Improvements to Oakhill Country Park

You might not even know it exists, but locals are being encouraged to visit Oakhill Nature Reserve in Goole to enjoy some fresh air and the great outdoors.

Oakhill Country Park is a significant area of natural green space about one mile west of the centre of Goole, and includes a mixture of woodlands, ponds and a large lake, as well as meadows and conservation land set aside for biodiversity.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council has said it is committed to creating a new country park for the people of Goole, and for visitors to the town, in association with the owners of the land in the area.

Taking care of the site and protecting it for future generations is a large group of volunteers called the Friends of Oakhill, who assist all the local landowners to make the area a safe and enjoyable place to visit. In addition, the Joint Local Access Forum also advises the council on helping to improve the opportunities for people across the East Riding to enjoy the countryside and take part in outdoor recreation, including at Oakhill.

The council has recently put up new signage to make it easier for visitors to find Oakhill and, in particular, its car park. Other recent improvement work includes new benches, upgraded paths, interpretation boards and sculptures. Oakhill already offers a nature reserve trail, pond-dipping platforms, reed beds and a viewing point.

The council’s countryside access manager, Patrick Wharam, said: “I am delighted that we have been able to provide these new signs for Oakhill which just make it that bit easier to find and that bit more welcoming to visitors. It is very pleasing that all the partners involved are progressing steadily on Oakhill, and that it can offer more facilities to visitors as each year goes by.”

For further information about Oakhill Nature Reserve and events happening at the site, visit the website www.oakhillnature.org