Back in August, the boardwalk at our Mathew Arnold Reserve in Boars Hill had started to deteriorate and become unsafe for visitors to the site.

Originally built in 2009 by Oxford Conservation Volunteers (OCV), the team once again stepped up to the challenge this time removing the old boardwalk and constructing a brand new raised walkway in a higher and drier location to extend the longevity.

Boardwalks like this are created by placing pairs of strong vertical posts in the ground, reinforced with struts before horizontal beams are securely attached along the length of the path. Onto this foundation, wooden planks are fixed and covered with wire netting to provide added grip for anyone using the paths in wet weather. 

The new walkway is wider, more level and more accessible making it easier for everyone to enjoy, including those with limited mobility. With 20 volunteers on site, the rebuild was completed impressively quickly, and materials from the old boardwalk will be reused in other projects at Matthew Arnold Reserve and nearby OPT sites.

The reserve is acid wetland habitat with spring fed ponds and areas of wet peaty flushes, meaning that by it’s nature the site is very wet with flooded sections of path, therefore the boardwalk allows visitors to continue enjoying the site all year round. Importantly, it also reduces the risk of habitat damage which may occur when users attempt to seek drier routes around problem areas.

A huge thank you to OCV for their skill and hard work in helping us achieve this!