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Meadow Management

During the mid 1990's the Beckenham Place Park Working Party was formed and one of the early achievements was the drawing up of a Management Plan for the environmental features of the Park. Woodland management and Grassland management were significant subjects addressed. Certain areas were identified as being suitable for the revival of Meadow Grassland whereas they were currently close mown amenity grasslands. The frequent mowing did nothing to promote biodiversity of flora or fauna. Over several years now and some setbacks some success has been achieved in promoting a twice yearly mowing regime, leaving some margins uncut and designating meadow areas interspersed with amenity space (mown areas for games).
As much of the park was a series of fields, meadows and woods in the early 18th century this is a partial return to the early management of the land. The Ordnance Survey drawings of 1799 shows fields with indication of whether they are cultivated, meadow, parkland or woods. The creation of the golf course in 1907 changed several areas and how they are mown and managed. The recent closure of the golf course will lead to further changes and perhaps some increase in the meadow areas.
Some parts are recognized as acid grassland and should be suitably managed to preserve this relatively rare environment.

Close Cut and Sterile

The Long and Short of it

A Sea of Bloom