Mereway Nature Park was one of the open spaces in the Lower Crane Valley that was threatened by development plans in 2003. Mereway is a site of local interest as it lies directly at the junction of the River Crane and the Duke of Northumberland River. The site was formerly allotments and was allowed to regenerate, resulting in a pleasing mixture of scrub and emergent woodland that forms a valuable local wildlife habitat.

FORCE successfully argued at the public inquiry that Mereway represents an important patch of “wildness” within urban Twickenham and that the area should remain undeveloped. This was not just for the enjoyment of the site itself, but because it is a link in the green chain that follows the River Crane from its source to its junction with the Thames.

FORCE is now working with Richmond Council to establish Mereway as a Nature Park. Ongoing work includes:

• Clearance of rubbish and the results of illegal dumping
• Modest scrub clearance in order to create meadow environments
• Reinforcement of woodland through selective planting
• Creation of limited public access and seating
• Monitoring of wildlife and plants

	Mereway Nature Park is a BBC Breathing Place.
FORCE has prepared a Draft Management Plan for Mereway Nature Park. This document specifies in detail FORCE's vision and aims for Mereway Nature Park over the period 2007-2011. It has been sent to Richmond Council for review. Please take a look at this document and send us your comments.	Draft Management Plan for Mereway Nature Park
Latest News:  Recent work on Mereway Nature Park: Habitat signs with information about wildlife using Mereway Nature Park have been distributed around the site. Design and installation of "magniposts" on the Classroom Meadow, allowing children to study found items in detail. A series of posts have been installed along the Central Track which are designed to deter parking along the verges during rugby days. A willow fence has been built to deter bramble pickers from pushing deep into the scrub (there is plenty fruit accessible along the margins). The Outdoor Classroom facilities are now in operation and several local schools have held events at Mereway Nature Park.
Past Work:  Major accomplishments on Mereway Nature Park include: A noticeboard has been installed at the Mereway Road entrance to the park (thanks to Doug Craik). Development of outdoor classroom facilities, with a table and log stools installed. A path has been opened up between the Duke of Northumberland River and Mereway Nature Park, allowing greater access to the site. The stand of Japanese Knotweed at the railway bridge has been treated.  Teasels and Ox-eye Daisies have been planted along the boundary of the Fox Meadow. Bird boxes made by young offenders have been installed on prominent trees.
Thanks to a Civic Pride grant from the local borough and the artistry of Paul Sivell, a wood sculptor from the Isle of Wight we welcomed THE FOX to Mereway. Paul creates carvings for a wide variety of parks and gardens throughout the UK, including Kew. The carved bench has been placed at the edge of one of the mini meadows and features carvings of brambles on the rear of the bench.

FORCE's vision for Mereway Nature Park is to create an open space with a genuine impression of wildness that is valued by the local community, provides a safe haven for local wildlife and forms a valuable component of the Crane Corridor.

The following ideas for managing Mereway Nature Park in the spirit of the above vision form the basis of the proposed management plan:

• Mereway Nature Park is currently a valuable wildlife habitat and thus the site should not be subject to radical management prescriptions.
• A greater range of wildlife habitats should be created at Mereway Nature Park to increase the biodiversity of the site.
• The aesthetic appeal of Mereway should be improved from the perspective of people passing through the site.
• Improvements should be made to the current infrastructure at Mereway to allow visitors to engage with the site in a more fulfilling way.