Community and conservation at the heart of Bold Moss transformation

Article date: 30 July 2026

The event, hosted by St Helens Borough Council and The Mersey Forest, provided an opportunity to reflect on decades of environmental restoration, celebrate the contributions of volunteers and community organisations, and look ahead to the next phase of work to enhance the area for both people and wildlife.

Recent improvements have seen targeted woodland management carried out to improve pathways, increase light levels and encourage a healthier woodland ecosystem. Comprehensive ecological surveys have also been completed to help inform future conservation work, ensuring the site continues to support important species including the red-listed willow tit and historically recorded water vole populations.

While visitors can now benefit from improved access to the site, including the reopening of the car park at Bold Moss - located off Bold Lane, WA9 4TX.

The day was primarily a celebration of the wider environmental achievements that have helped turn a former industrial landscape into a thriving natural asset for the borough.

Bold Moss tells a remarkable story of environmental recovery. For thousands of years, the site formed part of a vast peatland landscape before being dramatically altered by peat extraction and later coal mining. By the time mining operations ceased in 1985, much of the landscape had been reshaped by industry.

When Groundwork acquired the site in 1990, significant challenges lay ahead. Through decades of restoration work, investment, and the dedication of local volunteers and community groups, Bold Moss has gradually been transformed into a rich and varied landscape where nature is once again flourishing.

Today, nearly forty years after mining ended, the area supports a diverse mosaic of habitats, providing refuge for wildlife and opportunities for local people to enjoy and connect with nature.

Ownership of the site is shared between The Mersey Forest and St Helens Borough Council, whose longstanding partnership continues to drive improvements across the area.

Councillor Michael Gibson, St Helens Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Environment and Waste, said:

"Bold Moss demonstrates the extraordinary difference that can be made when local communities, volunteers and partner organisations work together with a shared vision. The transformation of this landscape over the past decades has been remarkable and is something everyone involved can be proud of. The reopening of the car park will make it easier for people to access and enjoy this beautiful green space.

"As we continue investing in the site, we are creating a place where nature can thrive, people can enjoy the outdoors, and future generations can experience the benefits of a healthier, greener environment."

Mark West, Community Forest Ranger at The Mersey Forest, said:

"Bold Forest Park is a wonderful example of how nature recovery and community engagement can go hand in hand. Every improvement made here helps create new opportunities for people to experience the outdoors while supporting the habitats and wildlife that make this landscape so special.

"The involvement of local volunteers and partners has been vital in helping shape the place people enjoy today, and their continued support will be essential as we look to the future."

This year marks the halfway point of the Bold Forest Area Action Plan, providing a valuable opportunity to celebrate achievements while identifying priorities for the years ahead.

Together with neighbouring sites including Clock Face Country Park, Sutton Manor and Griffin Wood, Bold Moss forms part of a growing network of green spaces helping to enhance biodiversity, encourage healthier lifestyles and strengthen people's connection with nature.

As restoration work continues, Bold Moss stands as a powerful example of how long-term partnership working, environmental stewardship and community involvement can transform former industrial land into a place where wildlife and communities thrive together.