Former agricultural land has been turned into additional public park space for people in Plymouth, the National Trust has said. The 32 hectares (79 acres) of green space has "significantly" increased the size of the trust's land in Saltram and included a new 2.5km (1.5 mile) multi-use trail suitable for all users funded by Sport England through the National Lottery and the Trust, it said.
The trust added that a series of rest stops had also been installed along the trail, offering "stunning views across Plymouth" and linking with Saltram's existing paths including The Dell.
National Trust Saltram general manager Jez McDermott said the opening was "a landmark moment" for Plymouth and Saltram.
"This investment in access, wellbeing and nature means more people can enjoy everything Saltram has to offer.
"Whether you're walking, wheeling, cycling, spending time with family or simply taking a moment to enjoy the views, we hope Saltram East becomes a place that people return to for generations to come."
The trust said investments had been made to "boost the diversity" of nature and wildlife in the area and that it had planted new wildflower hay meadows across the site to create homes for wildlife.
It said it also planned to build a community forest by building up to 12,000 trees in the coming winter.
The trust said the existing country park attracted about one million visits each year and it expected the additional land to provide "significant health and wellbeing benefits" for locals.
Lisa Dodd-Mayne, of Sport England, said access to nature "shouldn't be a luxury".
She said: "In a growing city like Plymouth, these new trails will make it easier for more people to build active travel into everyday life, get outdoors and enjoy the health and wellbeing benefits of green spaces close to home."
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What else has been said about the site?
The National Trust said the opening of the new Saltram area is "a landmark moment", and it has framed the expansion as an investment in access, wellbeing and nature. The organisation said the new space will allow more people to enjoy what Saltram offers, whether by walking, wheeling or cycling, or by spending time with family and taking in the views.
How has the landscape been changed?
Former agricultural land has been converted into public parkland, and the trust said the 32 hectares (79 acres) have significantly increased the size of its land in Saltram. The site now includes the new 2.5km (1.5 mile) multi-use trail, funded by Sport England through the National Lottery and the Trust.
A series of rest stops have been placed along the trail, offering "stunning views across Plymouth" and connecting with existing paths including The Dell.
What is planned for wildlife and trees?
The trust said it had already made investments to "boost the diversity" of nature and wildlife in the area. It said new wildflower hay meadows had been planted across the site to create homes for wildlife.
It also plans to build a community forest by planting up to 12,000 trees in the coming winter.
Why does the trust say this matters?
The trust said the existing country park attracted about one million visits each year, and it expects the extra land to deliver "significant health and wellbeing benefits" for local people. The expansion is intended to increase access to green space in Plymouth and support more active travel and outdoor time close to home.
Lisa Dodd-Mayne, of Sport England, said access to nature "shouldn't be a luxury".
She said: "In a growing city like Plymouth, these new trails will make it easier for more people to build active travel into everyday life, get outdoors and enjoy the health and wellbeing benefits of green spaces close to home."
Key Facts
- The National Trust has added 32 hectares (79 acres) of former agricultural land at Saltram in Plymouth.
- The new area includes a 2.5km (1.5 mile) multi-use trail funded by Sport England through the National Lottery and the Trust.
- A series of rest stops has been installed along the trail, linking with existing paths including The Dell.
- The trust has planted wildflower hay meadows and plans to plant up to 12,000 trees in the coming winter.
- The existing country park attracts about one million visits each year.
