Three Matlock parks, Pic Tor, Lovers’ Walk and High Tor, have been designated as a local Nature Reserve.

Councillor Mrs Janet Goodison, Chairman of the District Council’s Community and Environment Committee said: “The designation of the parks a local nature reserve will give greater protection to the wildlife and plants in the area. This will help ensure that residents and visitors will continue to enjoy the wildlife that exists in this special landscape.”

The designation has been made possible through work carried out under the Ravine Woodlife partnership project. Through this partnership the District Council and Natural England have undertaken selective thinning of non-native species such as Sycamore to promote the growth of native trees such as Ash and Lime.

Ecological survey work has also been carried out and this will continue over the next five years to provide information to guide the future woodland management of the area. Financial assistance for this work has been received from the European Commissions’ LIFE Nature programme.

Matlock Parks Project has been awarded a grant from the SITA Trust to increase the biodiversity of special habitats in the parks:

· The Ash and Lime woodlands,
· Limestone grasslands and
· lowland meadows.

A grant has also been received from the Forestry Commission to improve access throughout the three parks. The grant will also be used to provide interpretation boards and leaflets as will as improvements to the footpath network and fencing.

The Matlock Parks Project is funded by a £2.67 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund which will see improvement to five parks; Hall Leys Park, High Tor Grounds, Lovers Walk, Derwent Gardens and Pic Tor.