A SCHEME aimed at improving walking and running routes in parks has been launched today by Coventry City Council.
New paths have been completed in 42 of the city’s parks and open spaces with distance markers and route maps.
The council’s ‘Coventry on the Move’ initiative aims to boost infrastructure to make parks a more attractive place for walking, running and cycling.
The Coventry Public Health Team says distance markers and maps of the routes in each park are accompanied by a noticeboard with details of activities and community events.
Pupils from Wyken Croft Primary School walked one of the new routes in Caludon Park at the launch event today and got certificates upon completion.
The Coventry Sports Foundation ‘Wheels for All’ scheme also provided a number of bikes at the launch for local councillors to cycle the route and highlight the accessibility of the new paths.
Cabinet member for public health and sport, Coun Kamran Caan, said: “Coventry on the Move has been an exciting initiative for our parks. It has so far enabled us to make better use of the vast green space we have in the city and we hope this will continue.
“It provides free and accessible means of support for people to take up physical activity outdoors.
“The benefits of taking even gentle exercise outdoors are well known and we all need to look after our health and maintain a healthier lifestyle.
“This is a citywide scheme, and it would be fantastic if it could encourage more people to get outdoors using their parks and green spaces, trying something different and meeting new people.”
Graham Hood, head of street pride and green space at Coventry council, said: “We are really pleased to have launched this development to Caludon Park and we are looking forward to seeing communities take up more activities in their local outdoors areas.
“Public health and the parks team at the council have been working together to bring this initiative to the city to make sure people get the best out of the greenspace and parks in their local areas.”
For more information go to the scheme’s Twitter page: @covonthemove.
The new routes can be found at:
Stoke Heath Sports Ground
Moat House Park
Radford Recreation Ground
Edgwick Park
Holbrooks Park
Cash’s Park
Woodway Walk Open Space
Radford Common
Blackwatch Recreation Ground
Cubbington Road Open Space
Sowe Common North and South
St Margaret’s Park
Barras Heath Park
Blackberry Lane Open Space
Simon Stone Street Open Space
Wood End Brookstray
Caludon Castle Park
Wyken Croft Nature Park
Morris Avenue Open Space
Brinklow Road Open Space
Binley Recreation Ground
Willenhall Brookstray
Stoke Aldermoor Open Space
Stoke Green
Gosford Park
Humber Road Open Space
Whitley Common
Stivichall Open Space
War Memorial Park
Spencer Park
Tutbury Avenue Open Space
Prior Deram Park
Park Wood Meadow (combined with Westwood Heath IOS)
Floyds Field Sports Ground
Allesley Park
Lake View Park
Sovereign Row Park/Jardine Crescent Sports Ground
Hearsall Common
Gosford Green
Nauls Mill Park
Coundon Hall Park
Jardine Crescent Sports Ground (The Ponderosa)
