A community group in Bristol which planted 30,000 bulbs in a park have been left “heartbroken” after the council mowed them down days later.
The Friends of St George Park raised £6,000 by selling duck food to fund the project and says members were advised by Bristol City Council about what to plant and where.
More than 70 volunteers, including several families and children, came to help on Saturday 7th March in what was described as “the biggest project we’ve ever done”. Among them were two councillors from the Green Party.
Ailie Tam, from the group, says the planting was planned for months and was part of a wider plan to enhance habitats in the park. They were also advised by two ecologists.
But days later the area by St George Library was mowed over by contractors damaging, and likely destroying, the newly planted bulbs.
Ailie Tam planting the bulbs on Saturday. Credit: Friends of St George Park
Ailie said: “It’s heartbreaking and really frustrating. It’s like taking a step forward and two steps back.
“All the hard work, energy, the morale and the community spirit – it’s beggar’s belief that it’s happened.
“Just really disheartened and gutted overall. It just feels like a waste. A waste of time, energy, and plants. It’s a waste.”
Ailie is hopeful some of the bulbs, which included native flowers like snowdrops, daffodils, bluebells, and wild garlic, may still recover.
She said: “Some of the bulbs will hopefully recover.
“We wanted flowers this spring but that is not going to happen. Some will come back next year but for others the collateral damage means that they won’t recover.”
Bristol City Council says the Head of Service is investigating the circumstances around this.
A council spokesperson said: “We recognise the upset and concern this incident has caused the local community.
“Officers are investigating the events around the mowing of this area and will liaise directly with the ward councillors and local volunteers to address the situation.”