The urban fringe location
of the Maun Valley Park results in the site being used as a
recreation and amenity resource. Visitors to the site value it however because of the
peace, tranquillity and space. Introducing new forms of management, especially
woodland management work may potentially alienate local residents or users.
People care about the
site, and any resistance to future management will probably
be due to people’s concern for the Park. It is important to encourage public
understanding of the management of the site and to increase awareness of site
issues. Management ideas should therefore be presented in a way that will enable as
many people as possible to see and understand them. It is hoped that through
achieving this management work will obtain public support, and that local people will
continue to become actively involved. The development of a Friends group should be
as they could play an active role in the site, holding Make a difference days,
undertaking small-scale management work etc.
To raise the profile
of Maun Valley Park and to encourage increased use by visitors a
programme of interpretation should be developed. This should include public events
(eg guided walk, events taking on a specific focus –wildflowers, birds, fungi etc); fact
sheets and interpretation panels. Special one-off events can be focussed around
management work for example tree work/felling or even the grassland management.
This would enable the opportunity to explain key theories relating to the management
and allow the public to learn about the differing management activities. School
groups should be encouraged to use and visit the site. This will hopefully enable
children to become involved and learn to respect the site.
