The original Graves Covenant makes clear that Blacka’s primary purpose is to serve the varied legitimate and benign recreational needs of the local people and the wider public in Sheffield. As later amended that principle is maintained. Of course an element of the enjoyment of recreation relates to the natural state of the landscape. But even this depends on the particular focus of the activity. Bird watchers are more actively involved with the wildlife than cyclists or kite flyers but all three use Blacka. Once you distort the management imperatives through the governing document (covenant) you risk upsetting a balance which has served the place and the visitors well over many years. And this is what has happened in the designation of Nature Reserve and the profligate invocation of protection area statuses such as SSSI and SPA and SAC.
An incomplete list of some of the recreational pursuits observed on Blacka. Each one can be defined and qualified in numerous ways.
Horse Riding
Model Aircraft Flying
Tree
Climbing
Exploring
Cycling
Fun running
Competitive running
Dog walking
Bird watching (and listening)
Bilberry picking (and eating)
Blackberry picking
Mushroom gathering
Wildlife photography
Hang gliding
Orienteering
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