Child 'architects' check on new wetlands
School pupils turned construction managers last week when they dropped in on a new wetland project that they helped design.
More than 500 pupils from Prince of Wales Primary School visited the site of the new Prince of Wales community wetlands, which are being built by Enfield Borough Council and the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT).
Once completed, the new wetlands will cover an area the size of two sports fields. They will help wildlife in the area and reduce flooding and pollution in the Turkey Brook and River Lea.
WWT’s Rita Serra said:
“It’s been wonderful to show the kids how the wetlands are shaping up. We’re involving them every step of the way. They came up with designs for how they’d like the park to look. They’re here today making sure everything’s going to plan. And once it’s all finished, this is where they’ll come to learn outdoors.
“Creating new wetlands is a fantastic way to improve the world around us. They store water that could otherwise flood local streets and houses and in turn that water attracts birds and other wildlife.
“Prince of Wales wetlands are going to be a beautiful place to visit for the whole community.”
Once the diggers are finished in November, project staff will work with local volunteers to plant hundreds of wetland trees like willow trees. Next spring they will return to plant hundreds more wetland plants, ahead of the official opening in summer 2018.
The whole project is expected to cost around £170,000 and has been made possible thanks to Thames Water, Enfield Borough Council and WWT.
