Mill Park Reserve

Mill Park Reserve was established following a purchase by the Parish Council of an area of land adjacent to Willow Mill at the Murcott end of Long Buckby. Prior to this Daventry District Council had been using the land as a refuse tip. It had previously been used as a coal yard.

In the beginning the site only had a hedge on the Western side, a few shrubs and some rough grass. Since becoming a pocket park, trees, bushes and hedgerows have been planted. Old willows by the small river at the North-eastern edge of the park have been pollarded. Two ponds have been established, as well as a wetland area and river-side observation platforms. Seats and picnic benches have been obtained and secured. The reserve contains a butterfly garden, a human sun clock, a kingfisher bank, a wildflower meadow, and mini woodland comprised of trees commonly found in Northamptonshire. Broken crockery and glass can often be seen on the surface of the soil - signs of the site's former use.

There are regular sightings of kingfisher, slow worm, grass snake, toads, frogs and smooth, palmate and great crested newts, as well as a variety of bird life.

Working parties to manage the site take place weekly on a Saturday morning and more often as jobs require and weather permits. Regular maintenance includes coppicing, removing excess elder, strimming, mowing footpaths, pruning, planting, and clearing the ponds and stream.

An educational field centre, open on a Saturday morning, provides shelter, wildlife resources and information for visitors.

Current projects include enhancing the habitat of the upper pond, management of a maturing woodland, and renovation or replacement of the picnic benches.