Friends of Victoria Park started as a loose-knit campaigning group in 2013 to oppose poorly controlled parking of caravans and cars on Victoria Park throughout August during the National Bowls Championships.

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With the massive support of over 1,500 signatories to our petition, we ensured that caravan parking was moved elsewhere and that car parking is better managed in a much-reduced area than previously.

 

We formalised our organisation, with a Constitution and elected Committee, in 2017. Since then, we have had many interactions with Warwick District Council in our efforts to protect and improve the park.

 

Milestones have included:

• September 2013 -  over 1,500 sign petition to protect park from extensive car and caravan parking 

• March 2017 - Friends of Victoria Park launched as formal not-for-profit community organisation

• April 2018 - online survey co-sponsored with District Council attracts record 1,059 responses 

• December 2017

  • Leamington Spa announced as host of 2022 Commonwealth Games lawn bowls & para bowls:

  • Friends invited to join Warwick District Council's Victoria Park Stakeholder Group

• End 2018 - Friends play a leading role in defeating two planning applications to tarmac parts of the park

• October 2020 - Friends help evaluate contractor bids to design & install new £350k play area

• 2021/2022 - Friends' pressure helps ease plans to limit access to the park during preparation for, and hosting, the Commonewealth Games bowls

• June 2022  - spectacular new play area opened and hugely popular