Here you'll find all the latest news and updates on what's happening in Abbey Fields, Kenilworth.
Essential tree works - August 2024
We've been carrying out essential safety works to some oak trees in Abbey Fields.
One oak tree has been reduced to 8m, and the smaller branches have been retained on site to create a habitat for invertebrates. Another oak has been reduced to 4m.
A third oak will be worked on this month (August). We will pollard and monolith the tree, located on the north-west side of the lake, reducing it to 4m in height.
Toddler play area
The younger children’s play area (accessed via the hoarding gate) will be open at weekends and bank holidays only during the swimming pool construction period.
Toilets
As you may be aware, we have been required to close the public toilets at Abbey Fields for some time now and this is due to a problem with the main water supply pipe through Abbey Fields, which is under the investigation of Severn Trent, and as such we cannot reopen them until the problem is resolved.
We have been working with Severn Trent to look at alternative options for a water supply to not only the toilets but also to the building site of the Swimming Pool, which is not an easy task given the site and the restrictions that we have. We are continuing to work with Severn Trent who are exploring options for an alternative supply coming from Bridge Street and putting cameras down the main pipe to see what the issue is and the integrity of the pipe, but we are waiting on Severn Trent and scheduled monument consent for these options.
Over the last week, Greenspaces and the project teams have been exploring temporary options to supply the toilets with water and as such, our building surveyors have confirmed that it will be possible for us to tap into the water supply for the cemetery which would then provide us with the water to service the public toilets. We are currently waiting on a date of when our contractors can carry out these works.
Swimming pool redevelopment
The redevelopment of the Abbey Fields Swimming Pools restarted on Monday 18 March 2024.
- Tennis Courts and trim trail remain closed
- Access around the park from Bridge Street is restricted, with the main path and the small bridge adjacent to the swimming pool closed
- The bridge adjacent to the duck feeding platform remains open and is served by a temporary path
- Temporary toilets are available in the junior play area by the zip wire
- The play area beyond the site hoardings will be remain open throughout the works, apart from occasional days when it may need to close for reasons of health and safety
Bench repair programme
We're currently undertaking a programme of works to repair the metal benches throughout the park. These will be removed in stages to be repaired and re-painted, so you may notice that some benches will be missing from the park for a short period while the work is carried out.
New artwork around swimming pool hoarding
We've recently worked with Brink Street Art to produce this mural on the hoarding outside the swimming pool development area.
Abbey Fields Management Plan
The Abbey Fields Management Plan was approved by Cabinet on 20 September 2023.