Bessingby Park, Cavendish Park and Pine Gardens Management Plan 2015 – 2020
Bessingby Park Complex Management Plan 2015 - 2020 ______
1. Table of Contents
page 1. Table of Contents 2 2. Introduction 3 3. Site Summary 4 Map 1 - Key Features of Bessingby Park Complex 7 Map 2 - Aerial Photograph of Bessingby Park Complex 8 Map 3 – Location of Cavendish in London 9 Location 9 Access 10 Map 4 – Access Points for Bessingby Park Complex 11 History 12 Ecology 19 Recreational Facilities 21 Present Use 23 Management Arrangements 23 Community Contacts 23 4. Vision for Bessingby Park Complex 25 5. Site Aims and Objectives 25 6. Management Actions and Maintenance Plan 42 Appendices Appendix A – Introduction to the London Borough of Hillingdon 47 Appendix B – Site Grounds Maintenance Standards 50 Appendix C – Site Tree Survey 52 Appendix D – Site Marketing Analysis and Plan + Evidence 65 Appendix E – Council Plan – Commitment to Green Flag Awards 68 Appendix F – Playground Inspections 69
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2. Introduction to Bessingby Park complex
For the purposes of this plan the chain of parks consisting of Bessingby Park, Pine Gardens and Cavendish Park will be referred to as Bessingby Park Complex, or simply shortened to the Parks.
Together these parks serve as a hub for both passive and active recreation, hosting lawn bowls, tennis, cricket and football. The park is also very popular with cyclists, young families who come to use the playgrounds, and dog walkers. The parks are also home to a children’s day nursery and The Cavendish function venue.
The parks are supported by an active “Friends” group, which host events such as quarterly tidy-up days and hugely popular Easter Egg Hunt.
The Cavendish attracts visitors to the Parks The Friends help to take care of the Parks
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Details Site Name Bessingby Park Complex Address (Main Entrance) Bessingby Road, Ruislip Postcode HA4 9AN Grid Reference 510725.27; 186687.21 Ownership London Borough of Hillingdon Name of Lead Officer Neil O' Connor Lead Officer’s contact details Postal: Green Spaces Team Civic Centre 4W/08 High St, Uxbridge Middlesex, UB8 1UW Phone: 01895 556 000 Email: no'[email protected] Date site acquired Bessingby Park – 13 Feb 1914 Cavendish Park – 9 Aug 1948 Pine Gardens – 1950 PPG17 designation Park and Garden London Parks typology designation Park and Garden Access points Bessingby Park Main Entrance: Bessingby Road (HA4 9AP)
Other Entrances: Via alleyway beside 41 Whitby Road Via alleyway beside 123 Whitby Road From Pine Gardens
Cavendish Recreation Ground Main Entrance: Opposite 363 Field End Road (HA4 9NS)
Other Entrances: Via alleyway beside 384 Field End Road Via alleyway beside 330 Field End Road Via alleyway beside 51 Southbourne Gardens From Pine Gardens
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Pine Gardens Main Entrance: Corner Pine Gardens & Springfield Gardens
Access – Public Transport Bessingby Park 114 Bus
Cavendish Recreation Ground 282, 398, 975 Buses
Eastcote London Underground Station is 520m from the entrance to Cavendish Park
Pine Gardens 398 & 975 buses Key features Historic features Cavendish Pavilion Horticultural features Flower and shrub beds Wildflower meadow Sporting features 3 x Senior Football pitches 4 x Junior Football pitches 1 x Multi-games ball wall 2 x Bowling Greens 5 x Tennis courts 1 x Cricket table Other recreational / leisure facilities 2 x Children’s Playground Resting points Several park benches Other designations Conservation Area Yes Tree preservation orders No Playground/s designations Local Area of Play
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Description: Bessingby Park Complex is made up of three adjoining green spaces: Bessingby Park, Pine Gardens and Cavendish Park.
The parks feature numerous sports facilities including 5 tennis courts, 7 football pitches, 2 bowls greens, 1 grass cricket square and 1 multi-games ball wall. These facilities are supported by 2 bowls clubs, 1 cricket pavilion and 1 football pavilion. There is also a restored cycle training track.
The parks are also home to The Cavendish function rooms and a day nursery.
Children visiting the site can enjoy two playgrounds; one traditional at Pine Gardens, and one modern ‘playbuilder’ style in Bessingby Park.
The parks are also popular with local residents and dog walkers, as well as being a popular cut- through.
The parks are supported by an active ‘Friends of’ group (Friends of Bessingby and Cavendish Parks) who host quarterly litter picks, an Easter Egg Hunt, and other one-off events.
The Parks are popular with all ages and for both passive and active recreation
The location of each of these features is shown in Map 1 (Key Features of Bessingby Park Complex) and are easily identifiable on an aerial photograph of the site, Map 2 (Aerial Photograph of Bessingby Park Complex).
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Map 1. Key Features of Bessingby Park Complex
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Map 2. Aerial Photograph of Bessingby Park Complex
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Location: Bessingby Park Complex is located in the western-most London borough, the London Borough of Hillingdon, in the ward of Cavendish (see Map 3 below).
Map 3. Location of Cavendish Ward in Hillingdon
Cavendish
By road, Bessingby Park Complex is: 18 miles from the centre of London 9 miles from Heathrow airport 3 miles from the M40 6 miles from the M25
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Access: Each of the three parks has one main entrance. Bessingby Park and Cavendish Park also have several other access points via alleyways.
These entrances are shown on Map 4 (Entrance Points for Bessingby Park Complex).
Bessingby Park Main Entrance: Bessingby Road (HA4 9AP) shown on map as 1 Other Entrances: Via alleyway beside 41 Whitby Road shown on map as 2 Via alleyway beside 123 Whitby Road shown on map as 3
Cavendish Park Main Entrance: Opposite 363 Field End Road (HA4 9NS) shown on map as 5 Other Entrances: Via alleyway beside 384 Field End Road shown on map as 4 Via alleyway beside 330 Field End Road shown on map as 6 Via alleyway beside 51 Southbourne Gardens shown on map as 7
Pine Gardens Main Entrance: Corner Pine Gardens & Springfield Gardens shown on map as 8
The entrance to Cavendish Recreation Ground is enticing to visitors
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Map 4. Entrance Points for Bessingby Park Complex
11 Bessingby Park Complex Management Plan 2015 - 2020 ______History:
Cavendish, Pine Gardens and Bessingby parks are historically best regarded as part of the slightly wider area bounded by Southbourne Gardens to the north, the Yeading Brook to the south, Field End Road to the East and Beverley Road to the west. Together the parks and their immediate surroundings reflect many aspects of British history and are therefore a very useful local historical resource.
Historically, the Parks should be seen as the southern ‘slope’ of Eastcote running down to the Yeading Brook (and should be viewed historically in conjunction with part of the green ‘corridor’ north of the Yeading Brook). That small river almost certainly has a very ancient settlement history going back to prehistoric times. Field End Road (effectively the eastern edge of Cavendish Park) is certainly a very ancient roadway – dating back at least to Medieval times and possibly earlier.
Cavendish Park
14.34 acres. Site of Importance for Nature Conservation. Hi.L 12 Grid Ref TQ 111 870
The few surviving old trees (three of them) along the southern edge of Cavendish Park probably date (directly, or indirectly through replanting) from pre-Victorian times, and reflect the enclosure of local land in the period 1806-1814 (a local manifestation of an extremely important historical process which fundamentally changed the nature of Britain). In that sense many of the tree lines around the park have similar significance.
The still partly above-ground water-course (formerly a stream) which flows/flowed from Southbourne Gardens (or just north of it) through the park to the Yeading Brook is an important feature of the area. Old Eastcote was built (mainly) on the south bank of the River Pinn – without doubt the most significant river in the area. One of the few probable ancient/old east- west ‘roads’ on the high ground between the Pinn in the north and the Yeading Brook in the South was what we now call Southbourne Gardens. Originally it was a livestock droveway (a small part of the 18th/19th century avenue of trees flanking the droveway still survive). Its name seems to have come from the north-south stream (almost certainly known for many centuries as the ‘South Bourne’ – ‘South stream’ in Anglo-Saxon – flowing across it (and the parks) down to the Yeading Brook.
Viewing the OS maps from 1846 onwards shows the development of the park and it’s surrounds.
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OS Map 1846 - 1901
OS Map 1888 - 1915
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OS Map 1900 - 1949
OS Map 1922 - 1969
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The Pavilion was originally built by Debenhams as a private sports ground 1913/14 (see title deeds map below). Known as Bayley’s Pavilion (now gone), it had a very important social history, having been used in the early 20th century as an important leisure/recreational destination, not only for local people but for Londoners as a whole. Bayley’s Pavilion put Eastcote ‘on the map’ as a rural ‘day trip’ destination, a development made possible by the opening of the Metropolitan railway. Bayley’s Pavilion was located just south of the Cavendish bowling green, adjacent to Pavilion Way.
This building was demolished and a new pavilion built fronting Field End Road sometime between 1920 and From Bessingby Title Deeds, 1913 1948.This historic building has been nominated for Local Listing, in the current Borough review of Local Historic Buildings.
The sports ground and Pavilion were acquired by RNUDC in 1948.
For several years, the historic pavilion has been leased to Lido Catering Ltd, which has assumed responsibility for most aspects of the building including its conservation. It is available for hire for leisure activities including yoga classes, and for meetings, wedding receptions and conferences. Cavendish Pavilion as it appears today.
Behind the Pavilion is a well kept rose garden. Nearby, there is seating, lots of space for passive recreation, and large open areas partly used for formal sport. The park is almost completely surrounded by trees.
The ‘Once Upon a Time Day Nursery’ stands within the Park – close to the pavilion – and is available to “out of borough” users.
Eastcote Bowls Club, founded 1934, is a thriving club, playing both home and away tournaments, and also brings visitors from beyond the borough.
Pine Gardens.
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6.17 Acres, also part of the Cavendish SINC
This is the smallest of the three parks. It was purchased by RNUDC 1950 after a proposal to build more houses did not materialize. It links the larger Cavendish and Bessingby Parks.
The wide concrete ‘roadway’ which runs mainly north-south just to the west of the stream is of great historical importance. It is one of the very few (possibly the only surviving example) of an original early suburban road surface. It was originally built in the late 1930s or late 1940s – with the intention of building houses along it. But the plan was abandoned and the concrete road survived as a feature of the park. The old concrete roadway
The bridge over the stream that divides Cavendish Park and Pine Gardens was probably part of the original scheme designed to link Bayley’s Pavilion possibly to a now long-vanished football ground (see 1922-69 OS Map, p 15). In addition, there was originally an ancient pond, where the ball game facility now sits (installed in 2007).
Local residents report that during the 1960’s there was a gazebo and cycle training paths, plus somewhere to hire bicycles.
The old bridge over the stream that divides Cavendish Recreation Ground and Pine Gardens
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Bessingby Park.
19.9 Acres. Formerly owned by King’s College Cambridge, until purchased by RNUDC in 1914, the north margin of the park is covered by the Cavendish SINC.
Air Raid Wardens in Bessingby Park “Soon after the war started my Father like many other men too old for active duty joined the ARP (Air Raid Precaution) commonly call ‘the wardens’. The Wardens' local headquarters - officially named K4 - was an air raid shelter in a playing field called Bessingby Park (Ruislip Manor). The post was manned 24 hours a day which meant that those men on night duty came home from work had a meal then went and spent the night at ‘the post’ going out at intervals to walk the area looking for incendary bombs or houses that were not complying with the strict blackout requirements or generally giving assistance in the aftermaths of an air raid where homes had been bombed.” http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/69/a1114769.shtml (viewed 16/8/11)
Title deeds for Bessingby Park show a World War Two gas attack testing facility. This was used by the military in World War Two to test masks etc. Archaeologically, all that remains are some humps in the ground – and probably some concrete beneath the grass.
From Bessingby Title Deeds, 1952
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‘KEMP’S Ruislip-Northwood Directory 1973’ described the park complex as:
‘…The main open space in the South Ruislip part of the district is Bessingby Fields, which comprises nearly 20 acres, where there are tennis courts and cricket, hockey and football pitches and a bowling green. There is also a children’s playground and the first padder court to be laid down in this country….’
By the 1920s and 1930s, four strange earthworks were constructed in and around Bessingby Park. They are a complete mystery - possibly military related. Further research required.
By the 1950’s the park had been laid out and a children’s playground installed.
The ‘KEMP’S Ruislip-Northwood Directory 1973’ described Bessingby Park as:
‘…The main open space in the South Ruislip part of the district is Bessingby Fields, which comprises nearly 20 acres, where there are tennis courts and cricket, hockey and football pitches and a bowling green. There is also a children’s playground and the first padder court to be laid down in this country….’
The big slide c1958. The playground 2010 (prior to a fence being installed). This slide was where the larger swings Note the red swings in the background; where the big now stand. In the background you can slide once stood. just see the padder court and beyond that the tennis court.
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Ecology:
Fauna: Although no formal fauna survey has been conducted at Bessingby Park Complex, the following species are commonly seen in the local area:
Avifauna Great Spotted Woodpecker House Sparrow Green Woodpecker Hedge Sparrow Song Thrush Black Bird Mistle Thrush Robin Starlings Blue Tit Carrion Crow Great Tit Wood Pigeon Long-tail Tit Feral Pigeon Doves Jays Magpies Wren Gold Finch Gold Crest Green Finch Pied Wagtail Siskin
Mammals Fox Rats Hedgehog Mice Greg Squirrel
Insects Butterflies Other insects
Amphibians Frogs
The Parks are home to many species of fauna
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Flora: A tree survey was undertaken at Bessingby Park Complex during August 2011. This is appended as Appendix D.
The Willows, between Pine Gardens and Bessingby Park, are a favourite feature of many park visitors
Many trees and shrubs around the parks provide colour throughout the year
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Recreational Facilities: Bessingby Park Complex has three full size tennis courts, football pitches, a multi-games wall incorporating a basketball hoop and football wall and two children’s playgrounds and a newly installed outdoor gym.
It is also home to both Deane Park Bowls Club and Eastcote Bowls Club, and to Eastcote Cricket Club. Lawn areas are also used for informal recreation. A path network provides access for walkers, people with pushchairs and wheel chair users.
Bessingby Park is used regularly for football league matches and training by a number of clubs and organisations. The large lawn area is regularly used for informal recreation and sport, such as social games of football.
The Pine Gardens multi-games ball wall, football club and football pitches
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The bowling greens at Bessingby Park, with before and after photos of the clubhouse, are home
to Bessingby Park and Deane Park Bowls Clubs.
Cavendish Park has 5 tennis courts and one turf cricket table
Both Pine Gardens and Bessingby Park feature children’s playgrounds
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Present Use: The site is used for recreation by a number of groups, in a number of different, including, enjoying the pleasant surroundings, using the playground, family outings, taking the dog for a walk, playing tennis, cricket, football and other sports, exercising, using the park as an alternative cut through or simply as a retreat from the busy day to day life.
Management Arrangements: Bessingby Park Complex is managed by the London Borough of Hillingdon’s Green Spaces Team with strong support from the Bessingby and Cavendish Management Advisory Group (BACMAG).
The purpose of BACMAG: “To advise the Council on the development and management of the Bessingby and Cavendish Park complex and the preservation and development of its ecological and social quality to ensure continued use by the public for leisure and recreational pursuits.” (BACMAG Constitution, Adopted 15 May, 2008)
Achievements of the BACMAG group so far include: Old pavilion removed Regular MAG meetings Sewage problem investigated and pipes re-lined Fencing of Bessingby Park Approval and funding for new pavilion (erected 2010) Playbuilder grant application submitted, approved and construction completed Fence around entrance roundabout Fence around Bessingby Bowls club Tidying up around the park Community engagement Awareness of contact information Footballs for footballers Very long shrubs by basketball court removed or cut back Residents and users now have a voice Closer links with Council Better contact with all site user groups talking together
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The BACMAG meet quarterly, with the Green Spaces Area Officer attending these meetings, to review the success of past works, develop new ideas, identify areas of concern, and plan new works. Eastcote Conservation Panel also provide input in this process, and are currently endeavouring to obtain Metropolitan Open Land Status for Bessingby Park Complex.
Eastcote Conservation Panel and Eastcote Residents’ Association also provide input in this process, reviewing the success of past works, developing new ideas, identifying areas of concern, planning new works, and providing contact with other interested parties.
Grounds Maintenance is carried out by the Borough’s in-house grounds maintenance team, with work carried out according to the schedule. The works carried out within the site are inspected by the Borough’s Green Spaces Area Officer who also leads on enhancement works/projects at the site, with assistance from members of the public, contractors, other members of the Green Spaces Team, and other groups as appropriate.
Grounds maintenance work is being carried out at Bessingby Park
Community Contacts:
BACMAG Chair – Nicholas Woodley
Eastcote Conservation Panel Chair – Lesley Crowcroft
Eastcote Residents’ Association Chair – Chris Groom
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4. Vision for Bessingby Park Complex
Our vision for Bessingby Park Complex is
“to provide a well-maintained facility for passive and active recreation that is accessible to all and appreciated by visitors.”
We seek to continue to enhance the horticultural appeal of the park in ways that are appealing to the public and ensure that the site is easily accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities.
A number of key projects are planned to continue the programme of continual site improvements.
The Parks are well used by all the community, from wheelchair users to dog walkers
5. Site Aims and Objectives
5.1 Main Aims
1. Create and maintain a welcoming site 2. Ensure the site is healthy, safe and secure 3. Ensure the site is clean and well maintained 4. Ensure sustainable management of resources 5. Appropriate management of conservation and heritage features 6. Encourage community involvement 7. Ensure effective marketing of the facility 8. Implement effective management strategies
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5.2 How these aims are being met and future objectives
5.2.1 Create and maintain a welcoming site
The configuration of the site allows for visitors to be able to walk the full length of this park and use it as a pleasant cut through to Eastcote from South Ruislip and Ruislip Manor. At the Cavendish Park entrance there is parking for visitors who use the sporting facilities and the Cavendish Pavilion, which is leased to an independent operator and is often a venue for wedding receptions and parties.
There is a main iron gate at the Bessingby Park entrance giving access to the main sports field, pitches and an enclosed play area. This is complemented by a 2nd gate giving access from Whitby Road.
Pine Gardens welcomes visitors to a second playground and an activity area for the older children aiming to draw in all local residents. The aim of the management committee is to open the park up to everyone as well as providing just an enjoyable shortcut for students and local residents who use the park as a route to Ornamental gates welcome visitors to Bessingby Park school, work, or shops.
In order to be welcoming, the park must cater for a wide range of peoples’ needs. The formal garden, with ornamental rose beds, provides a beautiful setting inside the main entrance and the larger area of grass parkland behind this provides an area for picnics or other activities. The surrounding footpath improves accessibility. There are well-maintained trees and shrubs which can be admired for their variety and are home to the park’s wildlife. The tennis courts and play area are a great attraction and the park furniture fulfils an essential role in making the park welcoming. Work on the ornamental rose beds is prioritised as they are essential in creating a welcoming and well-maintained feel to the park.
The children’s playground is well-used and provides healthy, safe recreation as
well as creating a welcoming atmosphere.
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Objectives 1. Secure and standardise all access points, where applicable. 2. Maintain all boundary walls and fences as necessary. 3. Maintain footpaths as necessary. 4. Install and maintain new interpretive signage. 5. Maintenance and provision of site furniture where appropriate.
5.2.1 Ensure the site is healthy, safe and secure
Healthy
The park provides opportunities for passive and active recreation, including:
Football pitches A Multi-games ball wall A Bowling Green Tennis courts A Cricket table An Outdoor gym An outdoor gym
The Parks are serviced by wide and accessible paths, and the old cycle-training paths were Wide paths provide access to site users restored in late 2011.
People may also use the site as part of a walking, jogging or cycling route and the playground area also provides children with play activity.
The events organized by the Friends of also encourage local people to get out and active in the Parks. Clean-up days are held quarterly, whilst the annual Easter Egg Hunt is run along the lines of a treasure hunt, where participants seek clues using a map.
The Friends of Easter Egg Hunt encourages participants to explore the whole park complex
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Safe and Secure
The complex is enclosed by secure fencing.
The car park at Cavendish Recreation ground has CCTV and fencing to secure it, as designed by local police. Vehicle and height barriers beside The Cavendish Pavilion are locked when not in use, as are the other vehicle gates on site, to keep unwanted vehicles from entering.
Parking bays have been installed closer to the bowls club, which is located in the middle of the site, to reduce the distance that those using the facility have to travel. Lighting has also been installed along the pathway so that they can exit the site safely and clearly. 5mph signs have been put on the lampposts due to other site users that maybe using the path at the same time.
Play areas are inspected weekly by trained Park Officers. In addition, specialist playground contractors inspect quarterly, and the Council’s insurers carry out an annual, independent inspection. Any defects that may arise are reported to the relevant Green Spaces Area Officer who can implement procedures for the necessary repairs. If the equipment is found to be unsafe, it will be decommissioned straight away.
The presence of Park Officers greatly enhances the security of the park and its visitors. This team carries out weekly safety checks and is often able to sort out defects in the playground, graffiti and broken glass there and then.
Their comprehensive records are invaluable and have been used as a tool in the fight against fraudulent insurance claims.
The council also has a good relationship with the police PCSOs, who maintain an occasional presence in the park complex “out of hours”.
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The park Officers’ role includes: Weekly safety inspections of playground equipment. Frequent visits to the park and reporting as necessary Basic maintenance of park equipment and facilities Non-specialist horticultural work and litter picking Removing broken glass and other hazards Identifying acts of vandalism and submitting reports. Investigating and gathering information on accidents etc. Responding quickly and effectively to public complaints. Attending and helping at events
The LBH park bye-laws (a copy of which can be obtained from LBH Green Spaces) apply to the park and are enforced by The Council’s Enforcement Team when necessary. Under the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974), the LBH is responsible for ensuring, so far as practical, the health and safety of employees, contractors and visitors whilst conducting all involved activities. As such, it is important to LBH and all staff and contractors are aware of their respective obligations. Details can be found from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) or on LBH web pages (www.hillingdon.gov.uk/index.jsp?articleid=6837). This includes a link to the guidelines for reporting incidents and RIDDOR, the HSE incident reporting scheme. Risk assessment policy states the procedures necessary to comply with the Act.
Parks Officers assist in ensuring parks are kept safe and secure: here removing broken glass.
Objectives 1. Undertake regular cleaning regime to remove litter. 2. Continue to implement Health and Safety policies. 3. Ensure residents who use the park are aware of the relevant bylaws. 4. Continue to encourage residents to value the park.
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5.2.1 Ensure the site is clean and well maintained
Bessingby Park Complex is maintained by the Borough’s in-house grounds maintenance team. All works are carried out in line with a specification which explains the standards and quantity of work required. Parks Officers regularly visit the park and remove any broken glass and litter, and report defects to the Green Spaces Officer. Any graffiti is reported via the Council’s Contact Centre and passed to the graffiti removal service. The grounds maintenance team works to ensure that the The park has many litter bins around the parks are maintained to a high standard site, which assist visitors in maintaining the area in a clean condition. The litter bins are emptied once a week by the Council’s Street Cleansing Team in line with the specification. Litter collection is also carried out prior to mowing. In this way, littering around the park is kept to a minimum. Dog fouling bins are also provided on site and are emptied weekly. The guidelines for allowing dogs within parks and open spaces are covered within the byelaws. The Parks Officers advise dog owners of their responsibility when visiting the park. In addition to this, the Parks Officers are empowered to issue dog fouling tickets in line with the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996.
Although the present arrangements mean that Bessingby Park Complex is kept clean, tidy and presentable, further improvements can be made. The improvements will be centred on areas which do not look as good as the rest of the park.
The site is kept clean and tidy with bins and dog bins situated around the park
Objectives 1. Strive to improve current maintenance arrangements. 2. Enhance maintenance regimes where practical. 3. Carry through a programme of improvements.
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5.2.1 Ensure sustainable management of resources
The London Borough of Hillingdon recognise and are aware of the need to minimise adverse impact on the environment, and agree with the principles of waste minimisation as defined in Local Agenda 21. LBH, therefore, actively pursues ways of delivering sustainable development and ensuring environmental sustainability is a vital part of this. The Council has signed up to the peat charter, and discourages the use of peat-based products in its horticultural work. In specific reference to Bessingby Park Complex, maintenance agreements discourage the use of pesticides and herbicides on the site, a stance that has environmental and financial benefits. Therefore, other methods of pest control are utilised, and, where possible, non-herbicidal weed control is carried out. Where it is absolutely necessary, the contractor will use non-residual herbicide applications (e.g. glyphosate), to reduce environmental impact. Also, where they are used, herbicides are applied as spot treatment rather than blanket sprayed, and all operatives are trained and certified for that particular operation.
All green waste created by the grounds maintenance team is recycled off-site. This ensures waste minimisation. Tree trimmings are also recycled by the borough’s term tree maintenance contractor. All new plantings are being devised to limit the need for watering and our contractor is looking at ways to minimise the use of carbon fuels.
It is most important that we are seen to ‘practice what we preach’ and maintain high standards of sustainable management that demonstrate our awareness of environmental, conservation and resource issues. We therefore seek actively to research and promote new initiatives in the field of sustainable resource management.
Objectives
1. Continue to promote waste minimisation. 2. Plan long-term management for all features of the park. 3. Ensure efficient use of resources. 4. Develop and promote resource conservation and sustainable development. 5. Continue to minimise the application of pesticides. 6. Where possible encourage the use of physical / cultural forms of weed control. 7. Continue to recycle and re-use organic matter as mulches and soil ameliorants
5.2.1 Appropriate management of conservation and heritage features
Bessingby Park Complex is within Eastcote’s Conservation Area. The park dates back to 1935, and much of the original character of it has been maintained through sensitive upkeep. The infrastructure surrounding the formal shrubberies and flower beds of the area inside the main entrance is still in place, and features strongly in the current design.
The formal horticultural character of the park is an important aspect of the site. Horticultural features within the park will be enhanced over successive years by careful planning and maintenance. Such improvements will consist of removal of older species and replacement with newly planted, diverse and attractive species. An assessment of the trees on site has been undertaken to produce a schedule of works to return the tree stock to optimum condition.
31 Bessingby Park Complex Management Plan 2015 - 2020 ______The importance of green spaces for conservation of wildlife is understood, and they naturally provide habitats that are not available in more urban surroundings (i.e. where concrete predominates). Therefore, the park, through its very nature of being a green space, is home to flora and fauna as detailed earlier. Sections of the park are deliberately left ‘wild’ to encourage small animals and promote biodiversity.
The Parks are home to a lovely collection of trees
A wildlife meadow was created in the summer of 2012. It has proved very popular with visitors as well as with bees, bumblebees, butterflies and other invertebrates. It contributes to the general landscape, provides a positive use of the land and offers a peaceful place for people to relax and enjoy their local environment. The meadow is cut in late October, with the “arisings” left in situ for few days - to allow reseeding - and then collected by Park Officers. Future management will include mowing the meadow only once a year (October-November) after flowering for several years.
Wildflower meadow early summer Wildlife meadow in October- still flowering
32 Bessingby Park Complex Management Plan 2015 - 2020 ______Conservation Foundation gave LB Hillingdon more than 100 Elm trees propagated from disease resistant parent tree. Two of them were planted in Pine Gardens in December 2012 by our young volunteers.
Young volunteers helping Park Officers to plant disease resistant Elm trees
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Spring flower bulbs were funded through Ward budget monies and planted by local children, Cllr Raymond Graham and Park Officers. Also, Friends of Bessingby & Cavendish Parks applied for Woodland Trust’s native trees which were planted by local schoolchildren (Newnham Junior School) and some by local residents.
Objectives 1. Conserve, landscape features and improve as necessary. 2. Conserve existing boundaries. 3. Initiate programme of phased tree maintenance in line with survey findings. 4. Undertake a base-line ecological survey. 5. Encourage the continued involvement of residents’ groups.
5.2.1 Encourage community involvement
The site is popular among local residents and people come to the park for many reasons (see Present Use: section 4).
The popular responses to a survey carried out were: What would encourage you to use the park more? Improved play area/facilities for younger children A picnic area/more seating The provision of a café/snack shop and toilet facilities Less litter More facilities for older children Regular patrolling by rangers/police
What activities would you like to see encouraged? Cycling/cricket/sport generally Organised weekend and school holiday activities for children
What activities would you like to see discouraged? Riding of motorbikes Drinking of alcohol, especially resulting in broken glass and litter Congregation of groups in the evenings Vandalism
34 Bessingby Park Complex Management Plan 2015 - 2020 ______Where feasible, these results have been incorporated into this management plan, including individual project outlines. Informal surveys carried out since then indicate that visitors’ wishes have not changed much.
Bessingby and Cavendish Management Advisory Group (BACMAG) BACMAG was set up in 2008 to advise the Council on the development and management of Bessingby and Cavendish park complex and the preservation and development of its ecological and social quality to ensure continued use by the public for leisure and recreational pursuits.
In 2010 the group changed their name to The Friends of Bessingby and Cavendish Management Advisory Group, or The Friends for short, to better reflect the work the group does, and encourage local residents to join in.
The group’s involvement has always been low-key and in recent years has struggled to attract new members. Some older members have not been able to continue and the result is that few people take a regular and active part. Nevertheless the Friends have helped with:
Quarterly litter picks An annual Easter Egg Hunt A photography competition
The group also helped with funding and/or implementing of several projects: Elm tree planting Native trees from Woodland Trust planting Bulb planting Creation of wildlife meadow Fencing of Pine Gardens playground
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The Easter Egg Hunt organised by the Friends is hugely popular with children and their families
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Where possible, school groups are encouraged to use the Parks in their lessons, or take part in events in the Parks, such as tree planting organised by the Eastcote Conservation Panel.
Field End Infants & Once Upon a Time children help with tree planting at Cavendish Park Recreation Ground The park is also visited in school holidays by the Hillingdon Play Association, who offer free play activities.
Hillingdon Play Association provides free school holiday activities
Objectives 1. Encourage the continued involvement of residents groups 2. Improve joint working with local voluntary groups 3. Further promotion of the site to schools, youth and community groups
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5.2.1 Ensure effective marketing of the facility
Bessingby Park Complex’s management plan is made available online on the Council’s website, making it more accessible to all. The LBH also has a map featuring all of its sites on the Green Spaces web page.
The signs at each entrance further enhance the marketing of the site.
The Friends of group have also been active in promoting the parks. Facebook and Twitter accounts have been set-up, and events publicised via on-site signage, leaflet drops, and On-site signage is one method used to hand-outs in local schools. publicise events
Examples of publicity posters developed by the Friends of
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Eastcote Residents’ Association newsletter
The Friends also advertise events on the Eastcote Local website: www.eastcotelocal.co.uk
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From http://www.eastcotelocal.co.uk/Company.aspx?cid=5841 (from 2011)
FRIENDS OF BESSINGBY & CAVENDISH PARKS
The park was recently host to a great event an Easter Egg hunt. A really wonderful time was had by over 200 children who took part in the event in brilliant sunshine. Well done to the Friends of Bessingby and Cavendish parks who organised it
The children had to find ten clues like this example and bring the completed form back to receive their prize
Jean Lambert from the Friends of the Bessingby and Cavendish Parks is appealing to local residents to dig out any photographs they have of the parks. It is hoped to create a record. Please contact her at: [email protected]
Objectives 1. Preparation of interpretative materials for the park. 2. Encourage the continued involvement of residents’ groups
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The site has been owned and managed by the London Borough of Hillingdon since 1948. However, until relatively recently, the upkeep and management of the site was not well organised, due to a lack of funding for parks. Now, the LBH Green Spaces Team is responsible for this and all other borough green spaces as outlined in the Site Summary. The Green Spaces staff structure outlines how this works and how management is kept effective.The Area Officer under the Area Manager are responsible for the day-to-day management of the park, while the Council’s in-house grounds maintenance team carries out most maintenance works. The management operations outlined in the following pages, including improvement projects alongside with the regular maintenance regime, outline the management that is in place for the Bessingby Park Complex.
The Green Flag assessment process also ensures further enhancement. It is a way of reviewing the management of the site, will be used to encourage new thinking and to guide dynamic and adaptable management. It will also attract publicity and interest. LBH’s commitment to achieving many Green Flag sites is reinforced in the Council Plan.
Any tree work required on site is carried out by specialist contractors
Objectives 1. Use sustainable management strategies and methods as described in section 6.2.4 2. Encourage the continued involvement of residents’ groups 3. Carry out regular reviews of all management operations and projects. 4. Identify potential sources of appropriate funding.
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6. Management Actions and Maintenance Plan
Individual Project Outlines
The following pages contain a brief project outline for each of the projects. These provide not only a description of the project, but the also the rationale behind it, when the works are likely to be carried out, by whom, and how much it is likely to cost.
Project: Site User Survey
Summary: A survey of as many site users as possible will be conducted
Rationale: The information collected will be used to determine future management decisions.
Constraints: Nil
Who will do Green Spaces Officers it? “Friends” groups
Budget Within existing resources Estimate:
Update A formal survey has not been carried out since 2007, but all feedback and requests from park users are logged on the council’s Onyx (customer relations management) system and can be accessed when required.
Project: Continued Opening of Sight-lines
Summary: To continue to manage shrubs to allow views across Bessingby Park
Rationale: The shrubs along the roadway in Bessingby Park have grown to a height so as to exclude views across the playing fields. This will also help with safety.
Constraints: Works to be completed while still allowing pedestrian access
Who will do Grounds maintenance team it?
Budget Within existing budgets Estimate:
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Project: Outdoor Gym Installation
Summary: Installation of an outdoor gym in Bessingby Park
Rationale: Outdoor gyms have proven to be popular in other parks in the borough. Installation of an outdoor gym in Bessingby park will allow use by all ages, and be keeping with a park with a range other sporting facilities.
Constraints: Works to be completed while still allowing pedestrian access
Who will do Contractors
Budget £22,000 Estimate:
Update Completed 2015
Project: Installation of a new playground - Bessinby Park
Summary: Installation of a new playground in Bessinby Park
Rationale: The current playground in Pine Gardens is in need of improving, with the installation of new equipment.
Constraints: Works to be completed while still allowing pedestrian access
Who will do Contractors
Budget £80,000 - £100,000 Estimate:
Project: Improve facilities for bowls club members
Summary: Installation of a parking area for bowls members as well as lighting
Rationale: To make the site safer and reduce the distance that bowls members will have to walk to the bowls club.
Constraints: Works to be completed while still allowing pedestrian access
Who will do Contractors
Budget Estimate:
Update Completed 2015
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Summary: Installation of a new playground in Pine Gardens
Rationale: The current playground in Pine Gardens is in need of improving, with the installation of new equipment.
Constraints: Works to be completed while still allowing pedestrian access
Who will do Contractors
Budget £70,000 - £90,000 Estimate:
Project: Continue to Create and manage wildflower meadow(s)
Summary: Create a meadow from urban mix seeds (spraying and rotorvating needed first)
Rationale: To improve diversity of habitats and create an attractive area in an under-used part of amenity parkland
Constraints: Budget, environmental
Who will do Park officers, Blue Sky and Green Spaces Officers
Budget Within borough wide budget Estimate:
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In addition to the regular maintenance of the site, as outlined in the Site Grounds Maintenance standards, the following actions shall be undertaken on an ongoing basis:
Undertake regular cleaning regime to remove litter
Continue to implement Health and Safety Policies
Ensure that park users are aware of relevant bylaws
Continue to encourage park users to value the park
Enhance maintenance regimes where practical
Encourage the involvement of the Friends, and the Residents’ Association.
Continue to promote waste minimisation
Continue to minimise the application of pesticides
Where possible encourage the use of cultural forms of weed control
Continue to recycle and re-use organic matter generated on site for soil-ameliorants, mulches, etc
Develop and promote resource conservation and sustainable development
Produce a phased and costed schedule for tree works
Conserve existing walls and boundaries
Carry out regular reviews of all management operations and projects
Identify new sources of funding and secure.
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Appendices
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Appendix A
Introduction to the London Borough of Hillingdon
Description Hillingdon is situated on the western edge of Greater London (see Map A) and is the second largest London borough, covering a total area of about 42 square miles. The Borough is just 14 miles from central London and bounded by the counties of Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Surrey and the London Boroughs of Hounslow, Ealing and Harrow.
Hillingdon is home to Heathrow, the world's busiest airport that caters for more than 60 million passengers a year.
The Borough has eight leisure centres and 2 pools, 17 libraries, two theatres and over 170 green spaces including Ruislip Woods National Nature Reserve and Lido.
Map A. Location of London Borough of Hillingdon
http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation/maps/london_map.htm
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History The London Borough of Hillingdon was one of the 32 London Boroughs created by the London Government Act 1963. It was formed by the amalgamation of the Borough of Uxbridge and the Urban Districts of Hayes and Harlington, Ruislip/Northwood and Yiewsley and West Drayton.
The new borough came into existence on April 1, 1965 when the new council started work.
As well as taking on the work of the four previous district authorities the council became responsible for local services such as education, libraries and the children's services. These had previously been run by the Middlesex County Council, which ceased to exist on April 1 1965.
Hillingdon's purpose-built Civic Centre opened its doors to the public in 1977. The council specified the use of traditional materials such as bricks and tiles while the sloping roofs were designed by the architects to reflect the style found in many of the borough's homes.
Workforce The council employs approximately 6,500 people, including schools' staff.
People Hillingdon has a population of 243,006 (2000 estimate). There is a growing proportion of young people, particularly of school age children.
Around 15.7% of the borough's residents are from ethnic minority groups (mainly Indian, Pakistani, other Asian and Black Caribbean).
There is an active voluntary sector, and a wide variety of community groups, tenants' and residents' associations.
Leisure Hillingdon is rich in wildlife and wildlife habitat including waterways, lakes, meadows and nature reserves. Ruislip Woods have been designated London's first National Nature Reserve, while nearby Ruislip Lido boasts 40 acres of water. The borough also offers a host of sporting activities, including six sports centers, many with newly refurbished gyms and four exceptional 18-hole golf courses, including a championship standard course at Stockley Park. The arts and entertainment thrive, with The Beck professional theatre in Hayes, the Compass Theatre, Ickenham, and various other venues. There is major new shopping centre, The Chimes in Uxbridge.
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The Residents’ Services Group The Residents’ Services Group of the London Borough of Hillingdon has the responsibility for the Environmental Development and sustainability of Hillingdon’s Green Spaces. Amongst the other responsibilities, it provides events and promotes outdoor activities in the Borough’s Parks and other Green Spaces. The Green Spaces Team (see Fig 1.) oversees the management and development of all public green spaces within the London Borough of Hillingdon, which also includes parks, allotments, playing fields, woodlands and other green spaces.
Figure 1. Green Spaces Team Structure (January 2014)
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Appendix B
Site Grounds Maintenance Standards
Summary of Annual Frequencies
Maintenance of Grassed Areas
Monthly Frequency Operation Annual Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Freq. Grass Cutting 16 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 Litter picking prior to grass 16 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 cutting Leaf Clearance 3 1 1 1 Trim grass edging to hard 16 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 standing and around obstacles Trim grass edging to walls, 16 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 fence lines Reform grass edging to all beds 1 1 Trim grass edging to all beds As reqd.
Shrub Bed Maintenance
Monthly Frequency Operation Annual Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Freq. Weed and litter removal 8 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Hoeing of beds not previously 8 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 mulched Pruning of shrubs 1 1 Removal of reversion growth to As shrubs reqd.
Tree Maintenance
Monthly Frequency Operation Annual Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Freq. Stake maintenance and removal 1 to newly planted trees Weaning of 5-10 year old trees 1 away from stakes Removal of suckers and 1 epicormic shoots to all trees, but excluding Lime trees Removal of suckers and 2 1 1 epicormic shoots to Lime trees
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Monthly Frequency Operation Annual Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Freq. Weed and litter removal 16 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 Top dressing 1 1 Hoeing of beds not previously 15 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 mulched Topping up and levelling to 16 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 previously mulched beds Reduction pruning of roses 1 1 (Autumn pruning) Formative pruning of roses 1 1 (Winter pruning) Replacement staking and tying 1 1 of all full or half standard roses Replacement of rose plants 1/10
Hedge and Hedgerow Maintenance
Monthly Frequency Operation Annual Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Freq. Pruning of hedge 1 1 Removal of weeds, litter, 1 1 rubbish and debris from base of hedge
Miscellaneous Works
Monthly Frequency Operation Annual Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Freq. Clearance of all fence lines 1 1 Dog bin emptying 52 Once weekly for whole year Rubbish bin emptying 104 Twice weekly for whole year Litter picking and collection As reqd. Clearance of Public Right of As way beside Cavendish Rec. reqd.
Activities and frequencies are for guidance only. They are subject to variation according to site, season, horticultural practice, desirability, necessity, safety, weather conditions and other factors.
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Appendix C
Site Tree Survey
Introduction A tree survey was undertaken at Bessingby Park Complex during August 2011. The survey was undertaken by Jon Gurr (Tree Management Officer, Green Spaces Team).
Methodology The survey was conducted with reference to BS 7370: Part 1: 1991 with additional information and works scheduling. The position of each tree is marked and numbered on maps 5, 6, and 7 for Bessingby Park, Pine Gardens, and Cavendish Recreation Ground respectively.
The following data has been collected: Species (English Name) Diameter at 1.5m (DBH, 1-6, banded in 20cm units) Height (metres) Crown spread (metres) Life (see notes) Work Required Urgency (U – urgent, 1/2/3 - undertake within 1/2/3 years) Cost Comments
A brief outline of the methodology follows:
Life The purpose of ‘Life’ is with the application of a single number, to be able to indicate how far a tree is through its life in any given location. The assessment will cut across species, size, location, and condition; will ultimately give a projection of tree cover for a given site for the present, looking ahead to the medium term and help with management priorities.
For example – 15 year old established tree, with good form and health, in the middle of a park would attract a ‘2’ – ‘vigorous, not affecting its surroundings, liable to make a mature tree’. However take exactly the same tree that has seeded itself next to an old wall in a conservation area, would attract a ‘5’ – ‘having an adverse effect on its surroundings, retain only in the short term’.
It is a reasonable expectation that ‘Life 3’ should make up the main body of tree cover in any given area. Young and semi mature trees at ‘Life 1 & 2’ are the future ‘3s’ while ‘Life 4 & 5’ are towards the other end of their lives with moderate to severe problems identified.
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Using the 1- 6 scoring method the entire tree cover of an area can be assessed as follows:
1 – Young tree Under ten years old, not established, still vulnerable
2 – Semi- mature tree Should go on to make a mature tree, has no visible defects or conditions Not being affected by environmental conditions either natural or human caused Not affecting or ever likely to, any structures, surfaces or services Is a good choice for the site, long term retention
3 – Semi mature or mature tree Has minor structural defects, non serious condition, has reached maturity or, Being slightly affected by environmental conditions either natural or human caused or, Beginning to slightly affect either structures, surfaces or services Is good choice for the site, medium to long term retention
4 - Semi mature or mature tree Has moderate structural defect or notable condition or Being moderately affected by environmental conditions either natural or human caused Beginning to moderately affect either structures, surfaces or services Is only a fair choice for the site, short to medium term retention
5 - Semi mature or mature tree Has serious structural defect or condition or Being seriously affected by environmental conditions either natural or human caused or Beginning to seriously affecting either structures, surfaces or services Is poor choice for the site, short term retention
6 – Semi mature or mature tree Dead Collapse foreseeable Remove without delay
Results
The location of all trees in Bessingby Park are shown in Map 5. The location of all trees in Pine Gardens are shown in Map 6. The location of all trees in Cavendish Recreation Ground are shown in Map 7.
The species, growth details and any works required for each of the trees in Bessingby Park, Pine Gardens, and Cavendish Recreation Ground are shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4 respectively.
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Map 5. Tree Location Map – Bessingby Park
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Fig 2. Tree Survey Results – Bessingby Park
Tree Species DBH cm Height Spread Life Work Required Number m m Group 1 Willow 20-40, multi 60-80 10-Dec 4m-10 2 Group 2 mainly Ash 20-40, 40-60 8m-12 4m-8 2 1 Silver Birch 20-40 2 3 4 2 Wild Cherry 20-40; 2x <20 7 4 3 3 Lombardy Poplar 40-60 20 3 3 4 Lombardy Poplar 40-60 20 3 3 5 Ash <20 4 3 2 various, Cherry Plum, Silver Maple, Ash, Hawthorn, Horse Chestnut, Cyprus, crab Group 3 Apple 6 Wild Cherry 20-40 7 3 4 7 Cyprus 2x <20 6 2 3 Group 4 various, Cyprus <20, 20-40 4m-8 1m-4 2 8 Ash 40-60 10 5 3 9 Willow multi 20-40 9 8 3 10 Willow 40-60 10 6 3 11 Ash 2x 20-40 9 5 3 Group 5 conifers <20, 20-40 8m-10 2m-4 2 12 Cyprus 20-40, 2x <20 7 2 3 13 Walnut 20-40 9 6 3 14 Cotoneaster 20-40 4 5 3 15 Norway Maple (Crimson King) 20-40 8 4 3 16 Walnut 20-40 10 6 3 17 Cherry 20-40 8 4 3 18 Norway Maple 40-60 10 6 3 19 Tree of Heaven 20-40 10 5 3 Group 6 7x Willows 20-40, 40-60 10 6 3 20 Lime 40-60 9 6 3 21 Tree of Heaven 20-40 8 4 3 22 Silver Birch 20-40 10 4 3 23 Wild Cherry 20-40 6 3 3 24 Handkerchief Tree 40-60 9 7 3 2x 40-60; 1x 20- 25 Redwood 40 10 4 3 26 Cedar multi 20-40 9 3 3 27 Larch 20-40 9 2 3 28 Sequoia 40-60 10 2 3 29 Sequoia 40-60 10 2 3 30 Silver Birch 20-40 8 2 3 31 London Plane 20-40 8 4 3 32 Willow 40-60 7 6 3 33 Ash 20-40 8 4 3 Group 7 Ash, Hawthorn <20, 20-40 4m-12 2m-6 2 34 Lime 20-40 8 6 3 35 Tree of Heaven 40-60 12 7 3 36 Tree of Heaven 20-40 12 6 3 37 Tree of Heaven 20-40 9 5 3
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Tree Species DBH cm Height Spread Life Work Required Number m m 38 Wild Cherry 20-40 4 4 3 39 Wild Cherry 20-40 5 3 3 40 Willow 40-60 10 8 3 41 Willow 40-60 10 8 3 42 Willow 40-60 10 8 3 43 Wild Cherry 40-60 7 4 3 44 Wild Cherry <20 4 3 3 45 Wild Cherry 20-40 4 3 3 46 Hornbeam <20 4 2 2 47 Rowan 20-40 4 2 3 48 Hornbeam 40-60 8 6 3 49 Wild Cherry 40-60 8 8 3 50 Ash 20-40 6 5 3 51 Ash 20-40 6 5 3 52 Crab Apple 20-40 4 4 3 53 Ash 20-40 9 6 3 54 Willow 60-80 14 8 3 55 London Plane 40-60 10 6 3 56 Ash 20-40 8 4 3 57 Ash multi <20 6 4 3 58 Ash 40-60 10 8 3 59 London Plane 40-60 10 10 3 60 Crab Apple 20-40 4 3 3 61 Silver Lime 40-60 8 5 3 62 Crab Apple 20-40 4 3 3 63 Crab Apple 20-40 4 3 4 64 Crab Apple 20-40 4 3 4 65 Silver Lime 40-60 8 5 3 66 Crab Apple 20-40 4 3 3 67 Crab Apple 20-40 4 3 3 68 Crab Apple 20-40 4 4 3 69 Wild Cherry 20-40 5 4 3 70 Crab Apple 20-40 4 3 3 71 Crab Apple 20-40 4 3 3 72 Pear multi 20-40, 2x <20 5 3 3 73 Upright Hornbeam 20-40 8 4 3 74 Crab Apple 20-40 4 2 3 75 Verigated Sycamore 20-40 6 4 3 76 Crab Apple 20-40 4 3 3 77 Norway Maple 20-40 6 4 3 78 Horse Chestnut 20-40 7 5 3 79 Ash 20-40 8 5 3 80 Silver Birch 20-40 8 4 3 81 Lombardy Poplar 40-60 18 3 3 Group 8 Willow, Ash 20-40, 40-60 6m-14 4m-8 3 82 Goat Willow multi 5 4 3 83 Goat Willow multi 5 4 3 84 Goat Willow 20-40 6 4 3
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Tree Species DBH cm Height Spread Life Work Required Number m m 85 Ash Multi <20 8 3 3 86 Goat Willow 40-60 6 4 3 Group 9 conifers row >10 8 2 3 87 Upright Hornbeam 40-60 7 6 3 88 Upright Hornbeam 40-60 7 6 3 89 Hawthorn <20 3 2 2 90 Crab Apple 20-40 3 2 2 91 Hawthorn <20 3 2 2 92 Lombardy Poplar 40-60 17 2 3 93 Cherry Plum 20-40 5 4 3 94 Cherry Plum 20-40 4 3 3 95 Apple <20 4 2 2 96 Ash multi <20 7 3 2 97 Apple <20 4 1 2 98 Ash 20-40 8 4 3 99 Alder Buckthorn 20-40 4 4 3 100 Cherry Plum 40-60 5 4 3 101 Hawthorn multi <20 5 2 3 102 Ash 20-40 8 4 3 103 Hawthorn 20-40 6 3 3 104 Hawthorn 20-40 6 3 3
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Map 6. Tree Location Map – Pine Gardens
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Fig 3. Tree Survey Results – Pine Gardens
Tree Species DBH cm Height Spread Life Work Required Number m m 1 Ash <20 5 3 2 2 Ash 40-60 8 6 3 3 Oak 40-60 10 8 3 20-40/40- 08- Group 1 Elder, Ash 60 Dec 4m-8 2 4 Cyprus 20-40 8 2 3 5 Silver Birch 20-40 6 3 3 6 Silver Birch 20-40 7 4 3 7 Cyprus 20-40 8 2 3 8 Wild Cherry 20-40 6 2 3 9 silver birch 20-40 8 3 3 10 Hawthorn <20 4 2 2 11 Ash 20-40 9 5 3 12 Ash 20-40 9 5 3 13 Ash 20-40 8 5 3 14 Wild Cherry 20-40 7 3 3 15 Wild Cherry 20-40 7 3 3 16 Wild Cherry 20-40 7 3 3 17 Cyprus 20-40 6 2 3 18 Ash 20-40 10 8 3 various - ash, cyprus, Group 2 harthorne <20, 20-40 40-80 2m-6 2 19 Wild Cherry 40-60 7 5 3 20 Bird Cherry multi <20 2 1 1 21 Bird Cherry 20-40 6 4 3 22 Willow 80-100 12 12 4 23 Crab Apple 20-40 5 3 3 24 Willow 60-80 10 8 3 25 Willow 60-80 10 8 3 26 Willow 60-80 10 8 27 Walnut 20-40 6 4 3 remove to low stump, 28 Bird Cherry 40-60 Dead leave for regrowth 29 Ash <20 fell 30 Horse Chestnut 20-40 6 5 3 Group 3 Apple, Ash, Hawthorne <20 40-60 20-40 2 31 Ash <20 2 2 2 32 Horse Chestnut 20-40 6 6 3 33 Goat Willow multi <20 5 3 2 34 Crab Apple 20-40 4 3 3 35 Plum multi <20 4 2 2 36 Cherry Plum 20-40 5 4 3 37 Willow 40-60 6 3 3 38 Willow 5 x 20-40 8 4 3 39 Silver Birch 20-40 8 4 3 40 Silver Birch 20-40 7 3 3 41 Cherry Plum 20-40 6 4 3 42 Crab Apple <20 4 3 3 43 Cherry <20 3 1 3
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Tree Species DBH cm Height Spread Life Work Required Number m m 44 Silver Birch 20-40 8 3 3 45 Crab Apple <20 4 3 3 46 Cyprus 20-40 10 2 3 47 Larch 20-40 8 2 3 48 Cherry Plum 20-40 5 3 3 49 Crab Apple 20-40 4 3 3 50 Cherry 20-40 4 3 3 51 Cherry Plum 20-40 5 3 3 52 Cherry Plum 20-40 5 3 3 53 Cherry Plum 20-40 5 3 3 54 Alder 20-40 8 3 3 55 Willow 20-40 6 4 3 56 Willow 20-40 6 4 3 57 Cherry Plum 20-40 5 4 3 58 Cherry Plum 20-40 5 3 3 59 Cotoneaster 20-40 4 4 4 60 Crab Apple 20-40 4 3 3
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Map 7. Tree Location Map – Cavendish Recreation Ground
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Fig 4. Tree Survey Results – Cavendish Recreation Ground
Tree Species DBH cm Height Spread Life Work Required Number m m 1 Hawthorn 20-40 8 6 3 2 Hawthorn 20-40 6 4 3 Group 1 9x Hawthorn 20-40 6 4 3 3 Walnut 40-60 10 8 2 4 Silver Birch 20-40 9 6 2 5 Common Lime 40-60 10 10 2 6 Common Lime 40-60 10 10 2 7 Common Lime 40-60 9 6 2 remove broken branches 8 Common Lime 20-40 7 5 2 9 Ash 20-40 8 4 2 10 Poplar 60-80 10 10 3 11 Oak 20-40 6 5 2 12 Alder <20 5 2 2 remove basal growth 13 Goat Willow 20-40 6 4 3 remove basal growth 14 Silver Birch <20 4 2 2 15 Silver Birch 20-40 5 3 2 16 Walnut 20-40 6 3 2 17 Wild Cherry 20-40 5 4 3 18 Horse Chestnut 20-40 7 4 3 19 dead sapling <20 remove 20 Sweetgum <20 3 <1 1 monitor 21 Cherry Plum 20-40 5 4 3 22 Pin Oak 20-40 5 4 3 23 Pin Oak 20-40 5 4 3 24 Silver Birch 20-40 5 3 3 25 Silver Birch 20-40 5 3 3 thinning 26 Silver Birch <20 6 3 3 co-dom stem missing 27 Cherry Plum 20-40 5 3 3 28 Cyprus multi 6 2 3 29 20-40 9 3 3 30 Goat Willow multi 6 4 3 31 Wild Cherry 20-40 4 3 3 32 Walnut <20 3 2 2 33 Walnut 20-40 3 2 2 34 Cherry Plum 40-60 5 4 3 35 Leyland Cyprus 20-40 7 2 3 36 Leyland Cyprus <20 5 1 3 37 Leyland Cyprus 3x <20 6 1 3 38 Cyprus multi <20 7 2 3 Group 2 Ash 2x <20 fell 39 Ash 20-40 10 4 3 40 Cherry <20 4 2 2 41 Apple <20 3 2 3 42 Walnut 40-60 10 5 3 43 Horse Chestnut 60-80 12 8 4
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Tree Species DBH cm Height Spread Life Work Required Number m m 44 London Plane 40-60 12 7 3 45 Leyland Cyprus 20-40 9 3 3 46 Cherry Plum multi 20-40 6 4 3 47 Leyland Cyprus multi 20-40 10 3 3 48 Ash 20-40 8 3 3 49 Walnut 40-60 10 5 0 50 Horse Chestnut <20 4 2 1 51 Rowan <20 4 2 1 52 Walnut <20 3 1 1 main stem split - remove 53 Horse Chestnut 60-80 12 8 3 54 Irish Yew multi <20 6 2 3 55 Holm Oak 20-40 6 3 3 56 Cherry Plum 40-60 6 5 3 57 Sycamore <20 6 2 2 58 Sycamore <20 4 1 2 59 Sycamore 20-40 8 3 3 60 Sycamore 2x <20 6 2 2 61 Sycamore 40-60 7 3 3 62 Ash 20-40 6 3 2 Group 3 Ash, Hawthorne <20 - 40-60 3m-10 <1m-6 1 remove Ash by court fence Norway Maple 63 (Crimson King) 20-40 7 3 3 64 Hornbeam 20-40 5 4 3 65 Hornbeam 20-40 5 4 3 66 Hawthorn multi <20 5 3 3 67 Ash 20-40 8 3 3 68 Ash 40-60 9 4 3 69 Ash multi 20-40 7 4 3 70 Ash 20-40; 40-60 10 5 3 71 Crab Apple 20-40 8 4 3 Group 4 Oak, Elder, Maple 20-40 various
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Analysis Comparison of the life stage of trees present is compared to the ideal life distribution for a site is shown in Figure 3, below.
Fig. 3 Tree Life Analysis
90 80 70 60 Ideal 50 Bessingby Park 40 Pine Gardens
% of trees 30 Cavendish Rec 20 10 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 Life Stage
Conclusions Although the park complex contains some fine specimens of mature Willow, the remainder of the tree collection is not very diverse and together with the fact that there are very few trees in life category 1 indicates a need to invest in some new, interesting trees.
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Appendix D
Marketing Analysis, Plan and Evidence
Bessingby Park Complex is situated near to the A40, thereby providing easy access to the M40 and M25.
Bessingby Park Complex is a local park for the pursuit of enjoyment of local residents and visitors.
The park provides the opportunity for a range of physical activities from passive recreation to more active recreation such as tennis or basketball.
Ward residents’ profile (based on results of 2011 Census)
Gender: Males 5,595 Households: Females 6,063 4539 11,658
Age: 0 – 4 5.8% Households with dependent children: 5 – 15 14.8% 34.6% 16 – 19 10.1% 20 – 44 48.2% 45 – 64 13.4% 65 + 7.7%
Ethnic Group:
White 80.3% Mixed 3.2% Asian or Asian British 12.3% Black or Black British 2.7% Arab or other 1.5%
Health: Very good/ Good 85.3% Households with one or more person with Fair 10.9% a limiting long-term illness: 13.8% Very bad/bad 3.8%
Analysis The ward profile of residents indicates that 7.7% of residents are over 65 and that 13.8% of households indicated they have one or more persons with a limiting lifetime illnesses. Bessingby Park Complex therefore has an important role as a place for quiet enjoyment and gentle exercise. Seats need to be easy to use by people with disabilities and a DDA compliant design is important.
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Equally, 30.7% of residents are under the age of 20, 20.6 % of the population being under 16. Additionally, 34.6% of households have dependant children, with 5.8% of households having young children (under 5 years).
Marketing Segmentation The key market segments for Bessingby Park Complex appear to be:
a. Immediate neighbours b. People living within walking distance of the site. c. People living in the ward with limiting lifetime illnesses. d. People living in the ward/further away from the site who have an existing/potential interest in local natural history and heritage. e. People who visit or work on Ruislip High Street.
Marketing Methods to Help Enhance Appreciation and Appropriate use of the Site
Regular liaison with interested parties re issues affecting Bessingby Park Complex.
Use of welcoming informative interpretation boards at key points on the site to promote the special interests of the site to regular and occasional users.
Develop contact with residents over the age of 65 to promote Bessingby Park Complex and ensure feedback can be obtained from potentially less mobile users.
Promote Green Flag standards to users and neighbours to help raise the profile and understanding of Bessingby Park Complex.
Encourage articles to be written and published about Bessingby Park Complex on the council website, in the Gazette (local newspaper), “Hillingdon People” magazine and other publications as opportunities arise.
Ensure that information about the borough’s green spaces is kept up to date and available to the public on the council’s web site.
Encourage local schools to do projects relating to Bessingby Park Complex to aid understanding and appreciation and awareness locally.
A survey of users will continue to be carried out to compare the profile of users with that of ward residents and to learn more about users’ interests and expectations of Bessingby Park Complex. This information will feed into discussions with the interested parties and the management plan review process.
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Marketing Evidence
2011 Photo Comp All entries were displayed at Ruislip Manor Library to help promote the parks & followed up with an article with the pictures of the winners in the local newspaper.
Winner - Youth
Winner - Adult
Photo Competition promotional poster
67 Bessingby Park Complex Management Plan 2015 - 2020 ______
Appendix E
Commitment to Green Flag
This is an extract from Hillingdon Council’s website
68 Bessingby Park Complex Management Plan 2015 - 2020 ______
Appendix
Playground inspections
This is a typical example of a weekly playground inspection sheet, as completed by a Park Officer
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