FRIENDS OF LAMBETH HIGH STREET RECREATION GROUND
WALKROUND SUNDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2010
ATTENDEES:
COUNCILLOR MARK HARRISON, DAVE TARLO, MAUREEN JOHNSTON, BARBARA WILLIAMS, JANINE NELSON, MAVIS MATE, EILEEN BAGGE.
The committee originally planned a walk around the Lambeth High Street Recreation Ground (LHSRG) to complete a comparison of the existing features and the planned renovations. However, Maureen Johston who is Chairman of Kennington, Oval and Vauxhall Association and Friend of Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park atteended and was able to share valuable experience. Thus, the committee agreed to change the agenda of the meeting, and instead, made a list of all the repairs, items that needed to be removed or replaced. Proposals of what will also be required in the completed park was discussed and noted.
This has resulted inthe Friends having a list of essential repairs and a wish list that can be prioritised according to urgency and funds available.
SECTION 106 MONEY
Please will Lambeth Parks Projects (LPP) give the committee a full history of the Section 106 money, explaining who has paid the money? Councillor Harrison is currently consulting with the council to determine if there is a time limit that the Section 106 money has to be spent by.
SUMMER FETE
It was agreed at a previous Friends meeting that the committee will hold a Fete in LHSRG inviting locals so that an up-to-date survey can be carried out on the needs and wants of the local residents and users. The committee agree that many of the features of the existing planned proposals are good, but priority needs to go to existing outstanding repairs and must take into consideration the needs of the stakeholders. Without the stakeholders having and feeling full ownership of the park, then vandalism , neglect and other problems will arise.
ENTRANCE
If the proposal of the Lambeth High Street entrance being moved to the corner of Old Paradise Street, then one tree will have to be felled. This would however, give a good view of the park and was generally received favourably.;
FENCING
There is strong consensus that the existing fencing should be retained to keep costs down to essentials for the time being. Will LPP please provide a full costing of how the Section 106 money had been apportioned to each feature throughout the planned proposals? Who will benefit from the replacement fencing? Will it be a local business that gets the tender or should this be a chance to provide training for local unemployed in the future?
The existing gate at the Whitgift Street entrance needs to be replaced and a suitable style and material needs to be agreed.
PERIMETER WALL
There are several areas where the perimeter wall is collapsing and in some cases dangerous. The area dividing the arches, existing gravestones are propping up the wall.
It was agreed that all essential repairs need to be completed to ensure full compliance of Health and Safety Laws and also for security of the park. Councillor Harrison took photographs of broken sections.
The wire fencing dividing the park and Whitgift House car park should be removed and a living divide (such as evergreen, or vine) could be planted. If people enter the park at night, then a temporary fence can be erected until the living fence has grown to an acceptable height.
It was agreed that is essential to keep all original walls and fencing and in some areas, it walls may need to be cleaned.
GRASSED AREA
There is a need to determine where existing graves are situated and how deep there are sited. This is essential to determine if the existing mounds can be flattened. This will improve the surface area and more use can be made of areas that are currently only used by dog walkers.
PATHS
There is currently too much concrete, paving stones and even tarmac areas and paths that need to be completely replaced with better looking and more durable paths. There is also a requirement for a perimeter path, to make full use of the whole park area and will provide stakeholders with a jogging path. The possibility of the circumference being measured, so joggers can estimate the distance covered but laps of the park, was also suggested.
WATER FEATURE
This is an area of concern as the existing feature is ugly and dangerous. It was agreed that this is a very important feature of the park and careful decisions need to be made as to how much needs to be spent. The possibility of going along with the existing plans or wait and seek additional Section 106 money was discussed and needs to be decided in the near future.
GRAVESTONES AND TOMBS
The committee were happy that the gravestones and tombs will be given full attention and in most cases, be mounted on the perimeter wall. A proposal to keep the theme of the park as a memorial and sell wall mounted brass plaques to commemorate events such as births, deaths, marriages, retirements, including death of much loved pets, would be an excellent fund raiser and will ensure a regular income. This would also help the longevity of the park at a time of huge redevelopment.
WATER
There is an necessity for access to at least one or two water taps for watering the plants and a need for a drinking fountain.
GRAFFITI
Graffiti is a constant problem on the adjoining Costa Coffee Wall and a deterrent and need to minimise access is essential.
CHILDRENS PLAY AREA
The committee is not able to determine the likely use of a renovated play area as there are several in the area. Consultation with an expert and locals may be necessary to determine what should be installed. Signage of maximum child age limit would need to placed, but this is difficult to enforce. Committee members also discussed the possibility of a Summer House with mains electric and water in a fenced area, with planting and a small polytunnel for children. This would ensure good use by the Garden Museum and also local schools and may also be another source of regular income.
Fencing in of the play area with suitable fencing materials, including necessary height will need to be ascertained.
SECURITY
Community Police will be willing to attend to advise on essential security requirements. Existing lights do not work and should be repaired or replaced. The possibility of solar lights, that do not disturb wildlife should be researched and decided.
TREES AND SHRUBS
There is a need for a full survey of all existing trees and shrubs. Varieties of trees need to be ascertained and in some cases, squirrel guards installed to encourage bird nesting.
Thames Reach in Lambeth High Street will need to be consulted and asked to remove the dead and rampant Russian Ivy that is growing over the wall and existing trees.
MORTUARY CORNER
There is an area near Costa Coffee, which was part of the old Mortuary and a remaining tiled brick wall still remains. This is a feature that could be researched for historical interest.
ORCHARD
The area near Whitgift Street entrance has been proposed as a future orchard is well received and the fruit trees planted by the Garden Museum would be replanted there.
WALLED GARDEN
The curved brick structure needs to be removed and the gravestones re-sited. Using this area as a quiet area with gates was positively received.
DOGS
Many dog owners use the park and it was agreed that if residents and existing dog owners self police the park and encourage responsible ownership, with bins, bags and signage, then this may be sufficient. This is successfully happening in the Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park.
FURNITURE
There is a need for tables, chairs, benches and waste bins. These may be provided by local businesses.
USE OF TOILETS
Discussions relating to use of toilets were debated and a general consensus to use the existing scheme whereby the council pay local businesses to use their toilets was generally agreed.
PLANTS AND PLANTING
Plants and planting needs to be planned and agreed. Consultation with the existing gardeners will be needed as they will be able to give good advice about what works and what needs constant attention. It is proposed that locals and the Friends Group will contribute to the upkeep of the park in addition to the council gardeners.
Tuesday 23 March 2010
Friday 19 March 2010
Walkabout 40
Current 1980s fencing.
Apple trees have been planted too close together? Should be moved to the new orchard area at Whitgift Street entrance?
Walkabout 38
Back to the walled garden area, Low curved brick wall to be removed. Unattractive
boundary with Thames Reach Centre. Attractive old railings should be retained.
boundary with Thames Reach Centre. Attractive old railings should be retained.
Walkabout 37
The Friends in the walled garden. This could be a place where memorial plaques could be sited, which could be an opportunity to raise money for the park.
Walkabout 35
Walled garden area.
1980s light column- what should be the future of lighting in the park? Does it need to be lit if it is closed at dusk?
Walkabout 33
Gravestones mounted in low curved brick wall. The engraving on the stones has
worn away entirely.
worn away entirely.
Walkabout 26
Unsightly wire fence dividing Whitgift House from the park. Replace with natural hedge? Or attractive railings?
Walkabout 25
Gravestones already lined up against wall. Developers of 2 Whitgift Street have installed trellis at top of wall – growing opportunity
Walkabout 24
Dense foliage obscuring the perimeter path (by back of 2 Whitgift Street). Needs
replacing to open up path to make it more attractive.
replacing to open up path to make it more attractive.
Walkabout 23
‘Orchard’ entrance from Whitgift Street. Walled garden effect. Long term aim: to improve look of/ screen the walls and viaduct and remove graffiti
Walkabout 22
'Orchard’ entrance from Whitgift Street. Walled garden effect. Need for planting along the wall.
Walkabout 21
Entrance gate on Whitgift Street – gate needs replacing but Victorian fence railings
should be kept
should be kept
Walkabout 20
‘Orchard’ entrance from Whitgift Street. Walled garden effect. Pointless low brick walls should be removed. In the background – the fence railings which should be kept and the gate which should be replaced.
Walkabout 19
Eastern perimeter – worst boundary of the park. Very ugly back yards of arches
under viaducts. Perhaps some kind of screen could be installed?
under viaducts. Perhaps some kind of screen could be installed?
Walkabout 18
Dense foliage obscuring the perimeter path (by back of 2 Whitgift Street). Pointless
low brick wall could be removed.
low brick wall could be removed.
Walkabout 17
Eastern perimeter – ugliest boundary of the park. Gravestones appear to be propping
up the wall which is leaning alarmingly. Perhaps need for screening from top of the wall – eg from 2m to 5m high
up the wall which is leaning alarmingly. Perhaps need for screening from top of the wall – eg from 2m to 5m high
Walkabout 16
Eastern perimeter wall. Back of Costa Coffee factory. Need for screening? In the future: any development of the sites should make better use of the boundary of the park – attractive walling, windows, balconies, active boundary
Walkabout 15
NE corner of park – mortuary tiled brick wall – painted dark green. Are rubble remains of mortuary building under this corner of the park? Will levelling be possible? Interesting archaeology? Make more of the heritage?
Walkabout 14
Eastern perimeter – Costa coffee factory. Green painted wall is attractive and disguises graffiti. Graffiti on factory needs removing. Factory needs screening? In the future: any development of the sites should make better use of the boundary of the park – attractive walling, windows, balconies, active boundary
Walkabout 11
Main path and seating area by water feature. Empty tree pits and random concrete
block. Dark foliage planting
Walkabout 9
Current play area – moss has grown over an unsatisfactory surface. Play equipment
is ok but could be better. Wooden fencing is old and dark.
Walkabout 7
Current water feature. Plans for improvement are ok, but Friends want to think more
about a long-term replacement. Uneven paving.
about a long-term replacement. Uneven paving.
Walkabout 6
Corner of wall at Gabriel House boundary. Brick corner pillar is leaning because plant is rooted into wall.
Walkabout 5
Corner of wall at Gabriel House boundary. Plaque recording the closure of the
burial ground and its opening for public use by Lambeth’s vestry. Currently obscured
behind brick vault and bushes – should be more prominent, and engraving restored?
burial ground and its opening for public use by Lambeth’s vestry. Currently obscured
behind brick vault and bushes – should be more prominent, and engraving restored?
Walkabout 4
By Old Paradise Street boundary – concrete block – what is it? 1970s sculpture or something more?
Walkabout 2
View from proposed new entrance to park at corner of Old Paradise Street and
Lambeth High Street. To create a straight diagonal path the tree closest to the green sign will have to be moved. Alternatively the path could wiggle slightly through the two trees though this might not look satisfactory. New trees should be planted alongside the new path to continue the avenue of trees.
Lambeth High Street. To create a straight diagonal path the tree closest to the green sign will have to be moved. Alternatively the path could wiggle slightly through the two trees though this might not look satisfactory. New trees should be planted alongside the new path to continue the avenue of trees.
Saturday 6 March 2010
Next meeting
The committee meet regularly, and all are welcome to join us.
The plans for the park will be exhibited next Wednesday, 20 October, from 8am to 8pm
At:
125 Lambeth Walk, SE11 6EE
The Friends will be holding a follow up meeting the following week, date tbc.
The plans for the park will be exhibited next Wednesday, 20 October, from 8am to 8pm
At:
125 Lambeth Walk, SE11 6EE
The Friends will be holding a follow up meeting the following week, date tbc.
How to join the Friends
Membership is currently free, and we would be delighted to welcome you as a member.
Simply contact our Secretary by emailing secretary.friends.of.lambeth.rec@gmail.com and you will be added to our membership list.
It would be helpful if you include your full name and address in the email.
Simply contact our Secretary by emailing secretary.friends.of.lambeth.rec@gmail.com and you will be added to our membership list.
It would be helpful if you include your full name and address in the email.
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