Skottowes Pond
Description
Skottowes Pond is approximately 120 metres in length and 40 metres wide at its widest point, with an island roughly in the centre of the water, measuring 20 metres long by 5 metres wide. It is an extremely popular feature of the park, attracting many visitors. The Chesham & District Model Boats Club sail model boats on the pond most Sundays. Since 1994,
Current condition
The pond is overly dominated with domestic geese that have been abandoned in the park. In a recent survey of the park, over 60% of respondents said that the wildfowl populations were too high. When asked what was the one thing they liked least about the park, responses included the geese, the ducks, geese excrement and being chased by the geese. In consultation with the Friends of Lowndes Park, park users referred to the fact that they didn't eat lunch near the pond as they were harassed by the geese and some parents didn't take their children there because of the proliferation of goose excrement. Reduced water levels due to silting have reduced the usage for sailing boats. The island has been eroded by overuse caused by the proliferation of mostly domestic fowl (a policy for managing wildfowl is to be devised and implemented).
There is little or no aquatic planting to encourage wildlife. The path around the pond is deteriorating and is in need of repair.
The footpath along the western side of the pond is narrow and this can make it difficult for people to pass other path users.
Future Plans
A policy for waterfowl management has been drafted and will be developed in consultation with the public.
The surrounding paths will be repaired and surfaced with bound gravel and the western path will be widened, subject to budget. The path edges will be repaired. An area of aquatic planting will be established and this will encourage greater biodiversity in the pond area. The island will be stabilised and replanted and more foliage cover will be established with new planting. The pond will be drained down and the silt removed. A model boat launching pad will also be installed together with flow makers and aerators to improve water movement and aeration of the pond.
News & Events
The Friends are moving the weekend working party to the second Sunday of the month and the next one will be on Sunday 12 February. We hope to be pruning roses, weeding the beds and then take a look to see if the snowdrops we have planted over the last few years are coming through. We meet at 10am in the Archena Garden which is next to the Temperance Hall in Church Street.
The Friends are hoping to plant around 30 native tree saplings in the Wildlife Area at their working party on Sunday 8 January. They have been donated by the 10th Chesham Guides and were given to them by the Woodland Trust. The varieties of tree include Holly, Wild Rose, Hawthron, Hazel and Dogwood.
We would like to thank Helena Mills who raised £570 for the Friends of Lowndes Park in memory of her good friend Ben Cargill. Over the course of the last summer she took part in not one but three triathlons. Please click on the title for more details and picture.
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