Does anyone have access to a questionnaire or have knowledge of researchers that have previously undertaken similar research even if it was for different groups?

The intention is to sample from each world country grouping Cities Park’s managers e.g. Canada, USA, South America, UK, Europe, Asia, Asia Pacific, Australia & New Zealand, Africa-South Africa.

I need names and contact details (managers name, city name, & email) of potential participants in order to contact them to confirm their participation in this planned research.

Are you interested to participate?
Contact me,

Willie Nel,

willienel at wbs dot co dot za

South Africa

Does anyone know if there are any companies which produce kits for timber pond dipping platforms?  If not are there any plans available to glean specifications etc?

Many Thanks,

Rob

Our local park (Lavender Fields Park) is at the centre of a Regeneration area defined under the Neighbourhood Renewal Stategy.  Under pressure from the local Residents Association and the Multi-Agency Group for Regeneration, the local Authority has invested circa £200k from grant funding received from the Big Lottery and the London Marathon Charitable Trust.  This has been used to refurbish a near derelict multi-sports area and childrens play area.

These welcome re-developments have met with an immediate increase in use of the park by local children during every daylight hour, who, before, had nothing to do in the area. However, to ensure that hirers do not have argument with local children using the multi-sports area, the Parks department are considering locking it up, despite earlier undertakings to the contrary.

The problem arises from the steadily deteriorating condition of the rest of the park.  The area is identified as a Sports area, but the Pavilion has been neglected for many years and the council is currently debating whether the leaking roof can be repaired.  As a result, clubs wishing to use the changing facilities are currently denied access on safety grounds.

Ironically,the council’s own magazine, “My Merton” recently boasted of the upgrade of the lavatories in Lavender Pavilion to DDA standards, yet no member of the public (disabled or otherwise) has gained access to these toilets for many years as they were only opened for those renting a pitch, (i.e.the Lacrosse club that hires a pitch once every fortnight Oct- April.)

Significantly Lavender Pavilion was entirely ommitted from the Merton Open Spaces Stategy document.

The Trim Trail has recieved no maintenance for many years and at least one piece of equipment is broken and dangerous.

An artificial Bowls Green, built several years ago with no supporting infrastructure (i.e. Clubhouse) was never used and is now derelict.

The perimeter fencing is 2,330 metres long. These metal railings are broken and rusting in places (vandalism and dog urine) and, several of the 30 gates are broken.  None of the gates of fencing appears to have been painted since installation many years ago.  Failiure to maintain this park furniture is likely to significantly reduce it’s lifespan.

The signs indicating dog free areas are missing or defaced and restrictions are never enforced. Local byelaw signs are missing or vandalised.

There is no park ranger allocated specifically to this park.

The council states that there is no further capital funding allocated to Lavender Park. Painting and repairs are, they say, capital, not revenue funded.  It would appear that there is no revenue budget to maintain facilities, I find it difficult to believe that our Parks department is simply managing the decline of amenities and the long term prospects for the new facilities are not rosy without a either a maintenance budget or supporting changing/meeting facilities for clubs. I am surprised that funders were prepared to commit capital without maintenance undertakings.

This is all occurring in a “regeneration area!” Whilst we have no immediate aspirations to a green flag, do others have similar frustrations in trying to improve facilities?  Is Merton’s policy (or lack of it) unique?

Gardens which take part can be:

Garden squares, old and new
Communal gardens of private residential developments
Gardens of private institutions eg religious establishments or city livery companies
Community gardens and allotments
Gardens belonging to shops, offices, hotels or restaurants
Gardens attached to public buildings or other institutions, such as schools, hospitals or museums
Gardens of historic interest, or attached to historic buildings that are in public ownership.
Most of the gardens which take part are not normally open to the public (or have limited opening times) and are hidden or not fully on view to the public.

Profits from ticket sales are shared between participating sites and help to support the work of the London Parks & Gardens Trust. Gardens are also welcome to raise money and/or awareness for their own causes.

For further information, call: 020 7839 3969

I think this is a brilliant idea!  As a parks employee it is very useful to be able to see what people think and feel about parks in other areas.  Long may it continue!

Thanks,

Lee