Footpath works begin in War Memorial Park

The final phase of BIG and Heritage Lottery-funded works will commence in War Memorial Park during the week commencing 25 February 2013.

This will involve the re-construction or refurbishment of a number of footpaths within the park, starting with widening the narrow footpath that runs along the railway line - this particular improvement is in direct response to park user requests, as the existing one is too narrow for the volume of pedestrians using it.

Works are planned to take six to eight weeks to complete and are weather dependent. During this period there will be some disruption to park users as parts of the footpath network will be closed during the works. The Council apologises for any disruption caused during these periods.

Cllr Phil Townshend, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Equalities, with portfolio responsibility for Parks and Open Spaces, said: "I am really pleased that the final construction phase works for the refurbishment of War Memorial Park are about to start. This will complete the major refurbishment works in the Park and address improvements requested by Park users particularly the widening of the footpath alongside the railway line."

This phase of works will complete the £3m Lottery-funded project to refurbish War Memorial Park.

A number of footpaths in the park are also affected by flooding, which is currently being investigated.

Final part of Coventry's War Memorial Park revamp starts



Work is starting on the final phase of a £3m revamp of Coventry's War Memorial Park.

From Monday, many of the footpaths in the park will be rebuilt, including one that runs along the railway line, which the council said was too narrow for the number of people using it.

Parts of the park will be cordoned off while the work, expected to take six to eight weeks, is carried out.

It has been paid for by the Big Lottery Fund and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Celebrations have got under way to mark the 90th anniversary of Coventry's War Memorial Park.

A range of activities are to take place this weekend to mark the anniversary of the official opening.

The original dedication took place on 9 July 1921 after residents raised £31,000 to buy 121 acres of land.

The idea was to commemorate soldiers from the city who had died in World War I and later all soldiers from the city who have died in conflict.

'Lasting tribute'

Residents group The Friends of the War Memorial Park will recreate the official opening as it would have been in 1921.

Sheila Adams, vice chair of the group, said: "The idea of the park was that it should be a lasting tribute to the Great War that was meant to be the war to end all wars but the meaning of the park is still just as relevant today."

The 90th anniversary commemorations started at 1430 BST - the time the opening and dedication started in 1921 - close to the tennis pavilion.

Councillor Phil Townshend, Coventry City Council's cabinet member of parks and sport, will open the event which will also include a reading of the mayor's original address from 1921.

Other attractions include a sing-along of songs from the period, free traditional tennis and 1920s games and sweets for children.