Thanks to investment from rail industry partners including CrossCountry, local children have helped transform land at Worcestershire Parkway railway station into a new community Eco Area designed for wildlife, learning and wellbeing.
The project, led by Worcestershire Community Rail Partnership and the Bee Friendly Trust, has turned council-owned land beside the station into a welcoming outdoor space where schools, community groups, passengers and local residents can connect with nature.
Phase One of the project attracted £32,000 of investment from Community Rail Network, CrossCountry, Great Western Railway and the Community Rail Partnership, helping bring together a wide range of organisations, volunteers and local schools to create the new facility.
At the heart of the project has been community involvement. Around 100 pupils from four Worcestershire schools took part in wildlife workshops, sharing ideas about the animals they had seen or hoped to see in the area. Their artwork has now become a permanent feature of the Eco Area, with wildlife drawings carefully pyrographed onto wooden benches, footbridges and interpretation signs throughout the site.
To celebrate the launch, pupils returned to Worcestershire Parkway to see their designs brought to life. For many, it was the first time they had contributed to a public space that will be enjoyed by thousands of people each year.
The Eco Area features wildlife interpretation boards, natural seating, willow-woven sculptures and an outdoor learning space that can be used by schools and community groups. Additional features, including habitat creation, planting schemes and community art projects, are planned for the future.
Hayley Cartwright of Worcestershire Community Rail Partnership said the scheme demonstrates how railway stations can become more than places to catch a train.
"What makes this project particularly special is that we didn't simply design a space for children, we asked children what they wanted to see. Their ideas are now permanently part of the station environment and have helped create a place the whole community can enjoy."
The project is also an example of how community rail partnerships work with train operators, local authorities and community organisations to deliver benefits beyond the railway itself. By bringing together funding, expertise and local knowledge, the partnership has created a space that supports biodiversity, education and community pride while strengthening the connection between Worcestershire Parkway and the communities it serves.
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