New Grass Cutting Changes:

Your Questions Answered

Why are we changing how we cut grass?

• We want to help nature. Bees, butterflies, and other insects are disappearing, and they need places to live and find food.
• We're trying to find a balance: keeping areas tidy while also letting some areas naturalise to help wildlife.
• We have also invested more money into the Green Space and Street Scene service.

Why are bees and other insects important?

• They help plants grow, which gives us fruits, vegetables, and other food.
• They help keep our natural areas healthy, which is good for everyone.
• There are lots of different kinds of helpful insects, and we want to protect them.

How will we cut grass in cemeteries

• We'll mow the grass every two to three weeks from April to October.
• We'll leave the cut grass on the ground.
• We'll manage weeds around paths and headstones.

What about sports fields

• We'll keep cutting the grass on sports fields short all year round, like we always do.
• We will use weed treatment where needed.

What about parks like West Park, Victoria Park, and Rutland Sports Park

• We'll keep working in these parks all year.
• The main park areas will be mowed every couple of weeks, and the cut grass will be left on the ground.
• Wildflower areas will be planted in the spring and cut back in early September.
• We'll use weed treatment around paths and benches.

What about other open spaces

• In many open spaces, we'll mow a strip around the edges as in a “picture frame”.  We will also mow along paths and around play areas every three weeks.
• We will also mow an area for people to have picnics and play games.
• Some areas will be left to naturalise
• These areas include places like: Erewash Square, Gallows Inn, and many more. 

What are we doing in areas we're leaving to naturalise

• We're letting some areas grow long to help nature.
• We'll cut these areas once a year, in early September, and take away the cut grass.
• We hope this will bring back rare plants and support bees, butterflies, and hedgehogs.
• These areas include places like: Bare Lane, Windsor Crescent and many more. 
• We will put up signs to explain what we are doing.

How will we look after play areas?

• We'll check play equipment every week.
• We'll pick up litter and fix anything that's broken.

What about wildflower areas?

• We'll remove weeds, pick up litter, and collect seeds in wildflower areas.
• These areas include places like: Jonnies Park, Sandiacre and many more. 

What about grass verges?

• Derbyshire County Council is in charge of grass verges.
• In towns and villages, they'll be cut about six times a year.
• In between towns and villages, they'll be cut twice a year.
• If you wish to cut the grass verge near your property you should contact Derbyshire County council.

What about nature reserves?

• We'll continue to look after our nature reserves.
• These include places like: Forbes Hollow, Fox Covert, and many more.