Our environment
Many of us appreciate the tree-lined roads and lovely green spaces that characterise the Hurst Park estate. We want to preserve and improve the local environment, so that it can continue to be enjoyed by everyone for many decades to come. Some of our initiatives designed to make the neighbourhood an even better place to live are described below. Please get in touch if you'd like to help, or if you have other ideas or suggestions.
Trees
Trees are officially good for you. They provide shade, help prevent flooding, keep us cool, and provide habitats for birds, bats, bees and other wildlife. They're good for our mental health, and good for house prices too. We're lucky to have plenty of trees in our neighbourhood, both in people's gardens, but also in the streets.
We've been working with the council to make sure our estate becomes even greener. They've planted lots of new trees in our neighbourhood, but please let us know if you spot a gap where a tree could thrive, or where there's a dead tree that needs replacing.
You can help by planting trees in your garden, and by watering young trees near your house.
A new border
A group of residents got together in 2020 to clear and replant a border at the bottom of Hurst Park Avenue that had become very overgrown and choked with weeds.
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We were keen to make the new border as biodiverse as possible, so we retained the wildflowers that flourish there, while planting shrubs, bulbs and perennials to create an attractive and wildlife-friendly area.
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However it does need some attention to keep it looking good - please volunteer if you can offer occasional help!
Spring bulbs
In 2020, we offered spring bulbs at cost price to residents to plant around the trees and in the verges outside their houses. These brightened the neighbourhood beautifully and we plan to do the same again this year. Perhaps together we can make sure that there are bulbs outside every house! Let us know if you'd like to take part.
Green initiatives
Aside from tree-planting and encouraging biodiversity, we invite residents to share their experiences of initiatives designed to reduce their carbon footprint. Andrew Milbourn has written about installing external wall insulation on his house in Leys Avenue, and Michael Page tells us about his experience with solar panels and an electric car.
If you're trying to reduce your carbon footprint, would you be willing to share what you've learned with neighbours? Please let us know; perhaps together we can make the estate greener.
Arbury hedge
In December 2018 we were surprised to discover that the hedge separating the cycle path and the play area in Arbury Court park was to be removed. Our neighbour Alex Tait, who lives nearby, staged a sit-down protest, complaining that there had been no consultation or warning, and that no plans had been published, but the hedge was removed. HPERA campaigned to have the hedge reinstated, believing that it was necessary for reasons of safety and biodiversity, and in November 2019 it was eventually replanted.