Watermead Large Lake Walk Project

Project Type

FCC Community Action Fund

Our Funding

£42,205

Total Project Cost

£103,865

The village of Watermead is distinctive for its lakes and public green spaces. In 2020 the footpath areas around the large lake had started to erode due to heavy footfall and floods causing further grassed areas around the paths to also degrade. The Parish Council began the process of looking at how to improve the paths, develop better access and stop degradation, however in March 2020, due to the Covid-19 lockdowns, the project was put on hold.

During the pandemic the footpaths were used more frequently, with locals, unable to venture far, taking advantage of the green space on their doorstep, and this increased footfall meant in wet weather areas often became impassable.

In 2021 the Parish Council carried out a Neighbourhood Plan which overwhelmingly identified improving the lakeside walks as the main priority within the village and the Large Lake Walk Project was developed.

The application was one of the first FCC Communities Foundation received which directly referenced the impact of the pandemic on the community, and recognised how much the overall wellbeing of the residents relied on the ability to access quality public open spaces

FCC Communities Foundation Board considered the application for funding in December 2021 and approved the grant. The project got underway in June 2022 and took 3 months to complete. The project has been hugely successful with residents of all ages and abilities now able to access the whole of the walkway, regardless of weather or conditions.