Ambitions for Swindon’s country parks outlined

If approved, the document will commit the Council to seeking additional funding for maintaining and improving Coate Water, Lydiard Park, Mouldon Hill, Stanton Park and Barbury Castle, helping to “upgrade core visitor infrastructure, address threats to environmental quality and take additional steps to ensure that the parks provide a safe and welcoming space for all.”

More than 2,000 people shared their views on their priorities for Swindon’s country parks in a public consultation held last summer. Feedback gathered through online surveys and in-person consultation events consistently raised priority improvement areas which have been embedded in the proposed future for the country parks, including:

• upgraded parking payment machines and resurfaced car parks
• better park signage
• improved toilet facilities

Alongside these practical improvements, the framework sets out how the parks can play a bigger role in supporting nature recovery, health and wellbeing activities and opportunities for residents to get involved in volunteering, learning and events.

Examples of work already underway across the parks include reviewing sections of the Lydiard parkrun route where surfaces have become worn, exploring opportunities for conservation grazing at Barbury Castle to support biodiversity and expanding ranger-led activities that help visitors learn more about nature and heritage.

The framework will guide future management plans, funding bids and improvement projects across all five parks.

Councillor Marina Strinkovsky, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning and Placemaking, said: “Swindon’s country parks are invaluable green spaces and each one has its own character, history and wildlife.

“This document sets out our ambition for the parks and gives us a clear starting point for protecting what people love about these places while gradually improving the experience for visitors. It allows us to think more holistically about how our parks are managed while still celebrating what makes each one special.

“I’d also like to thank residents who took the time to share their feedback with us. Their views have helped shape this framework and highlighted some of the practical improvements people would most like to see.

“We know there are some basic things visitors want to see improved, such as access, paths and facilities, and this framework helps us prioritise those areas first while also looking ahead to what new opportunities there are to enhance the parks and delight visitors.”