Once used as iron works, shipbuilding and as a coal wharf, we’ve gradually redeveloped to provide tranquility in an urban landscape.
The site is a bloom of flowers and buzzing insects during the summer months. Interconnecting ponds teem with life such as newts and Water Scorpion. The surrounding tidal river attracts flocks of waders such as Redshank when the mud is exposed at low tide.
The site boasts an outdoor classroom that can be used by school and youth groups throughout the year. The site holds a prestigious Green Flag Award.
Bow Creek Ecology Park
In June
WILDLIFE AND HABITATS
Bow Creek has had its Green Flag Award Assessments and feed back looks promising. This is a National standard for parks and green spaces in England and Wales, announcements will be in August.
All the Paths have been resurfaced on site and the southern section of Chestnut piling fencing has now been replaced with metal railing in keeping with the rest of the site.
The ponds continue to be managed on a regular basis, removing blanket weed and vegetation from the channels; this is left at the side of the ponds for a couple of days to allow any invertebrates to escape back to the pond.
There has been a hive of bird activity on site; we have breeding, Gray Wagtails, Reed Warblers, and Black Caps, look out for the young coots, Moorhens and blue tits are nesting in the box on the DLR,
The flowers are in full bloom with the dominant white ox-eye daisy and Purple Fodder Vetch; attracting a buzz of insects; such as Common blue, Large White and Orange Tip butterflies, Common Blue, Blue Tail damselleflies, and Broad Body Chasers and Emperor Dragonflies can be seen skimming the water.
USER FORUM MEETING
We would like to thank all those who responded and attended the East India Dock Basin and Bow Creek User Forum on the 26th May. The minutes can be found on the Site web page and on the main notice board at the entrance.
Contact Ges Hoddinott on 0208 988 7565 for details.
Events
Three Hidden Gems Guided Walk: 5th June Meeting at Canning Town station 10am - 12pm, please contact our Information Service on 01992 702200 or e-mail
info@leevalleypark.org.uk
VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES
• 15th - Freshfield will be volunteering at Bow Creek, painting rails and wood chipping path.
• 21st – Freshfields will be volunteering at East India Dock Basin repainting bird screens
If you would like to volunteer in the Lee Valley Park, please contact our Volunteers Officer, David Hurtley, on 01992 709867