The park is a natural habitat for wildlife, including a family of swans who first took up residence in May 1996 and is also used as an open space for recreational activities.

There are over 5 miles (8 km) of pathways situated between landscaped areas, grassland, wildflower meadows, community gardens and woodlands which are used by walkers, joggers and cyclists.

There are numerous recreational activities within the park including three Natural Heritage Trails of varying length which are followed by markers: A play area for children was built in 1996 at a cost of £180,000 and now has over twenty pieces of play equipment including two items of play equipment designed for disabled visitors, specifically a swing and roundabout which have been designed in conjunction with carers and professionals and include full body support and removable harnesses.

A skateboard ramp was built in 2000 due to the enthusiasm of local teenagers who raised funds for its construction.

There is a man-made lake fed from a culvert (Gibsons Dyke) with reed beds covering two hectares, which serve as an important habitat for many species of birds and insect life.

It is intended that the track will be used for competitions, race meetings, daytime and evening school sessions as well as for public use.

The area appeared to be returning to a marshland and therefore simple, modern drains were laid to discharge water from the site.

The park is home to a number of types of trees including: English oak, Red oak, Whitebeam, Rowan, Scots pine, Cherry, Yew, Field maple, Lime, Ash, Copper beech, Maple, Silver birch, Alder, Larch The Wildflower Meadows host over 100 species of flowers and 20 types of grass.

The Friends of Rushcliffe Country Park is a voluntary group formed in October 1997 and a registered charity which meets regularly and carries out improvement projects and conservation work.

Recent projects have included the creation of a Garden of Friendship, willow sculptures, a tree identification trail, a sensory walk, and the carving of seats and other features, as well as conservation work such as hedge laying.

The Friends of Rushcliffe Park also submitted a bid for lottery funding to provide fitness equipment for adults.

Rangers provide educational talks to local groups on environmental topics and there are also exhibitions explaining how to live a greener lifestyle.

[citation needed] In March 2008 a petition was started to prevent the felling of several poplar and sycamore trees along the edge of the A60.

In October 2008 the sycamore trees were felled and at the same time the hedgerow was re-planted with blackthorn, hawthorn and other native plants.