Black Bear Park
Welcome | How to find us | How to contact us | Events | History | Leaflets/guides
Map | Twiggeries | Wildlife | Cyclist's Code | Dog owners
Welcome to Black Bear Park
Today Black Bear Park is an ideal starting point for exploring the Trans Pennine Trail 
and The Mersey Way. The Trans Pennine Trail joins the park near to Stockton Heath swing bridge, while the Mersey Way meets the park at Kingsway Bridge.
Black Bear Park is a linear park that provides links across the Latchford, Stockton Heath and Westy areas of the town.
A once busy canal route the park has now been transformed into a wildlife haven. Plants and animals have been gradually encouraged onto the site by a programme of tree and wild flower planting and the creation of habitats such as the excavation of the pond.
Access is possible by foot and bicycle from many points along the park. Paths are level and well surfaced and suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs. The rangers have a varied programme of events organised throughout the year. There are also leaflets available showing self guided walks and links to other parks available at the ranger cabin. Nearby are several play areas located at Loushers Lane recreation ground and Victoria Park.
How to find us
Follow the A49 from the centre of town towards Stockton Heath. Turn left off Wilderspool Causeway onto Loushers Lane at the junction before Morrisons Supermarket. As you come over a bridge about 200m along the lane you will see two shops on your left hand side. To the left of the shops is the entrance to the park. Parking space available opposite at Loushers Lane recreation ground.
No.12a at 30 minutes past the hour from Warrington bus station to Loushers Lane. This bus route also allows access to Causeway Park. Following the old course of the River Mersey, this park provides links to the Wilderspool Community Woodland and the Trans-Pennine Trail.
At Black Bear Park we are constantly adding to our 'access for all' commitment. A wheelchair access point can be found at the Loushers Lane entrance to the park next to the ranger cabin and there are kissing gates along the length of the park.
When you visit the park please act responsibly and with consideration for others who may be enjoying the area. Please use the litter bins provided or take your litter home.
How to contact us
The rangers can be contacted by the following methods:
Tel/fax: 01925 232184
Email: rangers@warrington.gov.uk
or at:
Ranger Cabin, Black Bear Park, Loushers Lane, Latchford, Warrington
Black Bear Park events programme
To find out what's on in Warrington, please view the downloadable booklet 
History of Black Bear Park
Information relating to the history of Black Bear Park can be found in the heritage section.
Leaflets/guides
The full leaflet/guide is available to download from our publications section (under Environment>Parks).
Map of Black Bear Park
To view a map of this park, please visit the location maps section.
The Twiggeries
Less than one and a half miles from Warrington town centre, the Twiggeries is situated south of Warrington cemetery and is bounded by Farrell Street and Kingsway North.
The Twiggeries was once a willow coppice for a thriving basket making industry in the 19th century. Willow baskets were supplied to the tannery industry at Howley for the transportation of hides. As hide demand lessened so the site became derelict.
The willow coppice has become a dense almost impenetrable woodland. Together with areas of wetland, scrub and grassland it now provides a variety of habitats that support a range of wildlife. It now houses a unique wildlife community within the centre of the town. A wide variety of resident birds can be seen throughout the year and summer brings breeding warblers from Africa. The site is also home to a water vole population as well as interesting insects and flora.
The ranger service have spent time improving access, enhancing and protecting the habitat for wildlife, often in partnership with local community groups. A pond at the edge of the woodland has been reclaimed and a boardwalk with dipping platform erected. The boardwalk forms part of a woodland walk, and further landscape improvements will be made to enhance access for visitors and the wildlife potential of the Twiggeries.
The ranger service actively seeks the opinions of anyone using the site in order to assist in its management. By establishing closer links with local people we aim to set up and run projects which will benefit the Twiggeries and the local community.
Wildlife at Black Bear Park
Long tailed tits
This small grey and delicately marked bird is a frequent visitor to the park particularly in the winter when it joins large mixed flocks of blue and great tits.
Water voles
Although shy, water voles may be seen along the ditches of the park. Sometimes confused with the brown rat, the water vole has a short thick head, rounded nose and hairy tail.
Further wildlife information can be found on the nature on your doorstep page.
Cyclist's Code
Click the link to view the Cyclist's Code.
Dog owners
Whilst we welcome responsible dog walking, we ask that dog owners please remember that this site is a nature reserve - click the link to view the notice to dog owners.
Last updated 17/02/2010 10:20:46
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