Key Points made:

Community Safety

* Concerns expressed about pedestrian safety – particularly children – risk of collision from fast moving cyclists. Suggestions included warning signage to ask cyclists to slow down as children may be playing, or possibly painting a dedicated cycle lane through the park.

* Motor vehicles entering Ice Rink car park at the west of the Park cross the path of cyclists and pedestrians. Suggestion of warning signage.

* One attendee stated that the Park walkways after dark cause concern for personal safety

Bio-diversity and Natural Features

* Bulb-planting – noted that the Park had very little flora (commented that was a bit a bit boring and lacked natural features) – much potential for spring flower beds, wild gardens – particularly between the trees by the walkways. Acknowledged there are limitations given the Park’s sports grounds use.

* There is a neglected flower bed “triangle” at the east entrance of the park – again much potential – and a possible project to create an ornamental garden in partnership with the local primary school.

* Riverbank area – there was discussion over the potential for improvements to this habitat. Noted that the fence was an eyesore and a litter trap but conflicting views about the necessity for the fence and child-safety issues with access to the riverbank. Masterplan to be drawn up for Park and riverbank improvements? Discussion also over possible impact of flood prevention work.

* The West side of Park (next to the car park ) has a row of unsightly and rusting metal bollards– use of a natural feature as a Park boundary/barrier instead?

* Noted that other Friends Groups/Parks had produced leaflets or signage to provide inormation about the local flora and fauna.

Park Amenity Improvements

* Request for more seating.

* Noted that park visitors did not have anywhere to shelter in the park – though noted such a shelter could encourage anti-social behaviour.

* Noted that the local cricket club have a project underway to seek funding to refurbish and re-develop the Armoury
storage building. It was hoped that this development would provide a room for local community use in the building.

* Grant monies will be made available to the Group to undertake a project with a Community Arts company to improve
the exterior of the Armoury building – idea is to engage with youth (e.g. local cricket club Youth section, the Primary School etc) to take part in a 2 day workshop to produce murals on the north wall of the building.

* Once paint supplied by CEC, the cricket club will be repainting the rest of the Armoury building to cover up
the unsightly tagging.

* Potential for a petanique area?

Park Events

* Noted that other Friends Groups run summer fetes.

* Hold a dog show (given popularity of park with dog-walkers?)

* Hold litter clear-up events.

Next steps:
The FoRP committee will analyse the meeting outcomes and draft a programme for action and liaison with CEC and other relevant bodies.