Maun Valley Park comprises
of a mixture of habitats including river and bank
habitats, mature woodland, grassland
and some scrub.
The park can be split
into two zones:
- the
area of park located between Old Mill Lane and New Mill Lane;
- the
area of park located between Old Mill Lane and ending at the recreation
ground off Barringer Road (close to the junction with Ravensdale Road)
The two zones are different
in character, but contain many of the same habitats.
Zone 1
This area lies at the northern end of the park. The park consists
of
predominantly grassland, some scrub and woodland and has the River Maun
flowing through the site.
The River Maun:
The River flows across and through this area of the park.
The banks in this
section have been
slightly canalised, and are therefore steeper than would be
naturally occurring.
Vegetation is currently left to grow close to the bank areas,
and there is occasional
hawthorn scrub immediately adjacent to the banks.
Grassland:
In the northern section of the site the valley floor is predominantly
grassland.
The grassland is, in some areas, managed as an improved amenity
sward.
There is
however, a regime of differential mowing imposed on the site which is
producing a good
mix of meadow habitats, with swathes of shorter grass in
between serving
as wide paths. There are areas of longer, unmanaged
grassland by the river. Many of these areas fade into the woodland areas
or
into small scrub areas. This system of management is enhancing the wildlife
potential of the site and should be encouraged. These management regimes
are also creating an interesting and varied landscape, which is aesthetically
pleasing.
Scrub:
Areas of mainly Willow and Hawthorn scrub are located throughout
the valley
bottom in the
northern section of the site, within the grassland areas and in
small clumps
by the river.
Woodland:
In the northern section of the site there are occasional deciduous
trees within
the grassland
areas. The banks surrounding the site near the housing on the
western boundary of the park have semi-mature mixed woodland.
Zone 2:
The southern zone of the site is very different in character
to the northern
section. The area
can be split into two distinct areas – recreational/amenity
grassland and
inaccessible woodland.
The River Maun:
The River Maun forms the proposed Local Nature Reserve western
boundary
at the
southern end of the site (refer to Map 2 – Site Map of Maun Valley Park).
The River Maun is an important habitat throughout Mansfield
for the Water
Vole, a
Local Biodiversity Action Plan species.
Grassland:
In the southern half of the site there is an expanse of amenity
grassland and
pitches on the
eastern side of the site close to Barringer Road. These areas of
grassland have
little wildlife interest but play a major role in the amenity and
recreational value
of the park. Areas of woodland and trees have been planted
to separate
the grass areas.
Scrub:
There are areas of mainly hawthorn scrub which has been planted,
along with
some stands of
trees, to separate the amenity grass swards in the southern
section of the
park.
There is a grassy slope at the northern end of this zone of
the park which
appears to be
permanent long grass with some scrub and trees.
Woodland:
In the southern section of the site the Maun Woodland is located
on the steep
slopes between
the River Maun on the western boundary and the area of
amenity grassland
to the eastern side of the site. The woodland is dominated
by
Oak (Quercus spp). This area is designated as a Site of Importance
for Nature
Conservation (SINC). There are no public footpaths within
this area, and
access is
very limited due to the very steep slopes and escarpments present
on the site.
Small pockets of trees have been planted as ‘islands’
and shelter belts within
the amenity
grassland to the east of Maun Woodland.
Scattered individual trees have been introduced throughout
Zone 2, in ‘park
style’ planting.
Overall the topography and wooded slopes (either inside the
park or beyond
the boundary)
create an enclosed feel, with views being predominantly along
the swathes
of grassland in the southern half of the park, and across
grassland and the river in the northern half of the park.
The landscape quality of Maun Valley Park is relatively high,
but unfortunately
suffers from a
problem of litter accumulation on the steep slopes.
Cross Section through site depicting simplified topography – northern end
Zone
1
Cross Section through site depicting simplified topography – southern end
Zone
2
