7.0 Management analysis
Part 2 - Where do we want to get to?
7.1 Environment, sustainability, community engagement, structures
The Climate Change Strategy for Coventry and the Green Space Strategy will impact on current management practices in Coombe Abbey Park. In terms of adapting to climate change, there are implications for grounds maintenance and other landscape management activities. New ways of working will be developed, ranging from species choice in landscape planning reflecting the changing conditions, to rescheduling of mowing regimes to reflect longer growing seasons. There are no peat-based substances used on site, herbicide use is kept to a minimum and only used when there is no effective or practical alternative e.g., in spot treating thistle on Acid Grassland. Chemical-free methods are now used for pest control, which includes squirrel and mole control in sensitive areas. Where practicable all waste generated through grounds maintenance regimes are re-used on site or disposed of using the next best alternative e.g., selling of felled timber for firewood to park users or meadow cut for animal bedding.
The maintenance and provision of facilities in public open spaces, especially parks, may have resource implications in our future climate. Keeping areas litter free, supplied with shade and water, and absorbing the impact of increased visitor numbers may require a review of service provision.
7.1.1 Arboriculture and Woodland Management
The tree management at Coombe has three driving features: tree survey, restoration and veteran tree management.
A typical arboricultural tree survey was carried out in 2010, catergorising the trees at Coombe in line with the city’s tree management and inspection, into Red, Amber and Green areas.
The trees are managed within their character areas (see individual plans in Appendices) and follow the restoration of the original Cabability Brown planting as applicable. The veteran trees are mainly to be found in the Western Deer Park: many years old and some may be more than 400 years old planted as part of the landscape design preceding Brown’s work. The majority are Oak trees - some are stag headed and some have hollow boles. Other important trees include some ancient Sweet Chestnut in the woodland to the north of Wrautum Field and two Yews in what was the 17th century Great Garden. The veteran tree management is managed based on a spreadsheet of trees found by Treework Environmental Practice (TEP) some years ago, plus those which the Tree Preservation Officer has identified under the newer classification system. Initial minor pruning works, linked to the Dunsmore Living Landscape project, have been undertaken. This will continue and will mainly be installing fencing around the veteran trees that don’t have any and need protection e.g. the group of Limes by the visitor centre play area.
7.1.2 Conservation of landscape features
As the subject of centuries of agricultural change and three major phases of ornamental landscape design, there is very little natural about the Coombe Park landscape. However, both in spite of and because of its designed nature, the Park has a wide range of semi-natural habitats that support a wealth of floral and faunal interest. This diversity is a result of the combined effects of Capability Brown (naturalistic design, permitting nature to take its course) and of subsequent landscapers together with the site’s physical determinants (geology, soils, hydrology) and the management regimes, or lack of them, through the centuries. Much of the site is covered by two wildlife designations Site of Special Scientific Interest and Site of Importance for Nature Conservation. We seek to achieve the conservation of overlays, i.e., the conservation and repair of the historic character, features and buildings of the Park as it was in the 1920s when the features of the 17th-century park had been overlaid with the additional features of Brown, Nesfield and Miller whilst maximising benefits for biodiversity and visitor enjoyment.
7.1.3 Conservation of buildings and structures
The buildings on site comprise Visitor Centre, Hotel, Highfield, Menagerie, two cottages (Dove and Pump), Top Pool Lodge, Maintenance block, two lodges, East and West lodge (East lodge is now outside the boundary of the park and two boathouses (one being associated with the Menagerie). The boathouse on the South shore of the lake has been restored and is available for use for events and so on.
A rare remnant from the 17th century is the eastern part of the Great Garden east of the Abbey. This lies within the grounds of the hotel. While the archaeological feature has been protected from damage, there has been no attempt, as part of the Abbey redevelopment, to restore the Great Garden.
The Menagerie is a very important historic feature and is in private ownership. It has been restored as closely as possible to its original form and can be viewed by the public from the Deer Park.
Miller’s great Victorian kitchen garden, of which only the walls now remain, lies outside Coventry City Council’s ownership as do the lodges and cottages.
The Park contains a Scheduled Ancient Monument, a tumulus considered to be a prehistoric burial mound (Warwickshire No. 26) which is located to the west of the main drive, north-west of the Visitor Centre. The new Visitor Centre building opened to the public in 1993.
The Grade II listed Abbey Building, Coombe Abbey Hotel, was purchased by CCC and the country park now works closely particularly with respect to the hotel grounds and for commercialisation opportunities. The ‘summer house’ near the formal garden has been restored and is now available for hire as a backdrop for weddings and special occasions.
7.1.4 Community involvement in management and development
Coventry City Council recognises that community involvement in public parks is essential for long-term sustainability. By involving local people, it is possible to clarify their needs and aspirations for the park. The resourcing issues for such engagement must be considered, as must the development of an appropriate methodology by which the communities can be identified and included in moving the site forward.
In recent years this has taken the form of Focus Groups to look at key areas of the site’s operation e.g., historical restoration, children’s issues, disability access, and wildlife conservation. It is the intention to try and establish a ‘Friends of Coombe Abbey Park’ with a variety of subgroups with a particular interest such as wildlife, family, dog walking or history.
Community engagement online is active and growing daily, with social media and websites being the main communication tool for the majority of our service users and it is hoped to harness this growing engagement for future consultation and development opportunities. Both our Facebook and Instagram pages prove to be increasingly popular.
There is a whole range of opportunities for the local community to get practically involved with the management of the country park, from estate management to wildlife and visitor surveys.
7.1.5 Marketing and Promotion
As stated above, electronic media plays a major role in the promotion of the park in terms of facilities and events and at peak times the site is often to capacity with car parking managed by an external contractor. There is good take up for events and activities and no additional marketing or promotion appears necessary currently. Feedback is regularly collated with hard copy slips provided at events and activities and these are used to further improve the experience. However, it is thought that Coombe Abbey Park would benefit from a dedicated website and events page to provide clarity of information and online booking and conversations continue with the wider council teams on this.
7.1.6 Service Structure see also Ch1.5
The Parks Service was restructured in 2017 to provide increased efficiency and to meet the increasingly demanding local and central government requirements and at the time of reviewing this document (December 2022) is undergoing further review.
The Parks Service Management Team is currently as follows:
- Manager - City Centre Streetpride & War Memorial Park
- Coombe Abbey Park and Visitor Experience Manager – Emma Cosgrove
- Parks Service Manager - Mark Yates
- Arboricultural Services Officer - Tim Wetherhill
Each manager, in addition to delivering site/area-specific outcomes, will also have a strategic role in assisting to manage the service. These roles cover health & safety, property asset management, community engagement and managing the city’s tree stock.
7.2 SWOT analysis
Strengths
- On-site supervisor
- 5-year management plan
- Clear action plans
- Historical significance
- Environmental significance
- Varied facilities and attractions
- Strong partnerships e.g. Woodturners, Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, Coombe AbbeyHotel, Go Ape, No Ordinary HospitalityManagement, Outdoor Education Service
- Good outdoor venue
- Committed staff and volunteers
- Basic infrastructure
- Large user base
- Large supporter base
- Higher Level Stewardship
- Destination park
Weaknesses
- Continuing budget pressures
- Site capacity
- High visitor wear and tear of facilities
Opportunities
- Exploitation of commercial opportunities
- Further improve relationship with Coombe Abbey Hotel
- Stronger community involvement
Threats
- Change in policy towards park status and management
- User needs versus heritage and SSSI needs
- Balancing commercial opportunities with the needs of the visitor and biological and heritage conservation
