WILDLIFE in Rugby is set to thrive when a more environmentally-friendly way of managing grasslands – introduced to parts of Rugby last year – is to be extended to more parts of the town.
Urban meadows will be created at 13 spots around town after species of plants, moths, butterflies and dragonflies flourished at trial sites for the first time last year.
Rugby Borough Council’s environment and public realm spokeswoman Coun Lisa Parker said: “While regularly mowed areas of short grass are appropriate for roadside verges and parks, longer grass and meadow areas are better for the environment and support wildlife.
“On some of the sites we will leave longer grass around the edge of the site, while at other sites we will create larger grassland meadows with pathways cut through to follow footpaths and desire lines.
“We hope that this new approach will help support wildlife such as insects, bees and hedgehogs, many of which have had a hard time in our towns and cities in recent years.”
The urban meadows will be created at Apple Grove Open Space, Avon Mill Recreation Ground, Boughton Road, Eden Road, Cawston, Hillmorton Recreation Ground, Yates Ave/Fosterd Road, Burnside, Rokeby Open Space, Shakespeare Gardens, Dunchurch Road/Kingsway, The Heath in Dunchurch, and Newbold Recreation Ground.
Visit www.rugby.gov.uk/urbanmeadows for more information on the sites, and how they will be managed.
