Larkholme Grasslands

About

Larkholme Grasslands in Fleetwood is 1.5km in length and a Biological Heritage Site because of the rare species of flora and fauna that grow there. Landscaping work brings together the finishing touches to a  new promenade and provide a much more attractive environment for visitors and local residents, making the most of the area’s natural features, creating an ecology park that celebrates the plants and insects that make the grasslands special.

The ecology park  features artworks that bring to life the diverse range of marine species that give the area its Biological Heritage Site status. Colourful aluminium grassland beacons designed by artist Stephen Broadbent stand tall at pedestrian access points along the promenade and as way-finders connecting paths to the promenade.

Hand carved wooden artworks illustrate a new story about the grasslands’ ecology, linking the project to the Mythic Coast, an artwork trail based on folklore and myth surrounding the local coastline. Seating, pathways and bridges will be added to make the whole area more accessible.

Wyre Council worked with three local artists Adele Robinson, Linda Hampton and Julia Swarbrick, who ran drama, creative writing and visual arts workshops in the autumn of 2017 at Larkholme Primary School. Year 4 children created poems, stories and artwork to bring the Larkholme Grasslands to life. Ideas from these workshops shaped the designs embedded into the landscape and link to the Cleveleys Mythic Coastline.

The Mythic Coastline is an artwork trail beginning at Cleveleys, with a memorial to all the ships wrecked off the Fylde coast between 1643 and 2008. Characters from The Sea Swallow, including a giant stainless steel seashell and sea ogre carved from limestone, are dotted northwards along the promenade and beach before the trail ends at Rossall Point.

The new seawall at Rossall tells the story of The Sea Swallow. Concrete units depicting artwork and poetry from the children’s book, which brings to life the folklore and myth surrounding the local coastline between West Way and Rossall Point.The story of the Sea Swallow is told at the northern end of the site, where the new seawall meets the existing wall.