We wanted to share an update on the current condition of our paths following the recent frosty spell.
After each bout of frost, the thaw leaves some sections of the paths rather muddy for a few days.
While the drainage work our amazing volunteers and contractors carried out last winter has made a real difference, we recognise there are still areas that aren’t acceptable—especially for wheelchair users, pushchairs, or anyone with balance issues.
But please remember this is a country park, and we’re at the mercy of the British weather.
Sometimes, it will be wet, and it will be muddy. However, we are passionate about accessibility at Knowle Park and are determined to find a solution.
Next week, we have a scheduled maintenance meeting with the original contractors. The park—and the paths—remain under warranty, so we’ll keep working with them to improve things.
One option is to add 50–60 tonnes of extra stone to the worst areas. The path material for the technically minded is Fittleworth Stone, a mix of larger aggregate and finer stone with some clay. When properly compressed, it forms a sturdy, year-round surface. In some places, too much fine material and clay were used, so bringing in heavier stone should make the paths firmer.
We’ve also seen some speculation online that the parkrun events on Saturday and Sunday mornings are making the paths worse. This simply isn’t true.
We inspect the paths before and after each run, and running on them actually helps to compress the material, improving the surface over time.
In the meantime, please come prepared with suitable footwear. We see some people in fresh white trainers, expecting tarmac paths—but this is a country park!
We love seeing you out enjoying the natural setting, but do be ready for a bit of mud in winter.
Thank you for your patience and continued support. We’ll keep you posted on our progress—together, we’ll make Knowle Park as accessible and enjoyable as possible for everyone!
