Huddersfield has some stunning stretches of river, canal and green space supporting ideal habitats for wildlife and places for people to relax, spend time in nature and avoid traffic and pollution. EPIKS are working with local residents, community groups and businesses to create a cleaner, greener and more accessible riverside nature park for all to enjoy. 

The development of a riverside nature park from Lockwood to Accu Stadium will inspire and benefit local communities, boost the local economy and help address the nature and climate crises.  Working with local partners, here’s some of the things we’ve achieved since launching the concept in 2022:  

We have been working hard to restore footpaths, create new links to riversides and improve signage and waymarking. We are working with schools, Greenhead College and Huddersfield University to involve young people in their future learning, engagement and action for the environment. We’ve introduced children from local primary schools to the beautiful waterside habitats on their doorstep and been engaging with local people about what matters to you about the rivers and greenspaces in Huddersfield.  Feedback to date tells us that the most important thing is making the river better for wildlife; improving waymarking of paths and providing accessible places to visit, with places to rest and relax in the natural world.  We all increasingly recognise the importance of being in nature for both our physical and mental wellbeing.   

Our partners at Cummins TT have been monitoring wildlife on their riverbanks to find birds and mammals thriving in the heart of town.  They are now starting to measure water quality to help understand how this varies through the year.  We have led Guided walks helping to show local people the hidden gems of our rivers and canals. We’ve partnered with the University and engineers in industry to explore the potential of micro hydro electric power on the weir at Snow Island.  

Our work is ongoing, and we welcome volunteers to join our regular work parties and businesses to sponsor and participate in our work. We work all along the riverside maintaining and improving walking, wheeling and cycling routes to help people be more active as well as supporting greater biodiversity along this corridor.  If you would like to get involved, please email  

We are currently focusing on longer-term stewardship in the HRNP, working more closely with businesses to help develop future improvements and creating a cleaner and more ecologically diverse landscape. We will be managing woodlands for increased carbon sequestration and flood alleviation and monitoring the impacts of our work over time.  The Huddersfield Riverside Nature Park is a valuable green and blue space which can benefit both local people and nature, helping us create a high quality corridor for climate, for nature and for you. 

View or download our brochure here.

Find out about the places you can visit here. For a fact sheet about wildlife click here.

Some of the path improvements and waymarking to improve access to the river at Colne Rd.