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Ferry Meadows Country ParkFive Year Plan 2012 – 2017

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IntroductionFerry Meadows Country Park was created in 1978 to meet the increased recreational needs of the expanding ‘new town’ of Peterborough. Today, the 220 hectare Ferry Meadows is one of Peterborough’s key recreation and visitor destinations, attracting over a million visits each year, and is often cited as one of the best aspects of living in Peterborough.

Nene Park Trust has prepared a new Five Year Plan for Ferry Meadows to ensure that the Country Park continues to meet the needs and aspirations of its visitors. The Plan has been produced through close collaboration between Park staff, visitors, trustees, local residents and the business community, and sets out what the Trust intends to achieve over the next five years.

The main emphasis of the Plan is to enhance and celebrate the lakeside and river valley setting of Ferry Meadows to maximise the exciting opportunities this creates for unique and memorable visitor experiences.

Our overall vision for Ferry Meadows is guided by the Trust’s strategic document, 2020:

‘Nene Park will be an even more exciting,

special and welcoming place for visitors

and wildlife in a wonderful

natural environment.’

ContentsIntroduction 2

Landscape 6

Community 10

Recreation 12

Promotion 16

Nene Park Trust 17

Next Steps 18

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Nene ParkFerry Meadows forms part of the larger Nene Park, which stretches from the city centre for six miles west along the valley of the River Nene. In 1988, Nene Park Trust was established to provide Nene Park for the benefit of Peterborough’s residents and visitors.

Currently, the Trust spends over £1.6m a year on managing and maintaining Nene Park. This is entirely self funded through income from commercial and Park properties, concessions and investments, and is therefore at no cost to the taxpayer.

Nene Park continues to be shaped by the River Nene and its flood plain. It is maturing into a fascinating landscape, with extensive heritage, archaeology and biodiversity throughout its parkland, woodlands and waterways. Areas of Nene Park are designated for their heritage value, with several scheduled ancient monuments and archaeological sites in the river corridor. It is also an important place for people; somewhere that everyone should feel safe and welcome to visit to be active, creative, involved, or simply to relax.

In addition to the numerous park and visitor attractions provided by the Trust, Nene Park also contains a wide range of facilities managed by Trust tenants. These include a watersports centre, two cafes, archery facilities, a miniature railway, boat trips, model boating, lakeside and riverside angling, and a rowing course.

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Nene Park TrustThe strategic management of the Trust is carried out by the Chief Executive and Senior Management Team, overseen by a Board of Trustees, who represent local, regional and national organisations.

The Trust’s work is carried out by an experienced and dedicated team of staff and professional advisers. Together, they perform a diverse range of functions to ensure that the Trust achieves high standards in landscape, environmental and people management, and in the quality of its park visitor facilities.

The Trust is currently implementing 2020, a new ten year vision and strategic plan. Through this, the Trust has set itself the challenge of continuing to improve the landscape and visitor experience in the Park, and to build on its initial successes through the creation and delivery of new Management Plans.

Ferry Meadows Country ParkAs the largest and most visited site within Nene Park, it is right that Ferry Meadows Country Park be the subject of the Trust’s first published Management Plan.

The Plan sets out how the Trust will continue to raise the quality of the landscape and facilities within the 220 hectares of grassland, woodland, lakes and waterways that comprise Ferry Meadows, whilst retaining the special and unique character of the Country Park itself.

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The Plan contains a diverse range of exciting and challenging projects for the Trust, including a major refurbishment of the Watersports Centre, a new and exciting play trail, replacement of the popular boardwalk in Bluebell Wood, and additions to our existing education, events and volunteer programmes.

In common with the 2020 strategy, the key projects proposed for the next five years in Ferry Meadows are grouped under our five strategic themes: Landscape, Community, Recreation, Promotion and The Trust.

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LandscapeOver the next five years, our key projects will include:

l1 Improvements to the Conservation Garden to provide a sensory experience of the wildlife and diversity of Ferry Meadows. (2013)

l2 Improving waste management and increasing the amount of rubbish recycled. (2012 – 13)

l3 Improvements to the visual appearance, capacity and accessibility of the main car park. (2012 – 13)

l4 Enhancing the appearance of the main entrance, improving pedestrian access and management of grass verges. (2012 – 13)

l5 Introducing more colour and seasonal interest through bulb planting and tree species for autumn colour. (2012 – 16)

l6 Improvements to the visual appearance of the storage buildings adjacent to the main entrance. (2014)

l7 Encouraging a larger bat population in Ferry Meadows through the installation of bat boxes and a possible bat dome on Overton Lake Island. (2013)

l8 Reducing the environmental impact of Trust buildings in Ferry Meadows such as through the installation of solar panels. (2012 – 13)

l9 Increasing the areas of wild flowers and arable weeds to encourage insects and feeding birds. (2012 – 16)

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Our aim: Nene Park will be managed and protected as a clean, safe, sustainable and attractive natural environment that retains its river valley character and celebrates its heritage, archaeology and biodiversity.

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l10 Encouraging sand martins to breed through the creation of a new sand martin bank. (2012 – 13)

l11 Enhancing the area surrounding Milton Ferry Bridge to create a landscape setting more appropriate to the heritage and recreational use of the area. (2012 – 13)

l12 Reviewing the management of the ‘old A47’ car park and approach road and working with Peterborough City Council to identify improvements to design and long term maintenance. (2014)

l13 Improving habitats, species diversity and visitor interest in Heron Meadows through grazing and enhancements to the meadows, ditches, scrapes, hedgerows and pollards. (2012 – 16)

l14 Improving habitats, species diversity and visitor interest in Ham Mere through restoration of the wader scrapes, improved habitat management and more attractive bird hides. (2012 – 16)

l15 Creating discrete and natural looking screens for the viewing of wildlife at locations on Gunwade Lake throughout the wooded areas, and investigating the feasibility of tern islands. (2013)

l16 Restoring and improving Goldie Meadow for birds, insects and amphibians and providing viewing areas/screens along the existing path. (2013 – 16)

Landscape continued

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l17 Enhancing the landscape adjacent to the route of the miniature railway to improve visitor interest and enjoyment. (2014 – 16)

l18 Establishing a service level agreement with the local records centre to increase the number of wildlife sightings recorded, and to help inform land management practices. (2012 – 16)

l19 Establishing a staff working group to investigate and deliver ways of making our work more sustainable. (2012 – 16)

l20 Improving the drainage around the Centrepoint buildings. (2012)

CommunityOver the next five years, our key projects will include:

l1 Carrying out satisfaction surveys of Ferry Meadows users and non- users, including children and young people to monitor Trust progress against key targets. (2013)

l2 Working with Peterborough City Council to achieve, if feasible, a bus service to Ferry Meadows (2012 – 13)

l3 Continuing to improve and develop the information, retail and events offer in the Visitor Centre to maximise its use and value. (2012 – 16)

l4 Creating a new flower and shrub border outside the Discovery Den to encourage insects, provide improved visual interest and an educational resource. (2012)

l5 Developing the volunteer programme. (2012 – 17)

l6 Continuing to develop the educational programme on offer to local schools and colleges. (2012 – 17)

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Our aim: Nene Park will be a beautiful, accessible and enjoyable place that provides exciting opportunities for healthy relaxation and learning for the community.

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RecreationOver the next five years, our key projects will include:

l1 Completing a major refurbishment of the existing Watersports Centre and Café and surrounding landscape to create a new and higher quality catering and activity venue in an attractive landscaped setting. (2013 – 15)

l2 Replacing the existing play areas in Ferry Meadows with a new natural play and fitness trail that is exciting, inspiring and fun for all ages. (2013 – 15)

l3 Launching an annual programme of new art installations to celebrate the wildlife, landscape and heritage of Ferry Meadows. (2013 – 16)

l4 Improving the accessibility and aesthetic appeal of the path network in Ferry Meadows. (2012 – 16)

l5 Working with Peterborough City Council to review the maintenance of adopted paths and the scope for long term improvements through new management agreements. (2015)

l6 Installing a new structure to mark the main entrance into Ferry Meadows on Ham Lane. (2015)

l7 Achieving ParkMark safety accreditation for the management and design of the car parks. (2013)

l8 Improving interior and exterior appearance of the toilets through redecoration and other visual enhancements. (2012 – 13)

l9 Investigating and implementing measures to reduce the environmental impact of toilet provision. (2014)

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Our aim: Nene Park will be a place that people regularly choose to visit for the beauty of its natural landscape, the quality of its facilities and its exciting range of activities.

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l10 Achieving Loo of the Year accreditation for the management and maintenance of Ferry Meadows toilets. (2013)

l11 Installing new bird feeding stations in the Conservation Garden that are visible to the public with cameras linked to a screen in the Visitor Centre and the Trust website. (2012)

l12 Creating a new structure, with appropriate landscaping, that can be used for outdoor performances, education sessions and events. (2015)

l13 Improving the setting of the Visitor Centre and Green Café through resurfacing the three paved areas adjacent to the buildings and introducing new brick raised planters to delineate these spaces. (2013)

l14 Providing proactive interpretation and a focal point for feeding wildfowl and an exciting means of accessing the lakeside. (2012)

l15 Investigating a new decked walkway to provide a new exciting opportunity for visitors to view and experience the wildlife of Lynch Lake. (2013 – 14)

l16 Improving the existing paths and boardwalk in Bluebell Wood to create a more accessible circular woodland and riverside walk, with links to the adjacent business park. (2012)

Recreation continued

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l17 Investigating, and creating if feasible, a new accessible circular path around Lynch Wood through improving the existing paths, investigating a new riverside boardwalk with links to the adjacent business park. (2014 – 15)

l18 Achieving Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Scheme accreditation for Ferry Meadows as a visitor attraction. (2013)

l19 Continuing to review and develop events programmes. (2012 – 16)

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PromotionOver the next five years, our key projects will include:

l Introducing a rolling programme of positive initiatives and messages to encourage responsible use of Ferry Meadows, addressing issues such as dog fouling, dog control, inconsiderate cycling and feeding bread to wildfowl. (2013 – 16)

l Replacing all signs with an improved and more appropriately designed range of information signs. (2012 – 13)

l Carrying out a review of interpretation. (2012)

l Improving the interpretation of heritage and wildlife through projects arising from the interpretation review. (2013 – 16)

l Encouraging responsible dog ownership by working with dog walkers and through initiatives such as dog friendly events, dog walkers’ notice board and information leaflet. (2012 – 16)

Our aim: Nene Park will be known throughout Peterborough and beyond as a great park and visitor destination, and for providing high quality, innovative and accessible information.

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Nene Park TrustOver the next five years, our key projects will include:

l Commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Trust’s formation through events and promotion in Ferry Meadows. (2013)

l Reviewing the existing car park charging system, and implementing a revised method if deemed beneficial. (2014 – 15)

l Achieving and maintaining Green Flag Award status for Ferry Meadows. (2012 – 16)

l Achieving and maintaining Country Park Accreditation status for Ferry Meadows. (2012 – 16)

Our aim: Nene Park will be respected for providing an excellent Park, and as an organisation that is involved and engaged in wider agendas throughout Peterborough, and viewed nationally as an exemplar of the park trust model.

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Delivery of the PlanThe delivery of this plan will be monitored on a regular basis by the Trust’s Board and Senior Management Team along with a range of external and internal performance indicators and targets.

To find out more about Nene Park Trust and to check on our progress in delivering the Five Year Plan, please refer to our website or Parklife, our magazine and events guide. Please feel free to contact the Trust team via the details on the back cover.

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www.neneparktrust.org.uk

Nene Park Trust Ham Farm House Ham Lane Peterborough PE2 5UU

Telephone: 01733 234193 Email: visitor.services@neneparktrust.org.uk www.neneparktrust.org.uk

Published May 2012 © Nene Park Trust

Printed on 100% recycled paper using vegetable based inks