Pathways to Nature

We began working with Natural England in November 2023 towards the development of a community led green mile route that could explore how we might strengthen people’s connection with nature by revitalising forgotten snickets and creating playful, traffic-free routes. Growing out of our Space to Play in BD9 community research we began with intensive community engagement to explore both existing and new pathways to nature at a number of levels in Frizinghall.

Working collaboratively with Bradford New Church, Frizinghall Primary School, BMDC Rights of Way team and Jamia Masjid Shan-e-Islam we have begun to activate the unloved snickets, explore how signage and other playful interventions could make these routes more accessible and understand the short and long term possibilities of creating safe & inviting routes between where people & animals live and their nearby green & wild spaces.

In March 2024 we launched the Frizinghall Neighbourhood Green Mile - a one mile signed route connecting people to the Greenway and Heaton Woods. The route climbs over 80 metres - the same height as local landmark Lister Mills’ chimney and there are 7 ‘kite’ way markers along the route to help you celebrate your progress! The route, inspired by 10 community events involving 220 local people including led walks, litter picks, deisgn workshops and route audits. We hope the route map and colourful signage unlocks opportunities for local discovery, play & nature connection. Download your route map here.

Photo credit: Karol Wyszynski