Beating the Bounds
Priorities for Burgess Park

Consultation with park users report
May 2009

Introduction
The consultation project was undertaken to engage with park users and find out more about park users' aspirations for the park. The consultation will enable Friends of Burgess Park to speak and lobby as a friends group on behalf of many more park users. The events have also enabled the Friends of Burgess Park to become more visible to park users, local groups and other key stakeholders particularly Southwark Council. The consultation was supported by a Community Council Grant from Southwark Council.

The timing of the consultation is particularly relevant. Whilst this project was being developed Southwark received £2 million from the Mayor of London for improvements to Burgess Park and the Aylesbury NDC added a further £4 million, making £6 million to spend on the park by 2012.

FOBP are delighted that this money has been allocated and would wish to see the funds spent in a manner which delivers on our core priorities: to enhance, protect and promote Burgess Park.

We have used the opportunity of this consultation to find out about park users priorities for Burgess Park and tested out some new activities for the FOBP undertaking some practical projects in the park and the May Fair to promote all the activities in the park.

Summary of key points

• Priority areas for improvement are basic facilities; paths, seats, lighting, with appropriate maintenance and safety
• Improved landscaping
• A range of playground facilities for all ages.
• Removal of the old roadways.
• Establishment of a perimeter path which could also act as a running/jogging track (cinder path). It would also link peripheral areas.
• Existing facilities need to be better promoted; toilets, café, access to sports facilities.
• Communication and community events programme needs to be established to promote the park.

Local people’s priorities for the park improvements
During the consultation events FOBP have spoken to hundreds of people, most at some length and in detail on their views about Burgess Park. The clear message from local people is that the priority should be basic infrastructure improvements. The most frequently mentioned items were improved paths, bins, benches, playgrounds and removal of the old roads.

The people we spoke to are already park users and do value some key features of the park; the wide open spaces, wildlife, the existing sports facilities, a space to come and use. There was also recognition of the features which could be enhanced; history of the area and the opportunity for large and small events.

However, many people were not aware of all the existing facilities in the park; like the toilets and café. People also wanted more activities and events in the park run as local/community activities. Frequent mentions included events for families and events for older teenagers and more dog shows.

Beating the Bounds consultation

The consultation took place during April and May 2009, on five different occasions  and at five locations around Burgess Park (see below for the schedule).

Fortunately the weather was fine for each of these outdoor consultation events. The FOBP were able to engage with people and have the opportunity for many in depth conversations about the park. Further detail about each of the consultation events is below.

Objectives for the consultation

• raise the profile of the Friends of Burgess Park,
• develop relationships with other local community groups
• undertake some practical activities in the park
• begin a dialogue on the boundaries of the park
• promote the May Fair
• target numbers for each event is 30 people to enable detailed conversations

Outcomes

• develop a better understanding of park users priorities for the park
• consult specifically on the park boundaries and Glengall Wharf project
• develop contacts with local groups and increased membership ( by 45) of FOBP
   

Analysis of priorities identified by the wishes

The wishes provide detailed information about the types of improvements which people would like to see in the park. Clear themes have emerged which are considered below in relation to FOBP objectives:

Enhance
The wishes provide lots of ideas for the types of activities people would like to do in the park. Some require special facilities but not all. Many are for regular clubs for use by local residents but also people from outside the immediate area, using a mixture of regular activities (gardening and walking groups) and high profile or occasional community events.

There is substantial interest in increasing walking, running, green gym and other physical fitness type activities.

The biggest single request was for a playground and recognition that different age groups require different facilities. There is also a big push for a BMX track.

Glengall Wharf -  Consultation in this area of the park proposed further use for the Derwent Wharf site for a community orchard and edible garden. Residents who live near this area of the park supported the broad proposal. The horse, currently on the site is very popular. Throughout all the consultation events people expressed an  interest in animals forming part of the park in some way.

Protect
Park users have a strong understanding of the wildlife benefits of the park. Balanced with support for more planting, a wider variety of plants and more flowers.

People want the park to be well maintained, litter and rubbish cleared and for the park to have a better sense of safety. If people do not feel comfortable in the park it will not be used. Several people commented how the park had improved in recent years and how they are more willing to use the park during the day. There was consistent requests at all of the consultation events for improved lighting.

Park Boundaries – specific discussion took place at the Glengall Road consultation on the park boundaries and the local residents who attended strongly support the peripheral areas being managed and built into the broader Burgess Park vision.

Promote
One of the biggest requests was for public toilets. There are toilets at three locations in the park which should be open to the public. The second main request was for a café (or another café). Many people FOBP spoke to were not aware that these facilities already exist. These requests were made at all locations, including the two held outside Chumleigh Gardens.
The FOBP May Fair was an opportunity for many of the groups which deliver activities in the park to work together and promote themselves.

From the FOBP consultation it is clear that many people are not aware of ll the facilities which already exist in the park, or how to access them.

Individual reports for each consultation event 

Albany Road / Lime Kiln Consultation
Saturday 26 April 2009, 11.00am – 1.00pm

"I really like the park as it is"; "Burgess Park is a lovely park"; "I know about the money the council has for the park" were some of the positive comments in Burgess Park on Sunday from people we spoke to at our first 2009 consultation event.

Lots of people had wishes to make and you can see some of them here. Many of the wishes were for a better children's playground so it was fantastic to be able to say that the council will soon start work on a new playground next to Chumleigh Gardens.



We also tidied up the ornamental grasses by the lime kiln. This will help the new green grass to grow through during the summer. Everyone enjoyed having a go with the clippers; you can see the transformation in these pictures.


Glengall Road / Glengall Wharf Consultation
Sunday  May 2009, 11.00am  to 1.00pm

Elderflower cordial and tasty snacks made from rose petals and borage flowers were available at this consultation event at the Glengall Road end of the park.

Many people stopped and made a wish for Burgess Park as well as discussing the Glengall Wharf proposal for an orchard and edible garden. FOBP had leafleted the nearby houses, flats and the Bridale Close so there was a lot of local interest.

Many people were very knowledgeable about local wildlife reporting regular sightings of woodpeckers, jays and sparrow hawks. Many of the wishes for the park are for more wildlife areas.

Discussion about the Glengall Wharf proposal were wide ranging. Everyone agreed that the site should not be used to dump rubbish.

People also asked lots of questions about the horse that is currently on the site. This prompted ideas about how other animals (hens for example) could be in the park. Overall there was a positive response from people who came to the consultation to develop more detailed ideas for Glengall Wharf.

Local people agreed that the peripheral green spaces around Glengall and Cobourg Road are part of Burgess Park.

Chumleigh Gardens/Dog Show Consultation
Saturday 2 May 2009, 12.00pm – 5.00pm

The consultation event with the Dog Show was a great chance to talk to the dog owners who regularly come to the park. The wishes made at this event are similar to the wishes at the other events, but with a number of requests for dog areas and other doggy activities.

There was a request by dog owners across all the events for separate space for dog owners so that their dogs can be off the lead. There were also requests for dog free areas where people can play, particularly with children and sport, without worrying about dog poo.

The Dog Show was a great success and people would like to see more of these type of community events in the park.

During the afternoon FOBP also re-planted the dry garden in St George’s Churchyard replacing flowering plants and shrubs that had died due to poor maintenance and to enhance this quiet seated area just behind the church. Someone who had learnt of FOBP because of the consultation came along and helped with the planting.

Lake Consultation
Thursday 21 May 2009, 3.30pm onwards (as children came out of school)

The lake was peaceful and quiet and then suddenly around the corner from Cobourg School a steady stream of children and parents came into the park.

This was a great opportunity to ask parents and children their views on the park. Lots of the ideas and wishes for the park were about the lake including cleaner water, more wildlife, canoeing. Quite a few children wanted to have a go at fishing.

Lots of requests also for a playground and access to sports facilities plus events in the park that families can come along to. FOBP were also able to use this consultation event to promote the May Fair and quite a few people seemed to know about this already.

After a short burst of activity; when lots of wishes were written, juice and biscuits eaten, the lake was peaceful again. Then a few couples, and parents with young children were left by the lake, strolling by watching the baby ducklings and swans.

May Fair – Chumleigh Gardens
Saturday 30th May, 11.30am – 4.00pm

The first May Fair was a great success, and hopefully we can look forward to doing it again next year with bigger and better ideas, and more organisation and funding.
Everyone seemed to enjoyed themselves.

Clubs have got new members, the cafe was heaving, families strolled about bouncing on castles and making floating swans. Seeds were planted in paper pots and the Latin American musicians got toes tapping. Plenty of sporty activities got people running around and generally the whole park was buzzing. There was a terrific turnout from the BMX track and the Southwark tigers who put on events outside Chumleigh gardens, Thames 21 were on hand in the lake to give everyone a chance to try fishing.

Most importantly though FOBP and other groups active in the park have at last met each other and along with the rest of the local community we're more informed about what an amazing place Burgess Park is.

The raffle was a great success and raised 140.00 for the Friends, and will be put to very good use organising more participatory events for all. 

Analysis of the “wishes” from each consultation

Location: Lime Kiln (Albany Road)
Saturday 26 April 2009, 11.00am – 1.00pm
Total number of wishes: 41

Wishes

Ecology
4 x more flowers
2 x wildlife

Events in the park
More festivals
Gardening activities

Landscaping
Wheel chair access
1 x time garden,
1 x peace garden
3 x get rid of old roads / restore paths /suitable for wheelchairs
1 x Increase open aspect
2 x Sculptures

Park facilities
1 x Animals – horses
4 x secure area for dogs – 1 x dog pond
3 x Café and toilets

Playgrounds and sports/fitness areas
22 x playgrounds – football, swings, tree-house
6 x sports access to be increased
1 x green gym

Safety
1 x avoid mini motors
1x more park’s police
3 x better maintenance  -1 x less broken glass 1 x more bins

Positive statements
Good to see police on bikes

Location: Dog Show (outside Chumleigh Gardens)
Saturday 2 May 2009, 12.00pm – 5.00pm
Total number of wishes: 65

Wishes
£6m park project to enhance the park
1 x Don’t lose what has already been achieved

Ecology
6 x wild areas - trees, oaks, wooded areas, shrubs, flowers 
3 x planting - flowers, shrubs, edible plants

Events in the park
Activities for young people
prevent anti-social behaviour, space for 13-16 year olds
frequent and small, community events, multi-cultural centre
x  activities for different age groups and families
2 x go-karting (turn up and use)

Landscaping
2 x sculpture

Park facilities
Water
5 x Pool (open air pool, pool)
6 x paddling pool
1 x pond with boats
Animals
5 x animals farm animals and horses
7 x dog areas
1 x no dog areas
2 x dog training/ dog shows
Café and toilets
x café (including halall food and 1 x pet friendly
1 x drinking water
6 x Toilets - at both ends of the park, accessible
1 x cycle lanes
Playgrounds and sports/fitness areas
23 x playground - swings, slides, climbing frames, paddling pool, sand
1 x less sport

Safety
1 x stop chucking rubbish
1 x with supervision
x Safety
1 x CCTV
1 x no smoking
5 x more lighting

Positive statements
1 x More people to use and enjoy the park 

Location: Glengall Road / Glengall Wharf
Sunday 11th May, 11.00am to 1.00pm
Total number of wishes: 57

Wishes
£6m park project to enhance the park
Promote park as pleasant green corridor

Ecology
More woodland plus landscape the lake
6 x More wildlife/ Wildlife planting/Butterfly conservation and protection of habitats.

Events in the park
Outdoor workshops
Kite flying hill
Art pieces will get graffitied, so just give them a wall to do it properly
Outdoor cinema for summer
Ice skating in winter
Facilities for seniors

Landscaping
4 x more flowers and shrubs
Colourful landscape
Feature gardens (like Peckham Rye)
More secluded private garden areas.
4 x Need to connect areas with eg green bridges, paving over streets, paths over roads
2 x Deal with derelict and neglected areas
Install geothermal technology for all park installations and sell excess to provide funding and reduce reliance on external funding
3 x Remove old roads
3 x Better pathways -
Keep park boundaries the same
5  x dog area, clean area without dogs, Encourage dog walkers to edge of park.

Park facilities
3 x clean toilets
2 x benches, Seats down Canal path
Drinking water
Educational centre for residents
Cafe
5 x café - Improve existing café, café by lake
Barbecue area
Playground
12 x Playground - Paddling pool, Swings and slides, Several children’s play areas
Activities for disabled boys
Organise activities for all in summer holidays
2 x Adventure playground for teenagers
5 x Lido
Sport/ Keepfit
5 x Outdoor gym - Fitness units at different points
3 x Running track - Running club with changing rooms
Walkers club
Fitness centre
Permanent football goals on grass
Golf practice
Bike parking
2 x Clearer marked cycle lanes, Dedicated cycle lane
2 x Cycle track
Safety
7  x Lighting and safety so people can walk at any time
2 x More wardens/patrols
2 x Make safer
1 x CCTV
More rubbish bins

Positive statements
Keep Chumleigh Gardens as it is, peaceful and tranquil

Glengall Wharf - Edible Garden / Orchard
Sunday  May 2009, 11.00am  to 1.00pm

Keep Derwent (Glengall ) Wharf as it is but enhance wildlife planting.
Area where people can grow things
5 x City farm, animals
2 x Fruit tree planting
Café at Glengall wharf end
2 x Allotments
Edible garden and orchard
Use Glengall Wharf area for allotments
Education centre for environment and wildlife learning
Organic garden for growing veg
Edible garden for the community to maintain and sell excess produce to raise funds
Amphitheatre at Glengall Wharf

Location: Cobourg School and Burgess Park Lake
Thursday 21 May 2009, 3.30pm onwards (as children came out of school)
Total number of wishes: 46

Wishes
£6m park project to enhance the park
1 x careful management of the £6m project money which should be spent fairly
2 x respect residents wishes when implementing the £6m project

Ecology
1 x bird feeding by the lake (also mentioned under organised events)
1 x preserve duck life
1 x ecology centre linked to schools and the community (also mentioned under park facilities)
1 x young planting group (also mentioned under organised events)

Events in the park
2 x funfair (free)
3 x fishing
1 x canoeing on the lake
1 x carnival
1 x bird feeding by the lake (see ecology above)
1 x young planting group (see ecology above)

Landscaping
2 x more landscaping including flowers and plants
1 x gate (fence?) around the lake
1 x reflective object by the lake to reflect the setting sun

Park facilities
1 x entertainment area
1 x  BBQ area
3 x café - includes making the Chumleigh cafe more accessible and 2 requests for another cafe
1 x ecology centre (see ecology above)
Lake
1 x open the lake earlier
5 x clean up the lake - includes improving the wooden walkway
1 x another lake/pond
Playgrounds and sports/fitness areas
11 x playgrounds - games, swings, slides, ropes, family friendly, 1 o'clock club
7 x specialised play/sports areas - skateboard, rides, roller coaster, scooter park, outdoor fitness, football pitch,
4 x swimming pool
Lighting
2 x more lighting - including on the central path

Positive statements
1 x £6m is good news for families
1 x the lake area and bins are kept clean


May Fair
Saturday 30th May, 11.30am – 4.00pm
Total number of wishes: 68

Wishes
£6m park project to enhance the park

Ecology
2 x wildlife areas

Events in the park
5 x fun days and activities

Landscaping
1 x restore the canal

Park facilities
1 x arts centre
1 x community gardening
1 x dogs only area

Lake
x more fish
x boats on the lake

Playgrounds
16 x playgrounds – climbing frame, swings, slides, bouncy castle
x specialised play/sports areas - skateboard, rides, roller coaster, scooter park, outdoor fitness, football pitch,
Playgrounds like Kensington Gardens and Finsbury Park

Sports
19 x Bigger and better BMX track
3 x skateboard park
x football pitch
2 x outdoor facilities/green gym
2 x want to access football facilities/football club
Lighting
x more lighting –
x cleaner less litter, bins for recycling
Archery range
Remote control car race track

Positive statements
Empower the area