RESIDENTS and businesses in Trafford are being urged to take a walk on the wild side as part of a new project to encourage people to explore the borough’s countryside and parks.

Active Trafford Greenspace aims to help people make the most of walking routes and trails, with the Mersey Valley Visitor Centre at Sale Water Park to become a new hub for walking activity.

Run by local environmental charity Red Rose Forest, the initiative plans to inspire community groups to run their own guided walks and energise Trafford’s business community with lunchtime strolls. GP surgeries will also be encouraged to prescribe walking activities to help patients tackle a range of health issues.

Funding for the project has come from Transport for Greater Manchester and is backed by Trafford Council and Trafford Sport and Physical Activity Partnership.

Janie Burage, Active Trafford Greenspace officer at Red Rose Forest, said: “Trafford has a wealth of beautiful countryside right here on our doorstep. Places such as Sale Water Park, Urmston Meadows and Green Hill in Flixton provide a much needed refuge for people from the hustle and bustle of urban life. They offer somewhere for people to relax and unwind and get in touch with nature. They also provide accessible places to enjoy walking which has been proven to have a range of health and social benefits.

“With this project we want to help people get out and about and walking in Trafford. There are great places to walk right here in Trafford and you really don’t have to travel far to enjoy a good walk. We will be running guided walks and themed events which offer something for all ages and abilities. Whether you fancy a short stroll or something a little more strenuous there’s something for everyone. It’s the best exercise people can do and it is totally free.”

As well as guided walks that will give people a chance to learn about wildlife, the project will map new routes and improve some of the paths to help people enjoy the area.

The Active Trafford Greenspace project kicks off with a mini beast safari on April 16 at Sale Water Park from 10.30am - 12.30pm. The event is suitable for all the family. Other walks to look out for will give people an opportunity to discover Greater Manchester’s local tree heritage, as part of Red Rose Forest’s recently launched Heritage Trees project. The four-year, Heritage Lottery funded project has been set up to celebrate, record and preserve local trees, woodland, orchards and hedgerows.

Future walks will be posted on the Red Rose Forest website. You can also follow @traffcountryside and @WalkingTrafford to keep updated. For details contact Janie Burage on (0161) 872 1660 or email janie@redroseforest.co.uk

Red Rose Forest now manages more than 20 countryside sites across Trafford as part of Trafford Countryside. The partnership with Trafford Council was set up to change the way the area's countryside is looked after. Trafford Countryside also includes Trafford Partnership members including the police, public health, Trafford Housing Trust, the Conservation Volunteers and the Environment Agency.