Warwick District Transforms Former Athletics Track into Scenic Elizabeth Park

In a move to enhance green spaces and improve accessibility, Warwick District Council is currently developing a new public park called Elizabeth Park. The park will serve as a traffic-free route connecting the towns of Leamington Spa and Warwick, situated along the banks of the River Leam.

The first phase of the project, set to be completed by the end of this year, includes landscaping, installing new footpaths, and planting trees. Wildflower seeding will also take place this autumn and spring, adding to the park's natural beauty. Later stages will see the redesign of the existing sports ground and the creation of access routes to the green spaces along the River Avon.

Councillor Will Roberts emphasized that the scheme is part of the council's "ongoing commitment to enhancing green spaces across the district and improving accessibility for walking, cycling and sport." Ragu Sittambalam, from Homes England, noted that the creation of Elizabeth Park is one of the commitments made after the organization purchased the Warwick District Council's former headquarters, Riverside House, in 2024, which has since been demolished to make way for new homes.

The council stated that planning consent for the park and the redevelopment of the former headquarters was granted earlier this year. The aim is to transform the riverside site, which currently houses an athletics track, pavilion, and car park, into a vibrant public space with wetland, wildflower meadows, woodland, and grassland areas, as well as a riverside path and an exercise trail and cycle track.