Arkwood worked with Dacorum Borough Council to develop a masterplan for the redesign of Coronation Fields. Coronation Fields is a seven hectare park that functions as the main access to greenspace and vital recreation source for surrounding communities. The refreshed parkland will provide spaces for active recreation and play as well as places for calmer enjoyment of nature. The new masterplan sets out a new vision for the site and builds on the existing natural capital to provide amenity and recreational space for residents.
Client and Contract Period
Dacorum Borough Council:
2023-2025
Project Objectives
Coronation Fields exists as a ‘blank slate’ and is mostly comprised of a monoculture of amenity grassland, leaving a lot of scope for proposed designs and changes to be made to the space. Part of the design process has involved consultation with users of the park and enhancing connectivity of existing paths as well as an improvement to their condition.
Based on our analysis and consultation feedback, the primary principles of the design are: enhanced connectivity to the park and promotion of active travel; increased recreational value and formal play; cost effective and low maintenance design; and the promotion of nature recovery.
Proposed plans include enhancing the sense of place via the implementation of destinations in the park, which will in turn elevate the site’s overall aesthetic cohesion and spatial legibility. Alongside this, the promotion of nature recovery via improvement of green infrastructure will also be a focal point of the design and will benefit local flora and fauna as well as enhancing the experience for park users.
Issues, Challenges, and Outcomes
As with many of our projects, consultation functioned as the main aspect of our design process via an online survey. Foremost, it is a community aspiration for the modernisation of recreational facilities with particular emphasis on enhancing the children’s play area, upgrade of the sports facilities and amenities such as seating. We also set out plans for distinct character areas to create unique experiences as users move throughout the space. Local people also shared that they would like improved natural features and as the park is a monoculture of amenity grassland, there has been a lot of scope to develop ambitious plans for the space.
The park’s general path network and condition requires significant improvement, and this was also highlighted by users of the park as needing improvement. The existing pathway system falls short of current standards for inclusive design, lacking in accessibility compliance, and surface quality. Additionally, the consultation has highlighted a request for new pathway connections, particularly between Deans Way and Hobbs Hill, which would enhance internal circulation and connectivity to the park’s wider hinterland.
Services
- Masterplanning and Detailed Design
- Engagement and Consultation
- Park Design
- Project Management and Lead Consultancy
