Kingsbury Water Park
Management Plan
2014-2018
Kingsbury Water Park
Bodymoor Heath Lane
Sutton Coldfield
B76 0DY
CONTENTS Page
Forward 1 1. Introduction 2 2. A Welcome Place 7
Good and Safe Access 7 Park Design 8 3. Health Safe and Secure 9
Equipment and Facilities 10
Security 14 4. Well Maintained and Clean 16
Grounds Maintenance 16
Building Maintenance 17 5. Sustainability 19
Environmental Policy 19 6. Conservation and Heritage 20
Park’s Historical Development 20
Landscape and Historical Features 24 7. Community Involvement 26 8. Marketing 33 9. Management and Action Plan 36
Aims of Service 36
Forward
Kingsbury Water Park is Warwickshire’s premier waterside attraction and the jewel in the crown of Warwickshire’s Country Parks.
The water park has come a very long way since the cessation of gravel extraction that originally formed the lakes and pools back in the 1970s. The transformation of this despoiled landscape into a valued community asset is an excellent example of sustainable development. Today the Park is so many things to so many people. For some, simply a place for quiet recreation or to get close to nature, while for others it is about sport and exercise or joining in with events, volunteering, fishing and more.
The park is also a gateway to the growing number of outdoor leisure destinations in North Warwickshire as well as being a vital part of the diverse ecology of the Tame Valley.
Following the announcement of the Y route by HS2 Ltd, it is clear that the route will pass through the water park to the south of the M42. Just as we did when the M42 came through the park, we will work with our partners and local community to turn a threat into an opportunity through the development of a robust case for compensation, mitigation and community benefit to preserve and enhance the facility for future generations.
I welcome this management plan for Kingsbury Water Park that has been produced in consultation with our customers, business and community partners.
Cllr Jeff Clarke
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1. Introduction
The Purpose of the Plan
This management plan aims to provide a description of the features and facilities within Kingsbury Water Country Park; outline how the Park is currently managed, and to set out the vision, aims and objectives for its future development and management.
This will be the second management plan for this site and the aim is to provide a framework within which the site will develop and to ensure that natural features of the park are conserved or enhanced during future developments for recreational or educational activities.
The plan will include a statement from Warwickshire County Council regarding the current policies relating to Country Parks along with a detailed history of the site. The plan will then focus on the management of visitor services and the management of natural resources.
The plan will take an honest look at the current position and aims to build on the strengths while also drawing on the knowledge and opinion of interested parties to improve site management into the future.
Who Wrote the Plan?
The plan was devised by the site’s Ranger Team. The content was arrived at through discussions with site staff, the Park’s Manager, Land Manager and the Rural Services Group Manager with further input from stakeholders, visitors, County Councillors and volunteers.
An evening consultation exercise took place on 20 July 2011 to which representatives from users of the park were invited. A site SWOT analysis was compiled during the evening. This SWOT analysis can be found in survey results (page 26). This was then repeated during two public consultations in the park to maximise the input from visitors. A further SWOT analysis was then carried out with the clubs and concessions (Appendix 5) on 23 November 2011 and the results of the public consultation were shared and discussed.
Policy Context
Country Parks, as envisioned by the Countryside Act 1968, provide safe managed places for quiet recreation and importantly, act as a gateway to the wider countryside.
The gateway function is expanded upon in our policy document prepared in response to the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, the “Countryside Access and Rights of Way Improvement Plan 2006 – 2016”, w.ww.warwickshire.gov.uk/carowip . The plan highlights the importance of country parks in building confidence and acting as a stepping stone to the County’s 1,700 miles of public footpaths and bridleways.
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Kingsbury Water Park makes significant contributions to the County Council’s overall aim of making Warwickshire a great place to live, work and visit, and in particular our objectives for;
• Raising the educational aspirations of children and young people: - In line with the Government’s recent manifesto for education outside the classroom, experiential learning in the park can be life changing for those who have experienced difficulties in the classroom. Skills are also passed on to volunteers, work experience and sheltered placements, the probation and youth offending services and others. . • Safety and protection – reduce instances of anti-social behaviour:- The park work with the Police, Youth Service, Probation, Volunteer Centres and Pupil Reintegration Units to ensure the parks are safe places to visit and people understand and appreciate the value of the natural environment.
• Maintaining our natural environment and heritage:- Kingsbury Water Park lies within the Tame Valley. The 625 acre site was extensively dug for sand and gravel and the pools were subsequently backfilled with pulverised fuel ash (PFA) from the former Hams Hall Power Station. The transformation into a Country Park with its outstanding biodiversity is testament to the work of our predecessors at Warwickshire County Council (WCC), together with our partners and volunteers.
Vision Statement
The long-term vision for Kingsbury Water Park is: - “A Country Park that provides a diverse range of attractions and facilities for people to enjoy from both the local community and beyond. It will be recognised as a place that offers quality environmental education and recreation facilities, and for its wildlife habitats and biodiversity.
Location
Site Name: Kingsbury Water Park
Address: Bodymoor Heath Lane, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands B76 0DY
Map Reference: 205 958 OS Landranger 139
Site Status: Country Park
Kingsbury Water Park lies to the North-East of Birmingham in the Tame Valley, which is a complex amalgam of open countryside, gravel workings and industrial development. The park lies wholly within the boundaries of Warwickshire but is within a few miles of Staffordshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire and the West Midlands. The Park falls within the North Warwickshire Borough Council boundary and is located near to the hamlets of Lea Marston and Bodymoor Heath and the larger village of Kingsbury. 3
The park is in the flood plain of the River Tame with the river creating a natural boundary to the east of the park. (See Appendix 1) The western edge is bordered by the Birmingham to Fazeley Canal and Bodymoor Heath Lane. The Southern boundary is the Marston Bypass A4097 and our Northern boundary is the southern meadows of the RSPB Middleton Lakes Reserve. The position of the park within the floodplain has significant management related issues. The River Tame is the largest tributary of the River Trent and much of the catchment area covers the conurbations of the West Midlands. It covers an area of 1490km 2 and a population of 1.7 million people. It’s location in many urban areas means that it has been heavily modified and bears little resemblance to the natural river channel. Much of it flows through a canalised channel and in culverts. As the river flows towards the park the Tame passes through the purification lakes at Lea Marston where much of the pollution from the industrial upper catchment is removed. These lakes are unique to the Tame as no other river system has the entire flow passing through settlement lakes. Below Lea Marston the Tame takes on a more natural flow and meanders along the edge of the park towards the confluence with the River Anchor and then later with the River Trent near Alrewas. On the northern boundary the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) has recently acquired the Middleton Lakes Nature Reserve and are developing the floodplain for wildlife. Together with other partners in the Tame Valley Wetlands Project, we are looking to enhance the valley habitat for wildlife and promote the valley as a destination for visitors. All the wetland sites, with Kingsbury centrally placed, formed a 12 mile length of aquatic habitat as a nationally important site for waterfowl with around 10,000 swans, ducks and geese present in the winter months through regular bird counts by local bird watchers.
Ownership and Management
Kingsbury Water Park has been owned and managed by Warwickshire County Council since its purchase in 1973 as a valuable facility for recreational and educational needs in the area.
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Local Planning Authority: North Warwickshire Borough Council
Owner: Warwickshire County Council
Tenure: Freehold
Area: 625 acres
Buildings
o Information Centre o Depot/Workshop including 2 metal o Office storage containers o Environmental Education Centre o 3 Clubhouses built by water sports o An Outdoor Education Centre and concessions climbing tower o Biomass Boiler House o Coffee Shop o 13 acre Children’s Farm with house, o 4 Toilet facilities cafe and out buildings o 4 Bird Hides o Miniature 7 ¼” Railway with station(s) and marshaling/storage yard
Kingsbury Water Park comprises 625 acres of former sand and gravel workings situated within the River Tame flood plain. These partly restored workings were acquired by WCC in 1973 and the park officially opened to the public in 1975. It is managed by the Country Parks Service with staff based at the site. Contractors are employed to complete specific tasks and other council departments are called in as appropriate, for example the Forestry and Woodwork sections. For details regarding specific maintenance of the park please see Section 4 (Page 37) in the annual work program.
Site Contacts:
Visitor Centre (01827 872660) Country Parks Manager Land Manager Senior Ranger Countryside Ranger x2 Assistant Ranger x2
Leaseholders
Lease Holder Nature of Lease Old Barn Coffee Shop Commercial lease Echills Wood Railway Commercial lease Kingsbury Jet Bike Centre Commercial lease Tamworth Sailing Club Commercial lease West Midlands Hydroplane Club Commercial lease Cycle Hire Commercial lease Dunton Stables Donkey Rides/Pedalo Boats Commercial lease Camping and Caravan Club Commercial lease Broomey Croft Children’s Farm Commercial lease
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Kingsbury Water Park Outdoor Education Centre Internal lease Bouncy Castles License Alan’s Ices License Tenant farmer Farm Business Tenancy
Partners
There are a number of partners involved in the successful management and continued development of Kingsbury Water Park. Including;
• Leaseholders and concessions across the park • The HBA, detailed ecological survey including Railway, Café, Water sports Clubs work and FEP/HLS application • Warwickshire Police & PCSO’s • NWBC – Planning advice • The Environment Agency (fishery, flood channel • RSPB – Neighbouring landowner and and flood plain, environmental advice) TVW partner • Warwickshire Wildlife Trust and the Tame Valley • Kingsbury Parish Council Wetlands Partnership – Heritage Lottery Fund • Kingsbury School
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Internal
• WCC Portfolio Holder and Local Members • Corporate Communications – Marketing and PR • Warwickshire Observatory – Market Research • County Highways – Public, and internal roads and rights of way • Property Services – Managing the fabric of the buildings • Forestry Team • Woodwork Team
Park Features
Kingsbury Water Park offers 625 acres of wetland landscape with two play areas, a coffee shop, multiple water sports facilities, fishing, miniature railway and various other activities.
For the purpose of this plan the park is broken down into two areas; north and south, divided by the M42.
South Area
The south entrance is where the majority of facilities are located; Car parking, toilets, information centre, coffee shop, play area and railway are all located in this area. It also contains the main events field used for parking when busy and for informal recreation and activities.
The south area covers most of the park and includes areas of woodland, grassland and open water. The water sports activities take part in this area of the park and a matrix of footpaths weave through woodlands, meadows and waterside edges where you may stumble upon a play area, railway station or commemorative woodland.
North Area
The northern, Broomey Croft entrance, was designed to provide access to the quieter more wildlife friendly side of the park. It still has the children’s farm, outdoor education centre and fishing activities taking place but also has four bird hides and pools managed specifically for birds. The meadows of this side of the park are important for wildflowers and butterflies and are also home to a number of small mammal species that help support local barn owls.
A more detailed site history is found in Appendix 2
This is a time line of key events:-
1930’s Gravel extraction starts 2001 Cliff Pool Project (re-sculpting the pool for 1973 Land acquired by WCC over wintering birds) 1975 Gates officially opened to visitors 2002 Environmental Education Centre opens 1983-85 M42 built through the park 2005 Echill’s Wood Railway comes to Kingsbury 1994 Children’s farm opens 2008 Outdoor Education Centre Opens£1.25m 1998 Visitor Centre opens investment in Camping and Caravan Club Site 2011 Kingsbury Lake View Play Area
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2. A Welcome Place
Welcome to
The two vehicular entrances have ‘Welcome to Kingsbury’ signs with opening times and directional signs to other facilities like the caravan and camping club or outdoor education centre. A large interpretation map can be found at four points throughout the park; near the main visitor centre, in Far Leys car park, Broomey Croft car park and on the pedestrian access from the canal. Two smaller maps can be found around Bodymoor Heath Water. On the Mill Bridge entrance from the village there is a small Kingsbury Water Park sign notifying pedestrians they are entering a country park.
Good and Safe Access
Entrances
The park has the benefit of having two vehicular access points. The main entrance and northern entrance are both located off Bodymoor Heath Lane and are either side of the M42 motorway. The Old Kingsbury Road provides a pedestrian and bridleway access outside Hemlingside House and also to the village via Mill Bridge. Pedestrians can also access the park from the village via steps down from the Church of St Peter and St Paul and via another bridge across the River Tame near the old Kingsbury Hall. A public footpath also enters the park near the main entrance through the neighbouring Promil property and on the Northern side of the park there are two further pedestrian access points from the Birmingham to Fazeley Canal towpath.
Pathways
In addition to the public rights of way crossing the park, there are a variety of other surfaced and/or marked trails. Many are surfaced and maintained for all levels of ability but some are starting to show wear with puddles forming. Other routes are un-surfaced with just natural mud or grass surfacing. All routes maintained and promoted by the park are highlighted on the map leaflet available in the information centre but other desire lines are created by the users of the park with varying degrees of access. A permissive bridleway can be found marked by blue posts running around the perimeter of the southern side of the park. Following a recent user consultation, this path has been marked bi-directionally. It is generally suitable for horse riders and cyclists, but can get quite muddy and potholed. Horse access is managed via a permit system administered from the Visitor Centre. The route can be closed when conditions are severe.
Way-marked Trails
The introduction of three way-marked routes on the new map will help new visitors find an enjoyable and interesting route around the park. At approximately 1.5 miles each they can be combined for a longer walk and are on generally well surfaced paths and accessible to all. The routes were formed in conjunction with the revisions
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to the visitor map and the new map will be produced for Easter 2014 with some minor amendments to the routes starting points.
Vehicular Access and Parking
The park has two main vehicular access points for visitors. The main entrance then has a road running approximately ¾ mile providing access to the water sports clubs, fishing pools and further car parking. A road also runs ½ mile up to Far Leys where a further car park can be found. This was closed off to public traffic after feedback from visitors saying it was dangerous with cars and pedestrians all trying to use the narrow road which was difficult for two-way traffic. Park vehicles can access the majority of paths throughout the park as there are a number of locked pole gates installed to prevent anyone other than staff from driving down them. The only vehicular access between the north and south sides of the park is via an underpass crossing of the M42 motorway. This is also the main route for pedestrians and non-road legal staff vehicles. On the northern entrance visitors drive immediately into the main car park and any further access is restricted to those disabled anglers in possession of a radar key who can drive further through the park to the disabled access fishing platforms on Gibsons’ Pool.
Vehicular access is currently managed by pay barrier systems. At the busier main entrance the barriers are situated within 100m of the highway. This gives rise to queuing traffic which can be severe on summer weekends and clement Bank Holidays, necessitating staff with satchels taking cash to improve traffic flow into the park. The system has served the site well, but it is antiquated and inflexible. WCC Country Parks Service is currently undertaking a pilot for a new system based on Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), over at Pooley Country Park. At the time of writing this trial is not complete, but will inform our decision as to how we may manage vehicle access, and charges, at Kingsbury Water Park.
Parking is also an issue at the park. The growing popularity of the park outside of the main summer season has led us to provide more hard standing parking in an attempt to protect the main events field and grass parking areas. However, managing parking on, and access onto, the events field remains an issue.
Park Design
Access to Facilities
Access to the park is available to visitors with a wide range of abilities. Kissing gates are all suitable for wheelchair access with a radar key lock. All four toilet blocks have disabled access toilets, three having baby changing facilities. The other toilets offer separate male and female facilities. The visitor centre, education centre and Old Barn Coffee Shop are accessible for all and the new Lake View Play are has a number of items suitable for less able children and young adults. The picnic benches built by our woodworking team are also accessible with an overhang suitable for a wheelchair to be placed under.
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The visitor centre is clearly located on site plans and signage throughout the park and visitors are encouraged to speak to staff there and visit for further information on the park or area. Rangers can be contacted through the radio system for specific queries or information.
Park Furniture
The park has a variety of benches available throughout the 625 acres. Picnic tables are concentrated around the main entrance and play area where the majority of visitors are. Throughout the park a number of memorial benches can be found overlooking key focal points or rest stops. These have been purchased by members of the public in memory/celebration of loved ones and are made by Woodwork and Construction Services and installed and maintained by the Ranger Team. The newly developed Commemorative Woodland is also home to a new octagonal bench around the largest oak tree which again is purchased in sections by members of the public. In a few remaining locations an older perch post design of rest point can be found which have no back to them and are just suitable for resting against.
Healthy, Safe and Secure
Health and Well Being
Warwickshire County Council is keen to promote the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and this park provides a great location to encourage more activity in all members of the community. The provision of various water sports activities to club members and the free use of play equipment including outside gym equipment encourages physical activity in an outside environment. The ranger team also organise walks throughout the year as part of the events program providing safe and enjoyable walks for all abilities. The open space available is perfect for a wide range of informal sport and off road family cycling.
The park has regular running club events CAMBA and KP events doing 10K runs, successfully year on year, and we have established 3-2-1 running routes with Run England around the park. In addition we will be hosting ‘Park Run’ a successful internet community project which started in 2004 organising free weekly 5k runs around various parks on a Saturday. The aim is to encourage people of every ability to take part from those taking their first steps in running to Olympians. Parkrun is sponsored by Adidas, GSK Lucozade, The London Marathon and Sweatshop UK who make it possible for these events to be free.
Green space can play an important part in tackling a range of health and social problems – obesity, cardiovascular disease, mental ill-health, antisocial behaviour, and health inequalities. There is extensive evidence and reports showing that the natural environment can enhance our health and wellbeing. The challenge is now for town planners, health professionals, policymakers and people themselves to work together to create more green space and make better use of it for the benefit of all and work with the parks team to ensure delivery.
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Equipment and Facilities
Toilets
The park has four separate toilet blocks each housing separate ladies, gents and disabled access facilities. They are located in Broomey Croft Car Park, near Far Leys play area and two blocks around the main entrance. Far Leys block is closed from the end of October to Easter due to the lack of frost protection and has only cold running water. It has previously been subject to some vandalism and as a result is locked earlier in the evening than the main facilities. All other facilities have hot and cold running water and hand driers with baby changing facilities being housed inside the disabled access toilet. The toilets are opened and closed daily alongside the unlocking and locking of the park vehicular entrance gates. They are cleaned daily by the Rangers to ensure an acceptable standard and by an external contractor three times a week for a more thorough clean. Any vandalism or issues discovered or reported are dealt with by the Ranger Team, or via WCC Hotline contractors for larger scale problems.
Play Areas
There are two play areas suitable for children up to early teenage. Lake View Play Area is situated close to the main car park and offers a wide range of play facilities for all ages including some fitness equipment. This was supplied by HAGS and opened in 2011. The Far Leys play area is situated near to Mitchells Pool and includes a Zip-Slide, suspended walkways and climbing frames more suited to older children. The equipment remains serviceable, but would benefit from renewal within the life of this plan.
Bird Hides
There are four hides. These facilities are located on the Cliff Pool Nature Reserve and were part funded by BP, the Skan family and SITA. Three hides located at the south end of the Reserve all have disabled access and seating. The SITA hide is accessible by six steps. They are cleaned on a monthly basis and the bird feeding station is replenished by the West Midlands Bird Club.
Visitor Centre/Shop
A custom designed facility opened in 1998. The Centre serves as the main point of contact and information for visitors on site. It is where visitors can obtain maps of the site and find out details of events that are taking place both at Kingsbury and in other Warwickshire Country Parks. The shop sells a range of souvenirs and books with an emphasis on ‘countryside’ related items.
Education Centre
A custom designed stand-alone facility opened in 2003. This is well used by visiting school groups during term time and children’s activities during the holiday periods. It is also available for private hire. This is most commonly in the form of children’s birthday parties.
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Old Barn Coffee Shop
Is located close to the Visitor Centre and is open every day depending upon weather and trade. The current offer is quality home cooked snacks using locally sourced ingredients where possible.
Echills Wood Railway
The main terminus for the railway is located close to the Visitor Centre. Operated purely by volunteers it was established in 1972 at the National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire. The railway relocated in 2005 to Kingsbury Water Park. A 7 1/4” gauge railway that operates every Sunday throughout the year and on other days during school holidays, and for special events. It comprises of a circular route with bridges, tunnel, lake views and two further stations up to Far Leys.
Kingsbury Jet Bike Centre
Located on Hemlingford Water, the Centre operates on a member’s only basis but this includes a day membership where the applicant operates their own ski. The Centre is open Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays where applicable. A shop offering a range of boards and wetsuits is located onsite and a range of hot and cold snacks are also offered to members. Discussions have taken place over a new enterprise with the development of ‘Jet-lev’ backpacks, which is a development from the Jet Ski, and has been receiving press coverage with celebrities using this equipment in places such as Dubai and London. It is envisaged that the Jet Bike Centre might operate this as a ‘red letter day’ type activity to supplement their operation.
Tamworth Sailing Club
Located on Bodymoor Heath Water: Principally sailing dinghies on the water, this is a members club which operates throughout the year on alternate days to the West Midlands Hydroplane Club who share rights to the Water. Occasional open days are also held by the Club.
West Midland Hydroplane Club
Located on Bodymoor Heath Water, principally hydroplanes and speedboats, allowing water-skiing and powered racing craft, this is a members club which operates throughout the year on alternate days to the Tamworth Sailing Club who share rights to the Water. Occasional corporate and race days are held by the club throughout the year.
Cycle Hire
This facility operates from a secure building located adjacent to the main car park at Kingsbury Water Park. The business offers a range of adult and children bicycles for hire along with child carrying fittings. The business operates at weekends throughout the summer months and during school summer and half term holidays.
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Camping and Caravan Club Site
Situated at the Northern Broomey Croft side of the park. The site has 150 pitches which are available to members and non-members, facilities offered can be used for tents, caravans and motor homes. It is open throughout the year.
Kingsbury Water Park Model Boat Club
Located on the Model Boat Pool which is at the end of the main events field. The club has been a fixture in the park since its opening in 1975. The club is a members only group of model boat enthusiasts interested in all forms of this hobby, yachts, fast electrics, nitro, tethered hydroplane, scale boats, and steam. It is open throughout the year with a number of regatta events also being held on certain weekends.
Broomey Croft Children’s Farm
Located adjacent the Broomey Croft car park on the northern side of the park. A childrens farm open to schools and the general public, the facility offers viewing of various livestock, together with soft play area, toy tractor play, tractor rides and external play-ground. The Granary Tea Room offers hot and cold snacks and a gift shop is also located on the site. Opening hours are 10am to 4pm during winter months, 10am to 5pm in the summer only at weekends and school holidays. They offer school and other group visits on a booking basis.
Donkey Rides and Pedalo Boats
Activities are provided by the nearby Dunton Stables, donkeys have been present since 2009 and 2012 has seen the first summer of pedalo boat being available. It was from customer feedback and consultation that highlighted a demand for ‘pay as you play’ boating activities. In 2013 ‘Swan’ pedalos were introduced, also possible hire of deck chairs to further enhance this area and public enjoyment.
Outdoor Education Centre
The addition of the Kingsbury Water Park Outdoor Education Centre in 2008 has brought the facility of outdoor adventurous activity to the County of Warwickshire. It is managed by the Education Department and is available to all schools, groups and families wishing to explore new activities.
Fishing Lakes
The variety of fishing available offers a valuable resource for anglers from all over the region. The British Carp Angling Championship holds a regional heat of the competition on the popular specimen day ticket water Pine Pool. The fishing complex attracts in excess of 6,000 day ticket anglers per year with a core 140 permit holders who visit regularly throughout the year and it is the angler who makes up the majority of our mid-week, winter users. In the year 2010/11 the day ticket charge and additional parking charge generated 12.5% of the visitor based income
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for the year. The fishery is so extensive that a separate fishery plan is being formulated with a view to having a draft available in 2014.
Pond Dipping Platforms
The pond dipping pool is a small inlet of the bigger Bodymoor Heath Water and is an area used for school visits, parties and events. There are three pond dipping platforms located at the edge of the pond dipping pool; these are wooden platforms jutting out into the pool surrounded by a rail to provide a physical barrier around the edge. The area was fenced off in 2010 to keep children safe, reduce the number of geese in the area and to stop dogs from disturbing an event. A planting project in March 2012 has improved the habitat for macroinvertebrates and improves the diversity of species for children to find during events.
Den Building Area
There are two areas reserved for den building, both close to the model boat pool. The area closest to the path is used for events but also by families passing by. The newer ‘Forest Schools’ area has been selectively cleared of the establishing silver birch to provide a more remote feeling woodland camp type facility. This area is used for younger children and everyone wanting Forest School themed events.
Equipment
Responsibility of the safe use and maintenance of machinery lies with the Ranger Team. Only those with relevant qualifications are allowed to operate machinery and machinery checklists are completed by competent operators. The contractors that operate on the park are required to conform to industry standards to ensure operatives are trained to the correct standard and work in a safe environment.
A wide range of tools and equipment is owned by the Park’s team from tractors to hand tools. Some of the bigger plant and equipment is now over 10 years old and showing signs of wear. A decision will need to be made about replacing such plant and equipment. We will be discussing with forestry about potential expansion of the wood processing operation and working jointly on this in terms of equipment.
Commemorative Woodland
There is a commemorative woodland area now established which has been well received by visitors. The first phase of the woodland planting is almost complete with all plots now taken. Customers can choose from a range of trees on a specified list, or have a bench. All monies generated from the sale of commemorative trees and benches go back into the parks service. In light of reducing our expenditure, we are now only guaranteeing trees/benches for one year from installation and not covering costs for any vandalism or damage.
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Security
Supervision
The Ranger Team are present on site during the advertised opening hours of the park and are easily recognised by the uniform and ranger vehicles. The mobile telephone number of the duty ranger is displayed around the site for any problems or queries to be reported outside the opening hours of the visitor centre. The centre is open every day the park is, and provides the first point of contact for many visitors. The rangers are a uniformed presence whilst carrying out maintenance work onsite and regularly patrol the site to reassure all members of the community and will help to deter anti-social behaviour. They also develop good working relationships with the public and provide a contact point for all user groups within the park.
The local police community support officers (PCSO’s) have access to the park 24 hours a day and occasionally patrol the park after the gates are closed to deter any anti-social behaviour. There is a positive response from the local PCSO’s but due to the recent closure of the local police station it can be difficult to get a police response.
Lighting
Lighting is only installed around the main entrance buildings and at the Broomey Croft Barrier. Floodlights are installed with the CCTV cameras at both barriers and extra motion activated floodlights are located around the Visitor Centre.
Closure
The main vehicular entrances are closed in the evening by the duty ranger and the toilet facilities shortly after the advertised closing times. The times vary throughout the year as the days lengthen. The gates are locked to prevent further access to the park but vehicles already on the park can still exit any time after closing. We are unable to prevent pedestrian access due to the number of entry points and the public footpath access.
CCTV
There are five CCTV cameras around the main entrance and one at Broomey Croft. They are continually recording activity to a hard drive or video recorder but are only viewed when an incident occurs which requires assessment.
Health and Safety Policies
The Corporate and Parks Service Health and Safety Policies
Health and safety is the concern of everyone within Warwickshire County Council (WCC). Therefore the Council has a corporate Health and Safety Policy which is intended to provide a practical framework for the implementation of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and all relevant UK and EU health and safety legislation and codes of practice. It demonstrates WCC’s commitment to health, safety, welfare
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and wellbeing and recognises that health and safety is equally as important as our other business objectives.
This policy demonstrates our duty of care to employees and non-employees (citizens, visitors, customers, contractors, pupils) by ensuring that WCC activities and services are provided in such a way as to not put them at risk.
The main aim of the policy is to prevent accidents, incidents and cases of work-related ill health; and to promote and implement safe systems of work, a safe working environment, a safe and healthy workforce.
The corporate policy is supplemented by a local policy for Country Parks that includes general advice and a full set of risk assessments written and reviewed by the parks staff and our corporate Health and Safety colleagues.
Public Liability
The County Council has public liability insurance to cover any incidents on site. In addition, all concessions are required to carry this insurance and to have in place their own risk assessments, reviewed annually.
Risk Assessments
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulation 1999 requires specific work place risk assessments. The Country Parks service has a set of risk assessments specific to sites and activities and these are updated on an annual basis.
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Assessments
COSHH assessments are carried out on materials used on site and chemicals stored in a suitable chemical safe with access restricted to those with the necessary qualifications. Internal and external environmental assessments are also carried out to qualify for ISO14001.
Lone Working
Park staff are frequently required to work alone in the park. This may include having other staff on site but up to 15 minutes away across the other side of the 625 acres park, or involve them being the only member of staff left on site. All rangers carry radios which can be used to contact other staff if they are still on shift. All staff are aware of the emergency call signal. If working alone but with others elsewhere we have a call in system just to check everything is ok. When finishing as the last person on site we have buddy systems in place to ensure the safe departure of all staff.
Control of Dogs
The park is covered by Dog Control Orders under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 for dog fouling. The park has a general code of conduct for dogs, and reminder notices are posted around the site. At present, dogs are allowed
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off leads but under control throughout the park except for the paths around the bird hides on the nature reserve, the play areas and around the main visitor centre and café area. There are eight dog bins within the park located at strategic points and a further 18 waste bins that can be used for dog waste. The Visitor Centres provide free dog waste bags. Waste is removed by the Ranger Team with bins being checked a minimum of daily and more frequently on busy days. Dog fouling is an issue near the pedestrian entrance at Mill Bridge and the local dog warden has been involved in improving the signage around there to encourage responsible dog ownership.
Traffic Management
Traffic through the park is restricted to 15 mph and speed bumps are placed along the main road through the park to reduce the speed of traffic accessing the water sports clubs and fishery. On other surfaced routes traffic is restricted to that of maintenance and contractors’ vehicles and a 5mph speed limit is adhered to. Traffic can get congested at the entrance on busy summer days due to the barrier entry system. At such times the rangers have to assist with collecting money and raising the barrier to ensure the queue does not build up on the highway. In order to improve the safety of visitors within the site, the narrow road up to Far Leys has been closed off to vehicular traffic. This has led to improved confidence for visitors using the road for cycling and walking.
Public Telephones
The public may use the telephone in the Visitor Centre in an emergency during the opening hours or the nearest public telephone is in the village.
4. Well Maintained and Clean
Litter and Waste Management
There are 28 litter bins in Kingsbury Water Park and 8 dog waste bins. The bins are checked daily by the ranger team and emptied as necessary but during a busy summer weekend can be emptied up to 5 times a day. The ranger team and volunteers carry out all the litter picking on site. The bins are located along footpaths and in car parks. All the waste is collected from a skip by Briers who sort the waste and recycle as much as possible.
Grounds Maintenance
Grass
The mowing of the amenity grassland areas is contracted out for fortnightly cuts during the growing season to a total of 13 per year; they cut the main events field and entrance, Broomey Croft and around Far Leys play area. A seasonal mower is also employed for one day per week for a 26 week period from April-September and that is to maintain the footpath edges and un-surfaced grass paths. In addition to this the Ranger Team are responsible for further mowing as is required to maintain access to the park and to strim all the access to orienteering posts and strimming
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around benches and picnic tables. The larger meadows are mown on an annual basis in autumn and a hay crop removed by the tenant farmer to maintain a nutrient poor soil for wildflower growth.
Trees
The park has a large number of trees and a wide variety of species but it is willow species that dominate due to their preference for wet ground and their ease of reproduction. This is a problematic species due to its susceptibility to cracking and the unstable nature of the soil substrate in which they grow. Warwickshire County Council has a Tree Risk Strategy in place for the country parks and in line with this the rangers carry out tree surveys every 6 months and after severe storms. Any dangerous trees are removed by the rangers if they are competent and safe to do so or by the Council Forestry Team. As part of the recently agreed Higher Level Stewardship agreement a large number of the Willow trees on site are to be removed or pollarded.
Buildings Maintenance
All the permanent buildings and sealed roads on site are maintained by Warwickshire County Council Property Services. The internal aesthetics of the buildings are maintained by the ranger team or contracted out for larger redecoration works. Property Services operate a Hotline to report defects and repairs as necessary.
The rangers moved into the newly built depot in 1997. It provides an office, toilet and shower facilities, a mess room and large workshop. The compound in which the depot is housed is also the location for 2 storage containers. .
The Education Centre and additional toilet facilities were built with money from the DEFRA Aggregates Levy Fund and was opened in 2002. It consists of 2 flat roofed prefabricated buildings which have had a pitched roof and timber cladding added to the outside to improve aesthetics of the building.
The Far Leys toilet block is a breeze block built single storey structure. It is opened during the summer months only as the water supply has no frost protection and the pump is removed every November.
Broomey Croft toilet block is a metal container providing very compact toilet facilities and was only meant to be a temporary option. It is very much showing its age and will be in need of replacing within the next 5 years.
Infrastructure
Paths and Trails
With miles of paths of differing surfaces on site the maintenance is an on-going issue. Short-term remedial works are carried out by the ranger team and large scale replenishment of footpath surfaces is carried out by contractors. Some new paths are constructed by the Ranger Team but depending on time constraints and
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finances, contracts may also be given for this type of work. Some of the currently un-surfaced paths will need future consideration for resurfacing as wear increases. The woodland walk, being one of the new way-marked routes, requires improvement.
Furniture
The park has over 83 memorial benches, 50 picnic tables and 14 perch posts. Many of the benches have been purchased by members of the public as a memorial to a loved one and are currently maintained by the Ranger Team for the first five years. The benches and picnic tables are supplied by the Woodwork Team to a standard design. The rangers are responsible for the strimming around the benches and minor repairs. All parks furniture is given a basic visual check on the rangers’ regular patrols with any vandalism or graffiti being reported and remedial action taken. We have introduced an inspection regime to rock test benches every three months. The checks include overall visual appearance, checking legs for rot, and stability.
The signage throughout the park is in the process of being replaced and updated. All new signs are made by the Woodwork Team and installed by the rangers. The new installation of way-marked routes should improve visitor navigation. Signs naming each of the pools have also been completed, but this work is on-going.
Play Areas
The two play areas have a visual inspection daily. This is carried out by the opening ranger first thing in the morning. An annual inspection by WCC’s current insurers is also completed.
Equipment Maintenance
There is a full range of plant, machinery and tools in the rangers’ depot which is used for the maintenance of the park. It is the responsibility of the rangers to ensure all machinery is in good working order and is serviced when necessary and is the correct tool for the job. Mowers and tractors are maintained by an external contractor. If a piece of machinery is dangerous or not working, then it is labelled ‘do not use’ and taken out of commission awaiting repair or disposal, and the Senior Ranger informed.
Vandalism, Graffiti and Conflicts
The site does suffer from intermittent vandalism and anti-social behaviour with local youths congregating outside the opening hours of the park. The local police community support officers do patrol through the park and are the first contact point for any issues or concerns. The rangers’ response to vandalism is prompt and graffiti is removed within 48 hours of discovery. For larger acts of vandalism response times are usually dependent on outside agencies for example WCC hotline services or construction companies like Blythe Timber who built the new bird hide after it was burnt down.
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Being such a large multi user site does create issues. The boaters and anglers on Bodymoor Heath Water is an issue but we restrict the fishing areas and ensure the boats stay inside the way-marking buoys to reduce the issues of disturbance. Anglers are advised to avoid fishing on power boating days. Dog fouling has been highlighted by visitors as a negative issue impacting on their visit to the park. The problem is worse at the pedestrian entrance near Mill Bridge even though a waste bin is sited very close to the bridge. The local dog warden has reinforced the penalties available for dog fouling with increased signage but as yet no prosecutions have been made. The pedestrians/cyclist and shared vehicular access is also an issue. It is hoped that improved way-marking and a new map will be clearer to the visitors as to which is the best route for them.
5. Sustainability
Environmental Policy
Warwickshire County Council recognises the importance of natural resources and well-being gained from the environment we have created, and seeks to play a leadership role with others by integrating this policy into each area of activity - setting an example through it’s staff, transport and other operations, in the management of our property and other areas under its control.
Warwickshire County Council has an Environmental Sustainability Policy produced in 2007 for the protection and enhancement of the local environment in Warwickshire. The key objectives which apply to our service are:
• Protect the biodiversity of Warwickshire - in particular WCC Estate • Progress environmental protection measures to prevent pollution incidents from WCC operations • Deliver communications campaigns to bring about behavioural change • Provide appropriate environmental training to staff according to their role • Mitigate the impacts and adapt to the threats of climate change regarding WCC infrastructure and services • Evaluate and reduce water consumption used for WCC operations • Encourage a modal shift in business travel to more sustainable methods of transport • Increase the energy efficiency of services provided by WCC
The park is also inspected for, and has achieved, ISO14001 each year.
Chemical Use
The use of chemicals at Kingsbury Water Park is very limited. Only approved amenity use chemicals are applied and only in limited circumstances. Herbicides are used to control invasive perennial weeds in the Commemorative Woodland and are used to control vegetation growth along the edge of footpaths throughout the park. Any chemicals are stored securely in the ranger’s depot which is not accessible to the general public. Staff that come into contact with chemicals are appropriately trained.
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Arboricultural Management
All council trees are managed in accordance with the Tree Management Strategy with a planned programme of inspection undertaken by the rangers who are all qualified in Level 1 Visual Tree Assessment. This advises the removal of trees which are dead, dying and dangerous which is carried out by the Ranger Team or the County Forestry Team if climbing is necessary or large trees are to be removed.
Trees which are felled are chipped on site and the woodchips used for fishing peg topping or weed suppressing. The logs are stored and processed for sale as firewood to the general public or are stacked for wildlife benefits as habitat piles.
Recycling
The majority of waste produced on site is collected by Briers and is sorted for recycling back at their depot. Office waste is recycled separately with toners, batteries and light bulbs all being removed for recycling via Shire Hall. Oil waste from machinery is collected and recycled by the local County Fleet Maintenance department who use as a fuel for their oil powered heating.
Biomass Heating
The Council selected Kingsbury Water Park as a test site for Biomass heating. The boiler house was installed in 2009 and provides all the heating and hot water for all the buildings around the main entrance, including the cafe. The park’s service currently has a procurement agreement with Midland Wood Fuel to provide the woodchip product from sustainably sourced suppliers. The long term aim of the project is for the woodchip to be produced as an in house by product of our tree management activity but this requires further investigation. This has been a difficult project with a great many teething problems.
6. Conservation and Heritage
Parks Historical Development
Originally Kingsbury was just riverside fields and meadows but below the surface lay valuable sand and gravel which was in great demand to make concrete and mortar for building Midland towns, cities and roads. From the 1930’s the minerals were extracted for some 50 years leaving behind exhausted pits . Mineral workings took place at Kingsbury and Bodymoor Heath in the 1950’s and 1960’s in the water meadows. Over the years it involved the farms Moor Ash Farm, Far Leys Farm, Heath House Farm and Broomey Croft Farm. The land was meadow and pasture with a little arable acreage. The first gravel company involved was Midland Gravel who were later bought out by Blue Circle Aggregates which later became Amey Roadstone Corporation and later, Hanson Aggregates drew the extraction to an end in 1981. Some of the workings were restored to agricultural land. Large and smaller abandoned quarries quickly filled up with freshwater and many of these were left to remain as expanses of open water. They became colonized by aquatic and marshy
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vegetation attracting many waterfowl and waterside birds. The Central Electricity Generating Board (CEGB) were contracted to infill some of the lakes with pulverized fuel ash (PFA) from the burnt coal at nearby Hams Hall power station. Many of the mineral operations began before there were planning powers to secure proper landscaping and restoration so they had been left derelict. The River Tame was very polluted and the former Trent River Authority sought an Act of Parliament to carry out a purification scheme that would involve many of the disused gravel workings. During the preliminaries to the Bill in 1971, the County Council and the River Authority set up a joint Land Use Study Group. This Group quickly realized the recreational potential of the flooded gravel workings and out of this emerged the concept of a Country Park, which the County Council would establish under the Countryside Act 1968.
The first land purchase of 131 acres was made in 1973, and the park was officially opened to the public in 1975. Additional areas were purchased and brought into the park as they became available from the gravel companies and in 1986 what was intended to be the final acquisition brought the area of land to 625 acres; this now includes over 30 lakes.
Certain external factors had a major influence on the early development of the park, requiring a high degree of flexibility in the provision of facilities and infrastructure.
• Gravel extraction continued on adjoining land, and the location of gravel plant required conveyor lines to remain through the park in certain directions, this continued until 1981 when the plant closed.
• Inherited contracts with the CEGB allowed for the disposal of pulverized fuel ash in disused gravel workings, thus displacing certain water areas; probably half the land area of the park today is from workings which have been so filled, but mostly before they were purchased by the County Council; some were well covered with top soil, but others were not.
• The proposed M42 motorway would divide the Water Park area in half; this required the provision of a second access point and encouraged the development of a different management approach in each half; quieter activities in the north, noisier and more popular activities in the south.
• The Tame Purification Scheme proposed the incorporation of the larger water areas, involving their re-shaping, re-modeling and connection with weirs and channels to the river; park access roads, footpaths and other infrastructure may also have had to be re-located. In 1985 the Severn Trent Water Authority finally decided that its existing and potential purification lakes at Lea Marston outside of the Water Park would achieve the levels of purification required and therefore, the Water Park would no longer be affected.
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Various areas of the park have been used as land-fill sites having a variety of materials deposited throughout the park. The Barn Meadow area was a big lake filled in with PFA, a causeway was built with bricks and rubble from large properties demolished around Gravelly Hill for machinery to access the pool to prepare the pipework for filling in with the PFA. The PFA was pumped to the park from Hams Hall Power Station and most of the open land seen today has the same grey impermeable surface. Elsewhere in the park the extraction sites were filled in with silt and clay washing from the ongoing gravel extraction. The silt beds around the Nature Trail and Woodland Walk are characterized by many fallen and leaning willows which are unstable in the thin poor soils that have formed on top of the silt washings. A small section of land on the Northern entrance between Postman’s Pool and Ivy Pool has a sub-surface of cement washings from the Readymix concrete lorries.
Trees
The trees of Kingsbury Water Park vary greatly in the age, form and species. Some areas of diverse planting have been done over the years with copses for the Conoco plantation and the Kingsbury woodcraft folk being planted around 2001. More recently the Commemorative Woodland planting began in 2009 which has been very popular with the area filling up fast. New areas will need to be identified for expansion of this program. Previously, planting had been for aesthetic value and for screening purposes around car parks, neighbours properties and the Marston bypass road. Areas of natural regeneration on the various silt beds have previously been unmanaged but a 10 year Woodland Management Plan is being completed to bring these areas into a thinning/coppicing rotation and to receive the necessary felling license from the Forestry Commission.
Grassland
The grassland areas of the park were surveyed in 1997 as part of a Phase 2 Habitat Survey with some general management recommendations being highlighted to carry forward into the future management of the site. The area known as Richard’s Meadow within the Nature Reserve is largely undisturbed, with access limited and only a single hay crop taken each year. It is an important foraging ground for many bird species and supports several pairs of Barn Owls, large flocks of geese, Fieldfare, Redwing and Lapwing with occasional long and short eared owls in winter and is used by breeding birds such as Skylarks in summer. Also on the northern side of the park is a small area of semi-improved grassland called Croft Meadow which is relatively species rich. With species such as bird’s foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), ox eye daisy, lesser stitchwort, red clover, cocks foot, mallow, hare’s foot trefoil, black medick, common vetch, cow slips, soft rush (juncus) campions, field wood rush, self heal, hoary plantain and coltsfoot being found. To the southern side of the park some areas of grassland are suffering from over grazing by rabbits and
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they are having a detrimental effect on the floral diversity. Barn Meadow is an area of success where species such as southern marsh orchid, common spotted orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsia), marsh bedstraw, meadow cranesbill and Cuckooflower (Cardamine pratensis) are establishing well. This area is used by school children during the summer hunting for minibeasts and is managed by cutting the hay crop once a year. The encroachment of alder and birch around this area is something for monitoring and future management.
To the southern side of the motorway lies a small patch of grassland resulting from the deep excavation of clay used to build the motorway. It was dug 80ft deep and filled with silt and now provides an area of rough riverside grassland. The area below the church steps to the village, known as Hall Meadow is also improving in floristic character. The fields were recently used as football pitches but within just a couple of years of less intensive management the diversity of species increased. All these grassland areas are included in the 10 year Higher Level Stewardship Agreement with Natural England signed in 2012 (see Appendix 3).
Wetland
The large sections of open water are all generally utilised by some form of water sport. Only on the Nature Reserve is access restricted for the benefit or wildlife. All lakes are inhabited by common species such as mallards, moorhens, coots and Great crested Grebes with large flocks of Canada Geese found on the front shore of Bodymoor Heath Water. The open water around the Phil Drabble Nature Trail is frequently inhabited by wintering waterfowl such as shoveller, pochard, widgeon, gadwall and water rail in winter but significant numbers of these birds can be found on the northern side of the park around Cliff Pool. This area was also of significant value for Common Terns with them nesting in their hundreds on two small islands on Canal Pool. In recent years their numbers have suffered due to flash flooding during the nesting season and competition from black headed gulls which remains a problem.
Much of the reed habitat is fragmented throughout the park but higher concentrations can be found on the northern side of the park around the nature reserve. The reedbeds are planted with Common Reed (Phragmites australis) with other plants occurring naturally. Reed planting has had varying degrees of success. It has been identified that fencing is essential and should be expanded rather than removed when the reed is established and maintaining the water level is also crucial to establishing reeds from plugs. A major part of the HLS agreement is the establishment of
Fauna
The water park is home to a wide range of mammal species with badger, foxes, rabbits and muntjac all making their homes here. We have seen evidence of otters passing through the park and have one sighting of an otter in the River Tame in
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2011. The park has built a number of artificial otter holts over the years but as yet haven’t had any resident otters. The number of bird species found in the valley has grown significantly since the park has been managed by the council.
Landscape and Ecological Features
Hemlingford Hundred
The Hundred is a division of the Ancient County. It held administrative and judicial functions, although the level of administrative responsibilities held by each of these units differed. Its origins are unclear, but possibly derive from the geographical area containing a hundred 'families' or households. By the late 16th Century hundreds were comprised of parishes (formerly Medieval Villas).
At the time of the Domesday Survey this hundred was known as 'Coleshelle' Hundred and its meeting-place was at Coleshill it is first called by its present name of Hemlingford Hundred in the Pipe Roll of 8 Henry II (1161–2). Its boundaries on the West, North, and East are the same as those of the County, and on the South are the Hundreds of Barlichway and Knightlow. Hemlingford, from which the hundred took its later name, was, to quote Dugdale's words 'a Foard or Passage over Tame, somewhat more than a Flight shoot Southwards from Kingsbury Church, of which likewise the Mill near unto it is still called Hemlingford Mill'. The meeting-place of the Hundred was near this ford at Hemlingford Green.
The reason for removing the meeting-place of the Hundred from Coleshill to Hemlingford is not known. Dugdale suggests that the change was made because Hemlingford was near to Kingsbury, the home of the Ardens, several of whom were sheriffs of the County in early days; and in its later history there was always a close connection between Hemlingford Hundred and Kingsbury Manor.
Higher Level Stewardship (HLS)
Parts of Kingsbury Water Park are subject to a HLS Agreement with Natural England. The agreement also covers land at Burton Dassett Hills, Ryton Pools and Pooley Country Park. The Agreement was signed in 2012 and runs for a period of 10 years.
The main prescriptions for Kingsbury are;
1. Control invasive scrub to restore species rich grassland
2. Remove invasive willow from poolside margins to restore marginal plants to benefit invertebrates.
3. Remove willow to create new reed beds.
4. Lay hedges and maintain long term at a height of 2 metres
5. Maintain species rich grassland by taking hay crop and grazing aftermath where practical.
6. Control invasive Himalayan balsam.
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7. Keep islands clear of vegetation to benefit breeding waders and common terns.
8. Remove willow and scrub from sphagnum bog area.
The Agreement also covers some capital works. These works are agreed separately with NE throughout the term of the Agreement. For years 1-3, they include:
Year One
Clear fell willow around otter pool re-grade margins plant up with phragmites and fence area to protect from geese.
Fence croft meadow with livestock fencing and two access gates to allow sheep grazing after hay has been collected.
Hedge lay 130 metres of mixed species hedge from canal towards the Sita hide. Total length to be laid 520 metres over four years
Scrub clearance various areas over three year duration.
Year Two
Clear willows on Edwin’s scrape, re-grade eastern edge of pool, plant up with phragmites and fence off to protect from geese.
Clear willows from south shore of grebe pool.
Year Three
Create six ponds along the middle section of Burdett’s Brook.
Clear willow trees along Ley’s Brook to favour invertebrates and water vole.
The areas of the site covered by HLS and the management prescriptions are shown in Appendix 3.
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7. Community Involvement
Patterns of Use
Set in the far North of the County the Park borders three other counties and lies just 12 miles away from the large conurbation of Birmingham. Past visitor surveys indicate that a large majority of our summer visitors are from outside of Warwickshire. This may be related to the close proximity to good road connections and having a number of visitors staying locally in various campsites and other guest accommodation. With over 350,000 visitors per year the park is a popular destination. Visits are very weather dependent with a huge concentration of visitors during summer months. A broad spectrum of visitors arrive at Kingsbury, from daily dog walkers, cyclists or people enjoying fresh air and a picnic.
The number of visitors to the park is calculated by using the same formula as at the other Country Parks – i.e. the number of cars that enter the site multiplied by 2.9 people per vehicle. The 2.9 multiplier takes into account pedestrians, cyclists and multi person vehicles. However, the figures exclude visits to the children’s farm (circa 15,000), Camping and Caravan site (20,000) and the Outdoor Education Centre (circa 10,000)
Visitor Numbers to Kingsbury Water Park 2005/2006 333,163
2006/2007 355,087
2007/2008 356,143
2008/2009 339,546
2009/2010 355,122
2010/2011 340,010
2011/2012 369773
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User Groups
Visitor surveys and staff observations have identified the following main users of the site. There are some noticeable differences in the patterns of site usage exhibited by these visitor segments. This is displayed in the table below.
Site Users Pattern of Use Dog Walkers Everyday regardless of weather.
Families with children who walk, cycle Mainly visit at weekends, Bank Holidays and or use the play areas school holidays. Some pre-school toddlers come during the day.
Regular visitors Every week for a walk or visit the coffee shop for refreshments. Often permit holders
Cyclists (at the park) Families bringing their own bikes or hiring bikes for safe off road cycling.
Cyclists (in groups) Weekly – the park and its facilities are often a rest point for the more serious cyclists who stop here when completing the local cycle rides.
Joggers Weekly – generally visit at quieter times in the early evening or mornings to take advantage of the surfaced traffic free paths.
Children taking part in organised Organised school visits are most common in the activities spring and summer term. Birthday party bookings are taken throughout the year but the summer months are busier due to the better weather. Events are run throughout the year.
Wildlife enthusiasts Some are daily visitors to the bird hides while bird watchers/walkers others visit many sites locally only visiting us occasionally. Visitor numbers in this category tend to increase over Winter period.
Clubs and Spectators Weekly from April – September in large numbers then visits reduce with the reduction in activity of the clubs.
Anglers All year round. Retired people will fish during the week with numbers swelling at weekends and when the park is open longer hours.
Disabled adults and children with Groups are often in specialist minibuses and professional and family carers mid-week when the park is quieter.
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Survey Results
Visitor Satisfaction surveys are conducted by the Country Parks service and analysed by Warwickshire Observatory. These are undertaken yearly, and are now available on-line year round. The most recent surveys were carried out at Kingsbury in 2009 where 230 surveys were completed. 42% of survey respondents lived in Warwickshire. In 2011 we conducted some further survey work by inviting representatives of user groups in for discussion, and then doing similar with our clubs and concessions. Below is an amalgamation of the SWOT analysis carried out in 2011.
Visitor Services
STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES
Park, café and VC open every day Clubs/concessions issues (except Christmas day) Unreliable and only 1 barrier Exciting and new popularity Dated play equipment (Far Leys) Family orientated Lack of visitor interpretation Reputation and strong brand % income from parking too great Information-various services Lack of public transport Control income – 2 entrances Constant noise of M42 Staff and volunteers Cycles conflict at Broomey croft end Variety of events Communication between Knowledge and skills clubs/concessions Range of activities/events Policing Play areas Website and links Parking good value Congestion at entrance Education Centre/programmes Rubbish Location Charges Diversity Becoming more commercial Long standing concessions Parking in village Miniature railway In-house ranger service Good customer base Scooter hire Good paths
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OPPORTUNITIES THREATS
Tourism Budget cuts Grant funding Staff cuts Weather Competitors Government policies Weather/flooding Credit crunch/recession (people looking Vandalism/anti – social behaviour for low cost, local, value days out) Pests/diseases Fishery Dog mess Internet/ social media Dogs off leads Off peak capacity Impact of other concessions/play Establish ‘friends of’ group Too much choice Visitor parking Charges Improved communication HS2 (likely that the Y route will pass Bigger events (limited by parking) through the park) Subsidies – partnerships/collaboration RSPB doing same events/parties Encroaching into nature habitat Speed of traffic in the park Number of visitors
Conservation/Nature
STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES
Diversity of habitats Habitat management (lack of time) Links within valley – connectivity Lack of surveys Size of wild areas Lack of interpretation Species diversity Disturbance from M42 WCC ownership Knowledge and skills Natural resource Ornithogical interest Entered into HLS OPPORTUNITIES THREATS
Tame Valley Wetland Partnership Flooding/poor water quality Grants/stewardship Income generation Partnership working RSPB – walking Over development route through? External factors Caravan park Visitor numbers OAP pass instead of disabled Vermin control Differential parking Lack of funding Police presence on Friday nights Invasive plants Bridleway route Pests/diseases
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Note on HS2
Since compiling this SWOT analysis, HS2 Ltd has announced the proposed line for the Y route (HS2 Phase 2) to Leeds and Manchester.
The HS2 Phase 2 proposals show the route passing through the south side of the water park, parallel to the M42. This is a very significant threat to the water park (both the land take and the operational rail line, but also the construction phase(s)). It is inevitable that HS2 Phase 1 will cause some disruption as the construction will affect the area near the park and the local highway network and this is in addition to the disruption that will follow on with the construction of Phase 2 through the park.
The County Council position on HS2 is one of objection, but pragmatically to engage in constructive dialogue with HS2 Ltd to achieve the best possible outcome for Warwickshire in the event the proposals go ahead. We will be taking a similar approach within Country Parks. As with the M42 coming through the park we will be working with our partners to achieve appropriate compensation, mitigation and community benefit. However, at the time of writing, the proposals are simply an announcement and the consultation window is not yet open.
Friends of Group
From the initial meeting of a focus group to discuss the park in general, we have established some interest to form a ‘friends of group’ and this has being taken forward in terms of setting up a constituted group of ‘friends’ which become a fully constituted group in 2013.
Education Centre
A custom designed stand-alone facility opened in 2003. This is well used by visiting school groups during term time and hosts children’s activities during the holiday periods. On a majority of weekends throughout the year the Centre is used for children’s birthday parties which include a ranger led activity. It is also available to individuals/organisations on a room hire only basis.
Educational Use
Educational use falls into three categories; schools, holiday events and birthday parties.
Schools
Kingsbury Water Park Education Service offers an extensive range of outdoor educational activities aimed primarily at Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 and 2 children. The activities are linked to the National Curriculum and utilise the natural resources of the park to give participants a hands on, interactive and fun outdoor learning experience.
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Our major aims are to encourage children to discover and explore their environment, to understand and appreciate more of the natural world they inhabit and to consider the concept of sustainability across their lives.
The service operates on a day visit basis and enables children to bring to life some of the topics studied in the classroom. This is learning in the real world and a school visit to the park provides the kind of experiential learning that cannot be replicated in the classroom For example, at Key Stage 2, habitats are studied; a Kingsbury visit enables a child to experience different habitats, to walk through a species rich meadow, to touch the flowers, to see the bees collecting pollen, to hear the grasshoppers and to catch a variety of invertebrates. Direct experiences of this kind are fantastic for engaging children and are particularly important given the urban, heavily populated areas the park is adjacent to.
The service is heavily used from Easter through summer to early autumn by schools from all over North Warwickshire, Birmingham, Solihull and South Staffordshire (late autumn and winter bookings are sparser but do still occur). In 2011/12 over 3,217 children made a visit to the park with their school.
In 2011 the service was awarded a ‘Learning Outside the Classroom’ Quality Assurance Badge; this is a national standard which covers all aspects of a visit from initial enquiries to post visit feedback and assures schools and teachers of the excellence of the service we provide.
Forest Schools
Kingsbury has a permanent Forest School base and two qualified staff enabling the service to deliver Forest School sessions. The base is also available for organisations to run Forest School sessions using their own staff and a local nursery is currently doing this.
The Forest School model is one of repeated visits through all seasons but for many schools the cost of travel to the park prohibits regular visits; for this reason we have introduced a Forest School taster session into the main programme and this is very popular. The way activities are structured caters for different learning styles and allows encourages child led learning. Everyone can participate and gain from their visit including teaching staff who directly observe and experience the benefits for children.
Developing the Service
We aim to provide a high quality outdoor education experience and to catalyse children’s interest in the natural world. The program of activities is continually reviewed and developed with new topics being offered in line with feedback, staff observations, innovation and the national curriculum.
Medium term areas for development are to promote autumn/winter outreach take up with new programmes, to extend provision into the early Key Stage 3 age group and to offer extended day visits. Additionally, we need to monitor the current review of
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the primary National Curriculum to ensure that when the revisions are finalised they are reflected in our provision
Events
An annual events program is published advertising the events for all country parks in Warwickshire and in 2010/11 we reached another 1,500 visitors with our walks, talks and children’s activities at Kingsbury Water Park. These are small scale involving very little cost but are designed to cover a range of interests, age groups and activities. All of the holiday events are part of the National Children’s University which encourages out of school hours learning with rewards for children on achieving set goals.
Numbers of attendees are recorded and reviewed when planning future events as some walks have suffered from poor attendance, possibly due to other local free events.
The feedback from those that do attend the events has been very positive with 93% of respondents giving an excellent overall visit in 2010-11 and 100% in 2011-12.
Popular and well attended events have included:
• Beginner Bat Walks • Stargazing • Christmas crafts • Pond dipping and Den building • Children’s self-guided trails
In addition, other events such as charity walks/runs regularly take place within the park which adds interest to the park and promotes it to people who might not have otherwise visited.
Children’s Birthday Parties
Ranger led children’s birthday parties are also offered. These were first introduced in 2008 and numbers have steadily increased since then. During the current year (2012/13) over 1,400 children have visited the park for a birthday party. In addition, the word of mouth spread from the invitees of the parties, generates further bookings.
The party activities are reviewed regularly to ensure the offer remains fresh and attractive to visitors.
Volunteering
Much of the general site maintenance is carried out by the Ranger Team assisted by regular volunteers. As well as volunteers, the park regularly hosts a number of work placements students from college/university courses. Work experience students from nearby schools are also hosted on a number of occasions throughout the year. They all provide additional assistance for rangers and help with a large array of site
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management tasks. Work undertaken by student work placements if generally more in-depth than that of volunteers therefore careful thought is given to ensure that it is of benefit to the students and that they obtain as wide a range of experiences as possible. The volunteer handbook and volunteer policy has been developed to ensure the time donated by volunteers is mutually beneficial.
Corporate Volunteering
We are keen to continue to support local businesses in terms of corporate responsibility and their desire to help with community projects. We already have had some success with companies such as Hewlett Packard (300 volunteers on one day) and other companies expressing interest in coming in. We are producing a leaflet to give out to potential interested companies and for Heads of Service and Councillors to take with them to meetings with local businesses as part of the Going for Growth agenda.
8. Marketing
The main work areas covered by Marketing are:-
• Production of a yearly events programme booklet covering all parks. • A three year marketing plan is in place for the parks service – reviewed annually. • Distribution of events booklet and other park brochures to TICs, and local businesses. • Keeping web pages up to date and submitting events information to local media. • Writing press releases and dealing with media and filming enquiries. • Administering visitor surveys and other market research. • Placing of advertisements in local media and guides. • Working with local tourism partnerships e.g. North Warks Tourism Association and Tamworth Tourism Association to promote parks as a tourism destination. • Newsletters for the parks service (Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter). • Publicity associated with the Arts project. • Social Media – Twitter and Facebook
The ‘Country Parks Events at a Glance’ leaflet is available from all of the Country Parks and are also distributed to local tourist visitor centres, libraries, schools and other local visitor attractions.
Many new visitors to the site, cite word of mouth as their means of hearing about the park. Conversely, some non-visitors report that although they live locally, they have never heard of the site, indicating that there may be gaps in the marketing.
The park is also promoted through signage and notice boards within the park and brown tourist signs to the site from the motorway and main roads leading to it.
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Information and Interpretation
There are interpretation boards showing maps and details of the site and are located at prime entrances into the park. The staff working in the Visitor Centre are able to answer any questions that visitors may have about the park and this is also a location to pick up a map and other information about the park’s services.
The rangers can provide face to face information and help to raise the perceived safety of the park by continuing to provide a visible on-site presence. This presence and knowledge shows the Council’s commitment to the park and in turn generates local confidence and park use. Interpretation on the park requires some improvement as identified by a VAQAS report in 2010.
Public Events
Given its location Kingsbury Water Park is a prime space for local events. The Council has always taken an active approach to allowing local events to take place including charity runs, athletic events, sponsored dog walks etc., as well as organising our own events within the park and would welcome the opportunity to develop this further through working with local groups, schools and the local community.
In 2012 a number of events were organised which included:-
• Night Fishing • Young Anglers • Stargazing • Miniature Traction Engines • Beer and Steam Event • Bird Box Making • Big Lunch Picnic • Halloween Train Event • Santa Specials (train)
Promotion
The park is promoted through various means as detailed below. Warwickshire County Council is proud of the park service, the amenity value, and is keen to promote their use wherever and whenever possible.
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Local Media
The park service has a very good relationship with our in-house Communications Team. All ideas for press releases and other local media opportunities are directed to the Communications Team who are able to organise media coverage. The council’s Communications Team have contact with all local and national media including newspapers, radio and television. Additionally those media also have their own websites. We have built up a good communication with BBC Coventry and Warwick Radio who often contact us for interviews.
Website www.warwickshire.gov.uk/parks . The parks service has its own ‘stand-alone’ website which was set up in Spring 2012 which although accessed through the main Warwickshire County Council website, will link the public straight to it. This is more vibrant and commercial looking than the corporate website to reflect the leisure nature of the service. The website will enable the customer to easily access information about the parks and download information.
Leaflets
Apart from the main Kingsbury map which visitors can purchase for 50p, Kingsbury is featured in the general parks leaflet which is given away free from our Visitor Centres, Tourism/Visitor centres, Libraries and other local outlets.
Tourist Information Centres
We have a good connection with Tourist Information both through stocking of our leaflets, and also through various tourism associations in the region. Namely, Tamworth Tourism Association and North Warwickshire Tourism Association. The parks manager attends these meeting periodically to keep other tourist establishments up to date with our service and what we are doing and to help maintain and promote the area as a leisure destination .
Social Media
We have a presence on Social Media including Facebook and Twitter with a character called ‘Ranger Ted’ who is a mascot and voice for the parks service.
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9. Management and Action Plan
Aims of Service
These are the objectives for Kingsbury Water Park:-
• Provide a positive customer experience of the countryside.
• Develop knowledge and skills of young people through training, education and volunteering opportunities.
• Increase the number of day visitors to country parks.
• Seek investment in the service through partnerships and grant funding opportunities but be mindful that any new ventures do not give rise to revenue pressures.
• To achieve Country Parks Accreditation (Natural England).
Monitor and Review
Annual self-assessments of the site using recognised quality standards (Green Flag) will be undertaken by the staff, this information will help to guide the decision making process supported by our performance management processes which includes records of numbers of visitors, participation in events and education programmes, general visitor feedback, income generation and retail performance. Income/Expenditure figures are recorded monthly and monitored through the budget process.
The formation of a ‘Friends of Group’ for the park would help with an on-going local involvement in the park, help with decision making processes and implementation of the management plan along with the possibility of obtaining external grant funding and support. If this cannot be achieved, we will continue to have focus groups, and visitor surveys.
We also continue to benchmark ourselves against other Counties in the West Midlands and belong to a benchmarking group to share ideas and best practice.
Policies
The following list of documents has links with the management of Kingsbury Water Park:-
Warwickshire County Council Corporate Business Plan Sustainable Communities Business Unit Plan Country Parks Business Plan Country Parks Service Plan
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Annual Work Programme
Annual Grounds Maintenance Plan
ACTION FREQUENCY OCCURANCE RESPONSIBILITY Play area inspection 364 Daily Rangers Litter bin emptying 364 -700 Daily Rangers Dog bin emptying 125 2-3 times per Rangers week Bench/table 4 x 200 Once every 3 Rangers inspections months Litter picking 364 Daily Rangers/Vol unteer s Amenity mowing Fortnightly – April - Contractor 13 times September Mowing 26 Weekly April - Seasonal Mower September Strimming 26 Weekly April - Rangers September Tree Survey 2+ Biannually Rangers plus after storms Tree work 25 Nov - Mar Rangers/Foresters Clear islands Spray 2 Early March Rangers/Volunteers islands 2 Late April Rangers Ragwort 10 2-3 weeks in Ranger/Vol unteers June Himalayan Balsalm 15 Weekly Ranger/Vol unteers May-July Footpath repair 10 2 weeks per Rangers/C ontractors year or as necessary after flooding Footpath sweeping 12 Fort nightly Rangers Oct – Mar or after flooding Commemorative Monthly Apr - Sept Rangers woodland -mowing round trees Annually for Aug/Sept Rangers large areas CW - weed control 6 Monthly Rangers/Vol unteers Apr/Sept Pond maintenance 5 Monthly May - Rang er/Vol unteer s Sept
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10. Action Plan 2014-2018
See Appendix 4
Financial Plan
Kingsbury Water Park is managed as part of Warwickshire’s portfolio of Country Parks and Greenways. In common with other council services, we have had to meet challenging savings targets over the last four years, and it is testament to all staff, partners and volunteers that these targets have been met, and exceeded. Based upon 2011/12 revenue budget outturn, the Country Parks Service is 87% self-financing when factoring in all staff costs, overheads and operating costs against income generated. Much of our success has revolved around increased income generation as the parks service already operates on skeleton staffing considering the amount of sites owned and the spread around the County.
It is very difficult to disaggregate true running costs for Kingsbury as so much is shared across the portfolio including; management, administration, and marketing as Kingsbury is the service hub. It is also the case that both staff and plant is shared across the other sites in the north of the county.
The following table provides revenue expenditure and income for the portfolio, including estimates attributable to Kingsbury.
2011/12 (actual) All parks Kingsbury Comments (£000’s) (£000’s) Expenditure Staff costs 543 386 Premises 170 113 Hot line and planned maintenance Transport 33 9 No replacement vehicle purchase Supplies and 111 69 services Internal charges 11 7 Total Exp. 868 584 Income Parking 380 305 Includes day fees and permits Rents 186 125 50% increase on 4 years ago. Profit share arrangement working well Fishing 25 25 Retail 87 44 Events/Education 37 17 Good birthday party income Other 26 8 Total income 741 524
Net costs £127K £60k
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2011/12 was the best ever trading year. Kingsbury Water Park benefited from the clement summer and was up 20% on the previous record (in part assisted by a rise in day parking from £3 to £3.50). The profit share arrangements with Echill’s Wood Railway, the Camping and Caravan Club and other concessions continue to pay dividends.
Revenue expenditure and income is monitored monthly and visitor income is front loaded such that between April and the end of September we expect to receive between 66% and 73% of annual visitor income. However, March is a notoriously difficult month to predict visitor income, for as clement weather could see 1,000+ cars over a weekend, whereas a washout could be <50! The timings of Easter and school holiday dates is also significant.
Our expenditure and income is benchmarked against other sites and services within the Midlands Countryside Benchmarking Group and with other outdoor leisure attractions locally.
In addition to the revenue budget, the services also have access to a capital maintenance budget of between £50k and £100k per annum (for the whole parks service). Our objective is always to maximise this allocation by matching against external funding. Recent examples include £50k from WREN for the Lake View Play Area and the HLS capital grant £15k and a service allocation of £130k from S106 funding.
Historically, the park was developed through disposal of some of the built assets within the park (farm houses and cottages, etc.), however, no further significant assets remain and the Council’s capital receipts policy no longer allows such hypothecation without a compelling exception case.
Some of our forthcoming priorities at Kingsbury will require capital maintenance and/or external grant funding.
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Appendices
Appendix I Park Boundaries
Appendix 2 Timeline/History
Appendix 3 HLS prescriptions
Appendix 4 Action Plan
Appendix 5 Concessions
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