Knowle Park
The page provides information about Knowle Park, a public green space in Fair Oak offering play areas, woodland walks, community events, and recreational facilities for all ages.
Knowle Park
In 2006 the Parish Council was gifted a 35-acre site consisting of 6 large agricultural fields by John Gosney, a local farmer. The site is now been developed into a public open space so local residents and its wildlife can enjoy it.
The site is bordered by ancient woodland to the northeast, it has a high ridge running across it affording extensive views towards the Isle of Wight to the south and the Itchen valley to the west. This area is a haven for wildlife, deer and birds of prey are a common sight and there is also evidence of badger activity.
The main access to the park is temporarily (Oct 2017) via the Knowle Lane car park. There are 5 other pedestrian access points including kissing gates at ‘The Beeches’ and at Knowle Lane.
Now that the park is fully developed the two communities have a green space to be proud of and it provides a rural buffer between the two villages. We have planted over 7000 trees, a skate park has been installed and a playground has been constructed with Lottery funding. The allotment site at Knowle Lane has been open for approximately two years now and we have reserved a piece of land next to it to build a new cemetery, but this won’t be required for some time yet.
The Council received a very generous grant from ‘The Veolia Environmental Trust’, so these extensive developments could take place. Over a kilometre of paths have been laid, so most places are accessible throughout the year. A pond with a boardwalk has been built, and an old silted up marsh area cleared, with a dipping platform installed. These will become valuable habitats for aquatic animals and plants.
The viewing mound has an orientation plinth around the old triangulation pillar and there are plenty of benches throughout the park so you can relax and enjoy the surroundings. Three reptile hibernacula provide homes to common lizards and we are creating wildflower meadows in Twynam Field. Please note that cattle will be grazed here in the Spring and Autumn as part of the management of the site. Hopefully the flowers will spread out to other areas of the park.
Twynams Field, Knowle Park: Mini Forest
Exciting news – groundworks are taking place at Twynams Field, Knowle Park, for the creation of a mini forest!
Tuesday 24 September marked the start of the Council’s exciting new project to boost biodiversity and environmental sustainability in the area. The groundworks have now begun, preparing a 260-square-metre site for the creation of a mini forest, which will be planted using the Miyawaki method, a renowned Japanese technique for cultivating dense, diverse, native woodlands.
The Miyawaki method focuses on planting a variety of native tree species near each other, replicating the natural regeneration process of forests. Soil improvers will be added to support the growth of saplings, which will be planted at high densities (approximately 1,000 trees will be planted). The trees will grow rapidly as they compete for sunlight, and over time, natural selection will thin out weaker trees, resulting in a healthy, thriving mini forest.
To protect the young trees from local wildlife, such as deer and rabbits, the area will be fenced until the saplings are established. We will also be sowing wildflower seeds to create a mosaic habitat that will help boost local wildlife and pollinators.
In addition, the Parish Council’s Community Development Officer will be organising a series of community planting days, giving residents the opportunity to contribute to the planting and care of the site. The Council is keen to involve the local community in the long-term monitoring of the mini forest, and we encourage residents to form a ‘Friends of Twynams Field’ group to help ensure the legacy of the site’s environmental enhancements.
This project is made possible with the generous funding from the Hampshire Forest Partnership, and we extend our gratitude for their support. The mini forest will not only create new habitats for wildlife but also provide residents with the wellbeing benefits of increased green spaces.
Hampshire Forest Partnership is supporting trial mini forests across the county to test and develop the Miyawaki technique for use in Hampshire. We work with local authorities, Hampshire businesses, schools and community groups to design, plant and maintain these mini forests. Find out more about Miyawaki forests on our website: mini forests.
Want to get involved? Join us for community planting days and help shape this green legacy for future generations! Register your interest here.