Parks & Open Spaces

Daventry Town Council manages and maintains the parks and open spaces in Daventry as shown in the map below, except for Daventry Country Park and Borough Hill which are managed by West Northamptonshire Council.

Use the links below to find out more about the Council's management of parks and open spaces, including:

• General Grounds Maintenance
• General Repairs & Maintenance
• Play Area Maintenance & Repairs
• Tree Management
• Pond & Ditch Maintenance
• Welton Road Cemetery
• Holy Cross Churchyard
• Allotment Management
• Street Lighting
• Bus Shelters
• Street Furniture

Covered under the Norse contract, the summer schedule includes regular mowing of grass in public open spaces, verges, highways, and residential areas. Herbicide treatments are used to manage weeds and invasive species.

The winter schedule focuses on maintaining hedgerows using tractor-mounted flail equipment. Additional tasks include path edging and debris clearance to ensure open spaces are safe and visually appealing year-round.

Seasonal works, such as leaf clearance, are scheduled between November and December in high-footfall areas, including New Street Park, Welton Road Cemetery, and Holy Cross Churchyard.

The grounds maintenance contract does not include general maintenance and repairs that are required to secure the open spaces.

The Council completes an annual inspection of each open space to ensure that the bollards, barriers and fences surrounding the area are in good condition and effective at preventing unauthorised access, with any works identified being actioned.

The grounds maintenance contract includes routine inspections and repairs to play equipment across the 43 play areas managed by the Council.

The Council is responsible for procuring materials and equipment to carry out repairs to play surfaces and equipment. Surface repairs ensure playground safety and equipment is replaced as necessary to meet the relevant safety standards.

In addition to routine inspections, the Council commissions an annual independent inspection of all Council-managed play areas to determine the overall condition of the play equipment and to highlight future repairs and replacements that may be necessary.

Tree management is primarily covered by the Norse contract, with extra costs for insurance claims and work outside the Council's tree management policy.

Routine surveys identify and remove high-risk trees. This includes pruning, trimming, and tree health monitoring. Additional costs apply for removing self-set trees and insurance-related work.

A specialist contractor appointed by the Council conducts an annual inspection of the ponds, ditches, and other water bodies and carries out maintenance works that promote biodiversity, improve safety, and maintain aesthetic value.

This work involves clearing debris, ensuring proper water flow, and addressing erosion or blockages. External contractors assess and enhance these habitats to align with environmental regulations.

The cemetery is managed by the Council and is maintained by Norse as part of the open spaces contract, which includes regular lawn mowing, weeding, shrub maintenance, preparation for interments, seeding, and topping up of graves.

Norse also ensures that any headstones identified as unsafe by the Cemeteries Officer are secured to maintain safety.

In addition to the open spaces contract, the Council is responsible for other costs relating to the management of the cemetery, which include the cemetery building, memorial testing, and general site repairs.

Find out more about Welton Road Cemetery.

The ongoing grounds maintenance within the closed churchyard is covered by the open spaces contract and includes the maintenance of the war memorial gardens.

Allotment management is partly funded through the Norse contract, with additional costs covered by the Council outside the agreement. General maintenance includes mowing paths, managing water systems, and maintaining hedges and fencing.

Infrastructure improvements, such as upgrading drainage and pathways, are sometimes necessary. Pest control is in place to control pest population, and regular inspections are completed to maintain the sites to a good standard.

Find out more about allotments.

The Council manages 47 streetlights of varied ages and fixings within the town. This includes annual inspections and general maintenance, replacing faulty bulbs, cleaning fixtures, and addressing electrical issues. Spot checks for vandalism or weather damage ensure areas are well-lit and safe.

If you notice a fault with a streetlight near you can report it online here.

The Council manages 23 bus shelters and bus stops across the town which are deep cleaned by an approved contractor on an annual basis. Tasks include graffiti removal, window cleaning, and sanitising seating areas to ensure hygiene and safety.

Regular maintenance is supported by Norse, with the Council covering the replacement and removal of bins and furniture. This includes repainting, replacing damaged parts, and ensuring that all furniture is structurally sound to keep public spaces attractive and functional.

In 2023 and 2024, the Council participated in No Mow May. This annual campaign encourages people to leave lawns and grassy areas unmown for a month to promote the growth of wildflowers, encourage biodiversity, and protect pollinators.

A selection of open spaces and verges around Daventry were identified where grass cutting could be left or suspended for the month. Letting the grass grow longer means more flowering plants, which provide a vital source of nectar and pollen for pollinators like bees and butterflies.

More than 700 species of wildflowers grow on verges in the UK, so No Mow May is an opportunity to create a healthier habitat for insects, birds, and other animals.

Find out more about No Mow May.

If you wish to hire one of our open spaces, please complete the initial enquiry form below so we can check availability of the space.

Please note: (i) Proposed event must be at least six calendar weeks between similar events in Daventry Town (ii) Applications must be received six weeks prior to proposed date of event.

See our policy on the use of open spaces for events and activities.