Parks and open spaces are one of our biggest sources of local pride as well as making a significant contribution to our health and well-being. Our Vice-Chair, Tim Brown, was involved in a recent study with the Town and Country Planning Association that highlighted these benefits.
So it was topical that at our recent meeting, Tim Wetherhill (the Council’s Parks and Open Space Manager) made a fascinating presentation. It highlighted that the work of his section is clearly a ‘jewel in the crown’ of the Council’s activities but it is under the radar.
Five basic facts:
- Over 40 employees with a budget of £2.6 million – this sounds like a lot of money but it includes staff costs and equipment – and there has been a reducing budget over the last two decades
- The Parks Service manages 360 sites with a twin focus on amenity and biodiversity
- Six parks and green spaces have green flag status awarded by Keep Britain Tidy
- There are ‘premier sites’ – Coombe, War Memorial Park and associated open spaces including Spencer Park, Top Green, and Allesley Park
- The Urban Forestry team is responsible for 17 woodland areas covering over 200 hectares.
There are both actions planned and challenges for the next few years. At a strategic level, the green strategy 2019-2024 is out-of-date and work is commencing on a 10-year green and blue strategy covering parks, open spaces and woodlands as well as rivers, streams, ponds and lakes. Management plans are in place for significant sites and are regularly updated. For example, work on improving Tile Hill Wood, which is a local nature reserve, is underway. In the case of War Memorial Park, a wide range of actions are planned for 2026 and 2027 including the refurbishment of the skatepark and the tennis courts as well as the water feature.
Apart from the resources issue, the challenges include:
- Grass-cutting schedules and the national ‘no mow May’ campaign – the Council has decided to move to a ‘low mow May’ approach to take account of the views residents
- Swanswell Park and Pool, which has existed since the 12th century, was last improved by the Council 10 years ago is now in a poor state – a management plan is going to be developed
- The urban forestry team want to improve the tree canopy coverage in the city which currently stands at less than 12% – this is one of the lowest figures in the country and the city average is 18% which itself is disappointing compared to many European cities where there is 20-30% canopy coverage
- Maintaining the green flag status of six parks and open spaces.
The Council emphasises the importance of community engagement and use. There is, for instance, an events team that is promoting the use of parks by communities and other organisations. Initiatives include the well-established bands in the park scheme and helping to support community involvement in improving and maintaining parks – examples include the ‘friends of war memorial park’.
Finally, the Council is keen to work with local groups (including schools) on the development of community orchards.
Coventry City Council’s webpages on parks and open spaces is a great resource – Parks and open spaces – Coventry City Council as is the trees and woodlands webpages at Ecology and trees – Coventry City Council