What Three Words: ///mailing.turns.remaining
OS Grid Reference: SX105601
Once an area of moorland that provided wild swimming facilities for local children – and adults ― in its pools, this is now a quiet area of informal parkland.
Originally part of Hick’s Moor, this land provided for many years, a recreational space where local adults and children could swim and paddle in its secluded river pools. It was divided from what is now the King George V Playing Fields by the building of the by-pass in 1939. It was owned and managed by the Duchy of Cornwall until leased by the town council in the 1990s and formed into a park for walking and relaxation, distinct from the sports-oriented King George V park. A competition was held to decide on a name for the park, and the winning entry was that of Elsie Vague, who recalled the name local children gave to a small island in the river. It was partially landscaped and established with sculptures as a Millenium Project funded by the Lottery Heritage Fund.
River Fowey and Restormel Bridge
The Fowey valley is the core of the town's heritage landscape, and Second Island marks the start of its course through the town itself. An almost complete riverside walk can be made from Second Island, along the river embankment in King George V park, on to the Parade, and into Coulson Park and Shirehall Moor.
The Fowey River catchment is one of the largest river basins in South Cornwall, draining an area of about 177 km2 of central and southern Bodmin Moor. The main tributaries of the Fowey which drain this area are Cardinham Water, the St Neot Stream (the River Loveney), and the Warleggan River. The whole of the Fowey catchment area is set at the highest water quality grading of River Ecosystem. The catchment can contribute up to 65% of Cornwall’s public water supply. Water is stored in two reservoirs, the Siblyback Reservoir and Colliford Reservoir. Its ecological classification (Environment Agency) is good (2022), with a good level of invertebrates and a high level of dissolved oxygen, though levels of arsenic, copper, zinc and iron, which are pollutants, are also high.
Pheasant and ducks at Second Island
The park is a haven for nature. A meadow immediately to the north along Restormel Road has recently been allowed to flood; this is credited with causing an increase in the numbers of house martins and sand martins. For anyone relishing a bit of a challenge, it is possible to see part of the tramway. At the south end of Second Island Park, the path circles back along its western edge. On the left amongst the willow carr and alongside the wall of the Cornwall Council cemetery the raised route taken by the mine tramway can be clearly seen.