Families urged to join in and celebrate nature at spring park event

A celebration to mark Equinox, the start of spring – and a point in the year when day and night are of equal length – will be held at Longford Park, Stretford, on Saturday 21 March.

All are welcome at the park’s formal gardens from 11am to 3pm for activities aimed at encouraging families and individuals to get involved with the natural environment.

Things to do, organised by Trafford Council and partners, will include sowing parsley seeds to carry on growing at home, fire lighting, potion making, discovering and mapping signs of nature in the park and activities to inspire for season ahead.

The RSPB and the Rock Paper Write community interest company will be there on the day with activities and information.

Visitors will also be able to find out more about the People, Place and Nature Project improvement works to Longford Park, which will include planting a total of 81 new trees, plus new shrubs and native hedgerows, expanding the wildlife pond and enhancing local biodiversity.

Supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, a £6m programme of improvements will also include the restoration of heritage features and historic landscaping, better sport and recreational facilities, and a new skills hub.

Refurbishment of the popular Pets’ Corner is already in progress and flood alleviation work, improved footpaths, seating and lighting are also on the way for the park, which is managed by the One Trafford Partnership.

Cllr Stephen Adshead, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Highways, Environmental and Traded Services, said: “We want to encourage as many people as possible to visit, enjoy and spend time in this historic park. The forthcoming improvements will benefit all who use the park.

“Celebrating Equinox is one way to really focus in on nature and think about the changing seasons. At the moment there is so much to notice and appreciate, from daffodils to birds’ nests.”