A new 25-acre nature reserve in Erewash has been officially opened by Mayor Councillor Harry Atkinson on the site of a former golf course.
The Pewit Coronation Meadows Local Nature Reserve, as it is now known, had a ribbon cutting ceremony on 24 June.
It follows an initially uncertain future for the site after it emerged that roughly a quarter of the land would be sold to housing developers. However, this plan was rejected by councillors.
Councillor Mark Alfrey, who's responsible for the environment, said there had been a lot of work put in by volunteer tree wardens to turn the nature reserve into a reality.
He said: "More than 1,500 saplings and shrubs [have been planted]. There are new paths and trails, plus what are called 'open mosaic habitats' to encourage wildlife.
"We are thrilled at Pewit Coronation Meadows becoming our 12th nature reserve."
The funding for the £500,000 project came from the government and a levy on businesses involved in redeveloping the old Stanton ironworks.
At the ribbon cutting ceremony, walkers with their dogs and local politicians were the first the enjoy the nature reserve, after it officially opened.
Mr Alfrey continued: "It is a place the entire community can enjoy, and is yet another boost to the health and wellbeing of the borough's residents as we embark on a long-term 30 year plan for the land."
The former Pewit Golf Course closed in 2022 because of "substantial" financial losses.
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