Walkabout notes

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.