Enhancing the Facilities at Deer Park Activity Centre, Gloucestershire Guide Association operating as Girlguiding, Gloucestershire

Following the successful acquisition of Deer Park in 2023 and the removal of restrictive covenants on its use, this project aims to enhance the site, undertake necessary maintenance, and expand its appeal to a wider audience across Gloucestershire and beyond.

ECT is contributing towards phase two of a wider project which includes electricity supply to an existing wooden shelter; installation of a heating system in the Assembly Hall residential building; purchase and erection of a shed; installation of electricity to a Nissen hut; and installation of a permanent high ropes climbing course with two adventurous challenges in the woodland on site.

These developments will provide visitors with opportunities to build resilience, independence, and confidence while learning new skills in a safe and engaging outdoor environment. Activities such as archery, fencing, teamwork exercises, and leadership challenges will expose participants to new experiences outside the classroom, broadening their horizons. The centre is accessible to people from diverse backgrounds, including schools, youth clubs, and out-of-education settings. Expanding and updating the facilities ensures they remain relevant, engaging, and accessible to all, offering challenges like the zip wire and proposed high ropes course, as well as teamwork-focused experiences such as low ropes activities and residential stays.

Environmental considerations: Deer Park Activity Centre incorporates a range of environmentally sustainable practices, including the use of solar panels, insulated loft spaces, composting bins, and dead hedging. All visitors are encouraged to recycle, promoting environmental responsibility throughout the site. The centre has also undertaken the restoration and ongoing maintenance of previously neglected woodland, ensuring it remains a functional and sustainable space for activities.

Environmental considerations are central to both current and future projects. Planned improvements include installing wall insulation in the Manager’s Bungalow, upgrading the Assembly Hall heating system for greater energy efficiency, and incorporating solar panels on the future toilet block at the Nancie Bradshaw site. As the site is located within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), all materials used are carefully selected to complement the natural surroundings. Additionally, surplus wood chippings donated by Gloucestershire Highways will be repurposed as a safety surface for the outdoor high ropes climbing course, enhancing both sustainability and environmental integration.