Wednesday 19th March 2025 - Los Altos Park, Sandown GG #1022

 Terry's photos

Mark's photos

Whips in their moisture retention gel

Finally, at the end of the hedge line at the top of the hill

Pollarded holm oaks

Another week and another new site!  This time in Sandown in Los Altos Park, somewhere a lot of us had heard about but not visited.  This is sited behind The Heights Leisure Centre and is surrounded by development.  The Sunshine Trail and the railway are on its western boundary.

We were working with IWC Tree Officer, Tony Gillingham and his team to create a transition between the parkland and the woodland.  This consisted of two rows of whips (immature hedgerow plants) planted a metre apart along the southern edge of the central woodland.  Hundreds of whips have been provided by the Woodland Trust and were a mix of species. 

Team GG got to work with spades to dig small holes for the whips.  Fortunately, the soil was soft and friable which made the job much easier.  We worked our way up the hill, with another group behind planting the whips with a third group then surrounding the whips with woodchip mulch.  The left over whips will be planted at other sites in forthcoming weeks.

While we were working on our hedge line, Tony’s team were planting eight mature trees on this southern park area.  A huge amount of work has been done in the northern part of the park where holm oaks have been pollarded and new trees planted – see 1^st link.  This work will make the park lighter, safer and encourage a wider diversity of flora and fauna. However, it has caused a bit of controversy with locals – see 2^nd link.  As we know, nature will have its way and in the medium-long term the park will reap the benefits.

Essential tree safety works to begin at Los Altos Park

UPSET OVER STATE OF SANDOWN'S 'EMPTY AND BARE' LOS ALTOS PARK - Isle of Wight News - Island Echo

For further information on the history of Los Altos Park –

Sandown Parks & Open Spaces | Enjoy Nature, Trails & Play Areas

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Update re GG-er Phil – for those who don’t attend regularly you may remember we sent our best wishes to Phil as he experienced health issues at the end of November 2024.  I am pleased to report a small group of us met up with him after the GG session and he is making a great recovery and hopes to rejoin us in a few months’ time.

Thank you to Terry and Mark for the photos and pertinent links!