buildings.

Management plans will provide a “natural health service for the community” and will also play a key role in local climate action plans and nature recovery networks. They propose improvements including restoration of historic views, landscape features and built structures; safe spaces for users, including management of sight lines and access; encouraging park equity, community engagement and inclusion; opportunities to share history with the public; and maintaining and enhancing a diverse patchwork of habitats.

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Sebastian West, Stephenson Halliday’s Principal Landscape Director, said: “Since the autumn, our team has been carrying out research into the history of the parks and the siting conditions of the built and natural environment.

“Our assessments included formal tree pathways, protected species and the management of veteran and notable trees such as the Cedar of Lebanon at Forty Hall, one of London’s largest trees believed to have been planted by the famous botanist Dr Robert Uvedale.

“From this understanding, we have built a set of master plans that detail the future planting of hardy trees, the management of shrubs and other vegetation, and improvements to the historically designed views and ‘sight lines’ that have allowed these parks to be enjoyed for centuries.

“The plans provide a roadmap to make the most of these fantastic parks so they remain an asset to the community around Enfield.”

Stephenson Halliday’s director of landscape design, Andrew Tempany, said: “To ensure the plans reflect what the parks represent to the community today and stay true to their history, we played landscape detective by identifying what makes these spaces special .

“When you have that kind of understanding, it becomes possible to design plans to future-proof and protect them for many more generations to come.”

Sebastian added: “These plans need to consider not only how the park is used and enjoyed today, but also consider the impact of climate change and meet sustainability goals.

“Our parks are particularly vulnerable to species loss, extreme heat and drought and flooding. Plans must consider potential environmental impacts and develop resilience measures.

“Within the sites, special attention has been paid to the management and protection of veteran trees, several centuries old. These are trees of particular interest to biodiversity – they provide habitat for birds and roosting opportunities for bats, and their vegetation provides a food source for a multitude of birds, mammals and invertebrates.”

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