Overview
We have conducted an online and in person consultation for Adderley Park to get people’s views on the proposed landscape improvements proposed at Adderley Park. We have created engagement through three online drop in sessions at Adderley Primary School and speaking to the children in class as well as school newsletters, social media, events put on by the school, speaking to groups through the neighbourhood network programme, posters, and leaflet drops.
Collectively, we have received 99 responses, 88% of those people living within 1km of the open space. The other 12% of respondents that don’t live in the area, were asked why they are answering the survey. The main reasons were: they used to live close to the park, they were a part of the friends group, had family living in the area, or they are staff from the local school, or the park is local to their place of work. Therefore, everybody that has responded has a connection with the park, even if they are not presently a local resident.
Out of the 99 responses we have received, 99% of people agree with the potential for landscape improvements proposed at Adderley Park. When asked to state a reason why they supported the improvements, most people have stated that they can’t wait to see the park improved and that it is in need of it. The results are as follows:
Proposed improvements
In the consultation, we have asked the contributors their views on the support of suggested improvements. The improvements that had the highest amount of support were:
1st: New sporting / play areas / outdoor gym facilities, with 99% of respondents saying they agreed with this suggested improvement
2nd: New entrances and improved circulation routes, with 97% of respondents saying they agree with this suggested improvement
3rd: Additional tree and shrub planting, with 96% of respondents saying they agree with this suggested improvement
4th: New wildlife / wildflower areas, with 94% of respondents saying they agree with this suggested improvement
5th: New community celebration / performance space, with 92% of respondents saying they agree with this suggested improvement
6th: Additional interpretation and information facilities, with 89% of respondents saying they agree with this suggested improvement
7th: Possible future ‘pop up’ café / restaurant, with 88% of respondents saying they agree with this suggested improvement
8th: Grow your own plots / allotments, with 87% of respondents saying they agree with this suggested improvement
In the comments respondents have made, there seems to be a very positive response to an outdoor gym, and a play area that caters to all ages of children, hence why 99% of people support the improvements of the sports and play facilities.
Community activities
Respondents were asked what community activities they would like to see in the park. Commonly mentioned were the following:
Prayer Area
Clean Air zone in the park
Picnic Area where no dogs were present
Activities for kids such as crafts
More involvement with sports for kids, playing badminton, football etc
A place in the park for the elderly community to get together
Festivals
Performances
Celebrations / Parties
Other facilities that respondents would like to see included
We have asked respondents to tell us if there are any other facilities that they would like to see included in the park. The results are as follows:
Toilets was by far the most desired facility that most respondents have listed, with 25 responses. Other popular choices were play area for all ages with 10 respondents listing it, and seating area with 8 respondents listing it.
Provide your ideas for new play area
We have asked respondents to provide their ideas for the new play area. The results are as follows:
20 responded that they would like to see more swings, which was by far the most popular choice, followed by 13 respondents saying slides, and 10 saying the equipment should be suitable for all ages.
Volunteering
The respondents were also if they would like to become a volunteer for the Park. 15% of people responded “Yes”, 48% were unsure and 37% said “No”.
Additional comments
Respondents were asked if they have any additional comments to add. Most didn’t have any, but the respondents who did have comments have mostly mentioned the following:
To consider all members of the community, including disabled people when making the improvements.
Summer fairs for children and more activities in the park to teach them skills.
Eradicate drug use in the park.
Ban motorbikes from the park.
The park should have better litter control.
Make the park a safer place with lighting on boundaries and CCTV.
Think about the demographic and layout of the park –The existing entrance, noise, parking and traffic issue as the current layout might be appealing for some local residents.
Protect the park from fly tipping.
A leisure centre would improve the park.
Consider the inclusion of a drinking water fountain.
Adderley Primary School involvement
The children from Adderley Primary School have also been involved in the consultation. At the bottom of this document you can find are the children’s ideas as part of the Adderley Park Masterplan Engagement.
As seen on the children’s drawings, they had a lot of good ideas. Most children have included a play area in their drawings, which shows this is not only the most desired landscape improvements by adults, but by children as well. A lot of the children have also included planting such as trees and shrubs, and flowers which seems important to them.
A lot of children have also included a body of water such as a pond, which seems like that is something they would like to see. Other facilities the children have included were football pitches, zip wires, gym area, wildlife, picnic area, ice cream trucks, toilets, café and many more.
It has been very interesting to see the children’s ideas as it has offered us an insight into what the younger age group might want, as they are a large percentage of the park users.
Final comments
To summarise, most people support the proposed improvements at Adderley Park. The most desired facilities are new sporting, play area and gym facilities. When respondents were asked what they would like to see included in a new play area, popular choices were swings and slides and equipment for all age groups. Additionally, a lot of respondents have expressed a need for toilet facilities, more security such as lighting to feel safer in the park, more seating areas, new paths and many more facilities that we will be taking into consideration.
Thank you to everyone that has contributed to the consultation. We have received a lot of useful feedback and really appreciate all of your comments. We will be taking your views into consideration and hope to put some of them into practice in due course.
Adderley Primary School Masterplan Ideas
