WARWICK DISTRICT COUNCIL Safer, Cleaner, Greener Improving the Local Environment

Green Space Team Neighbourhood Services – Head of Service, Robert Hoof Portfolio Holder – Councillor David Shilton Team Manager – David Anderson 4 Green Space development Officers – Jon Holmes, Simon Richardson, Jonathan Huxley, Richard Lunwood Community Ranger – Laura Smith

Range of services Mainly develop and improve parks and open spaces throughout the District Manage the main destination parks – Jephson Gardens/ Mill Gardens, Victoria Park, St Nicholas Park, Abbey Fields, St Marys Land, Newbold Comyn. Floral displays – across the District Landscaping projects – sustainable planting Wildlife management - Local Nature Reserves and Woodlands – Newbold Comyn, Whitnash brook, Welches meadow Trees within parks and open spaces – Working with County Forestry Sports pitches and bowling greens – Victoria Park, Newbold Comyn, Castle Farm HLF bids - Pump Room Gardens

Range of services continued Skate and BMX development – Victoria Park, Sydni centre BMX track Park and play area improvements – St. Johns, Stamford Gardens, St. Michaels open space, Cox Orchard, Eagle Rec Planning applications Green Flag Awards, Tripadvisor Awards Management plans – Oakley Wood, Jephson Gardens, Long term planning – Green Strategy and Play Area Improvement Programme Parks Audit – indicate future improvements needed, informing management Plans

Parks and Green spaces within the district and South Leamington

District wide 170 sites, 550 hectares varying in type. Parks and Gardens, Amenity green spaces, natural green spaces, sports pitches, play areas, cems. Variation across the District in quantity and quality. 49 Play areas

Parks within South Leamington 26 sites/ 37.48ha/ 9 play areas Brunswick – Eagle Rec – 2.93 hectares, recently refurbished play area, nature area, gym equipment Shrublands Park (fords field) – 2.42 hectares, play area Wych elm drive open spaces – 0.79 hectares, play area, arboretum, wildlife pond Elizabeth Road park hectares, play area Sydenham– Redland Recreation Ground – 2.62 hectares, on plan to be developed April/May, play area Calder walk/ Whitnash brook – 5.65 hectares, play area, local nature reserve/ wildlife site Fallow Hill – 0.25 hectares, play area Leamington Cemetery – 7.15 hectares Leam – Mill gardens – 1.76 hectares (Green flag), Play area Rushmore Street – 0.25 hectares, play area Crabtree Meadow – 2.63 hectares, eco site Welches Meadow – 6.66 hectares, local nature reserve

Green spaces within South Leamington Site nameSize HaWard/ParishTypology- primaryHierarchy Eagle Recreation Ground 2.93 BrunswickPark or GardenNeighbourhood Canalside sitting area, Old War'k Rd 0.29 BrunswickCivic SpaceLocal Shrublands Park 2.42 BrunswickPark or GardenNeighbourhood Wych Elm Arboretum - Play area BrunswickAmenity GreenspaceLocal Elizabeth Road Play area BrunswickChildrens/Youth AreaLocal Maxstoke Gardens / Kingsway 0.56 BrunswickAmenity GreenspaceLocal Mill Gardens 1.76 LeamPark or GardenDestination All Saints Parish Church forecourt 0.32 LeamAmenity GreenspaceNeighbourhood Rushmore Street play area 0.25 LeamChildrens/Youth areaNeighbourhood Elephant Walk 0.08 LeamAmenity GreenspaceNeighbourhood Willes Terrace communal garden 0.42 LeamAmenity GreenspaceLocal Crabtree Meadow 2.63 LeamAmenity GreenspaceNeighbourhood Leam Terrace closed burial ground 0.04 LeamAmenity GreenspaceLocal Clapham Street canalside 0.06 LeamAmenity GreenspaceLocal New Street closed burial ground 0.17 LeamAmenity GreenspaceLocal Warneford Green 0.37 LeamAmenity GreenspaceLocal Welches Meadow 6.66 Leam Natural area inc Urban WoodlandNeighbourhood Radford Road car park 0.25 LeamAmenity GreenspaceNeighbourhood Leamington Cemetery 7.15 Sydenham Burial Ground inc disused churchyard, closed cemeteryNeighbourhood Fallow Hill play area 0.25 SydenhamChildrens/Youth areaLocal Gulliman's Way 0.11 Sydenham Natural area inc Urban WoodlandLocal Redland Recreation Ground 2.62 SydenhamPark or GardenNeighbourhood Whitnash Brook North 5.65 Sydenham Natural area inc Urban WoodlandNeighbourhood Gainsborough Drive East 0.1 SydenhamAmenity GreenspaceLocal Sydenham Central open space 1.04 SydenhamAmenity GreenspaceNeighbourhood Chesterton Drive spinney 0.31 Sydenham Natural area inc Urban WoodlandLocal

Plans for the future Eagle Rec – gym equipment and bmx track to finish project 2016 – Redland Rec improvement project – work to start April/May 2016 – Wych Elm Drive open spaces – consultations going out 22 nd March, work starting in June 2016/2017 – All saints parish church forecourt – community project 2016/2017 – New street closed burial ground – community project 2017 – Shrublands (Fords field) 2017 – Calder Walk play area 2017 – Mason Avenue improvement project Parks audit for all sites Annual play area inspections for all sites. Management/ development plans to be drawn up over the next 2 years.

Redland Rec– Improvement Project

Redland Rec Improvement Project Carry out Green Flag self-assessment of the park and develop plans Go out to consultation on the plans – all properties and stakeholders within 500m of the park (finished) Procure works at this stage now Implement – hopefully starting from april Carry out Green Flag self-assessment of the park Look for interest and hopefully help to develop a friends of Group

Redland Rec Proposals Play area improvements Wider options for all age groups Improvements to wildflower meadow Make site more welcoming – improve entrances – more secure gate at spa view end Improve footpath links around the site Tree/woodland management to improve sightlines - September Possible introduction of Gym equipment Improved Signage Improved litter bins Improved seating opportunities Create and work with a local friends of group

Wych Elm Drive improvement Project

Wych Elm Drive improvement project Carry out Green Flag self-assessment of the park and develop plans Draw up proposed plans Go out to consultation on the plans – all properties and stakeholders within 500m of the park, Hold a drop in session (early April), put on website Procure works Implement Carry out Green Flag self-assessment of the park Look for interest and hopefully help to develop a friends of Group

Wych Elm Drive proposals Play area improvements – 3 options for consultation Footpath repairs Tree/woodland management - september Improved Signage Improved litter bins Improved seating opportunities Create and work with a local friends of group

Friends Of Groups A friends of group are a group of local people who come together to improve the appearance, facilities, conservation value and safety of their local park. Currently groups for Victoria Park, The Dell, Dragons Cottage, Christchurch gardens Groups can help with: Fundraising for improvements and events in the park Making sure the community voice is heard in the management of the park Practical tasks like litter picking and tree planting Park Patrols Helping in the management of the park Leading walks, talks and events