Colwick Country Park
{{short description|Country park in Colwick, Nottingham, England}}
{{Infobox park
| name = Colwick Country Park
| photo = File:Colwick Park Lake - geograph.org.uk - 82556.jpg
| photo_width = 200
| photo_caption =
| type = Country park
| location = Colwick, Nottingham, England
| coords = {{coord|52.949|-1.096|type:landmark_region:GB|display=inline,title}}
| area = {{convert|250|acre|ha}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/planning-and-environment/walking-cycling-and-rights-of-way/find-walks-and-rides/colwick-park|title=Colwick Park|publisher=Nottinghamshire County Council}}
| created = 1978
| operator = Nottingham City Council
| visitation_num =
| status =
| open = All year
}}
Colwick Country Park is a country park in Colwick, Nottingham, England.{{cite web|url=http://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/events-markets-parks-and-museums/parks-and-open-spaces/find-your-local-park/colwick-country-park/|title=Colwick Country Park|publisher=Nottingham City Council}}
History
The estate upon which the park resides dates back to 1362. The current house, Colwick Hall, was built in the late 18th century and is now a privately-owned hotel. The Country Park opened in 1978, with former gravel workings being landscaped and planted to form a recreational facility for Nottingham.{{cite web |title=Colwick Country Park |url=http://www.nottsbirders.net/colwick.html |website=Nottinghamshire Birdwatchers |accessdate=8 July 2020}} A new visitor centre facility is planned.{{cite web|url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/local-news/educational-centre-planned-colwick-country-1892864|title=Visitor centre planned for Colwick Country Park as part of £20m investment|first=Jamie|last=Barlow|date=14 August 2018|publisher=}}
Facilities
The park has two lakes, Main Lake covers {{convert|65|acre|ha}} and West Lake covers {{convert|24|acre|ha}}. West Lake is home to the Nottingham City Open Water Swimming Centre with organised swimming sessions (with swimming not permitted at other times), it is also stocked with carp for fishing and has canoeing and sailing. There are educational facilities, children's play areas, wildlife areas, dog walking, orienteering, geocaching, bird watching and wildlife photography, cycling, horse riding and ranger led activities. There is a centre with activities including power boating, camp crafts and windsurfing.{{cite web|url=https://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/events-markets-parks-and-museums/public-and-corporate-adventure-sessions/|title=Public and Corporate Adventure Sessions|publisher=Nottingham City Council|website=Nottingham City Council|access-date=2018-08-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815131539/https://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/events-markets-parks-and-museums/public-and-corporate-adventure-sessions/|archive-date=2018-08-15|url-status=dead}} A Parkrun takes place every Saturday morning at 9am, except during pandemics, comprising one lap of Main Lake and two laps of West Lake.{{cite web|url=http://www.parkrun.org.uk/colwick/course/|title=Colwick parkrun course|website=www.parkrun.org.uk}} There is also a marina for mooring at the River Trent.
Fauna and flora
The Racecourse and Pool is a Site of Special Scientific Interest due to its dragonfly species, this site has recorded 16 species of dragonfly with 14 species breeding. There are around 220 recorded species of birds.
The park is also the site of the largest fish ladder in Britain, giving migratory fish a route to avoid the Colwick Sluices on the River Trent.{{cite web |title=Country’s largest fish pass officially opened in Nottinghamshire |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/countrys-largest-fish-pass-officially-opened-in-nottinghamshire |website=HM Government |publisher=Environment Agency |access-date=7 March 2025 |date=8 November 2024}}