Oak Hill Country Park in Goole continues to develop

Oak Hill 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 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.

There is also a large group of volunteer Friends of Oak Hill, 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 Oak Hill.

The council has just put up new signage to make it easier for visitors to find Oak Hill and in particular its car park. Other recent improvement work includes new benches, upgraded paths, interpretation boards and sculptures.

The council’s countryside access manager Patrick Wharam said : “I am delighted that we have been able to provide these new signs for Oak Hill, 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 Oak Hill, and that it can offer more facilities to visitors as each year goes by.”

Oak Hill already offers a Nature Reserve Trail, pond dipping platforms, reed beds , and a viewing point. The Joint Local Access Forum recently visited the country park to see progress at first hand.

The forum is a statutory partnership body, independent of but administered by East Riding of Yorkshire Council in partnership with Hull City Council. It meets four times a year in public, and the next meeting will be on Wednesday 13 December at 2pm at County Hall in Beverley.

Hazel Armstrong, chair of the Forum, is keen to promote the health benefits of public access, to places like Oak Hill : “Public Rights of Way are one of the best things we can access free of charge, along with parks and urban green spaces, offering huge benefits for both our physical and mental wellbeing.”