Sheep return to Milton Keynes park to help preserve open space

Visitors can expect to see the flock of sheep grazing across large areas of the park, as part of the Trust’s farming operation.

The Trust says that it uses grazing livestock as a “sustainable and natural way” of managing landscapes across the city.

Grazing sheep can help to maintain wildlife habitats, create better conditions for wildflowers to flourish, attract pollinators, and reduce the frequency of needing to use heavy machinery to mow the grass, which also requires the removal of cuttings.

This is because if cut grass is not removed, nutrients enrich the soil and promote strong grasses that outcompete the growth of wildflowers.

The Parks Trust’s head of operations Frank Gill said: “Using sheep to naturally manage some of the landscapes in Milton Keynes has a lot of benefits, and they’re a popular addition to the parks.”

At the height of the summer, the Trust can have between 350 and 500 cattle grazing in its fields, and around 400 sheep.

Visitors to the park are asked to keep their distance from the sheep, and to take care when travelling through the grazing areas.

Cyclists are asked to slow down, and dog owners are asked to keep dogs close and on short leads when near to sheep.

The Parks Trust is responsible for the maintenance and care of more than 6,000 acres of green space across Milton Keynes.