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September 2009 Newsletter |
Dear London Fields Users
At our last meeting, on Wed. 23 Sept. 7pm at FREE FORM, we had a presentation by Bruce Irving, our new parks development officer. He explained that there had been a complete restructuring of the hackney parks dept recently. In July all the parks and green spaces came within the remit of the new Park Development Team of 3 officers. Bruce is responsible for the development of Albion Square - Clapton Common - Clapton Pond - Clapton Square - Hackney Downs - London Fields - Millfields & Springfield Park.
We asked him how money is allocated and what budget is available. They are still piecing together finance details and don't currently have access to budgets. There will also be funding from Section 106 building development <http://bit.ly/4aRly1>. He went on to explain that they are gathering the wishes of the community via the parks' user groups to prioritise spending. There is around £70k allocated in total for Hackney. London Fields has a project to rejuvenate the market traders statuary being investigated. He also agrees to pay for further bulb and wild flower seeds.
He went on to explain that they are drawing up a 2 page protocol which will list each groups' top 3 priorities, e.g. more benches, more members, focus on raising capital for projects or better communication with council. The protocol is limited to 3 priorities but they can be changed if the protocols are updated and re-agreed. He pointed out that this was not about listing normal tasks, which are part of the park's management responsibilities. We suggested a cover all proposal of Park Safety;Increasing Biodiversity and Improved Recreation/Play Facilities.
Action: Committee to agree on “protocol document” and top three priorities.
Litter
The group agreed that the sharp bottle top shards created by the mowers, presents danger and there is risk of injury especially to children. That a deep clean is needed over winter. This is especially prevalent in the south west corner of the park where the grass is littered with fag ends, bottle tops and some broken glass. On the 21st October we have some supervised volunteers from Starbucks helping out in our park. Maybe they could clear up some of this mess.
Our environment officer Syd has written to the mayor who replied saying the Director of Community Services will look into the issue. An update has been requested.
Action: Syd to report back to the group.
BBQ Damage
Heat from the cheap BBQs trays used in the park is destroying the grass in many patches in the areas most popular with picnickers. The grass is burn through to the roots so will not grow back easily.
We consider that the park rangers do a sterling job. There is difficulty enforcing regulations when guidance is issued to avoid confrontation but with backup they would be more effective. Georgina pointed out that LF was the only green space in Hackney where rangers didn't enforce by-laws banning BBQs and that prevention was crucial. People should be strongly encouraged to bag up rubbish and "leave no trace". A joint meeting with police was touted and a dedicated BBQ area was discussed but thought unworkable.
Syd pointed out that the underlying cause of the damage is that low cost BBQ trays at local shops that have no stands and Al suggested looking at fixing this issue as a way of dealing with the problem. The group discussed an absolute ban and there was general consensus that this was possibly the best solution and a BBQ ban campaign should be trialled for 12 months, with notices at all entrances.
Action: Al to set-up a vote on website.
By-laws
It was questioned about the park by-laws covering this and other items. Mike reported that the local by-laws are being rewritten and updated at the moment. The group stressed that they wanted to comment on them and be part of this process.
Action: Alan to investigate how.
LFUG Projects
Mike outlined some of the projects on what is known as 'the list'; bulbs planting, installation of a new ping pong table near the tennis courts for people waiting, the regeneration of the playgrounds with better seating, signage to alert cyclists that pedestrians have a right of way in the park, etc. The list is organic and has been built up over many years. The signage for cyclists, to stop speeding produced the most discussion. Bruce informed the group that there were many alternative ways of funding projects and his team were working on a spreadsheet listing all the funding opportunities available.
Action: Bruce to publish on council website and forward link to the group.
MUGA and re-turfing of the central redgra area.
Martin queried the group's position on the council's plan to provide a 30x18m multi-use games area in the park (see http://bit.ly/LG9zu). Mike explained that the MUGA had been on the list of LFUG projects for many years and that the group had always supported the provision of appropriate new recreational and play facilities in the park. The council conducted a detailed consultation program over a 12 week period in August 2007 involving the LFUG, local residents and resident associations, local school pupils and teachers. The group thought it would be useful to prepare a document clearly listing the benefits and disadvantages of the plan for the next LFUG committee meeting.
Commercial use of the park.
The process resulting in the Secret Cinema taking over a large portion of the park, showing of the violent and inappropriate film, “The Warriors” and charging £20 a head entry was deemed to be totally unacceptable. The group must have input to any future event permission process. The group are totally opposed to fly pitching and commercial exploitation of the park. It was agreed that this should be added to the Park Development Protocol with a minimum notice period for the LFUG to consider the position. |
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What is the London Fields User Group? |
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This WEB site has been produced by the London Fields User Group (LFUG). We are a community group consisting of local residents and other users of the park at London Fields. Our aim is to keep and improve the quality of the park. Support and improve the wide variety of facilities for everyone in the park, including the sports and recreation facilities. We celebrate the wide diversity of nature and biodiversity, and aim to keep and improve this. We are especially concerned about play and other facilities for children and young people. Most recent improvements and developments in the park have been produced with our full involvement or were initiated by the User Group. See the History items. Tell us what you'd like - join in with us so we can make the park even better, and help to make a better Hackney! |
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