Added: 17th August 2022
The ongoing wetlands construction project at Oakwood Park in Enfield continues to progress well, with many of the larger wetland cells taking shape as the construction phase continues.
In addition to its commitment to enhancing the natural environment, Enfield Council has a well-established commitment to historical documentation, and works in concert with Enfield Archaeological Society to inspect and document excavation projects when possible. In keeping with its goal of delivering projects in a responsible, sustainable, and thoughtful manner, Turfdry is happy to help integrate these activities into its projects when requested, improving the natural environment for the future, whilst ensuring nothing of value is lost to the past.
Liaising with the Archaeological Society during the early stages of the works, Turfdry determined the section of excavation that would best meet the goals of the investigation, whilst minimising the disruption to the ongoing construction works. Consequently, the Archaeological Society's team visited the site during the construction of the third major Cell of the wetlands, thereby being able to observe and inspect its excavation, but also run their keen eyes over the ground exposed by the previously constructed Cells, as well as the deposits of stored material.
Despite the team's best efforts however, no major discoveries were unearthed during their time on site, with some Victorian pottery fragments and the lid of a tobacco box being the only finds of note - other than the multitude of golf balls from the park's more recent history as a pitch-and-putt golf course! Although there was therefore nothing of note to add to the local history books - unlike the uncovering of a WWII bomb shelter during the wetland construction at Firs Farm Park - the Archaeological Society's diligence means that the borough's history remains as important as its future.
