MORDEN PARK WORSKHOP 3 SAFETY, ACCESS, EVENTS AND LEISURE PURSUITS WEDNESDAY 8th 2009 WORKSHOP FEEDBACK: INITIAL REPORT On arrival, attendees were asked to sign-in and provided with a guidance note on how the workshop would work and the activities they could take part in. 19 of the attendees signed-in, with the total number of visitors approximately 25. This document outlines in more detail some of the key issues to arise from this third workshop.

SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION

This was a series of seven display boards, outlining the context to the workshops and the areas in which we were seeking feedback.

SECTION 2: ACCESS

There were two exercises to undertake here, designed to understand how attendees accessed the park and how they think it might be improved.

In the first exercise, attendees were asked to make on a map where they accessed the park and any general comments they might have. Alongside the standard entrance points, attendees marked a number of unspecified entrances (where gaps in the fences allowed easy access in to the park), particularly in the area opposite Morden South Railway Station.

Other comments received: - Please make many more access points to the current fenced off

areas (old sports part). They feel like they are restricted areas at the moment

- To encourage use make the car park free with a gate in the fence to the north

- Lower part of park by river is often waterlogged in periods of heavy rain – suggest land drainage into river

- Remove all fencing with exception of fencing required for safety reasons

- Create paths all the way around park for walkers, runners and cyclists

- Access needs upgrading to be made inviting and to indicate areas of park to visit

Exercise two in this area asked people to comment on how access might be improved for the elderly, the disabled, cyclists, pedestrians, or any other category. A broad consensus emerged that the park is not accessible enough, with particular issues for disabled people. Some of the suggestions for overcoming access issues are outlined below: - Please extend compacted gravel park all around the park! Its too

restricting for disabled people - Extend compacted gravel for all so that everyone can walk around

park in any weather (gets too muddy in winter) - Need more all weather paths for buggies, wheelchairs etc - Gravel path around outside of park - Put a cycle path around the outside of the park - Take down inner fence of the Hillcross Avenue path. It will save

money in maintenance and bikes could then use it. It is too narrow now.

- Could you allow for a horse park around the park? Green Lane stables would be really grateful

- Take down all internal fences. Open up the park! SECTION 3: SAFETY AND SECURITY

Again, this involved two different exercises. Firstly, attendees were asked to consider their number one security or safety issue in the park and place it in the appropriate location on a large map. Also, space was provided for those who had no particular concerns to make their voice heard. Number one security issue:

- Widen the Hillcross Avenue path and take down inner fence.

Open it up - Create a flood plain at the bottom of the park to help stop

Hatfield School of local area flooding! - Remove old changing rooms that attract yobs and graffiti

- No Goals - I would use the paths between London Road and Hillcross Avenue

at night - I walk my son to school daily using this footpath. I have seen

suspicious looking sorts around here and luckily the police do patrol around here but not often enough for my liking. The car park at the end of this path (by Morden Park House) is also dangerous and if the Council are looking to raise funds that should actually charge people (why not?) for using this.

No security issues: - Who uses the park other than residents? - Nothing specific – motorbikes? Sometimes - I have no issues with security. I always feel safe. - Morden Park is lovely! Very safe - Don’t destroy Morden Park by building in the middle of north park The second exercise asked attendees to outline what improvements could be make to make the park safer and more secure. The comments received are outlined below: - Good lighting up main entrance (London Road) essential for

pedestrians to use baths/park/registry office - Lighting along the two paths between London Road and Hillcross

Avenue would be good - Bring back park wardens and give them more powers to stop

hooligans / yobs - Resident park wardens (used to live at the top of the park /

playing field

- Part patrols in 4 wheel drive vehicles keep down vandalism in adjacent borough (Sutton)

- More policing to discourage drug dealing students in park, especially 8.45-9.30am, 11.30-12.30pm, and 3-4pm.

- During 1950-60, park wardens kept Alsatian dogs at rear of park house

- The reintroduction of park keepers (wardens) would be very beneficial

- Maintain perimeter fence, no holes, so children cannot run out into the road and closing gates

- A park warden and an office would be good, so there’s a point of contact in the park

- Beware that you are not allowing them to erect buildings - Stop parking after dark in Links Road, Hillcross Avenue path.

Youths in cars park here as it is dark off the main road - Money! - Keep perimeter fencing SECTION 4: EVENTS

The first part of this exercise was a ‘famous parks’ quiz, with attendees’ asked to identify 8 different parks (Merton wide, London wide and world wide). 15 people undertook the quiz and the winner will receive a £20 Waterstones Voucher.

The second exercise asked about what events people would like to see in the park and whether there were any concerns about hosting events.

What events would you like to see in the park? - Sports and athletics. Not football - Make use of the band stand for all types of concerts etc - Nature walks and talks - Opera in the park - Theatre in the park - Folk Country in the park - School events - Money goes to the park - Make the park earn the money it needs for improvements, run

events - Commercial events like wedding shows, garden equipment shows,

country shows, sports events - Commercial, organised events that raise money for the park - Organised walks and lectures using Morden Park House - Nature and historical walks - Celebration of the diverse groups in the borough! - Exercise classes - Folk music events during summer which used to occur during the

1950s and 60s behind Park House - Lots of youth events! Encourage them! - Plays/music at the bandstand - More music at the bandstand - More local events like Lions Fayre but will all the cars/bikes they

used to instead of glorified car boot! - Fair (fun) – bank holidays - Concerts (not pop), using the bandstand - Theatrical productions - Bands playing pop concerts - School performances - Keep fit events - Nature walks - Treasure hunts for kids - Sports other than football - Music and theatre, sports, youth events - All that’s noted above Any concerns? - No - No, but clear up after event - Increased traffic, encourage green modes of transport, please also

recycle waste created - No - Move tennis parking from main park to other less used field? - Not if properly organised and have proper closure times that are

adhered to - If they are too big the grass gets ruined. Also need to be policed

so that cars don’t race around and bbqs don’t burn the grass and cooking oil dumped on grass

- Noise late at night - No, but tidy up afterwards SECTION 5: ALTERNATIVE ACTIVITIES

This task was aimed at finding out what alternative activities people would like to see in the park and where. Using visual prompts, attendees’ were asked to suggest alternative activities and where they might go.

Suggestions included: - Athletics and archery (all used to be in the playing fields) - Ensure the area is available for a multitude of activities / pursuits

and not dedicated to a few - Adventure playground, using wood as in the New Forest. They are

in the shape of giant animals. Kids love it. - Go for it! Provide many varied activities, the more the merrier - Any sport not requiring destroying the grass areas, except for

high/long jump etc, or the addition of floodlighting - Cricket practice is the most popular use at the moment. Practice

nets / areas that are vandal proof - No more football pitches! - Outdoor swimming pool - Roller skating rink - Ice skating rink - Kite flying - Model aeroplane rallies - Kite buggying - Outdoor chess tournaments

Attendees were also asked to identify the most appropriate locations in the park for alternative activities.

The following suggestions were made: Lower Morden Lane end Frequency board for mobile flying area

Registry office

Formal gardens with walk through the house

Bandstand area Make more use of the bandstand (less bureaucratic) Field A

- Why don’t they bring back the tennis courts here? I do see people using the old courts but if these were up-graded and maintained a lot more people would use them

- And cricket nets Field B

- Archery, volleyball, badminton, softball - Designated BBQ area / picnic area, as in Australia - Please see the location for changing rooms and indoor

training facility for outdoor sport on the Association AGM notice. This was chosen after years of consultation, meetings etc. We need one building to serve all the playing fields

Various general comments were made also in this section: - No commercial developments in the park - Keep green spaces - No noise! Please do not remove natural turf and replace with

plastic - How about a bowling green - No floodlights - More dog mess bins - Where are the green issues? - Management and leadership of the park is key, needs vision and

creativity - Create many activities for the young people of the area. Get

them engaged!

ENDS