Case Study 6

Project: Water Recreation Strategy and Management Plan for the Lee Valley Park

Client: Lee Valley Regional Park Authority

Outline: The development of a strategy to manage present and future water recreation activity in the Lee Valley in a sustainable way.

Our approach: The Lee Valley Regional Park is a nationally important water recreation resource stretching north from the River Thames for around 35 kilometres. It is a magnet for many forms of water based activity ranging from angling to yachting, and embracing motorised sports. It is also an important venue for other activities such as walking, cycling and camping that benefit from the enhanced setting provided by attractive areas of water.

However, the Park is also a very important habitat for flora and fauna, and is a nationally and internationally recognized habitat for many birds.

The Lee Valley Regional Park Authority approached us and asked us to develop a strategy in association with the Hertfordshire and Middlesex Wildlife Trust that would identify:

• the 'critical capital' for both recreation and nature conservation interests; and,
• sustainable 'trade-offs', and water management techniques that would help to ensure both interests could survive and prosper together within the Park.

Benefits: The Strategy became a core component in the wider review of the Park Strategy. It was also at the time thought to be the first attempt to tackle the issues inherent in the successful coexistence of water recreation and nature conservation on a sustainable, holistic and long-term basis.