Staff and visitors can now leave the hustle and bustle of a local hospital and escape back to nature thanks to charitable donations.
United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity has joined forces with the Boston Woods Trust to build a bridge from Pilgrim hospital to the neighbouring Dion’s Wood Nature Reserve in Boston.
This means staff and visitors can now walk over the footpath and enjoy the growing woodland, lake and meadows.
The Boston Woods Trust is a local independent charitable trust established in 2001 that has a long term plan to develop woodland around Boston for the benefit of all.
Dion’s Wood is the latest addition to the Boston Woods Trust and is located between Willoughby Road and the rear of Pilgrim hospital. The 35 acre site was landscaped in 2021 and by the end of 2022 nearly 17,000 trees and shrubs had been planted and areas of wild flowers seeded.
There are now 3km of paths which can be accessed from Willoughby Road, Rowan Way, Sibsey Road and now through a footpath and the back of the hospital site for staff and visitors.
Charity Manager, Ben Petts, said: “We understand how stressful it can be coming to hospital and so to have a space where everyone can go and enjoy some fresh air and a break away from the hustle and bustle is so valuable.
“As a charity we have tried to create garden spaces at our hospitals, but being able to access a nature reserve is something really special. We were proud to help cover the cost of the works to enable our patients, staff and visitors to be able to access this wonderful area.
“A massive thank you to the Boston Woods Trust for all of their hard work and for everything they continue to do to create these inspirational spaces for local people.”
The access route was created by bridging an existing waterway with a pipe and many tons of soil. A pathway was then created across the top of this to link with a pathway already in the nature reserve. A significant proportion of the cost was funded by the United Lincolnshire Hospital Charity. Boston Woods Trust funded the initial groundwork and the site was cleared by their volunteers.
Boston Woods Trust President, Adrian Isaac, said: “Outdoor space is essential for both mental and physical wellbeing. The woods and parkland provide an opportunity to exercise in a natural environment.
“We are so grateful to have been gifted this land. We not only look forward to watching it grow, but to also see first-hand how much it helps so many people.
“Being able to work with United Lincolnshire Teaching Hospitals Trust and the charity was a brilliant way to enable even more people to access this space between appointments or even during a lunchbreak.”
Volunteers have not only planted all of the trees and continue to nurture them, but also look after the hedges, meadows and are doing so much to support and encourage wildlife. They have also put in benches and stopping points around the reserve.
Adrian added: “This nature reserve will have a lasting legacy long after we have all gone. Not only will it help with physical and mental wellbeing today, but it will also have a positive impact on reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere for years and years to come.”
Image credit: United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust
