National lottery money could become available to add to the improvements in Coventry’s War Memorial Park, it has been revealed.

Details have just been released of a new scheme that promotes the development of green space for the public enjoyment.

Council officials are hopeful that they will be able to win funding to expand the recently announced £350,000 scheme to improve the park.

The plans for the park followed an ambitious scheme developed several years ago that went out to public consultation.

Councillors have decided to go ahead with a skateboard park, a water jet feature and improvements to the pavilion area. There will also be a full time manager and better maintenance of the garden areas.

But they were told that there were a number of other improvements that could be made should the money from the lottery become available.

These include completing the perimeter path so it circuits the entire park, removing run down shelters by Earlsdon Avenue South and Leamington Road, tidying up the car park in Leamington Road and adding CCTV to protect the park from vandals.

The main section used by families on days out could also be improved with the tennis courts being repainted and the children’s play area refurbished.

The remainder of the disused tennis courts could be landscaped to provide a buffer from the new skateboard area.

Head of Parks and Sport Tim Bryan told councillors today that previous lottery bids relating to the city’s parks had been unsuccessful because they had not contained enough of a heritage aspect.

But he said the new fund, which is yet to be formally launched, catered for projects such as those proposed for the park.

Cllr Dave Edwards (Labour, Upper Stoke) said the park was used by people from all over the city and had for years been a great source of a cost-free day out.

He said:

"The people who gave their lives would appreciate the laughter of young people and the beauty of the gardens."