Parks and Outdoor Recreation Facilities - Barrowford Park
Barrowford Park was first awarded a prestigious Green Flag in 2008, and has maintained its flag ever since. The park has a bowling green, war memorial and two children's playgrounds, and some outdoor fitness equipment.
In the heart of the park are a lake and a wetland area. The lake was once the original mill pond. The pond is populated with moorhen, ducks and coots. Also situated at the back of the park is Barrowford Cemetery which incorporates the Woodland Cemetery. A new picnic area has been developed near to the cemetery. The park hosts both the annual Barrowford Show and events organised by the Friends Groups and Park Keeper Service.
Play facilities
There are two playgrounds with 18 pieces of equipment including six DDA friendly and two DDA/pushchair friendly gates, both of which are dog free areas:
- Infant: 3-5 years old
- Junior: 5-14 years old - 90% agility
Harnesses can be obtained from the main offices of Parks and Recreation Services at Fleet Street.
Flowerbeds
There are formal flowerbeds in the areas near the bowling green at Barrowford Park; however the focus is on perennial plantings which enhance the natural features of the park. Visitors will find varying surprises as they explore the park in different seasons. The Ramsons (Wild garlic (Allium ursinum)) give a sublime show for a few weeks, yet in this same spot you will find snowdrops at winters end and a variety of woodland margin wildflowers as summer progresses.
The Friends of Barrowford Park have also planted a wealth of bulbs throughout the park so spring will find displays of crocus, daffodils and tulips.
Lake
The Lake is home to various waterfowl, from Barrowford's well-known Brown Goose to a flock of Moorhen. The birds find shelter from both the elements and from natural predators on the island in the middle of the lake, whilst its waters are home to Perch. If you are lucky you may see ropes of Toad spawn in the spring or catch the antics of the waterfowl on the ice when the Lake is frozen over. You can also enjoy feeding the wild ducks at any time of the year.
When feeding the ducks please consider the health of both the birds and the pond and throw the food on the banks rather than in the pond. This means that the food will all be eaten instead of much of it rotting in the pond; the ducks will also appreciate it if you feed them a seed mix rather than bread.
Wildlife
Whilst many of the facilities in the park are provided for human visitors to enjoy we also manage the park to encourage wildlife. The garden around the war memorial is also a butterfly garden, with a variety of plants which different species of butterflies use for food and shelter. We continually monitor the wildlife in the park and all development of the bog, woodland and riverside areas is undertaken with a joint focus on increasing biodiversity whilst beautifying the park.
You might be lucky enough to see our nesting pair of Greater Spotted Woodpeckers in one of their exuberant mating flights around the trees on the escarpment, if not you can still have a look at the holes they have left when feeding on the insects living in the Owl Sculpture
In the woodland on the escarpment squirrels collect the copious supplies of beech nuts which carpet in autumn whilst pipistrelle bats can be glimpsed flitting amongst the trees feeding on airborne insects on balmy summer evenings. The stream is home to a pair of Dippers who can be seen bobbing up and down as they feed among the rocks in the streambed. Brown Trout sunbathe in the quieter eddies and you may even find a Heron standing guard over the weir as it waits for an unwary fish swim by and become its dinner.
Memorial Gardens
The Barrowford War Memorial is in the centre of a level area, with plenty of seating which is surrounded and sheltered by bushes and flowers.
Wetland Area
The bog garden/wetland area is located in a sheltered nook between the lake and the escarpment. Because the location has its own microclimate it creates an ideal habitat for wildlife and native plants which would not be able to thrive in the more open areas of the park. Yellow Flag Iris flowers wave in the breeze over the bog and frilly white flowers of Bog Bean sit above the water.
The Friends of Barrowford Park have made the development of the wetland area an ongoing project with dual goals of improving the accessibility of the area for the public and increasing the variety of native plants and of wildlife which find food and homes there. The Friends are planting more wildflowers and bushes around the area each season, building the diversity of the area.
Disabled Facilities
- Many of the footpaths are wheelchair friendly
- Disabled toilets are available at the Heritage Centre and Bowling Pavilion (in season)
- Disabled car parking bays are available at the Heritage Centre entrance to the park.
Pendle Heritage Centre
The Heritage Centre has a Tourist Information Centre, Pendle Arts Gallery and cafe. It is open all year round between the hours of 10 am - 4 pm.
Friends Groups
Barrowford Park has a very active Friends Group who work alongside us maintaining the high standard of the park and help organise events and activities within the park itself.