Hainault Forest Country Park is in the early stages of a £6m restoration project which will see it undergo biodiversity investment, Zoo restoration and improving the range of activities on offer for visitors.
Just before Christmas, the zoo’s latest addition was announced – a beautiful white horse called James – and Redbridge Council still harbours hopes it can improve the wildlife on offer even further.
“You can visit James and the rest of the Foxburrows family over at the farm and zoo with free entry,” a Redbridge Council Spokesman said.
“Hainault Forest is one of Redbridge’s beautiful parks with a range of great facilities including a cafe, nature trails, fishing lake and the farm.”
The work on updating Hainault Forest Country Park’s offering was first announced in October, when cabinet member for civic pride Sheila Bain said the awarding of Heritage Lottery Funding to the project was the result of “months of tireless work”.
To date 158 species of bird have been recorded in the forest including turtle doves, bullfinches, and three species of woodpecker. There are also more than 940 species of invertebrates such as butterflies and dragon flies, 79 of which are nationally scarce.
As well as maintaining the ancient woodland, the project will offer residents and schools employment and educational opportunities in the refurbished cafe, visitors’ centre and grounds.
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