Tarmac grant helps Whisby Nature Park

Facilities upgrade goes ahead thanks to grant from Tarmac Landfill Communities Fund

ACCESS to the visitor centre at Whisby Nature Park, near Lincoln, is currently being improved through a programme of work, thanks to a grant from the Tarmac Landfill Communities Fund.

North Kesteven District Council secured £25,000 of funding to improve facilities at the Nature Park’s Natural World Centre, particularly for people with disabilities.

Following customer feedback, the space provided for disabled toilets will double, making access easier, and automatic doors will be installed at entrances to the visitors’ centre.

The Tarmac Landfill Communities Fund grant has been welcomed as a significant contribution to fulfil a long-held aspiration.

Andrew McDonough, economy and place director at North Kesteven District Council, said: ‘We’ve been eager to make improvements to our disabled toilet facilities and access to the building for a while, so the funding we’ve been promised is important.

‘Visitors have told us that better access to the facilities would make it easier for them to visit, especially for those with larger wheelchairs or buggies. The funding also enables us to install automatic doors, making the site much more user-friendly for families and people with disabilities.

‘We’re grateful to Tarmac Landfill Communities Fund, whose grant has enabled us to bring forward this project.’

‘Since opening the Natural World Centre to the public 20 years ago as a Millennium project, we have made continual improvements to make it more user-friendly and to provide more interest to visitors.

‘This latest project will help even more people enjoy visits to discover nature and learn about the environment, so we’re really excited to see the plans come to fruition.’

A spokesperson for Tarmac said: ‘We are delighted to help North Kesteven District Council with this project, making the Natural World Centre accessible for even more people to enjoy.’

Whisby Nature Park first opened to the public in 1989, having been developed from former gravel pits. The 150ha wetland and woodland site is now home to many bird and plant species.

The Natural World Centre opened to the public some 12 years later and usually welcomes more than 200,000 visitors a year, with over 150,000 of them exploring the Nature Park.