Ruth Piddington with the Woodland Habitat board
Calling all children across Lichfield District! Lichfield District Council is planning a range of fun wildlife activities.
From finding out about worms and snails to a tree rubbing trail and pond dipping, children are invited to get closer to nature at Beacon Park this May half term.
To start with there’s the Hug and Rub Tree Trail, which will lead intrepid explorers to interesting trees for hugging and crayon tree rubbings. The trails will be available for £1 from the Ranger Station from 26 May to 3 June between 9am and 3pm.
Then Wonderful Worms sessions are on offer on Tuesday 29 May at 10am or 1pm. In the one and a half hour sessions, groups will find out about these invertebrate animals and try their hand at worm charming in the park’s Community Garden.
Beacon Park is also hosting a one and a half hour Slug and Snail Safari on Wednesday 30 May at 10am or 1pm. Setting off from Swinfen Broun Pavilion, the group will find out about these animals, see how many they can spot on safari around the park’s woodland, and then everyone will choose their favourites to race.
Finally, there are a series of one-hour pond-dipping sessions on Thursday 31 May starting at 10am, 11am, 1pm and 2pm. Taking place in the woodland area, children are invited to have fun searching for pond life.
Councillor Iain Eadie, Cabinet Member for Leisure at Lichfield District Council, said: “Our half term sessions will offer children a brilliant chance to discover wildlife that’s all around us and to have fun searching it out.
“We know that getting children active and engaged in their surroundings and out of the house away from screens, is hugely important to their development and happiness. Our Health & Wellbeing Strategy sets out a number of ways in which we are working to get locals right across the district excited about taking regular exercise and taking part in healthy activities.
“These outdoor wildlife sessions are an example of the many ways we can get children engaged in their surroundings so they reap all the benefits of some outdoor fun.
“Beacon Park is always worth a visit during the holidays, as on top of having a great line-up of activities, we have a large playground, foot and disc golf, tennis, football, wildlife walks and seasonal fun, including donkey rides, pedal boats and inflatables – the perfect way to get active and outdoors.”
All the sessions cost £2.50 each, or £2 for Leisure Activity Passport holders, and need to be booked in advance. To book, please call Beacon Park on 01543 308867 or email parks@lichfielddc.gov.uk. Children must be accompanied for all activities.