Dear Park User
 
Our recent "walkabout" with the new parks manager, Paul Foinette, on Saturday 4th of July enabled us to show him some of the problems our park suffers from. This is the first time he has been able to meet a group of members of the User Group in the park. He was helpful and noted all our concerns. By the time our tour had finished he knew we take the state of our park very seriously.
 
We started at the Lido and went to the large entry gate at the northwest corner of the Lido wall. The lower left hand hinge has been missing since the pools refurbishment and some workmen (bodgers) have even been to the trouble of welding some metal onto the base to support that corner. Paul has since emailed Bini Crooks regarding this and notified John Wade, head of parks & green spaces.
 
We inspected the toilets and voiced our concern about the past vandalism of the fixtures and fittings. Paul said that it now isn't as bad as Haggerston and pointed out the new CCTV camera trained on them now, which may have stopped some of the problems. We noticed the gutters and other roof areas were still blocked with last winter's leaves. He told us that would get priority. I pointed out the down pipe on the men's side that was still not attached to the gutter and insufficiently attached to the wall. It can be found hidden behind the opened toilet entry door. This has been in the same state since the refurbishment a couple of years ago. And lastly the area in front of the disabled toilet, the surveyor responsible for the original survey prior to refurbishment had informed us that wheelchair access was insufficient. It required an extended turning area in front of the door. This was never completed.

Coming up to Lamb Lane we could see the newly seeded wildflower area, planted in March. This was looking impressively colourful. It shows how we could easily improve other areas and simultaneously improve the biodiversity of the park.
 
We have been in discussion with the Hackney Cyclists, on and off for some years and have agreed with them that fast cycling in the park is unacceptable and the division of some paths with areas for cycling only, only encourages cycling speed. It is primarily a pedestrian area, with people of all ages and all levels of fitness using it. We explained to Paul how we had previously asked for signs for the paths stating that pedestrians have a right of way. And eventually when the paths are resurfaced to do away with the cycle only paths and adding signs on the path as well, stating pedestrian right of way. Paul has requested signs for the paths.
 
We also noted there was more cycling on the grass now, than ever before. Really cyclists should keep to the paths and not initiate short cuts, that later become over worn and eroded, grassless tracks. There is one of these (A) going west from the "Pub on the Park" towards the Lido and Gayhurst school and another (B) in the centre of the park, crossing a wild grassed area. Paul said he would place some paling fences in strategic positions to stop further wear to this grass.
 
Coming to the south end of the park, by the concrete statues of the market traders, there is an area of concrete mounds in the former paddling pool, for cycling and skateboarding on. Surrounding this is a concrete path, dating back about a century, which is extremely badly worn and a danger for falling on and in great need of resurfacing. Paul took a note of this and said he would see what could be done to solve this problem.
 
On the walk back we concentrated on the condition of the grass. With the growing population of younger people moving into the neighbourhood, most of whom have no gardens, the park is in greater demand than ever for outdoor leisure. On top of which are the magnets of Broadway Market and the Lido for drawing people into the area of London Fields. On sunny days and weekends it is beginning to look as if you could not squeeze another person onto the grass.
 
The consequence of this is piles of rubbish left on the grass and around the bins. The picnics and barbecues, which are not allowed in Hackney parks, cause considerable mess. While those who barbecue with the tin foil trays, without raising them on bricks, burn the grass, killing it deep down to the roots. Most people take their rubbish in plastic bags to the bins, while the more conscientious and ecologically minded take their rubbish home.
 
Most of the rubbish, particularly after drinking parties, some of which can go on all night, is empty bottles, cans, bottle tops and cigarette buts. The bottle tops often go undetected in the grass, get sliced by the mowing machines and finish as sharp, sickle shaped objects for people and young children to sit on. We found a pertinent, hand drawn poster, on one of the rubbish bins, covering these problems. Syd took a photo of it, together with common examples of the other sins on the grass. See photo 1, photo 2, photo 3, photo 4 and photo 5.
 
We hope to see some signage in future, to show that barbecues are not legal in the park.

We have been trying to organise a meetings since the AGM, but find difficulty in finding free venues. Particularly to arrange regular meetings for the committee. Which is why we have held "walkabouts" in the park, with the manager, as an on the spot alternative. Has anyone any suggestions?
 
Regards

Mike

APRIL NEWSLETTER 2009

Dear Park Users

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING held Thursday 26th March 2009 at the Hothouse, 274 Richmond Road E8

27 people attended the meeting. Ivor Benjamin was invited to chair the meeting by the Chair, Mike Martin. Ivor introduced the prior committee, Mike Martin - Chair, Alan Rossiter - Vice-Chair, Al Hepworth – Secretary and himself – Treasurer and welcomed all park users to the meeting.

Ros Brewer, Green Flag judge and Landscape Development manager for Tower Hamlets, who was responsible for organising and finding funding for the November bulb planting, was then invited to address the meeting. Ros discussed the prestige of the green flag award scheme for parks, how she felt London Fields had achieved accreditation and the criteria for further improvement. It is great to have an expert devote time to our park.

The Chair then gave an ANNUAL REPORT detailing briefly some of the group’s achievements to date (attached).

ELECTIONS The meeting Chair then invited members to engage in the election of a new committee. All candidates stood unopposed and all park users present agreed upon their election, except in the case of Environment and Lido, where a job share by two members was unanimously agreed.

The 2009 LFUG election result is as follows:

Mike Martin – Chair; Alan Rossiter - Vice Chair; Ivor Benjamin - Treasurer; Al Hepworth – Secretary; Sid B & Martin C share the - Environment post; Georgina P – Youth; Louise T – Sports; Michael D – Events; Oliver B – Communications; Oona B – Horticulture; Helen K & Michala E share the Lido position.

All were proposed and seconded from the floor and accepted unanimously for the new committee.

London Fields park supervisor Chris Tsentides was then invited to answer questions about supervision and maintenance of the park:

Rangers When are the Ranger on duty? Chris told members of their shift patterns 7am-3pm and 3pm-8pm, 7 days a week. At any one time there should be at least two rangers working. Hackney is in the process of taking on new rangers.

Rubbish Bins Members made a request for the extra large rubbish bins to be returned, especially for weekends. Chris agreed that the bins would definitely be back for the summer months and there was a possibility of adding further bins for the months when occupancy of the park is high. A request was made by some people for recycling bins inside the park. Something the user group had opposed in the past and we already have them at strategic entrances. Chris said this was a possibility and he would take the issue up further.

Toilets Members asked Chris why the male toilets have been closed for the winter and if they would reopen. He responded that works have been delayed by parts now on order and that the toilet should reopen within the next two weeks. There was some discussion of the need for further monitoring of the toilets to prevent the regular vandalism (we were told at a previous meeting that this was costing up to £600 a month). Members asked if there could be a return of the cleaning rota on the walls of both male and female toilets, Chris said he would investigate further.

Dog Toilets There was discussion of the previous “dog toilet zone” (hedged areas near some of the entrances) and the need for greater monitoring of dog waste in the park. It was agreed that between members and Chris, that more dog waste bins (the previous ones – about 30 - were all stolen in one night) dog waste bags and greater enforcement was needed to keep the park clean. It was suggested that this is promoted within the dog owner community who use the park. A member also asked about the possibility of a composting dog toilet and the meeting Chair agreed this was to be brought up at the first committee meeting.

 Chris was then thanked for his time and input and.

CONSTITUTION The meeting Chair then brought the minor amended sections of the Group’s Constitution to the attention of members for the vote. All red wording additions were agreed and passed. After discussion, it was agreed that no further changes to the constitution could be made without prior consultation. If any more alterations were required to the Constitution, such as to accommodate funding, a further public meeting would be called.

GENERAL DISCUSSION The meeting was then opened for general discussion of the points brought up by users:

Paths and fences in the north field Jim, a cricket devotee described how a path was been worn through the south of the cricket pitch as a shortcut from Pub on the Park to the Lido & Gayhurst School. This increased wear has been a concern for some time. He also expressed concern for park users being injured when walking or sitting within the cricket outfield during the summer months. The erection of a fence or the blocking of this path was discussed. Some members mentioned that a piece of fence maybe missing from next to the Pub on the Park, promoting the movement of customers to this shortcut. This area is council property and should be raised with parks management

Park Keepers Lodge The User Group proposals for this building currently include using the upper floor as park Rangers and maintenance offices and lower floor as a public meeting room and ecology centre for local youngsters, with storage for sports equipment and preferably the addition of a café next door. One member proposed seeking the return of the building to provide council housing.

Multi-use Games Area (MUGA) Members discussed the stance of the group toward the building of a multi-use games pitch in the south of the park. The meeting Chair and group Chair said that the group has historically supported the development as a partial replacement of previous facilities. Jim reminded us that the Fields were surrounded by hundreds of flats with many young teenagers who needed sports facilities. While Peter Snell who reorganised the User Group 23 years ago, said how there had always been sports facilities on the Fields. He had resurrected the User Group in order to improve and increase these facilities.

 Sid B, Martin C and Nicola S, all said it was in the wrong place – on common land – was inappropriate, etc. The Chair relayed to the group that though the project has passed Hackney’s own planning procedures and had passed to the Planning Inspectorate and DEFRA, it is still in planning stages and as such, the public may take up any issues with these. Any objections or representations should be sent in writing before the 20th of April to:

The Planning Inspectorate, Room 4/05 Kite Wing, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol BS1 6PM.

We had gone over time, so the Chair thanked the members for attending and committee for their support and the meeting closed.