River Park
Park Plan
The park plan was formally adopted by the City Council in early 2022. There has been steady progress since with all works being budget dependant.
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Technical Studies
Prior to commencing any works, a number of technical studies were undertaken; these surveys have established which elements of the Park Plan can be delivered. The studies included ecology, trees, utility services, bridge strutural survey and topography covering all elements within the Park Plan. Funding for the studies has been agreed and the work was undertaken throughout 2023/24. We are fortunate to have a fantastic diversity of wildlife including otters, water voles and white clawed crayfish in and around the Itchen River. It is important to ensure that we do nothing that negatively impacts these species.
These comprehensive surveys now provide the level of detail needed to plan the exact location and specification for the perimeter path and the optimum placing for new benches. The ecological surveys have determined that access to the river should be discouraged in order to protect and where possible enhance the river's wildlife and biodiversity.
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Phased Approach
There are many elements within the Park Plan which are listed below.
The proposed elements collected during the consultation exercise were grouped into 10 areas for potential delivery as shown in the tables below. Grouping the elements in this way will help achieve value for money, minimise disruption to park users whilst works are taking place and ensure consistency of design throughout the park.
Entrances
Plaza
River works
Seating / meeting
Perimeter Path
Park Avenue entrance
Plaza multi-functional space with water jets
River improvement works
New bench seating
Perimeter path
Nuns Walk northern entrance
Permanent café and toilet building
Repaint banana bridge
Improved area by Devils Island bridge with seating and artwork
New bridge at top of Devils Island
Nuns Road entrance
Children's paddling area by the river
Dipping platforms
Improve access to Winnall Moors
Linear Path
Fitness Area
Biodiversity
Sport and play
Skate
Resurface main linear paths
Outdoor fitness and exercise equipment area
Quieter areas for wildlife plantng and habitats
Kickabout goal
Develop skate park hub
Upgraded play space
For more information and locations on each element please view the Suite of Ideas (pdf, 20mb) plan.
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Prioritisation
Over the next 10 years, the Park Plan will be delivered using a phased approach. Each improvement area has been prioritised based on feedback from the public consultation, urgency of work required and outcomes of recent survey work. The table below illustrates current plans for phasing the programme of works.
Phase 1 (2021 - 2023)
COMPLETE
Phase 2 (2024 - 2025)
IN PROGRESS
Phase 3 (2026+)
Sport & Play:
Tennis/3G Football Floodlighting installed
New fencing for 3G Football Pitch
Refurbished River Park Play Area
Perimeter Paths:
Design and cost perimeter path, (Funding dependant)
Upgrade existing tarmac path (Funding gained)
Sport & Play:
Develop skate park hub
Sport & Play:
Kick about goal space
River Works:
Improve disabled access for bridge (Funding dependant)
Entrances:
Improve park entrance at Nuns Road and Park Avenue
Facilities:
Temporary toilets installed
Seating/Meeting:
Replace benches as required ensuring improved access and useability
Biodiversity:
Create quieter areas for wildlife
Technical Surveys:
Ecology, trees, drainage, utilities etc.
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River Park Play Area Refurbishment
The newly refurbished play area opened July 2023. The play area has been renamed as River Park Play Area.
The design by Proludic Ltd incorporates new features to Winchester’s play areas including a wheelchair accessible see-saw, many inclusive play features and as requested by a number of respondents – a human hamster wheel! Proludic have also worked with the Colour Factory to provide a lively mural on the brick flood defence wall. They were responsible for the colourful bollards found around the city centre.
In October 2023 we installed a Communication Board like the one in Abbey Gardens.
Public consultation had been undertaken as part of the Park Plan Consultation in 2019 and the results (pdf, 2.3mb) were used to form the brief for the design.
The site benefits from nearby parking in the old River Park Leisure centre car park and newly installed toilets which are open from 07:00 until 21:00.
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And Finally...
Click here to see the final version of the Park Plan drawn using feedback from the consultation.
Additional Park Plan information can be found below:
Introductory video (Please be aware that this video may contain flashing images).
The Park Today (pdf, 41.9mb)
Outdoor Rooms (pdf, 20.1mb)
Suite of Ideas (pdf, 20mb)
Sketch impressions (pdf, 115.6mb)
Picture Board (pdf, 167.9mb)