Vauxhall Park

Vauxhall Park Management Plan 2012 - 2017

Friends of Vauxhall Park

Lambeth Parks & Greenspaces 4th Floor Blue Star House 234-244 Stockwell Road 020 7926 9000 parks@lambeth.gov.uk

A Vision for Vauxhall Park

“Our vision is that by 2016, Vauxhall Park should be a modern urban park of the highest quality, which preserves its historic character while providing a safe peaceful and varied environment for relaxation and recreation and enhancing the wellbeing of all sections of the community.“

2 Vauxhall Park Management Plan 2012 - 2017 Foreword

In Lambeth we have over 60 parks, commons, cemeteries and other open spaces, which enrich all of our lives and make Lambeth a better place to live, visit, and work. From major and local events, casual and competitive sports, reflection and contemplation, through to outdoor play spaces for children, we know that parks and open spaces are necessities in the modern world.

Lambeth’s open spaces have experienced a renaissance in recent years, and we have seen our many active parks groups rise to become champions for green spaces, including exploring new models in how to manage and maintain them. We now have 12 Green Flag Award winning parks and cemeteries, the highest number we’ve ever had; and the latest Residents Survey revealed 76% of local people judged Lambeth’s parks and open spaces to be good or excellent.

To ensure they meet our customer’s needs, Lambeth’s parks, cemeteries and open spaces are managed to Green Flag Award standard, using a rigorous set of criteria such as being welcoming, healthy, safe and secure, clean and well maintained, sustainable, respecting wildlife and heritage, community involvement, well marketed and good management. We want all of Lambeth’s parks, cemeteries and open spaces to be able to fly a coveted Green Flag, or aspire to this challenging but highly rewarding indicator of quality. In addition, through our new in-house grounds maintenance service, Lambeth Landscapes, we now have the capacity and flexibility to respond quickly and efficiently to ensure our open spaces remain at that standard throughout the year.

We also have a Parks and Cemeteries Capital Investment Plan which sets out a framework to help everyone see what the priorities are for improving our parks and other open spaces. It provides the evidence and rationale for investing in green spaces and underpins the thinking behind future improvement. This represents the biggest investment we have ever made in our open spaces; our Friends groups and the wider community have shown us time and again the value of our open spaces, and this is a demonstration of our commitment and a response to their efforts.

Yet while we have a vital role in delivering better open spaces, we cannot do it alone. This management plan is a story of partnerships where council and local people are working together to help shape and deliver standards and improvement in this particular site. The impact our residents have had on the design and implementation of improvements across each parks and open spaces cannot be understated. This plan shows what really matters to the many people that use this site. Working together, we hope this plan continues to act as the catalyst for stronger coordination to enhance its future and that of all of Lambeth’s parks and open spaces.

Thank you for joining our efforts to protect and improve our valuable parks, cemeteries and open spaces. If you require any further information with regards to this management plan and the work we’re doing to make it a safe, welcoming and enjoyable space to be in, please contact Lambeth Landscapes on 020 7926 9000 or at [email protected].

Councillor Jack Hopkins, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Business and Culture

London Borough of Lambeth Olive Morris House Brixton Hill London SW2 1RD www.lambeth.gov.uk

Contents Item Page

Foreword 3

1. Introduction 8

2. General Site Information 9

2.1 Name, Address & Location 9 2.2 Physical & Geographical Details 9 2.2.1 Area of Site 9 2.2.2 Grid Reference 9 2.2.3 Access 9 2.2.4 Land Tenure 13 2.2.5 Status 13 2.2.6 Public Rights of Way 13 2.2.7 Geology 13 2.2.8 Hydrology & Drainage 13 2.2.9 Planning Authority 13

3 History & Current Status 14

3.1 Historical Evolution 14 3.2 Key Features and Areas of Vauxhall Park 21 3.3 Cultural and Aesthetic Value 24

4. Vauxhall Park – Forward Vision and Masterplan 31

4.1 Drivers for Action and Change 31 4.2 Community Vision and Priorities 31 4.3 Lambeth Parks & Greenspaces Strategic Plan 32 4.4 Open Spaces Strategy – Improving Quality Scores 33 4.5 Vauxhall Park: The Vision Masterplan 34

5. Vauxhall Park is a Welcoming Place 38

5.1 Objectives 38 5.2 Current Status and Management Actions 38 5.3 Accessibility 38 5.4 A Visible Presence 38 5.5 Park Café 38 5.6 Signage 40 5.6.1 Park Entrance Signs 40 5.6.2 Boundary Signage 40 5.6.3 Directional Signage 40 5.6.4 Behavioural Notices and Signs 42 5.6.5 Building Information Signage 42

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6. Vauxhall Park is a Healthy, Safe and Secure Place 44

6.1 Objectives 44 6.2 Current Status and Management Actions 44 6.3 Risk Reduction and Management 44 6.4 Play Equipment 44 6.5 Lambeth Police and Lambeth Community Safety 45 6.6 Lambeth Parks & Open Spaces Byelaws 46 6.7 Dogs and Dog Control 46 6.8 Sports, Health and Wellbeing 47

7. Vauxhall Park is Well Maintained and Clean 49

7.1 Objectives 49 7.2 Current Status and Management Actions 49 7.3 Grounds Maintenance – Practical Management 49 7.3.1 Financial Allocations to Vauxhall Park 50 7.3.2 Obtaining Value for Money 50 7.3.3 Service Specifications & Performance Management 51 7.4 Additional Capital and Revenue Investment 51 7.4.1 Repairs & Maintenance Budget Allocations 51 7.4.2 Capital Investment Opportunities 51 7.5 Vauxhall Park Management Outcomes 52 7.5.1 Entrances 52 7.5.2 Grassland 52 7.5.3. Trees 53 7.5.4 Ornamental Gardens 54 7.5.5 Children’s Play Area 54 7.5.6 Lavender Garden 54 7.5.7 Tennis Courts 55 7.5.8 Multi Use Games Area 56 7.5.9 Park Buildings & Structures 57 7.6 Cleanliness and Waste Removal 57 7.6.1 Litter, Flytipping and Clinical Waste 58 7.6.2 Dog Waste 58 7.6.3 Graffiti and Flyposting 59

8. Vauxhall Park is a Sustainable Park 60

8.1 Objectives 60 8.2 Current Status and Management Actions 60 8.3 Sustainability in Parks and Open Spaces 60 8.4 Recycling, Composting and Peat Policy 60 8.5 Pesticides and Fertilisers 62 8.6 Water Conservation 62

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9. Vauxhall Park as a Conservation and Heritage Flagship 63

9.1 Objectives 63 9.2 Current Status and Management Actions 63 9.3 Protection and Enhancement of Heritage Character 63 9.3.1 Formal Gardens and Model Village 63 9.3.2 Railings, Fencing and Gates 64 9.3.3 Vauxhall Park Style Guide – Furniture and Fittings 65 9.3.4 Celebrating and Recognising Heritage 66 9.4 Protection and Enhancement of the Natural Environment 66 9.4.1 The Lambeth Biodiversity Action Plan 67 9.4.2 Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation 68 9.4.3 Naturalised Area Management in Vauxhall Park 68 9.4.4 Tree Management and Protection 69 9.4.5 Environmental Information and Interpretation 69

10. The Community is Involved in Vauxhall Park 70

10.1 Objectives 70 10.2 Current Status and Management Actions 70 10.3. Community Involvement 70 10.4 The Friends of Vauxhall Park 70 10.5 Education and Vauxhall Park 71 10.6 Children’s Play Facilities 72 10.7 Youth Groups 73 10.8 Voluntary Organisations & Volunteering Opportunities 73 10.8.1 Community Volunteering 73 10.8.2 Business Volunteering 74 10.8.3 Community Payback 74 10.9 Community Events 75

11. Vauxhall Park is Marketed to the Right Audiences 78

11.1 Objectives 78 11.2 Current Status and Management Actions 78 11.3 Vauxhall Park Information Leaflet 78 11.4 Lambeth Council Website Information 78 11.4.1 Vauxhall Park Web Information 78 11.4.2 Lambeth Parks – General Information 79 11.4.3 Lambeth Parks – Additional Information 79 11.5 Other Marketing Information 79

12. Vauxhall Park is Well Managed 81

12.1 Objectives 81 12.2 Current Status and Management Actions 81 12.3 Staffing and Management Structure 82

Contents

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Appendices

1. Vauxhall Park Vision and Management Action Plan

2. Vauxhall Park Risk Assessment

3. Lambeth Grounds Maintenance Specification

4. Vauxhall Park Planting Guidelines

5. Vauxhall Park Tree Management Strategy

7 Vauxhall Park Management Plan 2012 - 2017 1. Introduction

This is a management plan for Vauxhall Park, which covers its management and development from 2012 to 2017. The plan is informed by consultation with user groups, schools, site staff and officers.

Its initial development was overseen by the Management Plan Steering Group, which comprised representatives of the Friends of Vauxhall Park (FOVP) and Lambeth Parks & Greenspaces. It was compiled by Barbara Moth, landscape consultant, who prepared it under the direction of the Steering Group using CABE Space and Green Flag Award guidance. It was completed in March 2006, and formally adopted in May of that year.

In 2007 the park was submitted for a Green Flag Award (www.greenflagaward.org.uk), which it secured in July that year, and has continued to hold one since then. Feedback from Green Flag Judges recommended the original management plan had to be revised to take account recent developments but also make better use of images, diagrams and tables.

This recommendation was adopted, and the plan restructured so it was more accessible and focused with better use of visual material to convey issues, objectives and outcomes. The plan also shows how issues and actions address each of the Green Flag Award criteria, supported by appendices containing information assisting in management and development.

The key objectives of the management plan are:

• To help safeguard and enhance a resource that is highly valued by local people, the council and its elected members • To recognise that there is a need to establish and agree a long term strategy for the park’s improvement and to guide a consistent approach to its regeneration and use. • The provide a basis for making funding applications, and to secure inward investment to take forward the development of the park for present and future generations • To submit the park for a Green Flag Award, and if successful to ensure retention of this award in successive years • To enable the vision expressed in Lambeth’s Open Space Strategy and the Lambeth Parks Strategic Plan to be delivered at the local level, and as seen in Appendix 1, which are the visioning outputs for Vauxhall Park.

The remainder of the plan is structured around the Green Flag Award criteria. However, it must be read in conjunction with Appendix 1, which is the park’s Management Work Plan, as well as Appendix 3, the Grounds Maintenance Schedules; both of these detail what practical actions are being taken to deliver the plan. However, further appendices provide information on key policies and material relevant to the park and its management.

A new Masterplan is currently being developed for Vauxhall Park which should, after further consultation, be adopted in 2017; this will then inform the management plan, which is due for review and updating in that same year..

8 Vauxhall Park Management Plan 2012 - 2017 2. General Site Information

2.1 Name, Address & Location

Name: Vauxhall Park, Address: Lawn Lane, Vauxhall, London SW8

The location of Vauxhall Park can be found on a Google Map link, and a general introduction page can be found on a specific web page on the Lambeth Council website. There is also an excellent website managed by the Friends of Vauxhall Park, which contains useful information on the history, layout, management and use of the park.

Vauxhall Park is situated in North Lambeth, and lies 500m south east of the River Thames at Vauxhall Bridge, and within 300m of the Vauxhall underground, train station and bus interchange, known as ‘Vauxhall Cross’, first created in 2005.

The park is bounded on three sides by public roads: South Lambeth Road (a Red Route) to the west, Lawn Lane to the north, and Fentiman Road to the south. The eastern side of the park abuts against private properties and social housing.

The nearest train station is Vauxhall (South West Trains) which is on the main route between Waterloo and Clapham Junction, with frequent trains to stations to South West London and England. The station is approximately 0.2 km from the north-western entrance of the park, a short walk along South Lambeth Road.

The nearest underground station is Vauxhall (Victoria Line) which runs between Brixton, Victoria, Oxford Circus, Euston and King’s Cross-St. Pancras. There are connections at Stockwell for the Northern Line and at Victoria for the Circle/District Lines. The station is also approximately 0.2 km from the north western entrance of the park.

The park is served by two bus routes which travel along South Lambeth Road: the Number 2 and Number 88. Bus stops in both directions are located close to the two western entrances to the park (on Lawn Lane or Fentiman Road).

Figure 1 shows the general location of the Park in relation to major centres of population, Figure 2 shows the park in an aerial view, and Figure 3 shows the present boundaries.

2.2 Physical & Geographical Details

2.2.1 Area of Site

The total area of Vauxhall Park is 2.82 hectares.

2.2.2 Grid Reference

The Ordnance Survey Grid Reference for the centre of Vauxhall Park is TQ 305 777.

2.2.3 Access

Access is via five gates; the principal vehicle gate is on Lawn Lane (northern side of park), but vehicles can also enter from Fentiman Road using the gates in the south eastern corner. Both gates are also pedestrian access and normally kept open, but can be closed if there are emergency issues. Vehicle access to Vauxhall Park is for staff; all other vehicles are prohibited from entering without prior consent.

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Vauxhall Park

Vauxhall Park

Figure 1. General location of Vauxhall Park

The other three gates are pedestrian only. The two gates on the western corners of the park are double gates but have vehicle barrier fences. The fifth gate is on Fentiman Road, and used exclusively to service the café in the south western corner of the park; it is not normally for public use and is kept locked when not in use.

The four public gates are opened each morning and closed at dusk each evening. There is no authorised access to the park at night and before gates re-open next morning. Lambeth Emergency Control, who provide out-of-hours support to council services, and Lambeth Borough Police have keys to gates which allow access after hours in case of emergencies.

Public access gates are open by 7.30 am each morning, and close at dusk; official closing times vary according to the time of the year, so that they close in the middle of winter by 4 pm, and remain open until about 9.30 pm during high summer.

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Figure 2. Aerial photograph of Vauxhall Park

11 Vauxhall Park Management Plan 2012 - 2017 South Lambeth Road Dog Exercise Area Lawn Lane (North (North West) Entrance East) Entrance

Community Orchard Games Court South Lambeth Road (South West) Entrance Playground

Open Area One O’clock Club

Formal Gardens

Café Building Lavender Garden Montessori Nursery & Grounds Tennis Courts

Fentiman Road (South East) Entrance

Figure 3. Vauxhall Park showing site boundaries and key features and entrances

12 Vauxhall Park Management Plan 2012 - 2017 There are a number of internal gates, such as into the Montessori Nursery and One O’Clock Club, playground, formal gardens, tennis courts and depot. Nursery and grounds maintenance staff are responsible for opening and locking their own gates, but other internal gates are normally not locked unless in an emergency or to isolate defective facilities.

Vauxhall Park is relatively accessible to the disabled, and can be traversed by buggies, wheelchairs and those who are walking disabled. There are few steps and no steep paths, but entrances to some parts of the park have narrow gates or uneven surfaces, and care is needed to manoeuvre these. Lambeth Parks has prioritised changes to such features to improve disabled access as part of the annual site access audit and risk assessment review.

2.2.4 Land Tenure

Vauxhall Park is in the freehold of the London Borough of Lambeth.

2.2.5 Status

Vauxhall Park is classified as a Public Open Space in the Lambeth Unitary Development Plan (UDP), which is due to be replaced by the Lambeth Local Plan which is due for adoption in 2014. It is also designated as a Local Park in the Lambeth Open Spaces Strategy (OSS), a category below that of Major Park; the distinction derives from size threshold (20 ha), range of amenities available, size of catchment area and the extent of use.

Vauxhall Park is within the “Vauxhall Conservation Area” (CA 32) for the Borough of Lambeth, but is not on English Heritage’s “Register or Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest”, nor contains any features or buildings on their ‘At Risk’ Register.

2.2.6 Public Rights of Way

No public rights of way are known to exist across the site; all paths are permissive.

2.2.7 Geology

The underlying soils are ‘made ground’, as the park is located on old buildings, gardens or on land cleared of woodland and used for farmland or amenity grassland. The deeper strata are London Clay: though not exposed on site it influences drainage, plant growth and nutrition. Surface soils are relatively free draining in most places but impeded in others, especially where hardstanding or intensive use (e.g. ball games) have compacted the soils beneath.

2.2.8 Hydrology & Drainage

Dominance by London Clay suggests impeded drainage, but there are no recorded springs, ponds or streams on site. The closeness of the Thames has some influence on ground water levels and on saturation of deeper strata.

2.2.9 Planning Authority

The London Borough of Lambeth is the Local Planning Authority. However, given the park’s proximity to the Embankment and Westminster, Westminster City Council is sometimes consulted on strategic or other cross-borough planning matters pertinent to the site.

13 Vauxhall Park Management Plan 2012 - 2017 3 History & Current Status

3.1 Historical Evolution

Vauxhall Park has a long and interesting history, but this section provides a short summary. A more detailed chronology of the park is provided on the Friends of Vauxhall Park’s website (http://www.vauxhallpark.org.uk/) and in the book ‘Lambeth’s Open Spaces – a Historical Account’ by Marie Draper (1979).

Table 1. Outline Chronology of Vauxhall Park

Date Event or Change 1886/7 John Colbeldick, a speculative local developer, buys the site for housing development 1888 Pressure by Millicent Fawcett, Octavia Hill and others results in purchase of land by the Metropolitan Board of Works under the Vauxhall Park Act 1888 1889 Kyle Society paid for park to be laid out to design of Fanny Wilkinson, the Kyrle Society’s landscape gardener 1890 Park opened by the Prince of Wales. Metropolitan Public Gardens Association provided 10 seats, following letters of request from the Vauxhall Working Men’s Committee and the Clerk to the Vestry 1891 Henry Fawcett’s House demolished. Doulton drinking fountain installed as central feature in space designed by Fanny Wilkinson. 1893 Statue of Henry Fawcett by George Tinworth unveiled by Archbishop of Canterbury on site of Fawcett’s house 1894 Henry Lloyd of Caterham provided the first children’s playground along the park’s eastern boundary. Ordnance Survey records suggests the park was laid out faithfully to Fanny Wilkinson’s design. 1914 Bandstand replaces Doulton drinking fountain Gymnasium laid out in the NE corner Urinal installed at the E end of the central E/W path, area to SE enclosed by railings Lavatories installed near the W boundary (1900) Addition of bowling green and tennis courts to rose garden area resulting in straightening path to W. Loss of loop path near NE entrance Indication of more elaborate paths and beds around statue 1930’s Addition of model village, considerably more extensive and detailed than present survival items. 1939/40 Pavilion sited E of bowling green Development of area E of bowling green (with frames and glasshouses) Urinal replaced by lavatory Shelter S of playground on E boundary wall Additional tennis courts between original courts and SW entrance (present location of courts) 1939/45 Boundary railings removed for war effort; V1 flying bomb lands in bowling green area 1949/50 Addition of theatre in enclosure in NE corner (present dog exercise area) N semi circular stub end to N/S path parallel to South Lambeth Road removed Shrub beds in central area removed Drinking fountain shown on eastern boundary of park with playground

14 Vauxhall Park Management Plan 2012 - 2017 Date Event or Change 1963 Additional building, railings and steps in theatre area Bandstand and bandstand space removed, path straightened Refreshment pavilion removed Path from Fentiman Road straightened Additional bowling green replaces tennis court New building replaces lavatory at E end of E/W path New glasshouses and coldframes Fawcett statue and associated path removed Area opposite SW entrance at path junction enclosed by railings 1965 Children’s toilet with mosaic erected in playground 1967 Victoria line extension to Brixton appropriates N part of park for construction 1975 Drinking fountain removed Shelter reduced, possibly removed Large new glasshouses and building added to E boundary Toilets erected near SW entrance Barriers installed at South Lambeth Road entrances Area railed off near NW entrance Path S of tennis courts straightened Northern perimeter path realigned adjacent to boundary 1993 Proposals for play area include demolition of buildings to boundary, removal of greenhouses and all play equipment and paddling pool in NE corner; addition of curved path with seats, walls and pergolas, fountain, boundary planting, kickabout area (MUGA area) and play equipment for 8-14 year olds to north and other equipment in SW corner of enclosed space, E of path. 1998 Vauxhall Conservation Area extended to encompass Vauxhall Park 2005 Installation of train and picnic benches in children’s area 2005 Opening of new lavender garden on site of old bowling green 2008 Opening of new café in old toilet block in south western corner of park 2009 Creation of new bulb areas, landscaping of boundary features, tree planting 2010 Relocation of dog exercise area to western side of park followed by the reclamation of the old dog area back into the rest of the park 2012 Creation of a new community orchard 2013 Formation of new community gardening group 2015 Commissioning of a new Masterplan for Vauxhall Park, which will concentrate on replacing the existing playground, improvements to internal pathways and access, and improving sports provision

Vauxhall Park was originally created by a special Act of Parliament in 1888 on land whose history can be traced back to the 16th Century. A series of houses originally stood on this site, including one occupied by Henry Fawcett, a famous statesman and onetime Postmaster General. The site was saved from development in the late 1800s and purchased under the Vauxhall Park Act 1888 with money from public and private sources.

The Kyrle Society paid for laying out the park to the design of Fanny Wilkinson, landscape designer to the Kyrle Society and Metropolitan Public Gardens Association (Figure 4). The park was officially opened by HRH the Prince of Wales on 7th July 1890. A statue of Henry Fawcett and a children’s playground were added in the 1890’s. By 1914 the park had a bandstand, tennis court, bowling green, drinking fountain and toilets. A model village and pavilion were added in the 1930’s and a nursery developed to supply plants.

15 Vauxhall Park Management Plan 2012 - 2017 The One O’ Clock Club was established by 1963 and the northern part of the park used for construction of the Victoria line in 1967, as well as losses of key 19th Century features (Figure 5). Further 20th Century changes included introduction of a multi-use games area, a new lavender garden alongside the rose garden, on the former bowling greens, new railings along Fentiman Road, and conversion of the old toilet block into a new café (Figure 7).

Analysis of Change

This section summarises some of the key changes that have taken place since 1890 in Vauxhall Park. The 1914 Ordnance Survey indicates that Fanny Wilkinson’s original design was faithfully adopted (Figure 4).

Subsequent changes have largely been the result of planned change to meet contemporary needs, standards or fashion, though some change has resulted from the impact of external developments and wider political decision-making (Figures 5 and 6). Over time some of these decisions, along with natural wear and tear on the park together with limited investment, resulted in some degradation of the fabric and loss of the original design.

Losses from the original park design included:

• The Doulton drinking fountain • The Henry Fawcett statue • The boundary railings • Many of the curved paths due to various phases of development associated with sport and construction of the One O’ Clock Club and toilet block • Most shrubbery areas and any flower displays in the centre of the park

Subsequent additions, but now also lost:

• Pavilion • Theatre • Bowling greens • Shelter

Features retained from the original park design:

• The straight paths incorporated from the pre 1890 housing layout • Sections of curved path from the south west entrance and in the north east of the park • The three original entrances, one with its original gates • The low boundary plinth to the roadside boundaries • Some of the trees

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Figure 4. Original design for Vauxhall by Fanny Wilkinson, 1890 (Lambeth Archives)

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Figure 5. Vauxhall Park 1963: key site changes (Ordnance Survey 1963)

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Figure 6. Vauxhall Park 1975: key site changes (Ordnance Survey 1975)

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Figure 7. Site Plan for Vauxhall Park 2005

20 Vauxhall Park Management Plan 2012 - 2017 3.2 Key Features of Vauxhall Park

This section is an overview of facilities and attractions in Vauxhall Park. It is not designed to be exhaustive, but identifies key features that make the park of interest to local people, and priorities for improvement and change. This section, as do may of the following ones, need to be read in conjunction with Figures 3 and 7 (Site Plans, 12 (Spatial Plan), 13 (Hard Landscape), 14 (Landscape Analysis), 15 (Park Furniture) and 16 (Planting Areas).

Vauxhall Park is clearly defined by railings, walls, fences and hedges and bounded to north, south and west respectively by Lawn Lane, Fentiman Road and South Lambeth Road (Figures 3, 7, 8 and 13). It is bounded to the east by flats, houses and St Peter’s Residence, a religious establishment (Figure 7).

Figure 8. The railings along Fentiman Road

The roadside boundaries are characterised by low parapet walls retaining park ground levels slightly above the level of surrounding pavements surmounted by railings, or by angled concrete fence posts support chain link fencing. A high wall forms the boundary between the park and residential properties to the east (Figure 7).

The park has four entrances, all gated and locked at night. The north west and south west pedestrian entrances from South Lambeth Road have original brick and terracotta gate piers and original or replica gates and barriers across the path within the park. From both entrances the ground rises gently to the central space. The narrower entrances on Lawn Lane and Fentiman Road provide vehicular and pedestrian access.

21 Vauxhall Park Management Plan 2012 - 2017 A network of paths of varying width provide access to all areas (Figures 3, 7, 13 and 14). The majority of the park is covered by grass. It is well treed with specimens of varying age and species but dominated by a number of large plane trees of considerable stature and spread.

Figure 9. New bench in the formal garden area, Vauxhall Park

Spaces in central and western areas of the park are unenclosed, with the exception of tennis courts near the southern boundary and a recently relocated dog exercise area (Figures 3, 7 and 14). To the east spaces are enclosed by low railings defining a children’s play area with seating, a play space associated with the ‘Stay and Play’ One O’clock Club (a nursery for children aged 4 years and under plus their parents/guardians), and formal garden areas. In the north east corner of the site is a modern multi-use games area (Figures 3 and 7).

Vauxhall Park contains three buildings: a) a café converted from an old toilet block next to the south west entrance; b) a Montessori nursery school on the eastern boundary; and c) a one o’clock club and gardener’s store at the eastern end of the park (Figures 3 and 7). All buildings are single storey with flat roofs of brick construction. The One O’ Clock Club has a veranda on the western façade and, together with the nursery, metal shutters.

The children’s play area is situated on two levels defined by a grassed bank with scattered trees and shrubs. The upper area contains a play area with a range of play equipment for 5 – 11 year olds, and a path with seats, sections of low wall and four sections of metal trellis over the path. The lower area contains a brightly coloured toy train for young children, timber animals and picnic benches (Figures 14 and 16). The enclosed play space associated with the One O’ Clock Club is screened from the rest of the park by the building and vegetation, and comprises a flat, grassed space with scattered benches. There is ongoing consultation and plans being developed to replace and upgrade the play provision in this area.

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Figure 10. The toy bus in the playground, Vauxhall Park

West of the One O’ Clock Club is a model village with small paths and bedding overlooking a small fountain and pool at a junction between the main east west path and the path from Fentiman Road (Figures 7, 13 and 17). The gardens comprise a rose garden with pergola containing a number of rose beds, herbaceous beds and specimen ornamental trees, and a lavender garden (Figures 3 and 17). The model village is backed by conifers and lies within the enclosed garden area.

The model village was apparently given to the park in 1947 by Edgar Wilson, a retired engineer who took up model village making and produced some beautiful model houses, hotels and dovecotes. Wilson used lead for many of the windows and doors, and tinted the concrete by hand. Wilson is believed to have made at least three of these villages, of which one was given to Finsbury Park in North London and another to Brockwell Park in 1943. Initially there were many more houses at Brockwell Park, and it seems that around half the village houses were transferred to Vauxhall Park in the 1950s.

A privet hedge defines the western edge of the lavender garden, separating it from some of the planting beds and trees, and along the eastern boundary of the gardens there are trees, conifers and bedding beside the path from Fentiman Road (Figure 13). The planting beds lie mostly within grass with paved paths only along the eastern boundary and through the pergola. The garden area is flat having been laid out on former bowling greens.

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Figure 11. The rose pergola in the ornamental gardens, Vauxhall Park

The park has seats, bins, signs and railings in a variety of styles. The seats are situated primarily along the principal east-west path, along the path beside the children’s area, around the fountain and within the gardens (Figure 14).

3.3. Cultural and Aesthetic Value

From consultation carried out in Vauxhall Park in developing this management plan, it is clear that the site is highly valued by local people as:

• A local park; • For the freely accessible green space it provides in an area of dense urban development and busy roads; • As an outdoor room for learning and social interaction; • For its canopy of trees; • For its flowers and floral displays; • For play and sport; • For the One O’ Clock Club and nursery; • The opportunity to be outside in a safe space; • For its historic character.

Appendix 2, which summarises the initial evaluation data used to formulate the original park management plan, describes some of the key strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats for Vauxhall Park, and reiterates the above statements.

24 Vauxhall Park Management Plan 2012 - 2017 Some people also value Vauxhall Park for its historical associations. The Kyrle Society, like other similar societies, was established in the 19th century to protect open spaces and improve living conditions for the urban poor. The park is also recognised for its connections with such (nationally, even internationally) famous people such as Henry Fawcett, Millicent Fawcett and Octavia Hill, the latter being one of the founders for the National Trust.

It was also one of the first parks to be designed by Fanny Wilkinson, one the first women landscape architects, and opened under the London County Council. Fanny Wilkinson was landscape gardener to the Kyrle Society and to the Metropolitan Public Gardens Association, another nationally recognised body, where her work included laying out numerous disused churchyards and burial grounds as gardens and the creation of small parks and recreation grounds particularly in the east end of London.

Figure 12. Seating, bedding and landscaping in the ornamental gardens, Vauxhall Park

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Figure 13. Vauxhall Park – Spatial Character

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Figure 14. Vauxhall Park – Hard Landscapes

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Figure 15. Vauxhall Park – Landscape Analysis

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Figure 16. Vauxhall Park – Park Furniture

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Figure 17. Vauxhall Park – Planting Areas

30 Vauxhall Park Management Plan 2012 - 2017 4. Vauxhall Park – Forward Vision & Masterplan

4.1 Drivers for Action and Change

Vauxhall Park must not operate in isolation of the many factors which influence its use and development - the plan recognises and accommodates these factors. The following section describes the key ‘drivers for change’ that affect Vauxhall Park, and need to be incorporated into setting actions and objectives for the remainder of the management plan.

4.2 Community Vision and Priorities

Appendix 1 contains the Vauxhall Park Vision, which indicated where the park was when the original management plan was being compiled; many issues have or are being addressed to remove problems whilst retaining and enhancing strengths. Whilst at lot has been achieved to date, there are many things that still need to be done to continue this process. Discussion continues to take place between to decide what the future look and feel of the park will be. A result of this has been the production of a core vision, comprising key actions seen as priority yet, with effort and focusing of resources, quite achievable. Discussion with stakeholders and community consultation indicated that the vision should reflect the following:

• Access/inclusion of the whole community • Localness • Sense of place • Opportunity and diversity of facilities • Importance of greenspace • Quality of place and quality of life • Heritage

From this the Friends of Vauxhall Park and Lambeth Parks developed the following vision statement:

“Our vision is that by 2016, Vauxhall Park should be a modern urban park of the highest quality, which preserves its historic character while providing a safe peaceful and varied environment for relaxation and recreation and enhancing the wellbeing of all sections of the community.“

Based on the above, the following aims have been agreed for setting priorities and actions for the Vauxhall Park management plan, as the ‘Park Vision’ (Appendix 1).

Aims

• To welcome, encourage and improve access for all sectors of the local community • To develop existing or new facilities that contribute to social interaction and wellbeing • To provide opportunities for the acquisition of new skills and knowledge • To extend and improve opportunities for sport, play and informal exercise • To progressively improve the park so that it becomes a leader in horticulture and design with improved environmental sustainability • To conserve the historic fabric and character and, where appropriate, recreate elements of the original design • To enable greater understanding and appreciation of the park’s heritage • To maintain and enhance a safe, orderly and peaceful environment

These elements have been incorporated into the Management Work Plan included in Appendix 1 as actions to be addressed.

31 Vauxhall Park Management Plan 2012 - 2017 4.3 Lambeth Parks & Greenspaces Strategic Plan

In July 2002 Lambeth Council formally adopted the ‘Lambeth Parks & Greenspaces Strategic Plan’ (LPGSP), following consultation with park user and community groups. This Strategic Plan is a key policy in determining how parks and greenspaces are managed and used.

At the heart of the Strategic Plan are ten ‘fundamental principles’ for the management, development and use of Lambeth’s parks, commons and public open spaces which should be applied at each site to ensure they meet and respond to the needs and aspirations of communities, as well as the corporate vision of the council. These are as follows.

1. Parks for Present and Future Generations

As the representative of the people of Lambeth, the council is the ‘steward’ of their parks and greenspaces and should be managing them in the interests of the community to ensure they are fit for use and capable of accommodating future demands and changing priorities.

2. Parks as Places of History and Heritage

The council protects and preserves the historic landscapes and rich architectural heritage found within Lambeth’s parks and greenspaces, ensuring this heritage is protected for both present and future generations.

3. Parks as Community Assets

Lambeth’s parks and greenspaces are an essential and inalienable community resource. As such the council works in partnership with local people and involves them in decision making relating to the use, development and management of parks, commons and greenspaces.

4. Investing in Parks is Investing for the Future

The council recognises that Lambeth’s parks and greenspaces require appropriate investment and careful nurturing. The council actively secures resources for the regeneration of its parks and greenspaces, in partnership with local people and external agencies.

5. A Right of Access to Parks

Lambeth’s parks and greenspaces are available to all sections of the community, not just residents but also the many visitors who come to the borough. The council supports and promotes access and use of parks and greenspaces for the benefit of the whole community.

6. A Right to Safety in Parks

All sections of the community have a right to use Lambeth’s parks and greenspaces in safety and without the fear of crime or harassment. The council works in partnership with people and other agencies to ensure all of its parks and greenspaces are healthy and safe.

7. Parks as an Educational, Artistic & Cultural Resource

The council recognises that Lambeth’s parks and greenspaces are a rich resource for learning, not only about the living environment but also the borough’s history and culture. The council encourages the use of parks and greenspaces as centres of education as well as places to celebrate Lambeth’s cultural and artistic diversity.

32 Vauxhall Park Management Plan 2012 - 2017 8. Parks as Places for Play, Sport & Recreation

Lambeth’s parks and greenspaces are an essential resource in providing quality space for play, sport and recreation. The council will ensure that these uses are provided for, to improve the health, enjoyment and wellbeing of residents and local communities.

9. Parks as ‘Green’ Spaces

The council manages its parks and greenspaces to ensure they comply with the Lambeth Sustainability Charter. As well as protecting biodiversity, the council takes every opportunity to maximise resource efficiency by increasing recycling, making better use of alternative energy sources and minimising the use of pesticides and other harmful chemicals.

10. Aiming High for Quality Parks

The council makes best use of available resources to ensure its parks and greenspaces are at or attaining the highest quality possible. The council strives to comply with the objectives of the ‘Green Flag Award’ standard across all parks and greenspaces and where appropriate make formal applications to recognise this level of quality.

One of the key outcomes of the Strategic Plan was recognition of the importance that individual parks and greenspaces have, wherever possible, adopted management plans in place to deliver these principles and ensure resources are targeted to have maximum effect, or opportunities to enhance and improve the quality of sites recognised.

This was recognised by the Council’s Executive at the time the Strategic Plan was adopted; as a result many parks and greenspaces in Lambeth now have management plans.

The rest of this management plan will show how the key principles of the Strategic Plan are incorporated into the ongoing management, development and use of Vauxhall Park, including the Management Work Plan (Appendix 1).

4.4 The Lambeth Open Spaces Strategy

In 2003 over 240 parks, commons and open spaces were surveyed as part of the ‘Lambeth Open Spaces Strategy’ (LOSS) as part of the council’s obligations under the London Plan. This requires all London authorities to have an Open Spaces Strategy to manage use and development of open space within their boundaries and protect them for sport, play, education and wildlife.

Vauxhall Park was surveyed in 2003 and its overall Site Quality Score was 51% which classified it as ‘High Average’. However, whilst some categories contributing to overall quality score were good or excellent at 60% or above (e.g. transport, accessibility, maintenance, play provision, boundary features, personal security and aesthetic factors), others like architecture, signage, vegetation, site furniture, sports, preventing vandalism and biodiversity were low or could have scored higher.

As a result of ongoing improvements the park was re-assessed in 2012; this is because the LOSS is being updated to take account of new planning policy especially the ‘Lambeth Local Plan’ which is a response to guidance contained in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). This provided an opportunity to assess Vauxhall Park in the light of the changes that have taken place since 2004. The results of the re-assessment gave a new Overall Site Score of 62%, an increase of 11%, which graded the site as ‘Good.

33 Vauxhall Park Management Plan 2012 - 2017 A breakdown of categories contributing to this score many categories were scoring relatively high, such as preventing vandalism (93%), sports facilities (84%), management (80%), play facilities (80%), general access (77%), personal safety (77%), boundary features (75%), transport (70%), aesthetic quality (67%) and footpaths (65%). Nevertheless, some categories must show improvement such as biodiversity (23%), architecture (26%), signage (28%), furniture (48%), and vegetation (36%) so that their scores still need to increase over the lifetime of this management plan to match those of the other categories.

It is interesting that many of the issues identified by Lambeth Council and its community partners through various site assessments as in need of further improvement, and described in subsequent sections, are actions that would help target these low-scoring categories and raise score value, should the park be reassessed in later years, in order to continue improvement in its overall Site Quality Score.

4.5 Vauxhall Park – A New Masterplan

The original management plan for Vauxhall Park is now over ten years old, and since then many changes have taken place both within and around the park, especially the developments currently under way and are proposed for the Vauxhall area. Vauxhall Park sits within the “Vauxhall, Nine Elms and Battersea” (VNEB) Development Zone. These and other adjacent schemes will involve twenty interconnected development sites, over 195 hectares of land to be redeveloped, 16,000 new homes for up to 46,000 people and the creation of up to 25,000 new jobs.

It is inevitable that these changes will radically affect the appearance, structure and function of buildings, roads and landscapes that surround and connect with the park. In addition there will be a significant increase in local residential populations which will in turn place considerable pressure on Vauxhall Park in terms of its existing facilities and its capacity to accommodate the increased demand, and to meet people’s expectations.

Therefore, using Section 106 capital funding allocations Lambeth Council and the Friends of Vauxhall Park commissioned a Vauxhall Park Masterplan in late 2014. This Masterplan will include long term improvements that acknowledge future requirements of the park due to the imminent increase in local population over the next ten years.

Kinnear Landscape Architects were appointed to develop this Masterplan, and following detailed consultation have produced initial assessments of the park identifying both current provision and those to meet future need. In 2015-16 a series of public consultation events started which took place to allow residents and park users to provide comments on key issues and opportunities presently evolving out of the project.

The Friends of Vauxhall Park have widely publicised the Masterplan consultation exercise (http://www.vauxhallpark.org.uk/2014/12/19/see-the-new-park-plans-online-and-have- your-say/), as well as hosting the consultation boards. The boards can be viewed on the Friend’s website, but one of the key boards is shown in Figure 18.

Feedback on the initial consultation phases is now being collated, and this is enabling the Masterplan to be formulated. Once this draft has been refined, developed and adopted, then its objectives and targets will be embedded into this management plan when it is reviewed and updated at the end of 2017.

34 Vauxhall Park Management Plan 2012 - 2017

Figure 18. Vauxhall Park – Vision Masterplan

35 Vauxhall Park Management Plan 2012 - 2017 Nevertheless, some key messages are developing from this exercise, which concur closely with what both the Friends and Lambeth Parks feel are essential for the park to meet present and future demands, and maintain its current standards. The key issues are:

• The size and capacity of Vauxhall Park is a prime consideration in introducing new or extending existing facilities, in order to meet or encourage increased use; • Where possible, physical and visual barriers should be reduced to enhance the sense of space and encourage greater access to underused areas; • Improvements to the park’s layout should reflect the spirit of the original design, albeit with some modern features that are still sympathetic to its history (Figure 19lance, and equipment and facilities need to be robust and properly maintained; • Park entrances should be welcoming, providing attractive views into the park with good sight lines, and are designed for maximum access and provide key information; • Access to quality play and learning, and the provision of good formal and informal sports, cannot be underestimated and must be both protected and improved; • Interest in food growing, gardening and biodiversity is increasing locally and the park needs to be able to respond to and help meet this demand; • The character of the park, enlivened by subtle changes in levels and enveloped by a canopy of mature trees creating an attractive space, must be retained and enhanced.

The principal feature of the initial masterplan is enhancement of the focus of the park around the fountain, one o’clock club building and the playground (Figures 10 and 20). The existing playground is showing its age and must be replaced with something more stimulating, with better landscaping and offering more for a growing user base. In addition, there is potential for natural play elements to be incorporated so that children have better access to and appreciation of nature when playing. As mentioned later, funding has been secured from Lambeth’s Capital Investment Plan to replace the playground in its entirety, and a project team is now working on detailed as to the design and layout of the play area.

Figure 19. View of Vauxhall Park, showing good sightlines and heritage character

36 Vauxhall Park Management Plan 2012 - 2017 The existing one o’clock club also needs to be replaced with something ‘green’ of high quality design, an exemplar educational tool in itself. It is intended the building is multi-use, functions throughout park opening hours and accommodates a kitchen, store and toilets, and public toilet(s) accessible externally. This could also serve as a centre for delivery of evening and weekend activities, and act as a park information point as well as a place to house those undertaking community gardening or running events.

Restoration of the boundaries on both Lawn Lane and South Lambeth Road, and replacement of the existing poor fencing with a more suitable style of railing, is also seen as important to make the park feel more welcoming and safer.

The park also offers additional opportunities for naturalised spring and autumn bulbs planted in drifts, and the creation of discrete but carefully maintained areas to be used for gardening and ecology activities. Together with improvements to the rose and lavender gardens and community garden areas, it is intended that the quality of the planting in the park will establish it as a beacon of horticultural excellence in Lambeth.

As the masterplan consultation develops, then additional information boards and further information will be publicised in the park and through the Friends’ website, and any key issues or outcomes will be included in this management plan when it is updated.

Figure 20. Vauxhall Park Summer Fair – children and parents in the play area: a key feature that is priority for improvement, as highlighted in the emerging Masterplan

37 Vauxhall Park Management Plan 2012 - 2017 5. Vauxhall Park is a Welcoming Place

5.1 Objectives

To be a welcoming place, the following objectives are proposed for Vauxhall Park:

5.1.1 It will be maintained to create a welcoming effect in keeping with its surroundings and which respects its natural, heritage and community character. 5.1.2 It will be managed and developed to ensure it remains accessible to the community. 5.1.3 It will benefit from signage, leaflets and publicity of a coherent consistent design which contains up to date and relevant information.

5.2 Current Status and Management Actions

The first time visitor to Vauxhall Park should be impressed by how welcoming and attractive it is, and that this first visit will not be their last. For regular visitors the impression should be that the park remains welcoming and there is no measurable deterioration in overall quality.

Features of particular importance include good and safe access, pedestrians taking priority over vehicles (including cycles), effective signage to and within the park, and offering something for everyone with a healthy spread of different user groups in all parts of the park.

5.3 Accessibility

Although a ‘closed park’ and only open during daylight hours, Vauxhall Park is open seven days a week, 365 days a year. Park entrances will be kept wide and open, and sight lines maintained to ensure people feel safe. Where gates are narrow surrounding vegetation is kept low or back from paths to improve views and remove any sensation of being ‘closed in’.

Vehicle access is restricted to two specified gates, and vehicle movements only permitted on certain internal paths and in specified areas to provide a safer environment for pedestrians. An annual audit is carried out to ensure barriers to access are addressed and resolved.

The park is well used by walkers and cyclists, given its close proximity to Vauxhall Cross and main roads to central London. There are no formal cycle routes within the park, and whilst cyclists generally respect rules and show consideration to others, where required signs will be erected to remind them to keep speeds down and respect others.

5.4 A Visible Presence

Because it is a small site, Vauxhall Park does not presently qualify for permanent staffing by Lambeth Landscapes and all works are undertaken by mobile teams. However, the service specification contains options to locate staff on site during periods of heavy use or where there are effort-intensive issues to address such as planting out bedding, shrub removal or grass mowing. Staff allocated to the park are well known to users so that problems and issues are addressed; they are always uniformed and identifiable.

5.5 Park Café

Prior to 2008 Vauxhall Park had no toilets accessible to the general user; the old toilet block in the south west of the park was closed and in poor condition. It was not realistic to open them as this would have placed a significant maintenance burden on the park and without a staff presence vulnerable to vandalism, misuse or poor hygiene.

38 Vauxhall Park Management Plan 2012 - 2017 In 2007 Lambeth Parks and the Friends of Vauxhall Park were approached with a proposal to lease the old toilet block and convert the building into a new café with internal toilets. This proposal was strongly supported by local stakeholders, and agreement was given to acquire a lease and seek planning consent for conversion. After development consent was given, the building was completely altered and refurbished, and formally opened in November 2008 following completion of the lease agreement (Figure 21).

Figure 21. The ‘Parco Café’ in Vauxhall Park

The design of the café means its main doors open out into the park, so it is accessible to park users or commuters during the day, and has a large patio with seating to ‘extend’ the area where refreshments can be served and consumed. The café is also designed so that it can be accessed from Fentiman Road at those times when the park is shut: at these times the main café doors are locked to prevent unauthorised entry into the park. The café contains a toilet for use by customers, and its use is managed so that priority is given to people using the café, although persons with an urgent or special need can be accommodated.

The presence of the café has given the park a new feel, made it far more welcoming and encourages people to spend more time than in the past. Although maintenance of the café is the sole responsibility of the lessees, the council works closely with them to keep the building safe and presentable, and assist with signage and waste removal.

39 Vauxhall Park Management Plan 2012 - 2017 5.6 Signage

In 2006 funding became available for installation of new signage at key open spaces where there was no signage, existing signage was inaccurate or damaged, where it did not meet the council’s style guide, or did not comply with legislation relating to the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). Vauxhall Park was identified as a priority because it was a relatively complex site with a need to explain features and provide directions.

Park signage is reviewed after an appropriate period of time, and new signs commissioned and installed to accommodate changes in the use and layout of the park, or to provide relevant information and convey important messages to the public.

5.6.1 Park Entrance Signs

Vauxhall Park was allocated four large signs identified in the Management Work Plan, using a style and layout consistent with corporate standards but with a map and text tailored to the park and identifying main features. These signs were updated following the opening of the new café, adjustments to the layout and access to the two nurseries, and the award of a first Green Flag, which necessitated adding appropriate logos.

The artwork for the entrance signs is shown in Figure 22, and these were installed at all four main public entrances. The signs provide key facts to ensure any visitor experience is a safe, welcoming and enjoyable one; all new signs in any of parks and open spaces now comply with these criteria.

The signs inform the public of:

a) Site name so that users associate an open space with a standard name; b) Basic history on the site and how it has been developed over time; c) A list of the main facilities and features present on site; d) ‘Good rules’ – asking the public to respect the site and use it appropriately; e) Contact details – how to contact Lambeth Parks to obtain further information or to report a problem.

Figures 23 show an image of the new entrance signage at one of the park entrances

5.6.2 Boundary Signage

The two vehicle gates on Lawn Lane and Fentiman Road have simple plate signs on adjacent fencing saying ‘Vauxhall Park’. These were installed to give vehicle drivers information as to access to the park, as well as to identify the park to passers-by.

5.6.3 Directional Signage

Consultation indicated no immediate need for ‘fingerboard’ style directional signs within the park. However, it was suggested the park might benefit from finger-type signage which could direct people from nearby transport hubs (e.g. Vauxhall Cross train and underground stations). This was installed as part of highway improvements to the ‘Vauxhall Interchange’ area to the north of the park next to Vauxhall strain and underground stations (Figure 24). However, the Management Action Plan (Appendix 1) additional directional signage, where felt necessary, which can be fixed to lampposts on streets around the park, to help pedestrians and cyclists find the quickest and safest routes to it.

40 Vauxhall Park Management Plan 2012 - 2017

Figure 22. Artwork for the entrance signage for Vauxhall Park

Figure 23. Image of Vauxhall Park entrance sign

41 Vauxhall Park Management Plan 2012 - 2017

Figure 24. Street signage indicating directions to Vauxhall Park

5.6.4 Behavioural Notices and Signs

Vauxhall Park contains signage designed to inform and educate users about good rules of behaviour and to avoid conflict with other park users or the park’s management. Examples of behavioural notices include:

. Signage at entrances to playground, on what is permitted or not; . ‘No Dogs Allowed’ signs on gates to the playground, dog-free areas and games courts; . ‘Please close the gate’ signs on gates into formal gardens or playground; . Park closing time notices on gates . Public notice boards to replace the large and deteriorating boards presently on site.

These are fabricated in aluminium plate with anti-graffiti coating, compliant with the DDA and corporate style guides. They are cheap to fabricate and can be replaced if damaged to reinforce key messages. This form of signage is erected as required, and can either be left in place as permanent reminder or removed once an issue or problem has been dealt with.

5.6.5 Building and Heritage Feature Signage

One key issue has been a lack of information about the history or purpose of key features in the park, such as the formal gardens, model village or café.

As a response, the Management Work Plan identifies the commissioning of signs for the main buildings, fabricating and installing them as resources allowed. These can be fabricated in graffiti-resistant aluminium plate and fixed to buildings, fences or walls.

42 Vauxhall Park Management Plan 2012 - 2017 A programme of suitable signage is planned, with priority for café, nurseries and gardens, as well as key heritage features within the park, such as the attractive metal and stone fountain (Figure 25), the model houses and the Lavender Garden.

Figure 25. The fountain in Vauxhall Park – a key heritage feature that would welcome appropriate interpretation and signage

43 Vauxhall Park Management Plan 2012 - 2017 6. Vauxhall Park is a Healthy, Safe and Secure Place

6.1 Objectives

To be a healthy, safe and secure place, the following objectives have been developed for Vauxhall Park:

6.1.1 It will be managed to ensure the personal safety and wellbeing of all park users is given the highest priority. 6.1.2 It will be promoted as a place for physical activity, including play, sports and exercise, as well as for promoting mental wellbeing and social confidence.

6.2 Current Status and Management Actions

Vauxhall Park is perceived as safe and well cared. The presence of the café, Montessori nursery and One O’Clock Club ensure staff are on site for most of the day, and give an impression that people are watching and ready to assist or report problems.

Vauxhall Park must be healthy, safe and secure for all members of the community to use. Relevant issues that impact upon personal safety or create negative perceptions must be addressed in the management plan and implemented on the ground, and any new concerns which arise addressed promptly and appropriately.

Of particular importance to park users is a) equipment and facilities which are safe to use, b) people can enter, leave and move across the park in relative safety, c) dog fouling is prevented or kept under control, d) unsafe features are quickly repaired or removed, and e) there is signage to inform people on what to do in an emergency or how to report problems.

6.3 Risk Reduction and Management

Audits are undertaken annually to identify safety issues, which generate a risk assessment along with actions to reduce the risk or the likelihood of accident, injury or crime. The current Risk Assessment for Vauxhall Park is found in Appendix 2 and runs from August to July of the next year with a six-month review. The Risk Assessment identifies actions to balance the needs of personal safety and wellbeing against normal park use. All officers who work in the park are issued with the Assessment and required to perform their duties to comply with actions in it and minimise risks to themselves and the public.

Grounds maintenance staff play a crucial role in ensuring the park is safe and taking action to remove or reduce risk. Staff inspect the park at the beginning of each day which gives them an opportunity to identify defects and isolate, repair or report them for action. Staff also remove litter and graffiti during the day which helps keep the site safe and secure. Incidents of vandalism and antisocial behaviour are reported immediately to the Operations Manager. The causes and consequences of any incident are assessed to see what preventative measures can be introduced to prevent further damage to or loss of property, or reduce any risks to the public.

6.4 Play Equipment

Play equipment must be inspected at least twice weekly (in fact inspected daily) and any defects reported; written records of all inspections are kept on site and open to audit by the Operations Manager. Any defective equipment is immediately repaired or decommissioned until specialist repairs made by an approved play equipment contractor, operating under an annual service level agreement.

44 Vauxhall Park Management Plan 2012 - 2017 Staff inspect play areas quarterly and provide a written report to the Operations Manager, detailing defects in equipment, surfaces or infrastructure. The play equipment is also subject to an annual independent inspection carried out on behalf of the council’s insurers. Any defects are reported and repairs made to equipment, or decommissioned. The playground is now a priority for replacement with newer facilities, as described later in this plan.

Figure 26. The playground at Vauxhall Park on a hot summer’s day

6.5 Lambeth Police and Lambeth Community Safety

Vauxhall Park comes under the Lambeth Borough Command of the Metropolitan Police. As well as officers attending parks in response to emergencies, a local policing initiative is in place to increase safety and perceptions of the public realm, including parks, known as ‘Safer Neighbourhoods’. This is based around electoral wards, with officers having local, ward-based knowledge. The park comes under the ‘Oval Ward Safer Neighbourhoods Team’ of Lambeth Police who are based about 12 minutes walk away from the park.

Working alongside the Police is ‘Lambeth Community Safety’, a division of the council tasked with delivering the Lambeth Community Safety Strategy to reduce crime, improve quality of life and help to make Lambeth a safer place. The Safer Neighbourhoods Team, the Friends and Lambeth Parks and Community Safety share intelligence and information not just on antisocial issues but also on more positive ones and support each other to help ‘design out crime’ or respond quickly to vandalism or damage.

In 2012 it was felt some form of monitoring and reporting initiative was essential for Lambeth’s open spaces so residents and users could enjoy these sites in safety and comfort. It was decided to trial an initiative known as ‘Park Watch’ in Lambeth, a voluntary scheme which brings together Police, residents, staff and volunteers to provide a presence in a park.

45 Vauxhall Park Management Plan 2012 - 2017 Park Watch works in a similar way to the successful nationwide “Neighbourhood Watch” scheme by encouraging people to take a personal interest in their park. The scheme aims to deter vandalism and crime whilst improving safety and security, and give local people support should they encounter antisocial behaviour such as drug use, dog fouling, littering, vandalism and drinking. Park Watch is a joint initiative involving Lambeth Council (Parks and Community Safety), Lambeth Police, Lambeth Community Safety and user groups.

A Park Watch programme suitable for Vauxhall Park is being discussed, and the scheme, once formally established, will aim to:

a) Promote awareness of the Parks and Open Spaces Byelaws; b) Making user groups and public feel confident they can invest time and resources in visiting, using and improving Vauxhall Park; c) Act as a source of advice to users, complementing services provided by the council; d) Enable the Operations Manager, Lambeth Police, Emergency Services and Lambeth Community Safety to exchange and act on intelligence relating to antisocial, behaviour, crime or public safety issues in the park; e) Monitor behaviour in and use of the park to identify ways and opportunities to encourage positive activities.

6.6 Lambeth Parks & Open Spaces Byelaws

Vauxhall Park is covered by a set of ‘local laws’ specific to Lambeth’s parks and open spaces, which are known as the 'Lambeth Parks and Open Spaces Byelaws', which are normally displayed at main entrances to the park. Byelaws are designed to encourage, regulate and manage the proper use of and sensible behaviour in public places; they are usually made and enforced by councils or other public bodies.

The new Byelaws came into force on 6th April 2005 and replace an older set of byelaws which dated back to 1932. The new Byelaws reflect the different ways open spaces are now used, and are easier for people to understand and the council to enforce. The byelaws contain information on how the council manages activities in the park, like:

• the children’s playground and play equipment • travel and transport, including the use of cycles and motor vehicles • sports activities, e.g. field sports or ball games like football or cricket • public shows and performances, including trading and sale of goods

Vauxhall Park is also covered by other laws not mentioned in the Byelaws. This includes drinking alcohol, litter and graffiti; there are other powers available to the council and Police to take action or deal with offences, including being drunk, disorderly or aggressive.

The Byelaws can be enforced by any officer of the council, including Parks officers, and the Police. The first objective is to inform and educate, so that an offence is not committed or not repeated. However, if an offender takes no notice or continues to offend, the council can take down details as evidence for prosecution. The maximum fine for a breach of the Byelaws is £500 on conviction. Members of the public can phone Lambeth Call Centre (020 7926 9000) for a copy of the Byelaws, or download a set from the Lambeth Council Byelaws web page

6.7 Dogs and Dog Control

The Parks Byelaws do not mention dogs because byelaws are supplemental to existing law and cannot describe offences for which there are already laws or regulations in force.

46 Vauxhall Park Management Plan 2012 - 2017 The London Borough of Lambeth is covered by an order made under the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996, first made in June 1997, which makes it an offence to allow a dog to foul the ground in any public space to which the public are “entitled or permitted to have access” – this includes all areas within any of the borough’s public open spaces. Under this order, parks officers and Police have powers to issue fines or seek prosecution for a person allowing a dog to foul or to fail to dispose of any dog wastes.

It has long been realised that the scope and powers of orders made under the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act are limited, and do not attract sufficient penalties to deter persistent offenders, nor compel a person in charge of a dog to give an accurate name and address to allow fines or prosecutions to be enacted. The Act also does not confer powers to require a person to keep a dog out of a designated area, e.g. a playground, or give any instruction on how such offences could be enforced or offenders penalised.

The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 includes powers to replace orders made under the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act and allow authorities to introduce a system of "Dog Control Orders" (DCOs). DCOs cover fouling by dogs, but gives greater powers in terms of fines and obtaining names and addresses of offenders. DCOs can also be made to cover other types of dog-related offences such as keeping dogs on leads in designated areas, exclusion of dogs from sensitive areas, and setting a limit to the maximum number of dogs a person may walk in a designated area.

The council is evaluating the making of DCOs or other successor legislation to provide the council with powers that extend its remit with respect to managing dog offences, including in parks. A decision on whether to proceed with making DCOs is dependent on financial, legal, political and social implications being addressed. In the meantime, the council is taking a proactive approach to report dog offences, including notices advising the public where to anonymously report antisocial behaviour, including aggressive or uncontrolled dogs, which are displayed in the park at various locations, usually on noticeboards.

Lambeth Landscapes staff keep detailed records of incidents where dogs are involved, or where damage is caused to any items in the park that can be attributed to dogs; these records are regularly shared with the Police and Lambeth Community Safety to identify trends or patterns that warrant increased surveillance or action taken against specific dog owners. This information is also shared with the Lambeth Dog Warden scheme, which operates a 24-hour service to recover stray or illegal dogs, which assists in allocating staff time to particular risk sites.

6.8 Sports, Health and Wellbeing

Vauxhall Park is used to get fit and healthy, offering a safe place for sports, walking, running and socialising to develop mental wellbeing as well as physical. The grass pitches and tennis courts are popular with adults and children with both informal and organised events run through the year. Lambeth Community Sports, part of the council’s Sports and Leisure Unit, work with Lambeth Parks to widen use of the park’s sports facilities.

Local primary schools use the park for athletics during the summer term, and small running tracks are marked out on grass. The Friends and Lambeth Parks are committed to increasing positive appropriate use of the park for schools sports and health development activities.

47 Vauxhall Park Management Plan 2012 - 2017

Figure 27. People playing chess in the formal gardens, using a new bench which has a chessboard built in to the top surface; the benches were funded through the Friends and donations

.

Figure 28. A busy site during the Summer Fair at Vauxhall Park; a large and constant presence of people is seen as essential to promote a sense of safety and wellbeing

48 Vauxhall Park Management Plan 2012 - 2017 7. Vauxhall Park is Well Maintained and Clean

7.1 Objectives

To be a well maintained public space, the following actions take place at Vauxhall Park:

7.1.1 It is free of litter, or any littering is quickly dealt with. 7.1.2 Grounds maintenance is carried out to a high standard. 7.1.3 The buildings and infrastructure are maintained to a high standard.

7.2 Current Status and Management Actions

Consultation with the community shows how important the subject of a clean and tidy park is to all ages, cultures and interests. This is not just for aesthetic and social but also health and safety reasons, especially where children or cultural and ethnic minority groups are involved.

Therefore litter and other waste management issues is adequately dealt with, the grounds, buildings and equipment must be well maintained, and all policies relating to litter, vandalism and maintenance should be in operation and subject to regular review.

7.3 Grounds Maintenance – Practical Management

Vauxhall Park is managed by Lambeth Council as a ‘public open space’ for access to and use of during normal opening hours or for organised events; its management and maintenance is therefore focused on delivering this function.

Following a detailed public consultation and benchmarking exercise in 2015, the maintenance of Lambeth’s parks and open spaces was brought back ‘in house’ as a directly managed service on 1st April 2016 which is called ‘Lambeth Landscapes’. As all grounds maintenance staff are now employed directly by the council this offers considerable economies of scale as well as greater flexibility in how resources and staff are allocated to manage the borough’s public open spaces.

As part of the transformation process, a new grounds maintenance specification, along with performance indicators and monitoring arrangements, has been produced which is attached as Appendix 3. The specification is output based in that it specifies a finished standard of service to be achieved by Lambeth Landscapes rather than the amount of work carried out.

Staff inspect all areas to ensure this standard is maintained, whilst also ensuring the park is patrolled to remove litter and graffiti. Staff also carry out daily inspections of buildings and structures in the park; details of these inspections and response times are described below.

Reactive maintenance is reported to a specialist team of council staff called the ‘Parks Improvement Team’ (PIT), or external contractors if appropriate, who deal with issues according to agreed response times. These are, depending on critical impact on the safe and effective working of the park and the protection of the staff and public, immediately, same working day, within 24 hours, within 48 hours or as planned work for longer time periods.

Any building and structural defects found by any member of the public can also be reported to Lambeth Parks via its Customer Call Centre on 020 7926 9000, out of hours on 020 7926 1000 or by email to [email protected]. The Call Centre number and email address are displayed prominently on all park entrance signs, and on any signs attached to buildings.

49 Vauxhall Park Management Plan 2012 - 2017 7.3.1 Financial Allocations to Vauxhall Park

The London Borough of Lambeth contains 128 parks, commons, verges and other public greenspaces, which cover a total of 298 hectares of managed open space. Vauxhall Park covers a measured total of 3.17 hectares, which equates to 1.2% of the total public open space managed by the Borough of Lambeth. In Financial Year 2015-16 Lambeth Council spent a total of £2,326,000 on grounds maintenance services in its parks and public greenspaces, which equates to a per hectare expenditure of £7,805 per hectare of land.

Vauxhall Park is allocated a total of £58,498.84 of scheduled maintenance works in each financial year. However, because of the flexibility of how staff and resources are distributed across the borough’s entire open space portfolio in real terms setting a site-specific figure is difficult. They key outcome is that the park is being managed and maintained to the published specification and performance indicators are within the accepted limits.

Table 1 shows the breakdown of funding allocated to Vauxhall Park on the basis of service area or function, as a percentage of the total budget. The majority of funding is on, in the following order: a) bed, shrub and border maintenance, b) litter collection, dog faeces and graffiti removal (e.g. ‘cleanliness’), c) infrastructure maintenance, d) play and sports equipment, and e) grass management. The emphasis on shrub and flower beds is due to their high labour input. A high litter collection charge reflects the high standard specified – litter is a major issue in the park.

This ranking matches well with what the site requires when the original Bill of Quantities for the park was developed. It also corresponds to what user groups feel are priority issues, such as keeping it free of dog waste and litter, removing graffiti, keeping grass short, ensuring footpaths and hardstanding are free of dirt or weeds, and maintaining areas for wildlife and relaxation.

Table 1. Breakdown of funding allocations at Vauxhall Park

Service Area Percentage of Budget Value Beds & Border Maintenance 37% Litter & dog waste collection 35% Infrastructure maintenance 14% Play area maintenance 9% Sports feature maintenance 1% Grass Cutting 2% Miscellaneous 1%

7.3.2 Obtaining Value for Money

Vauxhall Park has a basic grounds maintenance budget of £18,453 per hectare, but excluding additional repairs and arboriculture. Set against the national picture, even allowing for its inner-city London location, Vauxhall Park fares much better than the average park and cannot be said to be under-resourced.

Arboriculture in the borough is separately resourced. Work is programmed on the basis of risk assessment in accordance with needs of safety. The budget is therefore variable at an individual level. Ad-hoc tree works to the site included reducing safety risks or dead material and opening up light to the ground. Future planned works involve removal of dead material, with potential for planting additional tree stock.

50 Vauxhall Park Management Plan 2012 - 2017 7.3.3 Service Specifications & Performance Management

The Lambeth Landscapes grounds maintenance specification is written around a set of clearly defined service objectives and outputs. Appendix 3 details these, many of which are pertinent to Vauxhall Park, broken down by subject and category, along with expected frequencies of action.

Service performance is measured internally against these specifications, which consists of the completion and submission by staff of daily work plans, as well as regular site inspections by senior operational staff to ensure compliance, and to request any rectifications if required to bring sites or areas to the required standard. Information from these work reports and inspections is then used to measure service performance against the key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in the specification, as described in Appendix 3.

7.4 Additional Capital and Revenue Investment

Additional works take place each Financial Year to keep the park safe and ensure facilities are operational, on the basis of assessment by the Operations Manager, often in discussion with the Chair of the Friends of Vauxhall Park. The sum of works varies from season to season, year to year, and works are based on a measured and genuine need set against competing demands from other sites and pressures on budgets.

7.4.1 Repairs & Maintenance Budget Allocations

Lambeth Parks currently operates a ‘repairs and maintenance’ budget of £440,000 which is for ad-hoc works across the borough’s parks and open spaces, mainly to provide materials and equipment for Lambeth Landscapes’ ‘Parks Improvement Team’ (PIT). This budget is not broken down by individual site, but officers managing the park put in repair requests to the PIT who then purchase materials to undertake the required works. About 20% of the budget is used annually to commission specialist repairs by external contractors where the PIT cannot do the work, e.g. do not have the required qualifications or training.

7.4.2 Capital Investment Opportunities

Vauxhall Park has benefited from capital funding investment where officers and the Friends had successfully argued for additional investment, based on site meetings and the results of condition surveys and landscape assessments. The main investment items (some smaller investments are incorporated into these broad headings) are:

a) Replacement of the metal railings along Fentiman Road to make the boundary safe, secure and welcoming, and address issues relating to the park’s heritage character; b) Restoration of gate posts and gates at the south western entrance (junction of Fentiman and South Lambeth Road), and at the south eastern entrance; c) Improvements to bedding in south western and north western corners of park; d) Installation of new entrance signage and additional prohibition signage; e) Refurbishment of the tennis courts; f) Relaying of damaged tarmac paths and hardstanding; g) Conversion of old bowling green to new lavender garden. h) Changes to the south west entrance to the park to accommodate the café i) Bulb planting around the western entrances and South Lambeth Road

The Friends of Vauxhall Park, council officers and other stakeholders have, during regular site inspections and management plan reviews, have identified a number of projects for which capital investment is needed. However, the new Masterplan will eventually review and update these, but the key ones that should remain unaffected are:

51 Vauxhall Park Management Plan 2012 - 2017 a) Further improvements to the new café to improve access and include play opportunities for toddlers; b) Removal and replacement of the One O’ Clock Club building to provide a better multi-use facility; c) A new playground featuring natural play and landscaping; d) Improvements to footpath surfaces; e) Improvements to the multi-use games area, including fencing and sound proofing; f) Replacement of railings along South Lambeth Road, with hedge treatment; g) Continuous improvements to planting design and display h) New plantings of trees, bulbs and native hedges and shrubs in ‘wildlife zones’.

A number of these issues have been or are being addressed with investment of funds, and the rest of the management plan will elaborate on those that have or are being addressed.

Section 106 monies are an important source of additional funding since extensive redevelopment is taking in the borough and around the park. Although Vauxhall Park is not within one of the more heavily deprived electoral wards for Lambeth, and does not attract funding designed to target and remove issues relating to deprivation, it is close to ‘pockets’ of deprivation in the Oval and nearby Prince’s and Larkhall Wards, and it is possible that it can benefit from projects that enable residents in these wards to access quality space and facilities for play, sport and learning which the park can and will provide.

Vauxhall Park is close to Vauxhall Cross and Albert Embankment, which are undergoing major development changes at present. In addition the Vauxhall, Nine Elms and Battersea development zone is resulting in a number of large redevelopments of a scale and type that they will ‘trigger’ planning mitigation monies which can be allocated to Vauxhall Park, where it one of the parks closest to the development sites.

7.5 Vauxhall Park – Key Management Outcomes

This section summarises the key outcomes in the maintenance of Vauxhall Park. This section is not exhaustive, and is an expanded snapshot of what is in the attached specification for the park (Appendix 3).

Lambeth Parks expects that management of parks will enable all or most sites to progress towards and meet the criteria for Green Flag Award. Vauxhall Park was sufficiently well managed in previous years that it was awarded a Green Flag. However, subsequent sections of the plan identify further actions and improvements, including in management and maintenance, to retain the Award and improve standards (see Appendix 1).

7.5.1 Entrances

Trees and vegetation are pruned back or removed at or close to all entrances, internal and external, to present a more open feel and prevent damage or blocking of access.

7.5.2 Grassland

The grounds maintenance specification identifies approximately 22,000 square metres of grass specified as “general amenity” or “naturalised bulb” and maintained between 25mm and 60mm with arisings remaining on site. This regime is standard for most public parks and provides a balance between cost and quality. Staff are required to ensure good definition of paths and grass edges through edging during winter periods.

52 Vauxhall Park Management Plan 2012 - 2017 The intention is to create small areas of wildflower-rich meadow grass in Vauxhall Park to increase the site’s biodiversity and educational interest. Long grass regimes in linked contiguous strips, especially when associated with other connecting features, are likely to deliver better results in terms of nature conservation. These areas can also be planted up with drifts of spring-flowering bulb plants, especially around the base of trees or where there is shading which might normally suppress or deter summer species.

Planning for where these areas will be, their creation and maintenance, is included in the Management Work Plan (Appendix 1), as will costs to manage compared to amenity or fine lawn grass. Guidelines have been produced to help improve the quality and context of any planting of bedding, bulbs, shrubs, hedges and natural features (Appendix 4).

7.5.3. Trees

Vauxhall Park contains some excellent trees that are generally well cared for. In the past there were a number of inappropriate plantings, such as poplars and conifers with no purpose; this is now discouraged in all future planting proposals. Some conifers were removed from behind the model village, as they were becoming overly large and obscuring views into the rest of the formal gardens. New tree plantings are planned for the park. Many of the more notable trees in the park are now labelled with black plastic plaques, which give their common and species names, and have proved popular with park users and visitors.

Figure 29. Trees, rose beds and benches in the formal garden area, Vauxhall Park

One key aspiration for Lambeth Parks and the Friends was a Tree Management Strategy which assists in planning how existing trees are retained and managed, which trees need removing, and where new trees should be planted (Appendix 1). This document will be used to support decisions and allocations of resources to manage the tree stock. The Strategy is revised annually and is attached as Appendix 5.

53 Vauxhall Park Management Plan 2012 - 2017 The maintenance of semi-mature or newly planted young trees is undertaken for three years after being planted. A “semi-mature” tree is defined as a tree with a trunk circumference of less than 52 cm at 1 metre above ground level. All new trees are staked with either single or double stakes as directed, and tree guards, strimmer protection or irrigation tubes are fitted as directed by the Operations Manager. The council must replace any new tree that fails for any reason within three years of being planted.

Maintenance of mature trees, that is trees with a trunk circumference of more than 52 cm at 1 metre above ground level, is the responsibility of a specialist arboricultural contractor; the current value of the tree contract is £600,000 a year and includes council-owned trees in parks, on streets and in housing estates. Tree officers keep a detailed database on all trees in a park, which is available to third parties as ‘Open Data’, or which can be provided in a format that Friends or other groups can use.

Whilst trees on the public highway or estates are maintained on a three-year cyclical basis, trees in parks are maintained from a site inspection by a tree officer following a request from the Operations Manager. Therefore, the amount of money allocated to tree works in the park varies annually depending on requirements.

As well as promoting a regular memorial tree planting scheme, Lambeth Parks has worked with residents and volunteers to plant twelve fruit trees donated by the London Orchard Project in the park, so as to ‘reclaim’ the old dog exercise area which has been relocated.

7.5.4 Ornamental Gardens

A large section of the south eastern corner of the park, enclosed by dog-proof fencing, is treated as the main ornamental area, and managed to demonstrate good standards of horticultural maintenance. As well as a series of planted beds, including some seasonal, it contains a small but well maintained and much loved model village, a wooden pergola and closely mown lawns interspersed with specimen native and exotic tree species.

This area of the park is labour and resource intensive in preparing, planting and maintaining bedding and shrubs, keeping pathways free of moss and debris, and maintaining gates and fencing. As part of the improvement of the park guidelines were produced in 2006 to help improve the quality and context of any planting of bedding, bulbs, shrubs, hedges and other features on site, and are included as Appendix 4.

7.5.5 Children’s Play Area

The play area is well maintained and offers children equipment for all ages. It is equipped with safety surfacing and enclosed in a dog free zone, close to the One O’Clock Club and Montessori Nursery, so that it is well used by children and guardians throughout the day.

In 2015 Lambeth Council, as part of its Capital Investment Plan and assisted by S106 funding, committed to replacing the existing play area in Vauxhall Park with better provision. With assistance from Kinnear Associates, the Friends and the council are consulting on the design, layout and landscaping of the new play area, which will include elements of natural play as well as more formal play equipment, along with seating and planting. More information on the proposals and consultation programme can be found on the Friend’s website at http://www.vauxhallpark.org.uk/2015/06/25/a-new-playground-for-vauxhall-park/. This is also factored into the Management Work Plan in Appendix 1.

54 Vauxhall Park Management Plan 2012 - 2017

Figure 30. View into the formal gardens, Vauxhall Park

7.5.6 Lavender Garden

The ornamental area of the park used to contain an old bowling green, but this had long since ceased to function, due to low demand. In 2004 the bowling green was converted into a contemporary ‘lavender garden’, supported by and timed to coincide with the Centenary of Vauxhall Motors, who used to be based in Vauxhall until the first part of the 20th Century.

Using capital funds allocated by the council, external sponsorship and funding provided by the ‘Greening Vauxhall’ programme, the old green was stripped and replaced with a geometrical pattern of fine turf and beds of English lavender. The edgings to the old green were also changed, and a commemorative slate plaque inserted on the northern border.

The lavender garden was planted out in March 2004 with assistance from staff and pupils from nearby Wyvil Primary School. The garden was formally opened in 2004 by Kate Hoey MP in the presence of the Friends of Vauxhall Park, Lambeth Parks, representatives of Vauxhall Motors and local businesses.

Staff are required to keep the lavender garden free of litter and debris, dead head, trim and replant the lavender, and cut the turf and remove arisings as required. The Park Planting Guidelines (Appendix 4) provide information on maintenance of these plants.

Since 2014 the Friends of Vauxhall Park have been running a project whereby lavender from the garden was harvested and distilled to produce lavender oil. In the past large areas of Vauxhall and Battersea were used to grow beds of lavender, and lavender oil or dried lavender were popular products sold widely across London. The distillation event involved some fascinating apparatus which drew plenty of spectators and participants (Figure 31).

55 Vauxhall Park Management Plan 2012 - 2017 7.5.7 Tennis Courts

There are two tennis courts in the park, booked through the council’s leisure contractor GLL. To book a court, customers phone 0845 130 8998, Monday to Friday (9 am to 6 pm) or Saturday and Sunday (9 am to 4 pm). Signage detailing arrangements for making court bookings are prominently displayed on the tennis court fencing. The courts are sound with secure fencing; nets and posts are correctly adjusted and regularly used.

Since July 2007 Lambeth makes a charge for the use of tennis courts in parks, but these are low and the main purpose is to regulate demand rather than generate profit. Bookings are made by phone and signage is placed on courts to enable the public to book a court or report problems. Children and young adults under 16 can play tennis for free to ensure they are encouraged to play, but it is still advised they or their guardians book in advance to reserve.

Figure 31. Distilling oil from lavender harvested in the park

56 Vauxhall Park Management Plan 2012 - 2017 7.5.8 Multi Use Games Court

Vauxhall Park contains a relatively modern multi use games court in the north eastern corner enclosed by mesh fencing. Although somewhat stark in appearance, it is well maintained and popular with young adults, and does not need to be booked or a fee paid for use.

There are occasional issues over noise from users affecting residential housing, but this is not a persistent problem and improvements in sound proofing is the preferred solution. This is factored into the emerging Masterplan and Management Work Plan (Appendix 1), which suggests upgrading the facility with better ‘acoustic fencing’. It is also proposed to remark the court and provide it with better entrance signage, with rules of use, to ‘connect’ it better to the rest of the park. Staff are required to keep the court free of litter and leaf debris, remove any graffiti, and report any problems to the Area Parks Officer for attention.

7.5.9 Park Buildings and Structures

The principal buildings in the park are the café in the south western corner of the park, the Vauxhall Park One O’ Clock Club with an attached depot in the eastern part of the site, and a Montessori Nursery to the east and south of the One O’Clock Club.

The café used to be an old toilet block but is now leased to a company who converted it into a café with integral toilets. Although the relationship between Lambeth Parks and café owner is good, maintenance of the building is the responsibility of the leaseholder under the terms of their contract. However, Lambeth Parks assist with landscaping the café surrounds, and is looking to provide new signage and other features to improve access and presentation.

Although within the park, the One O’clock Club is managed by a third sector agency which means that direct management of issues relating to the club do not fall under the remit of Lambeth Parks, although there is liaison over its use and any maintenance requirements.

The attached depot is used by Lambeth Landscapes, who are responsible for its internal upkeep, but external repairs are shared with Lambeth Parks as appropriate. The terms of this lease oblige the occupants to keep the inside of their building in good order, ensuring rooms and storage are tidy, free of litter and secure when not occupied. Ongoing repairs to the One O’Clock Club and depot have included:

• Replacement of defective or missing roofing; • Cleaning of drain pipes and gutters; • Repainting of and repairs to wooden panels and doors; • Thinning out boundary scrub to prevent damage to foundations or walls.

Repairs to or upkeep of these buildings is funded through service budgets, but as this has to cover 64 parks and open spaces, allocation to Vauxhall Park is on a competitive basis. A contract is also in place with a facilities maintenance contractor to commission programmed repairs or structural works to parks, and also covers buildings and specialist works such as asbestos testing plus electrical and plumbing repairs.

Vauxhall Park is also the site of a Montessori Nursery, a privately run service. Income from the nursery does not directly contribute to the park, but there is no doubt that the presence of the nursery and staff, combined with the One O’Clock Club, provides a number of significant benefits to the safety and well being of the whole site.

57 Vauxhall Park Management Plan 2012 - 2017 Vauxhall Park contains a number of heritage features which need maintaining. Most significant is an ornamental fountain in the centre-east of the park, immediately outside the One O’Clock Club between the playground and formal gardens. The fountain is of a considerable age, but works well and is regularly serviced by an engineering contractor.

The base of a drinking fountain can be found in the north-west of the park, near to the northern exit onto South Lambeth Road. This drinking fountain has been restored, but records show there used to be a fountain in the playground, so it may make sense to relocate it to the new play area when this is upgraded, which is now being planned.

7.6 Cleanliness and Waste Removal

Lambeth Council places significant emphasis on maintaining a high level of cleanliness at Vauxhall Park including keeping the site free of litter, flytipping and dog waste. Normally all enquiries and complaints about cleanliness or nuisance at open spaces are made via the Lambeth Call Centre on 020 7926 9000 (or email to [email protected]), and are sent to the Operations Manager to inspect and instruct staff to rectify or address any problems. The public can telephone or email in a complaint, but the council also receives complaints through Councillors or the Friends of Vauxhall Park.

7.6.1 Litter, Flytipping and Clinical Waste

The removal of all waste is covered under the grounds maintenance specification; staff on site undertake waste removal during inspections or as instructed by the Operations Manager. In terms of cleanliness, Lambeth Landscapes is required to maintain Vauxhall Park to Grade A standard for Zones 1 and 2 as defined in the Environmental Protection Act 1990. This means the site should be free of litter and other debris on the ground by noon each day, with special emphasis placed on ensuring playgrounds, toilets, entrances and paths are clean and safe to use. Where required, staff perform additional cleaning duties or visits where littering is abnormally heavy, such as after weekends or events.

Each litter bin is checked for content and condition and emptied daily, but this frequency can be increased if requested by the Operations Manager or site staff if they feel it advisable, especially during the summer season or around ‘honey pots’ like the café and playground.

Flytipping is not a regular event in the park because of the constant presence of staff, Police, surveillance, fencing and strict vehicle controls. However, if flytipping is found it is quickly removed. Flytipped or bulky waste up to 5 cubic metres is removed at no additional cost to the council within 48 hours of being reported. Volumes over 5 cubic metres might require a variation order to be sent to the council’s waste operator to cover the cost: once raised the waste is normally removed within 48 hours.

Clinical waste is removed as found or reported by the public or parks staff. These are placed in special containers using safety equipment, and stored as clinical waste until they can be removed and incinerated. As with other wastes, a rectification will be issued if clinical waste is not removed within 24 hours.

7.6.2 Dog Waste

Most of Vauxhall Park is open for walking and exercising dogs, but sensitive areas like the playground, tennis courts, One O’Clock Club and formal gardens are excluded. However, the park contains a fenced area exclusively for exercising of dogs in the north of the site, which is prominently marked on entrance signs and gates to this facility. This reduces the pressure on dog owners to have to allow dogs to run off the lead in the rest of the park, although this is not actively discouraged so long as dogs are under close control at all times.

58 Vauxhall Park Management Plan 2012 - 2017 Following discussion with the Friends, local residents and the dog walking community, the dog exercise area was relocated to a section of open amenity grass along the western side of the park parallel to South Lambeth Road. This gives dog walkers a more central location to exercise dogs off the lead, and creates a ‘buffer zone’ away from the playground. It also releases a large area of land along Lawn Lane to be used for other activities, to allow the existing path to be restored to its original location, or for new boundary habitat (Figure 32).

Figure 32. Relocation of dog exercise area, 2010

There are dog waste bins located around the park, coloured red with logos and a secure lid and plastic liner. Dog waste bins are checked every day for content and condition, and are normally emptied twice weekly, but this frequency can be increased if requested by the Operations Manager or staff, or if the waste collection staff member feels it advisable. A rectification will be issued by the Operations Manager if a dog bin has not been emptied or is overflowing; bins that are damaged are replaced when resources permit.

Lambeth Landscapes operate a FIDO (Faeces Intake and Disposal Operation) machine, a small vehicle with a vacuum suction and waste storage, manufactured specifically for the removal of dog and other animal faeces. This machine patrols parks on a daily basis, picking up dog waste as it patrols, but it can be ‘called up’ and assigned to specific sites if there is a particular problem with dog waste to clear the problem. Backing up the FIDO, staff are issued with equipment to pick up and dispose of minor dog faeces problems.

7.6.3 Graffiti and Flyposting

The park is inspected regularly for flytipping and graffiti. Buildings and signage in the park are assessed for their risk from graffiti, and produced or painted in black or dark green to reduce attractiveness to graffiti taggers, who normally prefer surfaces that provide a sharp contrast to pens and paints so tags stand out. In addition, all signs are always finished in a graffiti- resistant coating which is easy to clean with proprietary graffiti-removal solvents or wipes.

59 Vauxhall Park Management Plan 2012 - 2017 8. Vauxhall Park is a Sustainable Park

8.1 Objectives

To be a sustainable place, the following objectives have been developed for Vauxhall Park:

8.1.1 It will be managed to minimise consumption and waste of non-renewable resources. 8.1.2 It will be managed in order to increase the use of sustainable resources, and to reduce adverse impacts upon the natural and human environment.

8.2 Current Status and Management Actions

Vauxhall Park needs to be managed using methods that are environmentally sound and rely on best available practice. Both park management and community should be aware of techniques available to reduce the park’s impact upon the environment, and demonstrate they are putting these into practice, and reviewing their effectiveness.

8.3 Sustainability in Parks and Open Spaces

Lambeth Council is committed to improving sustainability in all of its parks and open spaces - not just financial and economic sustainability but also environmental. This commitment includes Vauxhall Park as demonstrated by a number of practical actions.

Lambeth Council adopted a Lambeth Sustainability Charter in February, which sets out how it manages assets and resources to minimise its impact upon the local and global environment. The Charter applies to Vauxhall Park as it does for all public spaces, so the park’s management must enable the Charter to be put into practice, be seen to be operating, and subject to review and challenge.

Opportunities to conserve energy and water and reduce pollution should be taken, pesticide use kept minimal and justified, and the use of horticultural peat is eliminated. Waste plant material should be recycled on site, and used as compost and mulch. High horticultural and arboricultural standards help reduce pollution, waste and environmental impact, and these should be in evidence. The next sections describe some of the practical actions undertaken by the council in Vauxhall Park to deliver the Sustainability Charter.

8.4 Recycling, Composting and Peat Policy

Lambeth Landscapes must purchase and use peat-free materials for all horticultural activities, and use compost derived from recycled green waste produced from the borough’s open spaces or brought in from a reputable local source, of sufficient quantity and quality to undertake mulching and weed suppression.

Lambeth has a policy that wherever possible plants put into any open spaces are grown and supplied in peat-free compost. Plant and bedding contractors are used who guarantee peat- free stock, and officers routinely monitor compliance when inspecting planting schemes. Many plants are now bred to cope with peat-free medium and formulations of peat-free compost are widely available. However, there will be occasions when some plants are supplied in a peat-based medium where it is difficult to get them to grow in an alternative medium or where the cost of providing plants in peat-free material is expensive. In such cases the policy is to minimise the supply of such plants, and to ensure that they are planted out in the park in a non-peat based material that allows for normal growth – the peat medium they were supplied in is then composted in greenwaste.

60 Vauxhall Park Management Plan 2012 - 2017 When trees, shrubs and scrub are cut back or removed the resulting green waste is chipped up and spread on shrub beds or boundary lines as mulch or removed to a secure storage area and allowed to rot down until it can be composted.

Under the terms of the Lambeth Grounds Maintenance Specification, Lambeth Landscapes must roll out a programme of greenwaste recycling sites across the borough in order to progressively reduce the amounts of greenwaste produced in open spaces sent to incineration or landfill, and maximise the amount of green waste which is composted and used back in parks and open spaces, or offered to local school and community garden projects free or at zero profit.

Two composting sites are at Brockwell Park and Clapham Common, all close to Vauxhall Park. Therefore, Lambeth Landscapes is able to produce compost which it can either use at these locations or transport to others, including Vauxhall Park, for use as mulch or soil conditioner as required or at the instruction of the Operations Manager. Staff can also obtain additional material from other facilities across South England, which means the park is well supplied with compost and mulch to meet its ongoing needs.

The green waste composting team also makes visits to the park using a mobile chipper unit, so that green waste produced and stored on site can be chipped up and turned to provide an additional supply of compost to meet the park’s requirements and reduce the need to transport compost from a distance.

Figure 33. Greenwaste composting in Lambeth’s open spaces

Discussions are ongoing with the Friends as to a set of composting bays or bins on site, placed in a safe but accessible location, that can be used to deposit leaves and greenwaste arisings generated by staff or volunteers when on site. Possible locations for such a facility, which would be small and self-managing, are being looked into, but a key issue will be ensuring the composting units can be looked after and are not neglected or abused.

61 Vauxhall Park Management Plan 2012 - 2017 8.5 Pesticides and Fertilisers

Lambeth Parks actively pursues the reduction of chemicals in its open spaces. Staff are not permitted to use pesticides in any public area without prior permission and only to address a specific problem which affects site integrity, safety or contravenes the law (e.g. Weeds Act).

Systemic herbicides are approved for control of pernicious weeds like Japanese Knotweed; the principal herbicide is glyphosate (‘Roundup’) in stable preparations for spraying, weed wiping or spot application. As a general rule weed wiping and spot spraying is the preferred method of application; staff prefer these methods as they are economical in terms of cost and time and reduce the risk of spray drift so minimising side effects on non-target plants or habitats, or placing the health of the public or operators at risk.

The council aims to produce sufficient composted waste from tree removal and chipping, greenwaste recycling and leaf clearing to undertake weed suppression through mulching instead of using residual herbicides. Lambeth Landscapes must use biodegradable matting or mulch on semi-mature trees and other approved means of weed suppression. This is practiced on site, especially in garden areas or around the bases of young and mature trees, and the Operations Manager inspects to request topping up with new material.

8.6 Water Conservation

Water is used in Vauxhall Park given the number of features that require it. However, the annual water bill is not excessive relative to area and features. There are some actions which have helped to minimise water use and wastage.

The use of mulching and compost on all bedding helps minimise water use. All new bedding brought in is kept away from direct sunlight until planted out; if watering is needed this is using a fine mist spray nozzle and only to dampen humus in pots. Once planted out, where bedding needs additional watering self-regulating spraying heads are used to water plant bases in a mist, rather than just pouring water on using a bare hose. New trees also have mulching or matting around bases, and only watered when necessary.

Buildings and other services (e.g. water points) are regularly reviewed to check water use. All water bills are profiled across park buildings and deviations from the norm inspected to remedy if necessary. New polypropylene pipes will be installed where resources permit to replace old ironwork pipes and so reduce leakage. Other conservation measures include percussion taps for all bed watering equipment, and non-return valves on all new pipe work.

Should the new Masterplan or secured inward investment enable the existing one o’clock club and Montessori building to be redeveloped or refurbished, then this offers the opportunity to integrate water conservation measures into its design, such as rainwater capture and storage, or the recycling of ‘grey water’ to be used in flushing toilets or in watering plants and trees in the park. There is also potential to ‘retrofit’ the Parco café so that it also has water saving features, and this could be secured from capital funding.

62 Vauxhall Park Management Plan 2012 - 2017 9. Vauxhall Park is a Conservation and Heritage Flagship

9.1 Objectives

To be and remain a conservation and heritage flagship, the following objectives have been developed for Vauxhall Park:

9.1.1 Trees will be managed to protect them from loss or inappropriate removal, and opportunities sought to plant new trees suitable to the park’s character. 9.1.2 It will be managed to ensure existing wildlife habitats are protected and enhanced, and opportunities to create new ones taken. 9.1.3 It will be managed to maintain its heritage character, to protect and raise the profile of existing heritage features, and provide them with new sustainable uses.

9.2 Current Status and Management Actions

Particular attention will be paid to conservation and management of the wide range of landscape features on site, and buildings or structural features relating to its original creation.

Likewise the park contains features important for biodiversity and protection of wildlife such as the numerous trees, which are of different ages, heights, shapes and suitability to birds, insects, fungi and mammals. The park offers considerable opportunity to increase and enhance its biodiversity value, through appropriate management and habitat creation.

9.3 Protection and Enhancement of Heritage Character

Though Vauxhall Park is not on English Heritage’s “Register or Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest”, nor contains any listed buildings or Buildings at Risk, it is within the “Vauxhall Conservation Area” (CA 32) for the Borough of Lambeth and hence its character and contents need managing to avoid conflict with this status and minimise any losses.

9.3.1 Formal Gardens and Model Village

The rose and lavender gardens (Area 8 in Figure 13) have a strong heritage character. As well as the beds, seating and paths, this area also contain a relict circular ‘maze’ made up of bricks laid out in concentric patterns interspersed by fine turf, and a charming wooden pergola. This area also contains a splendid model village, integrated into an artificial rockery, which is carefully plated out with alpines, herbs and bedding plants (Figure 34).

One key action for this area has been to selectively remove the large conifers, especially those which are blocking out views across the gardens. There is a need to reduce the number of beds so the focus is on roses and lavender. Fencing and gates around the gardens are maintained, and paths within and into the area kept clean, free of moss and staining, and damaged or effective surfaces (including slabs) replaced as resources permit.

Other proposals involve removal of the privet hedge west of the lavender garden to open up views, and planting west side of the lavender garden with Miscanthus to match the north and east sides (Appendix 1). The Park Planting Guidelines (Appendix 6) provide information on current status and improvements to address condition.

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Figure 34. View of the model village in Vauxhall Park, along with formal bedding and shrubs, within the Rose Gardens

9.3.2 Railings, Fencing and Gates

Vauxhall Park possesses secure fencing and railings, although there is some variation in their design and construction. The railings along Fentiman Road were recently replaced with a design in keeping with the park’s character, and gates in the south east and south west corners have been replaced, along with restoration of gateposts and brickwork (Figure 35).

However, the fencing along western boundary on South Lambeth Road is made of chain link mesh strung between reinforced concrete posts, and is not in keeping with the park’s character. This fencing is ageing rapidly and the posts prone to cracking and leaning. This fencing is now priority for replacement, and the intention is to remove it and install railings identical to those along Fentiman Road, and repair and restore the brickwork wall.

It is hoped that future capital or S106 allocations (see pervious chapters) will fund this important action. Restoration of this boundary wall and reinstatement of railings will result in removal of the Portuguese laurel boundary hedge, to be replaced with holly maintained to a lower height. This will give the whole frontage of the park a more suitable feel with furniture befitting the Vauxhall Conservation Area.

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Figure 35. Boundary fencing on Fentiman Road, showing style and modelling to accommodate and protect existing trees

9.3.3 Vauxhall Park Style Guidance – Furniture and Fittings a) Background

In researching the original plan, Lambeth Parks and the Friends of Vauxhall Park identified a need for design guidance on materials, railings and park furniture; this has been highlighted through the management plan process. Over time different surfaces, railings and park furniture have been added as required. The design and detailing of these materials has reflected practicality, economy and possibly the preference of individuals, but has not necessarily been appropriate to the park or enhanced its character.

There is a need to provide guidance on the selection, addition, replacement and maintenance of park furniture so a more consistent approach exists to protect or restore the park’s character, whilst at the same time ensuring such furniture is functional, easy to maintain and does not place excessive cost on replacement. Whilst this guidance is still being developed, the core functions of this are described on the next page. b) Aim

To provide guidance for future decisions regarding the rationalisation, and selection of surfaces, railings and park furniture so that changes and improvements support and further the vision and objectives of the Vauxhall Park management plan.

65 Vauxhall Park Management Plan 2012 - 2017 The design guidance should:

• Reflect understanding of the park’s history and development; • Consider design intentions, period, materials and purpose together with character and current use of the park; • Identify issues and develop guidelines. c) Issues

These will include:

• Character; • Fitness for purpose including access; • Whole life costing – capital investment, cost of maintenance and life expectancy; • Sources of capital funding; • Availability; • Ease of installation, replacement, adaptation (e.g. to curves), and integration of gates; • Resources and skills required for maintenance. d) Guideline Development Policy

For surfaces, railings and park furniture these will cover:

• Style, palette of materials, finishes, colours, and suppliers; • Maintenance requirements.

Once the design guide is complete, all this information, including illustration and specifications, can be included in the management plan. Specific guidance can also be included for individual items such as the fountain, drinking fountain and barriers.

9.3.4 Celebrating and Recognising Heritage in Vauxhall Park

A key element of the park is celebrating its rich history and ensuring that as many park users are aware of this. As a result the Friends, in conjunction with Lambeth Parks and the Vauxhall Society, have undertaken events to recognise the park’s origins, past contents and links to local people and communities. For example, the conversion of the old bowling green into a new lavender garden provided a visual link back to the growing of lavender which was common in Vauxhall and Battersea, along with a plaque to commemorate the event. The garden and plaque were co-funded by Vauxhall Motors, which also helped celebrate the link between this motor company, who started off in the Vauxhall area.

In 2014 a new plaque was commissioned and installed in the park to commemorate the origins of the park and its link to Millicent Garrett and Henry Fawcett, who were famous social campaigners and whose house and gardens were originally on this site (Figure 36).

9.4 Protection and Enhancement of the Natural Environment

Vauxhall Park contains a number of features of importance to wild plants and animals, and to local people to experience and appreciate wildlife. As well as trying to retain and enhance these existing features, the park’s management should aim to increase where possible the extent of these areas of nature conservation value, or create new features in locations where wildlife is deficient or not readily appreciated by users. This section describes actions taken or proposed to protect and enhance Vauxhall Park as a biodiversity resource.

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Figure 36. Commemorative plaque in Vauxhall Park, celebrating the park’s links to the famous Victorian campaigners Millicent Garrett and Henry Fawcett.

9.4.1 The Lambeth Biodiversity Action Plan

The Lambeth Biodiversity Action Plan (Lambeth BAP) is Lambeth’s statement on actions the borough will undertake to protect, promote and enhance wildlife. The BAP was formally adopted in October 2005, and is due for review during 2017 to take into account changes in the London and UK BAPs, which have already undergone substantial changes.

The Lambeth BAP consists of a set of ‘Action Plans’, one for each habitat or species identified as important for Lambeth. Each Action Plan describes why the Council has chosen a particular habitat or species, and what it intends to do to protect and promote it, and so help raise the profile and status of biodiversity in Lambeth.

The Lambeth BAP is linked intimately with the ‘London Biodiversity Plan’ and in turn to the UK Biodiversity Action Plan; many of the actions in the Lambeth BAP are similar to those in the London and UK ones, so that action taken at the local level will have implications and benefits to biodiversity on a regional and national scale. Vauxhall Park is making a major contribution to delivery of the Lambeth BAP. A number of features within it are of considerable biodiversity value such as trees, mixed gardens and hedges, and management is compatible with the needs of biodiversity (e.g. pesticide avoidance and greenwaste).

67 Vauxhall Park Management Plan 2012 - 2017 9.4.2 Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation

Across Lambeth sites are identified for their importance for biodiversity and nature conservation. These are called Local Wildlife Sites or ‘Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs)’; SINCs can have Metropolitan, Borough or Local importance for nature conservation. SINCs are formally recognised and protected in Lambeth’s Local Development Plan from inappropriate use, development or loss. Information on Lambeth’s SINC sites, including maps, can be found on the Greenspace Information for Greater London (GiGL)’s website at: http://mapping.gigl.org.uk/igigl/map.aspx

Vauxhall Park is not presently a Lambeth SINC. However, suitable management and inclusion of new natural features could in time allow it be considered for a SINC, most likely a ‘Site of Local Importance’. Ongoing developments such as the new community garden, native hedging and wildflower seeding around the borders of the park, will certainly help sustain and enhance the site’s wildlife value.

9.4.3 Naturalised Area Creation and Management

Whilst Vauxhall Park has heritage value and provides a range of facilities for play, sports and relaxation, features with biodiversity interest are relatively limited. The park is used by wild animals, especially birds and invertebrates, and contains wild plants attractive to them (e.g. yews and the lavender garden). However, many ornamental plants and trees in the park, like Portuguese laurel, privet and conifers, are not especially attractive to wildlife. They do not offer good food sources, shelter and connectivity, and often do not produce flowers, fruit and seeds or at those times that wildlife requires them to be available.

Therefore, there is a strong consensus management that the distribution and quality of features of biodiversity interest in the park needs to be increased. The Work Plan, Vauxhall Vision, Park Planting Guidelines and Tree Management Strategy (Appendices 1, 2, 5 and 6) all support this intention, and include guidance to deliver this objective.

There are a number of locations in Vauxhall Park that could be modified, or created, to benefit biodiversity. The main opportunities are:

a) ‘Relaxing’ the normal grass cutting regime to create areas of meadow grassland, with complimentary planting of native trees and shrubs; b) Planting native bulbs in ‘drifts’ under trees or around entrances to the park; c) Planting of native hedges around boundaries of park, especially along eastern walls in nursery, and land adjacent to the south eastern entrance; d) Creation of new ‘community areas’ in the park, especially in the eastern sector (Area 9) with an emphasis on native species of bedding, shrub and tree; e) Planting of native tree species, including orchard (fruit and nut) varieties in key locations, in clusters or lines to encourage connectivity with adjacent habitats; f) Replacement of over-mature Portuguese laurel hedge along western boundary with native or variegated hollies; g) Installation of bird and bat boxes to trees in the park; h) Retention of tree stumps and burial of tree logs in discrete areas to create ‘stag beetle hotels’, which are also attractive to other ground invertebrates and fungi.

The creation of the above features will need changes to be made to the maintenance schedules for the park, which may have some implications as to operating costs or require new or additional skills in staff to manage or maintain them. One example would be creating meadow grassland, in that the grass arisings would have to be removed rather than left on site, and existing turf may have to be removed and resown to enable wildflower species to establish successfully.

68 Vauxhall Park Management Plan 2012 - 2017 9.4.4 Tree Management and Protection (Appendix 5)

It is recognised that the wildlife and biodiversity value of a park lies not just in what’s on the ground but in the trees they contain. It is the diversity of trees, in terms of species but also age, growth form, height, location and proximity to each other, that provides much of this biodiversity value and is reflected in the number of wild animals seen to use trees in parks as habitat for shelter, feeding and breeding, as well as ‘transport networks’ to move across the site and out to surrounding gardens and other green spaces.

However, the trees in Vauxhall Park need managing to ensure they continue to provide appropriate natural habitat, and the introduction of new trees appropriate to wildlife and heritage. A Tree Management Strategy therefore needs to address this in deciding how existing trees are retained and managed, which ones need removing, and where new trees should be planted. The Vauxhall Park Tree Management Strategy is shown as Appendix 5.

Like all strategies this will evolve, but it aims to provide a realistic balance between retaining ornamental or non-native trees, which contribute to the park’s historic and landscape quality, and ensuring sufficient native species are retained or planted to benefit wildlife.

In addition, where entire trees are removed, stumps can be left in situ to provide habitat for wood-dwelling fungi and invertebrates, particularly the stag beetle (Lucanus cervus), which is found in Lambeth. However, stumps will still need to be cut down close to the ground to minimise trip hazards and avoid ‘spoiling’ the open character of the park.

In order to deliver both the strategy and increase biodiversity in the park, during 2012 local residents and volunteers planted twelve fruit trees donated by the London Orchard Project. One of the newly planted trees is a ‘Vauxhall’ apple tree, along with other breeds of apple, plum, medlar, mulberry and hazelnut.

9.4.5 Environmental Information and Interpretation

One action of the Lambeth BAP is increasing awareness of biodiversity in the borough, and includes involving schools in site visits, wildlife hunts and in-school activities, producing web- and paper-based wildlife information and walk leaflets, and organising guided or self-led wildlife walks. Vauxhall Park is suitable for any of these activities given its size, location and support from the user community to make more of its natural character.

What Vauxhall Park has lacked to date is a dedicated leaflet about the park, which could help inform visitors about its character and qualities. To address this, and as described later in Section 11, the intention is to produce a simple, colourful and informative leaflet on the park, downloadable from the council and Friends websites or printed as hard copies, which gives information on the park’s history, management and environmental features. This leaflet will provide an opportunity to describe some key features important for nature conservation and biodiversity, as described above, in a style that is easy to understand and interpret.

Concurrent with improvements in the biodiversity of Vauxhall Park will be a need to describe and promote these to park users and the wider public. Therefore, there will be opportunities to commission and install signage in the park, which can describe new wildlife features, why they are present and how they are managed. This information is designed to address any misconceptions about the appearance of such features, and to stimulate park users to find out more about other biodiversity activities occurring in the borough and across London. This intention is included in the Management Work Plan in Appendix 1.

69 Vauxhall Park Management Plan 2012 - 2017 10. The Community is Involved in Vauxhall Park

10.1 Objectives

To ensure it is meets the needs of its user and local community, the following objectives have been developed for Vauxhall Park:

10.1.1 Its management will actively involve park users. 10.1.2 Community activities will be encouraged and supported.

10.2 Current Status and Management Actions

Lambeth Parks is committed to supporting the involvement of members of the local community in the development of its parks. Management must demonstrate it understands and is responsive to the needs of the park’s user base and aware of changing patterns of use, as well as being able to show community involvement in a park, and that facilities are appropriate to the community’s needs and not biased to one particular element.

10.3. Community Involvement

Vauxhall Park is surrounded by a large and diverse community in an area where there is a lack of accessible public open space. For residents in this part of Lambeth the park provides access to facilities that are free or available whilst the park is open, particularly important for an area of the borough were net household incomes are at or below the national average.

To ensure it has a future and is managed to meet the needs of its communities, both Lambeth Council and the Friends of Vauxhall Park must ensure there is a strong and visible community involvement in the park’s management, the community are consulted in any developments or proposals, and are being encouraged to devise and deliver projects of their own that are compatible with the parks character and content.

As well as a large Afro-Caribbean user base, the park is one of the closest open spaces to London’s largest Portuguese and Hispanic communities, concentrated around South Lambeth Road, which is minutes away, as well as Stockwell, Clapham Town and Larkhall. In fact, Lambeth has the largest Portuguese-speaking population of any city outside Lisbon, and both Lambeth Parks and Friends are aware of a need to engage with and involve local Portuguese and Spanish-speaking residents in the park’s management and development.

10.4 The Friends of Vauxhall Park

The Friends of Vauxhall Park (FoVP) are the official user representative body for the park in terms of consultation with the council and other stakeholders. The Friends have been instrumental in driving the need to regenerate the park, securing support for its inward investment and appropriate development.

The Friends are a formally constituted body with committee, bank account, constitution and key policies for it to be seen as inclusive and open to scrutiny and challenge. They also have an excellent website (http://www.vauxhallpark.org.uk/), which contains large amounts of information on the park’s history, news and forthcoming events, and who to contact in both the Friends and council for more information. They produce an informative newsletter, and organise a number of regular events in the park (Figure 37).

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Figure 37. Kate Hoey MP unveiling a newly restored house for the model village in the ornamental gardens at Vauxhall Park, in partnership with the Friends of Vauxhall Park

The Committee all live close to Vauxhall Park and have considerable experience of representing park and community. The membership is stable, and includes people living in Lambeth and other boroughs. The Friends have excellent working relations with staff operating at the park and Police officers who visit or cover the park.

The Chair is in regular contact with the Operations Manager, and has regular site walkabouts, usually every four months but more frequently if circumstances require. Park officers attend the Friends Annual General Meeting, and other committee or public meetings as appropriate.

10.5 Education and Vauxhall Park

Vauxhall Park is close to a number of schools, primary and secondary, and there is a commitment by the Friends and Lambeth Parks to encourage greater use by schools during term time. Many pupils and families, guardians and parents appreciate and use the park outside school hours, at weekends or during holidays, but there remain many opportunities to increase the level of use during school time.

For the original management plan an outline “Education Strategy” was formulated to identify how schools and other educational centres could be more involved, and this is attached as Appendix 7. This involved consultation with schools as to the best means to increase access and use, and they key priorities are expanded on in the next sections.

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The key project opportunities for local schools, where their practical involvement would be easy to arrange and sustain, include most of those ‘environmental enhancement’ actions described in the previous section under item 9.4.3 are a number of locations in Vauxhall Park that could be modified, or created, to benefit biodiversity. These opportunities include:

a) Native bulb planting under trees or around park entrances; b) Planting native hedges around park boundaries; c) Helping clear and plant out a new community garden; d) Building and installing bird and bat boxes in the park; e) Creating ‘stag beetle hotels’ or log piles for invertebrates and fungi.

Figure 38. Papier mache figures of World Cup footballers in the new lavender garden for a ‘best scarecrow’ competition for school pupils, Vauxhall Park Summer Fair

The Friends of Vauxhall Park are extremely supportive of opportunities to increase educational use of the park, and raise awareness in children and young adults of the park’s importance; the present Chair is a secondary school governor and committed to ‘championing’ the park to school teachers through existing governor networks.

10.6 Children’s Play Facilities

Vauxhall Park contains play and sports facilities for children. There is a dedicated children’s playground within the park, which contains a variety of items such as swings, roundabouts and static features. All items in the play area are safe and well maintained, but the Friends are actively working to consult on designs for the new playground, as mentioned previously, which also provide better landscaping and creating wildlife features within the playground.

72 Vauxhall Park Management Plan 2012 - 2017 10.7 Youth Groups

The Friends and Lambeth Parks are working to increase the degree of involvement with young adults. A principal interest is the level and quality of sports, especially ball games: the main users of the MUGA in the park are young adults. Another interest for young adults is personal safety, as the vast majority of those using the park are there for positive reasons and are as much of potential victims of crime, harassment or abuse as any other users.

10.8 Voluntary Organisations & Volunteering Opportunities

Because it is a safe and welcoming place, Vauxhall Park offers numerous opportunities for local residents as well as those from local or London-wide businesses to volunteer to help maintain and improve the park through a range of practical activities.

10.8.1 Community Volunteering

The Friends of Vauxhall Park are interested in organising weekend “volunteering mornings” for the park, having seen similar and successful programmes having been set up and delivered in other Lambeth parks, such as Brockwell and Vauxhall Parks. Lambeth Parks has been working with the Friends to identify activities that could be undertaken by small groups, and how these can be supported with staff supervision, tools and materials.

A number of wildlife and community gardening days are organised, including planting spring bulbs in the western sector of the park along its boundaries. Further opportunities exist to undertake planting bulbs, and replanting shrub borders, around the Montessori nursery and playground areas of the park. Volunteers also help maintain and tidy up many of the formal beds in the park, especially at the main entrances, in order to make sure the park feels safe and welcoming, and to help add some colour and variety to it (Figure 39).

Figure 39. Vauxhall Park community gardening group maintaining entrance beds

73 Vauxhall Park Management Plan 2012 - 2017 10.8.2 Business Volunteering

Since 2004 Lambeth has promoted many of its parks as locations for ‘business volunteering team challenges’. These are volunteering days, organised by the council and an experienced ‘brokering’ partner, which allow staff from a London business to undertake practical activities that help improve a park, for the benefit of them, the local community and the council.

Any activities offered to business volunteers are always ones which are deemed as essential and compatible with a park’s management plan. All activities are supervised by staff from Lambeth Parks, with additional support from the Friends. Tools and safety equipment, as well as materials like plants, seeds and waste removal, facilities for refreshments and personal care, are provided by Lambeth Parks along with risk assessments, safety inductions, debriefs after the event and press releases/publicity.

10.8.3 ‘Community Payback’ – Restorative Justice

Another arm of the volunteering programme at Vauxhall Park has been the regular presence of a team from 'Community Payback', a scheme whereby low-level offenders are required to do unpaid work for the community. Community Payback involves a team of offenders working, under supervision, to undertake various tasks in a community facility so that they can complete any ‘community orders’ they have been given by the courts, and in return the community gets something back (Figure 40).

In Vauxhall Park Community Payback have been working every Thursday and so far have removed some large bushes which were being used to conceal antisocial behaviour. They have also begun work on painting the remaining railings in the park, and the Friends of Vauxhall Park paid for materials needed to make these railings smart. In addition the Payback team have planted spring flowering bulbs adjacent to the tennis courts, as well as general clearing of litter and scrub.

Figure 40. Community Payback clients and staff celebrating their role in securing another Green Flag Award for Vauxhall Park

74 Vauxhall Park Management Plan 2012 - 2017 10.9 Community Events

The Friends and Lambeth Parks actively promote the park as a venue for community events, provided they are in keeping with its size and character, in order to widen awareness of the park, the work the Friends do, and opportunities for residents of and visitors to the borough to become more involved in parks and use the facilities they offer.

The Friends run two annual events in the park; the first one is the ‘Vauxhall Park Easter Egg Hunt’, which takes place on a Saturday close to Easter Weekend. This event has always proved extremely popular with local children and families, and involves toy eggs being secreted around the park for children to find, for which they get prizes and chocolate eggs.

The second event is the ‘Vauxhall Park Summer Fair’ normally held on the third weekend in June each year, providing stalls, games, displays and walks/talks (Figures 41 and 42). As with the Easter Egg event it has always been popular, and is attended by a wide range of local organisations.

Both of these events are designed to cater to as wide a community as possible; being sensitive to the large Portuguese and Hispanic communities living so close to the park. Publicity is also distributed to local libraries, housing estates and transport centres, and hosted on notice boards in the park or outside local community buildings. Many of the events and stalls at these events are designed to be of interest to as many local people as possible, and to offer goods or activities that do not deter those who on low or average incomes.

The Friends are interested in developing other events, or encouraging other organisations to use the park for their own events. One example would be for history or environmental walks, given the rich history of the Vauxhall area; the park is offered to local colleges or civic societies for this purpose, and the Vauxhall Society is an important conduit for this

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Figure 41. Images of the Vauxhall Summer Fair, run by the Friends of Vauxhall Park

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Figure 42. Images of the Vauxhall Summer Fair, run by the Friends of Vauxhall Park

77 Vauxhall Park Management Plan 2012 - 2017 11. Vauxhall Park is Properly Marketed

11.1 Objectives

To ensure it is being marketed to the right audiences, the following objectives have been developed for Vauxhall Park:

11.1.1 It is well provided for with information and interpretative materials appropriate to the site and its character.

11.2 Current Status and Management Actions

Vauxhall Park is a free open access resource marketed to those who would not otherwise use it or are unaware of the facilities. Marketing involves all community organisations including the Friends, café owner, schools, One O’Clock Club, Nursery and churches, local Tenant and Residents Associations, and the Police, to build up a programme of work to improve access to those who may be excluded from enjoying the park and its facilities.

Whilst many larger parks have their own marketing strategy, the general feeling is that Vauxhall Park does not need a detailed one at the present time. The remainder of this chapter details some of key actions undertaken to promote the site and provide an ‘outline marketing strategy’ for the park. Future reviews of the management plan, should the park become even more popular or where there is a need to increase community use might necessitate production of a proper marketing strategy and this must be taken into account.

11.3 Vauxhall Park Information Leaflet

Vauxhall Park currently lacks a simple leaflet which provides the casual visitor or local residents with important information about the park, particularly its history, the facilities it contains, and who to contact for more information ties; the leaflet should contain a schematic map and images of its history, facilities or events. Therefore, the intention is to produce a simple, colourful and informative leaflet on the park, downloadable from the council and Friends websites or printed as hard copies (Work Plan Appendix 1).

11.4 Lambeth Council Website Information

Lambeth Council uses its website to promote and publicise Vauxhall Park to the wider community. This information is in the form of dedicated web pages, accessible to the public and other partners. Attached below are web ‘hyperlinks’, which if clicked on when the reader has internet access operating, takes them to the page in question or they can be typed into an internet search engine to direct it to the correct destination.

11.4.1 Vauxhall Park Web Information

Vauxhall Park has its own dedicated web page on the Lambeth Council website. This contains information about the park, its history and key features and qualities, along with information on how to travel to the park by rail, tube and bus. It also provides links to other useful websites or pages, and can be quickly updated to provide news on the park.

Complementing the Lambeth Council web page is the excellent website for the Friends of Vauxhall Park (http://www.vauxhallpark.org.uk/), which provides significant amounts of information on the park, its history and events running through the year, publications on the park and local area, and links to other organisations and partners.

78 Vauxhall Park Management Plan 2012 - 2017 11.4.2 Lambeth Parks & Greenspaces – General Information

Lambeth Parks has a welcome page, providing the general public with information on its services and sites: the web link for this site, from which other pages can be navigated to, is: http://lambeth.gov.uk/leisure-parks-and-libraries/parks.

11.4.3 Lambeth Parks & Greenspaces – Additional Information

Information on the new byelaws for Lambeth's parks and open spaces Information on events in parks and open spaces Information on outdoor sports facilities in parks and open spaces

11.5 Other Marketing Information

In terms of an outline ‘Marketing Strategy’, there are a number of practical, on-site opportunities available to maximise awareness of Vauxhall Park and widen its user base. As well as website-hosted information, the principal actions are as follows: a) Park Entrance Signs

Large signs are prominently displayed close to all principal entrances to the park, giving site name, a clear map, a list of facilities, basic history and contact details for more information or to report problems. b) Public Notice Boards

Blank ‘public notice’ boards installed at main entrances. They are for displaying notices, such as those from the council or local events or activities either based in the park or local centres (e.g. Fair, Friends meetings and fetes). These allow the public to display material, and can be cleaned to remove graffiti or wash off defunct notices. c) Building Signage

All principal buildings in the park need signs near their entrances, informing the public what the building is called, and if appropriate its history and future proposals, as well as who to contact for information. This signage is cheap and easy to replace or update. d) Park Staff Presence

Staff working in and visiting the park must regard welcoming the public and telling them what facilities are present, or what’s happening, as fundamental to their job. Staff on or visiting site are regularly updated as to new developments so these can be passed on to the public and any feedback from the public conveyed back to management. e) Lambeth Contact Centre

Information on Vauxhall Park must be available to staff in Lambeth Council’s Contact Centre, so that enquires by phone, email or post about the park, how to get there and what’s happening can be quickly answered. The Operations Manager and Project Officer regularly update the information held by Contact Centre on the park.

79 Vauxhall Park Management Plan 2012 - 2017 f) Park Leaflet & Printed Materials

Production of a leaflet for the site, which can be downloaded off websites, is now seen as priority for development. It would contain a map and information on site history, facilities, ecology and community activities, and promote it to a wider audience, especially schools, estates and businesses. g) Guided Walks and Talks

Where appropriate, walks and talks to specific interest groups will be organised and delivered to raise awareness, particularly regarding biodiversity, history, present facilities and opportunities for volunteering, events and educational activities. h) Website Material – History, Ecology & Volunteering

Whilst many parks or community group websites often give an overview of the history, purpose and management of an open space, there is still potential to enhance the amount of information available to the public or interest groups. The suggestion to have any new leaflets or maps of the site available to download is one example of how web pages can be made to work better and provide material that the public can use and gain benefit from.

Given the site’s history, one option is to have information on a website or web page as to the park’s history; this could be in the form of downloadable documents or a search engine with text and images. Websites can also be used to source information on the park’s ecology, especially lists, images and maps of wildlife or habitats, and on information relating to volunteering and community events, although there would be a need to ensure such information is kept up to date and regularly reviewed

Figure 43. Creating the Lavender Garden in Vauxhall Park, March 2004 – an event publicised locally with Wyvil Primary School, whose pupils helped plant the lavender

80 Vauxhall Park Management Plan 2012 - 2017 12. Vauxhall Park is Well Managed

12.1 Objectives

To ensure it is well managed, the following objectives are developed for Vauxhall Park:

12.1.1 It will be managed to Green Flag Award standard, and its daily management and condition assessed against the Award criteria. 12.1.2 It will be managed using a plan which is responsive, realistic and achievable, in partnership with its community.

12.2 Current Status and Management Actions

The Vauxhall Park Management Plan is a 5 year maintenance and development plan which sets out clearly what assets and features need to be conserved and protected, to ensure resources are targeted to have maximum effect, and opportunities to enhance and improve its quality and use are recognised and implemented.

The management of Vauxhall Park follows eight core criteria of what is deemed a ‘quality public park’ as set out by the Green Flag Award scheme. This plan looks at each criterion in turn and sets out what is done, must be seen to be done, and what is planned, in Vauxhall Park to reflect the aspirations of the community and the authority without coming into conflict with the park’s unique character.

The Management Plan is an evolving document reviewed annually; the current document generates an Action Programme in Appendix 2, which lists targets and milestones. The management plan must be compatible with priorities set out by the London Borough of Lambeth, as well the Service Plan for Lambeth Parks, the Lambeth Community Strategy (Lambeth First), and the Lambeth Community Safety Strategy.

The management of the park also conforms to the Service Standards for Lambeth Parks & Open Spaces, which are as follows:

Lambeth Parks & Greenspaces – Service Standards

In terms of service priorities, Lambeth Parks and Open Spaces:

a) Manages and maintains Lambeth’s parks and greenspaces on behalf and for the benefit of the communities we serve, and perform these duties in partnership and through consultation with them. b) Recognises the importance of parks and greenspaces as community assets, and work with the community to secure resources to invest in them. c) Recognises the importance of universal access to Lambeth’s parks and greenspaces, and ensures all have equal opportunity to use them. d) Recognises the importance of parks and greenspaces as places for leisure, sport, recreation and play, and encourages use for activities which provide social, community, health and educational benefits. e) Recognises the unique historical, heritage and landscape character of Lambeth’s parks and greenspaces, and works to protect these important assets. f) Wants Lambeth’s parks and greenspaces to be places where people feel safe and secure, and will come back or encourage others to use them.

81 Vauxhall Park Management Plan 2012 - 2017 In addition, we aim to comply with the following baseline service standards:

• All of our parks and greenspaces are managed to, or will be developed so they can attain, the Green Flag Award standard (www.greenflagaward.org) • The removal of litter, management of waste and emptying of bins is in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act 1990: Code of Practice (Litter) • Seasonal displays, herbaceous plants and bulbs, shrubs, climbers and hedges and rose beds are maintained weed-free at all times. • Daily inspections of children's play and other sensitive areas are carried to ensure that they are safe to open and use. • All fenced parks are opened by 7.30am and closed within 15 minutes of sunset.

12.3 Staffing and Management Structure

Figure 44 summarises the new management arrangements for Lambeth Landscapes, which is now responsible for Vauxhall Park, as well as the borough’s other public open spaces, cemeteries and recreation grounds. Vauxhall Park’s maintenance is under the overall responsibility of Lambeth Landscapes’ Operations Manager for the North Area, who oversees a team of staff, including two Operations Supervisors, who are physically based at the park or operate a mobile maintenance service that regularly visits the site.

The Operations Manager monitors service performance in terms of standards of cleanliness, horticulture and general repairs in the park as set out in the specification and service standards, and undertakes rectifications where performance is below target. The Operations Manager and Supervisors meet with staff on an at-least daily frequency to discuss the work plans and priorities for the park, and to address any maintenance or safety issues.

Working alongside the Operations Manager and Supervisors are the Parks Development Team, made up of four staff responsible for supporting the operational side of the service, undertaking specific projects, and monitoring service performance and compliance with service standards and policies. Together with the Operations Manager and Supervisors they make up the overall ‘management team’ for the park.

The management team undertake a range of capital and other projects at Vauxhall Park and are the direct point of contact with the Friends in terms of issues relating to site maintenance, responding to elected councillor enquiries or those from the Police, adjacent landowners and other members of the public. The management team attend regular meetings at which a range of issues around service performance are raised. This allows issues affecting a number of parks or greenspaces to be discussed and resolved, or for a problem at one site like Vauxhall Park to be raised and solutions that are found be beneficial to other locations.

All staff working at or responsible for Vauxhall Park undertake an annual appraisal with their line manager, where key performance issues are raised and assessed, along with any barriers to improved or continuous performance. This provides an opportunity for identifying training or recognising acquired skills, and the staff have taken full opportunity for additional training and support.

82 Vauxhall Park Management Plan 2012 - 2017

Figure 44. Lambeth Landscapes staffing structure 2016-17

83 Vauxhall Park Management Plan 2012 - 2017 As part of its new structure, Lambeth Landscapes is also signed up to the Government’s apprenticeship scheme, whereby funding and other support is available to employers to take on new employees and provide them with the necessary training and ‘on the job’ supervision. The plan for 2016-17 is to start with two apprenticeships, one in parks and the other in cemeteries, and after these two post have been filled, the apprentices have qualified, and this initial phase has been evaluated, to then extend the scheme so as to take on more trainees across the whole service.

The advantage of apprenticeships is that it ensures that, as older staff retire or move on to other jobs, sufficient new staff are being recruited and in those fields where the service has a clear need for skilled employees. It also ensures the service is recruiting new employees at the local level, preferentially within Lambeth, and from local schools and colleges, which makes sure the council is delivering on its core commitment to supporting the local economy and helping its own residents find and stay in rewarding employment.

Lambeth Council is also operating a ‘co-operative council’ model in terms of managing its community assets, which involves greater participation of users, residents and other groups in management decisions for sites like Vauxhall Park. This ensures that future allocation of budgets and resources is more closely tied to the needs of users. Therefore, the above service structure is sufficiently flexible to allow community groups and stakeholders to ‘fit in’ and add value to how Lambeth Landscapes and its staff deliver the grounds maintenance specification. For example, the service is committed to supporting volunteers from the community or businesses in fields such as horticulture, wildlife habitat management and creation, and in improving access and safety in the park, through providing skilled staff to supervise these activities as well as appropriate tools, materials and protective equipment.

Figure 45. Flying the Flag in Vauxhall Park, 2016

84 Vauxhall Park Management Plan 2012 - 2017 Vauxhall Park Park Management Plan

Appendix One

Vauxhall Park

Visioning Document and Work Plan

Lambeth Parks & Greenspaces 4th Floor Blue Star House 234-244 Stockwell Road 020 7926 9000 [email protected]

VAUXHALL VISIONING

Vauxhall Park – Aspirations and Improvements

When the original management plan for Vauxhall Park was being developed in 2006, the park was assessed to identify what strengths and weaknesses it possessed at the time.

The following sections summarise what issues were felt by both user community and council as priorities for retention, change, improvement, or in some cases removal, if they are not helping retain the park’s character or add to its overall quality. Where possible each action has a response attached or associated with it, but more detail is provided in the core of the management plan or in the Work Plan (Appendix 1).

A. Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats Analysis

An analysis of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) was carried out using information gathered through research, site survey and consultation and brought together in previous sections. The SWOT analysis is reviewed and updated annually, and the current assessment is indicated below: a) Strengths

• Local park, free and accessible to all • Valued green space, a green lung in the city • Popular café containing toilets and outdoor meeting space • Small area incorporating a range of facilities and different garden areas • Trees provide a canopy and sense of enclosure, sense of being away from it all • High level of use - as a destination and as a through route • Level of use contributes to sense of security • An active Friends group with good links and relationships with others • Focus of community activity through the One O’ Clock Club • Site based gardeners • A good play area for younger children • On Community Police Officer beat route b) Weaknesses

• Lack of design quality in horticultural elements • Changes without long term plan, some resulting in degradation of original design • Lack of clarity about who can use benches, seating and dog-free areas due to inadequate signage and provision c) Opportunities

• To utilise Section 106 monies and other funding to realise improvements • To increase habitat diversity through new plantings • To increase quality and extent of informal and creative play • To provide exercise trail, measured routes, health walks • For developing interpretive material/education packs for school use • To provide an outdoor classroom for schools during term times • To market to schools and other groups with limited knowledge of what the park offers

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• To develop more inclusive involvement in events • To expand the events programme, subject to size capacity • To develop training and gardening programmes • To enhance the quality of the park through improved use of resources, planned improvements and higher standards of planting and horticultural display • To increase the sense of ownership through engagement of stakeholders in projects • To utilise goodwill of users to support, participate and contribute to improvements • To increase use of MUGA, without conflicting with other uses of the park • To replace the One O’ Clock Club with a new multi purpose building able perhaps to offer a range of uses, e.g. health clinics and language classes d) Threats

• Failure to include public toilets as part of any new improvements, such as a new community building or improved play area • Difficulties experienced by One O’ Clock Club due resources and structural impacts • Plant disease and consequent tree loss • Failure to manage conflicting user groups, e.g. dog owners and cyclists

B. Green Flag Award Criteria

When the original management plan for Vauxhall Park was being developed in 2005/6 it was assessed as to current condition and status against the criteria for Green Flag Award (www.greenflagaward.org.uk), the national standard for quality parks and open spaces in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The criteria used in the Green Flag Award scheme are as follows:

• A welcoming place • Healthy, safe and secure • Well maintained and clean • Sustainability • Conservation and heritage • Community involvement • Marketing • Management

A summary of the assessment of Vauxhall Park against these criteria is provided below. Responses to each priority are set out later in the Vision and Work Plan which details what actions need to be taken, or have been taken, when and using what resources.

1. A Welcoming Place

The initial impression is that Vauxhall Park is a welcoming place because it is an attractive space, easily accessible and provides a good range of facilities for its size. However the presentation of entrance areas needs attention.

Priorities for action are:

• Repairs to entrance paving • Make all entrances more welcoming and open in feeling • Replacement of entrance barriers with more appropriate furniture • Vegetation management to improve sightlines from entrances

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• Provision of public toilets – although the café has toilets for public use, toilets will be necessary in or close to any refurbished playground • Provision of a public picnic area or community space, separate from any fenced play area, which can be used by people with dogs • Installation of play equipment to meet needs of children of varied ability

2. Healthy, Safe and Secure

The park provides opportunities for sport relative to scale. Security is acknowledged to have improved in recent years, though attention to specific issues would limit opportunities for antisocial behaviour. The condition of the sports facilities needs to be addressed in future.

Priorities for action are:

• Renewal of tennis court fencing • Adjustments to the MUGA to dampen noise • Vegetation management to limit opportunities for misuse • Improved security of Lawn Lane entrance • Investigate relocation of drinking fountain to playground, or decommission existing fountain and install new one as part of new playground programme

3. Clean and Well Maintained

The park is generally litter free, play equipment inspected and maintained, and a perception among many that the park is well maintained. Resources could still be managed better to improve standards of soft landscape management throughout.

Priorities for action are:

• Improved monitoring of contractor to ensure delivery of specified standards • Improved maintenance of tennis courts • Full assessment of One O’ Clock Club to assess life expectancy and cost of upgrading and feasibility study for building replacement

4. Sustainability

Priorities for action are:

• The development of planting guidelines and a tree management strategy • Ensure use of greenwaste compost and mulching throughout the park • Monitor and ensure compliance with Council’s pesticide reduction strategy

5. Conservation and Heritage

There is considerable potential to make more of the park’s historic heritage. Vauxhall Park forms part of a Conservation Area and recent work has sought to reflect this status but there is scope for continuous improvement.

Priorities for action are:

• Design guidance on planting, railings and park furniture • Improved monitoring of contractor to ensure delivery of specified standards • Interpretation of the park’s history through new signage, added to through information on internal notice boards and in café or any future community facility

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6. Community Involvement

Vauxhall Park is well used and valued by the local community, with a Friends group actively involved in the life of the park. The range and provision of facilities is good though the size of the park is a limiting factor on adding any new provisions – any additions should be through reuse of existing infrastructure.

There is an active volunteer group, though some users express a keen interest in being more actively involved in the park’s management. There is use of the park as an outdoor classroom for school children and families clearly appreciate the one o’clock club, nursery and play facilities as a means to educate, inform and entertain.

Priorities for action are:

• Maintaining and expanding communication techniques, and increasing the level of community engagement and involvement • Undertaking a user survey to establish visitor numbers • Continue to encourage use of the park as an outdoor classroom and volunteer resource for all to use and enjoy

7. Management

Until recently there was no management plan or coherent vision for Vauxhall Park; this has now been addressed. A sense of direction and absence of procedures to measure improvements were lacking, but with the management plan, there is opportunity for considerable investment in the park and potential funding from local initiatives, as well as improved management standards and practice.

Priorities for action are:

• Finalise and adopt the new Masterplan for Vauxhall Park, to help inform and direct the management plan, but also secure additional investment • Continue to review and update the management plan so that it expresses a shared vision agreed by all stakeholders • The adopted management plan contains an updated prioritised costed workplan as a basis for action and funding applications, which is constantly reviewed • A review process to record progress and measure improvement is in place and feeds back into revisions to the management plan

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C. Aims and Objectives

Based on the above Green Flag Award assessments, plus the community’s own vision, the following aims and objectives have been agreed for setting priorities and actions for the Vauxhall Park management plan, and are integrated into the work plan for the park.

Aims

• To welcome, encourage and improve access for all sectors of the local community • To develop existing or new facilities that contribute to social interaction and wellbeing • To provide opportunities for the acquisition of new skills and knowledge • To extend opportunities for sport, play and informal exercise • To progressively improve the park so that it becomes a leader in horticulture and design with improved environmental sustainability • To conserve the historic fabric and character and, where appropriate, recreate elements of the original design • To enable greater understanding and appreciation of the park’s heritage • To maintain and enhance a safe, orderly and peaceful environment

Objectives

1. To welcome, encourage and improve access for all sectors of the local community

Physical

• Provide additional toilet facilities for children and parents if felt appropriate; these could be part of a new playground development or linked with the existing one o’clock club or the Montessori nursery • Replace entrance barriers with bespoke craftsman designed metalwork to improve the sense of welcome • Repair and upgrade sections of uneven paving, particularly at park entrances • Provide new internal interpretative signage for key heritage and landscape features, and for play/sports facilities, as they are upgraded or installed • Provide improved play equipment for children with varied abilities

Activities/management

• Provide and distribute leaflets with information about park, which are also available in other languages, supported by information on Council and Friends websites • Understand the numbers and types of people who use the park by undertaking a survey – through onsite or web-based questionnaires • Develop an events strategy to encourage the involvement of a wider cross section of the community – this should encompass encouraging ‘hard to reach’ groups to visit, use and become involved through community events with a cultural theme • Include free tennis taster sessions at events • Invite people/organisations to undertake tasks – translation, leaflet design, sponsorship of or donations to events or improvements, write letters of support, give time for surveys, clean ups, organising events • Consult and provide information about proposed changes and activities and seek feedback on changes

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2. To develop existing and new facilities that contributes to social interaction and well being

Physical

• Replace One O’ Clock Club building with a new building which should include multiuse facilities, toilets, a gardener’s base or information point • Clarify signage of the children’s area and sports facilities • Improve play equipment to meet current standards, including additional swings • Provide dog free picnic area for general public use not within the children’s area • Continue to improve the dog exercise area, increasing the amount of run and activity • Provide a working drinking fountain but ensure location is appropriate; this could be relocated to the playground once refurbished so it is better located and can be managed better • Replace the tennis court fencing

Activities/Management

• Programme new/additional activities for times of lower use to reduce conflict with established uses/users • Provide additional training for existing staff and volunteers • Increase gardening and biodiversity activities across the whole park • Hold a campaign to encourage increased responsibility by dog owners • Hold a campaign to encourage increased responsibility by cyclists • Improve maintenance and letting of tennis courts • Sponsor tennis coaching

3. To provide opportunities for the acquisition of new skills and knowledge (Life Long Learning)

Activities/Management

• Provide information on facilities available and what can be seen and done in the park • Develop education packs/ideas notes for using park - mini beasts, class picnics, art work, nature walks, creative writing etc. • Enable the MUGA to be booked on weekdays only • Practical gardening training linked to NVQ or RHS Level 1 Certificate in Horticulture for staff and volunteers undertaking horticultural activities in the park

4. To extend opportunities for sport and informal exercise

Physical

Improve MUGA – reducing noise and improving maintenance, marking out and access Develop a fitness trail

Activities/management

• Provide information on measured walking/jogging circuits • Organise health walks through Lambeth’s healthy walks co-ordinator • Promote use of park/MUGA for open-air classes • Provide sports equipment for summer holiday sessions, e.g. tennis racquets • Offer cycling proficiency classes and tests

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5. To progressively improve the park so that it becomes a leader in horticulture and design

Physical

• Develop prioritised list of repairs and upgrading to surfaces, railings and park furniture that includes the rationalisation of disparate styles • Produce a park style guide which defines the character of the park and balances historic and modern high quality design covering furniture, signage etc. • Continue to implement a signage strategy so that other signage in the park is provided but which respects the parks character • Remove redundant surfacing and low railings • Programme phased refurbishment and rationalisation of planting areas • Install bird and bat boxes to encourage wildlife

Activities/management

• Improve monitoring of contractor and ensure compliance to specifications • ‘Grow’ a volunteer workforce by exploring and developing appropriate partnerships e.g. with BTCV, to contribute to maintaining high standards • Develop quality checklist to ensure that all new additions to the park support the vision, aims and objectives, meet rigorous design standards, and are compatible with and complement existing features and provision • Improve monitoring of contractor – use of equipment, herbicides etc • Increase habitat diversity through new plantings and management

6. To conserve the historic fabric and, where appropriate, recreate elements of the original design

Physical

• Repair plinths and replace historic boundary railings and gates • Restore alignment of northern path along Lawn Lane • Replant areas of shrubbery • Restore character of original paths

7. To enable greater understanding and appreciation of the park’s heritage

Activities/management

• Provide interpretation – information boards, plaques and leaflets • Develop education packs related to the school curriculum • Organise guided walks • Develop and implement a tree management strategy focussed on conserving and renewing historic plantings

8. To maintain and enhance a safe, orderly and peaceful environment

In addition to many of the other objectives that will increase use, sense of ownership and improve quality, listed under different objectives -

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Physical

• Replace One O’ Clock Club building – see above • Remove or manage shrubbery that might cause nuisance • Improve security of Lawn Lane entrance by implementing changes to prevent unauthorised access. • Revise fence alignment north of Montessori nursery

Although no specific objectives have been identified to help maintain a peaceful environment, it is considered that the fulfilment of many of the objectives will contribute to this.

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Monitoring and Review

This section draws out responsibilities for monitoring and review of the plan. It also includes recommendations on the timing of reviews and identifies the information that will need to be updated or augmented as work proceeds.

Monitoring

Monitoring work in the park is primarily the responsibility of the Parks Manager. It is acknowledged that the Friends of Vauxhall Park must play an important role in monitoring how the park is developing, through informal surveillance, interest, observation of what takes place and reporting back to the Parks Manager.

In Year 1 the Work Plan recommends ‘improve monitoring of contractor’ to ensure that work is carried out in accordance with the specification and terms of contract. In addition, for every item of work there is a ‘method to check completion’. This facilitates the checking, signing off and dating of work, enabling monitoring and a record of progress to be maintained.

Review

Two forms of review are included in the workplan. These are an annual peer review for park officers and a review of the management plan. The annual peer review is introduced in Year 1 as an item to ‘develop quality assessment of new works and maintenance’.

The purpose of this review is for staff involved in Vauxhall Park and responsible for parks and green spaces in Lambeth to look together at the park and consider the quality of maintenance work and the quality and improvements achieved through new work. The review should be informed by the monitoring record and review findings recorded against items in the workplan and maintenance headings in the contract specification.

Annual review of the management plan should be undertaken by the Parks Manager, supported by other staff, with input from the Friends. The purpose of the review is to:

• Review progress on items in the work plan • To update the workplan • Consider overall progress towards achieving improved standards using Green Flag Award assessment criteria • In the light of operating the plan, to consider any changes to be made • To agree any additional information to be added to the plan, e.g. tree strategy, additional research, details of park furniture, events reports and sample leaflets.

It is important that the review is recorded, the record circulated and agreed by all those involved, and then copied to all involved in delivering the aims and objectives of the management plan.

Timing

It is recommended that reviews are carried out in March, with the annual peer review taking place first so that findings from this review can inform the review of the management plan.

9 VAUXHALL PARK MANAGEMENT WORK PLAN

YEAR 4 2013/14 (April 2013 – March 2014)

Code Action Responsibility Resources Outputs Status Physical Improvements 4.01 Provide New Gates to Lawn Lane Entrance Fabrication and installation of gates Lambeth Parks £5,500 Gates installed Deferred subject to capital funding; current gates kept safe and well maintained 4.02 Provide Interpretation Develop interpretation strategy Lambeth Parks, Staff time Interpretation strategy Key element of FOVP Masterplan; developing a strategy to be taken forward in 2015 Provide 2 interpretive plaques or signs Lambeth Parks £5,000 Plaques installed Completed 4.03 Improve Dog Area Realignment and extension of fencing with new Lambeth Parks £4,000 Complete Phase 2 Completed gates, drinking trough and signage 4.04 Street Directional Signage Commission and install directional signage Lambeth Parks £500 Signage installed Completed 4.05 Replace One O’Clock Club Evaluate current and future uses of building, Lambeth CYPS, Staff and Agreed new use or Ongoing; building still with options for reuse, demolition and Lambeth Parks community design of building, occupied and in use. replacement time along with costs for New Park Masterplan refurbishment, will identify detailed demolition or options for building replacement along with costs 4.06 Restore Path from Fentiman Road Gate Replace existing path with new surfacing, Lambeth Parks £27,000 Path, edgings and Deferred subject to edgings and railings railings complete outcomes of new Masterplan

4.07 MUGA – Reduce Noise, Improve Access Replace entrance gate Lambeth Parks £2,000 New gate and Ongoing – gate kept modifications safe and in use

Management 4.08 Annual Review of Management Plan Annual review of management plan progress; Lambeth Parks Staff time Review progress Ongoing devise process for developing new plan against plan targets

4.09 Develop Practical Gardening Programme Organise and deliver programme FOVP & £5,000 Programme delivered Ongoing – gardening Partners and sustained projects developing well with new ideas for increasing extent or community base 4.10 Develop Educational Materials for Schools Research topics, walk routes, guide materials FOVP, Lambeth Staff & Schedule of guided Ongoing – Friends and and publicity Parks volunteer time walks Parks run walks and events as required Secure funding and commission education FOVP, Lambeth Staff & Secure funding and Ongoing – new pack or programme Parks volunteer time commission Masterplan may influence direction of educational outreach and targets 4.11 Develop a Leaflet about the Park Commission, develop design, seek FOVP, Lambeth Staff time, Draft design and Most information now consultation Parks £125 feedback online, but option for leaflet has not been eliminated Printing, promotion and distribution FOVP, Lambeth £500 Published leaflet TBC Parks 4.12 Create a Community Orchard in the Park Maintain trees with annual servicing of guards FOVP, Lambeth Contract Trees maintained and Completed – new and stakes Parks no losses orchard being maintained

YEAR 5 2014/15 (April 2014 – March 2015)

Code Action Responsibility Resources Outputs Status Physical Improvements 5.01 Reinstate Historic Boundary Railings to Lawn Lane Remove existing railings to Lawn lane, replace Lambeth Parks £67,500 Plinth, railings and Subject to outcomes with heritage railings and reinstate hedging hedge complete and priorities in new Masterplan, but agreed to be a key objective for capital funding 5.02 Provide New Gates to Lawn Lane Entrance Fabrication and installation of gates Lambeth Parks £5,500 Gates installed Subject to outcomes and priorities in new Masterplan, but agreed to be a key objective for capital funding 5.03 Provide Interpretation Implement interpretation strategy Lambeth Parks Staff time Interpretation strategy Element of Masterplan; develop a strategy to be taken forward in 2015 Provide additional interpretive plaques or signs Lambeth Parks £5,000 Plaques installed As funding secured as required to highlight key features signage to be installed 5.04 Improve Dog Area Annual inspection and replacement or Lambeth Parks £1,000 Completed Completed improvement of signage or access 5.05 New Dog-Free Activity Area Relandscaping of old dog exercise area to Lambeth Parks £10,000 Completion of Ongoing and include new orchard with improved access and conversion and landscaping communal seating or activity features refurbishment progressing

5.06 South Lambeth Road Boundary Removal of defective chain link fencing and Lambeth Parks £7,500 Removal of fencing Conditional on sufficient removal of over-mature Laurel hedge and hedge capital resources and Refurbishment of wall bases Lambeth Parks £30,000 Refurbished walls agreed outcomes of Installation of new heritage railings Lambeth Parks £50,000 New heritage railings new Masterplan; Plant new holly hedge Veolia ES £1,000 & staff New hedge and surrounding time improved frontage developments should enable funding to be secured in 2014-15 5.07 Replace One O’Clock Club Demolition and construction of new building, Lambeth CYPS, £450,000 Completed building Ongoing subject to with new landscaping Lambeth Parks outcomes of Masterplan and sufficient funding 5.08 Refurbishment of Playground Replace old equipment with new items, restore Lambeth Parks £85,000 Playground Key priority for FOVP in surfacing, new playground signs refurbished 2015; capital bid submitted and external S106/CIL funds to be allocated to delivery Management 5.09 Annual Review of Management Plan Annual review of management plan progress; Lambeth Parks Staff time Review progress Ongoing – proposals for devise process for developing new plan against plan targets a new Masterplan at consultation phase which will then define new management plan

5.10 Develop Practical Gardening Programme Organise and deliver programme FOVP & £5,000 Programme delivered Ongoing and Partners and sustained successfully addressing key areas of park 5.11 Develop Educational Materials for Schools Disseminate, review and update education Lambeth Parks Officer Time, Annual promotion Ongoing – information materials FOVP programme for schools regularly completed updated and promoted

5.12 Develop a Leaflet about the Park Continue to promote and distribute leaflets FOVP, Lambeth Officer and Leaflet promoted Most information now Parks community online, but option for time leaflet has not been eliminated 5.13 Create a Community Orchard in the Park Maintain trees with annual servicing of guards FOVP, Lambeth Contract Trees maintained and Ongoing – park is and stakes Parks no losses regularly inspected fro tree stock, and new trees planted as required subject to funding or from donations. New Masterplan may affect locations for new trees or addressing old trees stock

YEAR 6 2015/16 (April 2015 – March 2016)

Code Action Responsibility Resources Outputs Status Physical Improvements 6.01 Provide New Gates to Lawn Lane Entrance Upgrade and repair gates Lambeth Parks £5,500 Gates installed Completed – the gates were repaired and made safe 6.02 Improve Dog Area Annual inspection and replacement or Lambeth Parks £1,000 Completed The new dog exercise improvement of signage or access area has appropriate signage, and grass has been scarified. Proposing some features to provide dog stimulation

6.03 New Dog-Free Activity Area Continue to re-landscape old dog area and Lambeth Parks £1,000 Completion of Additional landscaping improve visual and horticultural quality refurbishment and treatment of area, although removal of old walls and obstructions to be deferred until new Masterplan in place 6.04 South Lambeth Road Boundary Inspection of new heritage railings Lambeth Parks Contract Post installation Conditional on sufficient inspection completed capital resources and Maintenance of holly hedge Veolia ES Contract and New hedge in good agreed outcomes of staff time condition new Masterplan; surrounding developments should enable funding to be secured in 2015-17 6.05 Replace One O’Clock Club Consult on viability and purpose of new Lambeth CYPS, Staff time Clear outcomes as to Completed as part of building for Masteplan Lambeth Parks design and purpose of masterplanning new building process, and this will be factored into new Masterplan 6.06 Restore Path from Fentiman Road Gate Replace existing path with new surfacing, Lambeth Parks £27,000 Path, edgings and Minor repairs completed edgings and railings railings complete to remove safety risks 6.07 Refurbishment of Playground Replace old equipment with new items, restore Lambeth Parks £150,000 Playground Consultation on new surfacing, new playground signs refurbished playground started and funding secured Management 6.08 New Masterplan for Vauxhall Park Appoint contractors to consult on and deliver a Lambeth Parks £50,000 Masterplan adopted Masterplanning process Masterplan for Vauxhall Park and implemented started in Spring 2015, with final version due early 2016

6.09 Annual Review of Management Plan Annual review of management plan progress; Lambeth Parks Staff time Review progress Ongoing – management devise process for developing new plan against plan targets plan is reviewed annually although new Masterplan, on adoption, will dictate a new management plan

6.10 Develop Practical Gardening Programme Organise and deliver programme FOVP & £5,000 Programme delivered Ongoing and Partners and sustained successfully addressing key areas of park 6.11 Develop Educational Materials for Schools Disseminate, review and update education Lambeth Parks Officer Time, Annual promotion Ongoing – information materials FOVP programme for schools regularly completed updated and promoted 6.12 Develop a Leaflet about the Park Produce, promote and distribute leaflets FOVP, Lambeth Leaflet promoted Most information now Parks online, but option for leaflet has not been eliminated 6.13 Create a Community Orchard in the Park Maintain trees with annual servicing of guards FOVP, Lambeth Contract Trees maintained and Ongoing – park is and stakes Parks no losses regularly inspected and new trees developing well. Options for additional trees (orchard and other), but new Masterplan may dictate where new tree stock needs to be located to help restore park’s original character

YEAR 7 2016/17 (April 2016 – March 2017)

Code Action Responsibility Resources Outputs Status Physical Improvements 7.01 Reinstate Historic Boundary Railings to Lawn Lane Remove existing railings to Lawn lane, replace Lambeth Parks £67,500 Plinth, railings and with heritage railings and reinstate hedging hedge complete 7.02 Provide New Gates to Lawn Lane Entrance Fabrication and installation of gates Lambeth Parks £5,500 Gates installed 7.03 Improve Dog Area Annual inspection and improvement as felt Lambeth Parks £1,000 Completed appropriate 7.04 New Dog-Free Activity Area Continue to re-landscape old dog area and Lambeth Parks £10,000 Completion of improve visual and horticultural quality, and refurbishment develop as new naturalise area 7.05 South Lambeth Road Boundary Installation of new heritage railings Lambeth Parks £100,000 Post installation inspection completed Maintenance of holly hedge Veolia ES Contract and New hedge in good staff time condition 7.06 Replace One o’Clock Club Demolition and construction of new building, Lambeth CYPS, £450,000 Completed building with new landscaping, if appropriate Lambeth Parks 7.07 Restore Path from Fentiman Road Gate Replace existing path with new surfacing, Lambeth Parks £27,000 Path, edgings and edgings and railings railings complete 7.08 Restore Path Parallel with Lawn Lane Remove existing path and install new path in Lambeth Parks £45,000 Path, edgings and original location, along with edgings and reinstatement reinstatement of old ground complete

7.09 Refurbishment of Playground Replace old equipment with new items, restore Lambeth Parks £150,000 Playground surfacing, new playground signs refurbished Management 7.10 New Masterplan for Vauxhall Park Adopt and implement new Masterplan for Lambeth Parks £50,000 Masterplan adopted Vauxhall Park, along with costed priorities to and implemented secure capital investment and improved site management 7.11 Annual Review of Management Plan Annual review of management plan progress; Lambeth Parks Staff time Review progress devise process for developing new plan against plan targets

7.12 Develop Practical Gardening Programme Organise and deliver programme FOVP & £5,000 Programme delivered Partners and sustained 7.13 Develop Educational Materials for Schools Disseminate, review and update education Lambeth Parks Officer Time, Annual promotion materials FOVP programme completed 7.14 Develop a Leaflet and other Educational or Promotional Materials Produce, promote and distribute leaflets FOVP, Lambeth Officer Time, Leaflet promoted Parks FOVP, £2,000 Produce online and other promotional FOVP, Lambeth £5,000 Leaflet promoted materials, including new interpretative signage Parks for key heritage and landscape features 7.14 Create a Community Orchard in the Park Maintain trees with annual servicing of guards FOVP, Lambeth Contract Trees maintained and and stakes Parks no losses

Vauxhall Park Park Management Plan

Appendix Two

Vauxhall Park Risk Assessment

Lambeth Parks & Greenspaces 4th Floor Blue Star House 234-244 Stockwell Road 020 7926 9000 [email protected] Employee All (if applicable) Business Unit Parks and Green Spaces LONDON BOROUGH OF LAMBETH

RISK ASSESSMENT Location: Vauxhall Park 5 L M H H H 4 L M H H H Position/Team Lambeth Landscapes 3 L M M H H Assessed 2 L L M M M This risk assessment is based on corporate policy Review Date: August 2017 guidelines. Risk factors & ratings identified are specific 1 L L L L L to the activity & premises and may change. This 1 2 3 4 5

Likelihood harm of general assessment form may identify other specialist Severity of harm Iain Boulton, Theresa Hoare Assessor(s) assessments that are required i.e. Manual Handling, Display Screen Equipment, Noise, and the assessor Using key overleaf and chart above: look across should contact Corporate Health & Safety, x64948 for from appropriate ‘likelihood’ score and up from specialist assistance. appropriate ‘severity’ score to see if risk is ‘High’,

‘Medium’, or ‘Low’.

Groups at Hazards Likeli- Severity Risk Existing Controls Implementation Revised controls to further Implementation Risk Hood Rating Rating Frequency or Date minimise risk Frequency or Date Activity/Risk (1-5) (1-5) L,M,H (Action by) (Action by)

ALL: Park • Collision resulting 3 1 L • Only authorised Daily (All) Driving assessment test As required (All) Users, in damage vehicles on site for all Council staff using Employees, • Collision resulting 3 2 M • Maximum speed 5 Daily (All) vehicles in Park Contractors in injury mph at all times • Hazard lights (and Daily (All) Contractor staff to be As required (All) • Collision resulting 1 5 L beacon lights) on at trained in driving in death all times when awareness and safety vehicles moving • Driver fatigue and 3 2 M • Use of horn to warn Daily (All) Risk management training Yearly (All) 1. USE OF VEHICLES IN stress resulting in public if necessary, or PARKS accident stop vehicle to allow Regular reminders at team Weekly public to pass safely briefings and meetings (Management) • Illness resulting 2 2 L • Only approved and Daily (All) in accident clearly signposted Corporate and contractor Daily (All) gates to be used vehicle daily check list • Muscular and 1 2 L • Awareness of Daily (All) skeletal disorders emergency stop and resulting in other measures accident

Park Users • Physical attack 2 3 M • Notices informing of Monthly Improved fencing As required (Park (e.g. theft, assault) closing times clearly to prevent access or Manager) attached to all gates egress after the park has • Verbal abuse or 3 1 L and notice boards been locked threatening • All gates secured and Daily (Security behaviour locked no less than Contractors, GM Police-Parks liaison Quarterly ( Police, 2. PERSONS IN PARK one hour after dusk Contractor) meetings to identify Park Manager) AT NIGHT • 3 4 H • problems and solutions (INCLUDING Illness or incapacity All staff to use mobile phones and radios Daily ( Security CLOSING TIMES) whilst closing gates Contractors) and removing public Option of security firm to Monthly (Park • Contact Police and Daily (Security assist in locking up for Manager) SNTs if any incidents Contractors) problem locations

HSM/SRA/0804/JIJR 1 Employee All (if applicable) Business Unit Parks and Green Spaces LONDON BOROUGH OF LAMBETH

RISK ASSESSMENT Location: Vauxhall Park 5 L M H H H 4 L M H H H Position/Team Lambeth Landscapes 3 L M M H H Assessed 2 L L M M M This risk assessment is based on corporate policy Review Date: August 2017 guidelines. Risk factors & ratings identified are specific 1 L L L L L to the activity & premises and may change. This 1 2 3 4 5

Likelihood harm of general assessment form may identify other specialist Severity of harm Iain Boulton, Theresa Hoare Assessor(s) assessments that are required i.e. Manual Handling, Display Screen Equipment, Noise, and the assessor Using key overleaf and chart above: look across should contact Corporate Health & Safety, x64948 for from appropriate ‘likelihood’ score and up from specialist assistance. appropriate ‘severity’ score to see if risk is ‘High’,

‘Medium’, or ‘Low’.

Groups at Hazards Likeli- Severity Risk Existing Controls Implementation Revised controls to further Implementation Risk Hood Rating Rating Frequency or Date minimise risk Frequency or Date Activity/Risk (1-5) (1-5) L,M,H (Action by) (Action by)

ALL: Park • Slips, trips and falls 4 1 L • All staff (employees Daily (All employees) Reinstate footpaths as As required (Parks Users, and contractors to required and maintain as Manager) Employees, • Collision with 2 3 M wear PPE footwear appropriate Contractors vehicles • Undertake footpath Daily or as required checks, commission (Park Manager, GM Maintain and review path As required (Park • Collision with 4 1 L repairs as required Contractor) defects log Manager) cyclists • Defective paths and As required (Park other obstructions Manager, GM Inform cyclists of the need As required (Park barriered off until Contractor) to cycle safely in park and Manager, GM 3. MOVEMENT IN THE made safe be aware of pedestrian Contractor) PARK ON FOOT • Adverse weather As required (Park safety – posters or direct conditions – grit paths Manager, GM contact or remove surface Contractor) water as required • Only authorised vehicles in the park. Daily (All employees) • Maximum speed of 5 mph, with flashing hazard lights on all Daily (All employees) moving vehicles ALL: Park • Collision resulting 3 2 M • Cycling PPE to be Daily (All employees) Inform cyclist of the need As required (Park Users (inc in injury worn by all staff when to cycle safely in park and Manager, Park cyclists), using cycles be aware of pedestrians Rangers, GM Employees, • Collision resulting 1 4 L • Staff to complete As required (All safety Contractor) Contractors in death cycling training course employees) • Defective paths and 4. CYCLING IN THE other obstructions As required (Park PARK barriered off until Manager, GM made safe Contractor) • Ensure all designated cycling routes and (Park Manager, Park paths are clearly Rangers) marked and signposted

HSM/SRA/0804/JIJR 2 Employee All (if applicable) Business Unit Parks and Green Spaces LONDON BOROUGH OF LAMBETH

RISK ASSESSMENT Location: Vauxhall Park 5 L M H H H 4 L M H H H Position/Team Lambeth Landscapes 3 L M M H H Assessed 2 L L M M M This risk assessment is based on corporate policy Review Date: August 2017 guidelines. Risk factors & ratings identified are specific 1 L L L L L to the activity & premises and may change. This 1 2 3 4 5

Likelihood harm of general assessment form may identify other specialist Severity of harm Iain Boulton, Theresa Hoare Assessor(s) assessments that are required i.e. Manual Handling, Display Screen Equipment, Noise, and the assessor Using key overleaf and chart above: look across should contact Corporate Health & Safety, x64948 for from appropriate ‘likelihood’ score and up from specialist assistance. appropriate ‘severity’ score to see if risk is ‘High’,

‘Medium’, or ‘Low’.

Groups at Hazards Likeli- Severity Risk Existing Controls Implementation Revised controls to further Implementation Risk Hood Rating Rating Frequency or Date minimise risk Frequency or Date Activity/Risk (1-5) (1-5) L,M,H (Action by) (Action by)

ALL : Park • Contracting 5 3 H • Identify, report and Daily (All employees) Temporary sharps bins As required (Park Users, infectious or remove hazardous Manager, Lambeth Employees, transmissible item(s) Community Contractors disease (e.g. HIV, • As required (GM Safety) 5. CLINICAL WASTE Secure affected area Hepatitis B, Contractor, Lambeth (Drug and Sex until problem removed Toxocara) Community Safety) All staff to be vaccinated As required (All Paraphernalia, Dog and against Tetanus and Hep employees) Human Wastes) • Injury from sharp or 4 2 M • ’Design out’ features As required (Park B, and ensure all staff to penetrative items attracting problem Manager, GM keep up to date with Contractor) boosters

All: Park • Risk of further 3 4 H • Only qualified staff to As required, and as Ensure refresher First Aid Users, Park injury to person undertake first aid First Aid Qualifications Training Rangers, being treated procedures, and only expire (All employees) Employees, those procedures they Contractors • Risk of injury to first 2 3 M have been trained in aid administrator • Only use materials Monthly inspection (All 6. FIRST AID permitted to be in a employees) first aid box • Ensure first aid kits Monthly inspection (All checked and contents employees) sterile, within expiry date and safe to use

HSM/SRA/0804/JIJR 3 Employee All (if applicable) Business Unit Parks and Green Spaces LONDON BOROUGH OF LAMBETH

RISK ASSESSMENT Location: Vauxhall Park 5 L M H H H 4 L M H H H Position/Team Lambeth Landscapes 3 L M M H H Assessed 2 L L M M M This risk assessment is based on corporate policy Review Date: August 2017 guidelines. Risk factors & ratings identified are specific 1 L L L L L to the activity & premises and may change. This 1 2 3 4 5

Likelihood harm of general assessment form may identify other specialist Severity of harm Iain Boulton, Theresa Hoare Assessor(s) assessments that are required i.e. Manual Handling, Display Screen Equipment, Noise, and the assessor Using key overleaf and chart above: look across should contact Corporate Health & Safety, x64948 for from appropriate ‘likelihood’ score and up from specialist assistance. appropriate ‘severity’ score to see if risk is ‘High’,

‘Medium’, or ‘Low’.

Groups at Hazards Likeli- Severity Risk Existing Controls Implementation Revised controls to further Implementation Risk Hood Rating Rating Frequency or Date minimise risk Frequency or Date Activity/Risk (1-5) (1-5) L,M,H (Action by) (Action by)

ALL: Park • Dog bites – dogs 4 2 M • Exercise caution Daily (All employees, Implement designation of As resources Users, biting walkers, when approaching and all park users) Dog Control Orders permit (Parks & Employees, owners or other dogs. If unsure, (DCOs) to prohibit dogs in Greenspace Contractors members of public inform animal warden sensitive areas (e.g. Management or Police playgrounds) or to keep Team) • Dog scratches to 2 1 L • Animal warden to As required under close control in skin from dog claws remove stray dogs other locations or teeth • Stray dogs (docile) to As required be taken to Dogs Training in dog handling As required 1 2 L and control (RSPCA, Lambeth 7. DOGS • Dog fouling: Home Battersea infection or illness • Police and RSPCA to As required (Police, Public Health) caused by dog remove dangerous RSPCA) faeces (e.g. dogs Toxocara) • Dog faeces on ground to be Daily or as required • Dog allergies – 2 1 L removed daily by (GM Contractor) allergic reactions to FIDO machine or dogs and dog hair manually

ALL: Park • Fires caused 3 3 M • Remove any potential Daily inspections (All Users, deliberately (arson, sources of fire or employees) Employees, crime or ASB) keep securely Contractors contained and locked • Fires caused by 2 3 M • Avoid using, or Yearly review and 8. FIRES accident (electrical, replace, inflammable inspections or as poor storage of items or materials items are replaced (All materials, oxidising prone to fire employees) agents) • Regular safety Yearly inspections or inspections on all as required (All electrical equipment employees)

HSM/SRA/0804/JIJR 4 Employee All (if applicable) Business Unit Parks and Green Spaces LONDON BOROUGH OF LAMBETH

RISK ASSESSMENT Location: Vauxhall Park 5 L M H H H 4 L M H H H Position/Team Lambeth Landscapes 3 L M M H H Assessed 2 L L M M M This risk assessment is based on corporate policy Review Date: August 2017 guidelines. Risk factors & ratings identified are specific 1 L L L L L to the activity & premises and may change. This 1 2 3 4 5

Likelihood harm of general assessment form may identify other specialist Severity of harm Iain Boulton, Theresa Hoare Assessor(s) assessments that are required i.e. Manual Handling, Display Screen Equipment, Noise, and the assessor Using key overleaf and chart above: look across should contact Corporate Health & Safety, x64948 for from appropriate ‘likelihood’ score and up from specialist assistance. appropriate ‘severity’ score to see if risk is ‘High’,

‘Medium’, or ‘Low’.

Groups at Hazards Likeli- Severity Risk Existing Controls Implementation Revised controls to further Implementation Risk Hood Rating Rating Frequency or Date minimise risk Frequency or Date Activity/Risk (1-5) (1-5) L,M,H (Action by) (Action by)

ALL: Park • Fall of tree or 3 1 L • Site-wide tree survey Every 5 years (Park Avoid planting of trees As required (Park Users, branch resulting in to identify risks and Manager, Tree Officer known to be poisonous Manager, Tree Employees, damage to or loss remedial actions or consultant) (e.g. laburnum), or prone Officer, Tree Contractors of property to disease and sudden Contractor) – Inside and • Remove any As required (Tree limb drop; plant species Outside • Fall of tree or 3 3 M branches identified in Officer, Tree suitable to conditions branch resulting in dangerous condition Contractor) injury or incapacity or posing safety risk • As required (Tree Investigate removing trees As required (Park 9. TREES Remove or reduce • Fall of tree of 1 4 L trees identified as Officer, Tree causing excessive path Manager, Tree branch resulting in dead or dangerous Contractor) and wall damage; replace Officer, Tree loss of life with suitable species or Contractor) • Regular checks of Monthly (Park relocate to better position • Lifting of paths and 3 1 L footpaths and Manager, GM walls due to fencing: replace or Contractor) excessive tree repair as required growth, causing trips and injury ALL: Park • Collapse of fencing 2 3 M • Regular inspection of Weekly (GM Remove redundant As required or Users, panels or gates all fencing: repair or Contractor, Park fencing – replace with resources permit Employees, replace as required Manager) better treatment (e.g. (Park Manager) Contractors • Injury received 2 3 M hedging or edges open) 10. FENCING & GATES – Inside and climbing fencing Outside • Injury from broken 2 2 L fencing or gate

HSM/SRA/0804/JIJR 5 Employee All (if applicable) Business Unit Parks and Green Spaces LONDON BOROUGH OF LAMBETH

RISK ASSESSMENT Location: Vauxhall Park 5 L M H H H 4 L M H H H Position/Team Lambeth Landscapes 3 L M M H H Assessed 2 L L M M M This risk assessment is based on corporate policy Review Date: August 2017 guidelines. Risk factors & ratings identified are specific 1 L L L L L to the activity & premises and may change. This 1 2 3 4 5

Likelihood harm of general assessment form may identify other specialist Severity of harm Iain Boulton, Theresa Hoare Assessor(s) assessments that are required i.e. Manual Handling, Display Screen Equipment, Noise, and the assessor Using key overleaf and chart above: look across should contact Corporate Health & Safety, x64948 for from appropriate ‘likelihood’ score and up from specialist assistance. appropriate ‘severity’ score to see if risk is ‘High’,

‘Medium’, or ‘Low’.

Groups at Hazards Likeli- Severity Risk Existing Controls Implementation Revised controls to further Implementation Risk Hood Rating Rating Frequency or Date minimise risk Frequency or Date Activity/Risk (1-5) (1-5) L,M,H (Action by) (Action by)

All: Park • Accident leading to 3 3 M • All events to be As required (Event Regular review of Yearly or as Users, Injury or death of authorised by Parks Organiser, Lambeth Lambeth Events Strategy Strategy dictates Employees, event participants & Events Teams, and Events Team) to ensure events in park (Park Manager, Contractors or public comply with Lambeth are appropriate, and any Lambeth Events, (inc. Event Events Strategy issues are managed Lambeth 11. EVENTS Organisers) • Injury or illness 3 2 M • All events properly As required (Event Licensing, Police) resulting from sale organised, with risk Organiser, Lambeth or misuse of assessments and Events Team, intoxicating liquor licenses (food, drink, Lambeth Licensing) or drugs entertainment and premises) in place Park Users • Slips, trips and falls 4 1 L • Regular checks and Weekly (GM Provide defect reporting In place, but maintenance Contractor, Park system (contact number) – annual review as • Injury from debris 2 2 L Manager) signage and website to impact and (e.g. glass, metal) • Repairs or upgrading As required (Park contact 12. SPORTS FACILITIES: or collapsing of equipment and Manager, GM information (Park TENNIS COURTS, fencing, gates, surfaces Contractor) Manger) MULTI USE GAMES posts or nets • Challenge and deter As required or AREA improper use of identified (GM • Accidents and 3 2 L courts and pitches Contractor, Police) injuries due to improper use Park users • Slips, trips and falls 3 1 L • Regular inspections of Weekly (Park Repair broken flagstones As resources surfaces and fencing: Manager, GM on steps. Area proposed identified (Park • Injury or illness 2 1 L replace and repair as Contractor) for new bedding and Manager) 13. PERGOLA, FORMAL from toxic or irritant required planting, which could BEDDING AND plants • Avoid use of toxic or Quarterly when include repairs to seats, LAVENDER GARDEN irritant plants where schemes changed paths and pergola possible, and replace over (Park Manager, with other species GM Contractor)

HSM/SRA/0804/JIJR 6 Employee All (if applicable) Business Unit Parks and Green Spaces LONDON BOROUGH OF LAMBETH

RISK ASSESSMENT Location: Vauxhall Park 5 L M H H H 4 L M H H H Position/Team Lambeth Landscapes 3 L M M H H Assessed 2 L L M M M This risk assessment is based on corporate policy Review Date: August 2017 guidelines. Risk factors & ratings identified are specific 1 L L L L L to the activity & premises and may change. This 1 2 3 4 5

Likelihood harm of general assessment form may identify other specialist Severity of harm Iain Boulton, Theresa Hoare Assessor(s) assessments that are required i.e. Manual Handling, Display Screen Equipment, Noise, and the assessor Using key overleaf and chart above: look across should contact Corporate Health & Safety, x64948 for from appropriate ‘likelihood’ score and up from specialist assistance. appropriate ‘severity’ score to see if risk is ‘High’,

‘Medium’, or ‘Low’.

Groups at Hazards Likeli- Severity Risk Existing Controls Implementation Revised controls to further Implementation Risk Hood Rating Rating Frequency or Date minimise risk Frequency or Date Activity/Risk (1-5) (1-5) L,M,H (Action by) (Action by)

Park Users • Slips, trips and falls 3 1 L • Regular inspections Daily (Café Manager) Target and deter As required with and cleaning of floors persistent misusers of annual review • Injury or assault 2 2 L and fittings toilet facilities, through (Police, Lambeth resulting from drug • Repairs/replacement As required (Park protocols in Lambeth Community or sexual activities of defective or Manager, Café Public Sexual Activity Safety) 14. TOILETS (INSIDE damaged items Manager) Policy and Crime and CAFÉ) – these are Drug Reduction Policy accessed via the café • Daily checks to deter Daily (Café Manager, when open misuse of toilets Police)

• Ensure toilets locked Daily (Café Manager) up at end of each day Park Users • Slips, trips and falls 3 1 L • Regular inspections of Daily (GM Contractor) Replace play equipment Annual review or – uneven surfaces surfaces, gates and with new items as old as resources allow or obstructions fencing: replace and ones come to end of life, (Park Manager) repair as required or where safer equipment • Injury resulting from 2 3 M • Daily inspections of all Daily (GM Contractor, is available damaged or play equipment: Parks Manager) defective play deactivate any Annually (RoSPA, equipment defective items, and Council Insurer) repair and replace as • Death resulting 1 4 L soon as possible from damaged or defective play 15. PLAYGROUND equipment

HSM/SRA/0804/JIJR 7 Employee All (if applicable) Business Unit Parks and Green Spaces LONDON BOROUGH OF LAMBETH

RISK ASSESSMENT Location: Vauxhall Park 5 L M H H H 4 L M H H H Position/Team Lambeth Landscapes 3 L M M H H Assessed 2 L L M M M This risk assessment is based on corporate policy Review Date: August 2017 guidelines. Risk factors & ratings identified are specific 1 L L L L L to the activity & premises and may change. This 1 2 3 4 5

Likelihood harm of general assessment form may identify other specialist Severity of harm Iain Boulton, Theresa Hoare Assessor(s) assessments that are required i.e. Manual Handling, Display Screen Equipment, Noise, and the assessor Using key overleaf and chart above: look across should contact Corporate Health & Safety, x64948 for from appropriate ‘likelihood’ score and up from specialist assistance. appropriate ‘severity’ score to see if risk is ‘High’,

‘Medium’, or ‘Low’.

Groups at Hazards Likeli- Severity Risk Existing Controls Implementation Revised controls to further Implementation Risk Hood Rating Rating Frequency or Date minimise risk Frequency or Date Activity/Risk (1-5) (1-5) L,M,H (Action by) (Action by)

Park Users • Slips, trips and falls 3 1 L • Regular inspections of Daily (Club & School surfaces, gates and Managers, CYPS • Injury or death 1 4 L fencing: replace and Contractor) caused by falling repair as required roofing or panels • Daily inspections of all equipment: deactivate Daily (Club & School • Dog fouling 2 2 L any defective items, Managers, CYPS repair and replace as Contractor • Dangerous or 2 1 L soon as possible Annually (Council aggressive dogs Insurer)

16. ONE O’CLOCK CLUB • Injury or illness • Dog faeces to be Daily or as required & MONTESSORI from toxic or irritant 2 1 L removed by FIDO (Club & School SCHOOL plants machine or manually Managers, GM Contractor) • Patrols and intervention to remove Daily or as required dogs from play area (Club & School Staff, Police)

Employees, • Slips, trips and falls 3 1 L • Regular inspections of Weekly (GM Assess structure and Annually (GM Contractors steps, surfaces, Contractor, Park condition – identify any Contractor, Park • Injury or death due 1 4 L structures and roof Manager) refurbishment Manager) to electrical fault or • Regular electrical Annual (Park requirements accident inspections Manager) 17. CONTRACTOR • Regular maintenance Annually (GM DEPOT • Injury or death and upgrading of Contractor, Park caused by falling 2 4 M building security, e.g. Manager) roof, tiles or walls fencing and locks • Keep all tools, fuels Daily (GM Contractor) • Injury or death due and chemicals to fire or vandalism 1 4 L securely stored away

HSM/SRA/0804/JIJR 8 Employee All (if applicable) Business Unit Parks and Green Spaces LONDON BOROUGH OF LAMBETH

RISK ASSESSMENT Location: Vauxhall Park 5 L M H H H 4 L M H H H Position/Team Lambeth Landscapes 3 L M M H H Assessed 2 L L M M M This risk assessment is based on corporate policy Review Date: August 2017 guidelines. Risk factors & ratings identified are specific 1 L L L L L to the activity & premises and may change. This 1 2 3 4 5

Likelihood harm of general assessment form may identify other specialist Severity of harm Iain Boulton, Theresa Hoare Assessor(s) assessments that are required i.e. Manual Handling, Display Screen Equipment, Noise, and the assessor Using key overleaf and chart above: look across should contact Corporate Health & Safety, x64948 for from appropriate ‘likelihood’ score and up from specialist assistance. appropriate ‘severity’ score to see if risk is ‘High’,

‘Medium’, or ‘Low’.

Groups at Hazards Likeli- Severity Risk Existing Controls Implementation Revised controls to further Implementation Risk Hood Rating Rating Frequency or Date minimise risk Frequency or Date Activity/Risk (1-5) (1-5) L,M,H (Action by) (Action by)

ALL: Park • Injury or death due 1 4 L • No electrical Daily or as required Regular testing of all Every Two Years Users, to electrical shock equipment permitted (GM Contractor, electrical equipment by or as regulations Employees, on site unless PAT External Contractors) qualified contractor demand Contractors • Injury or death due 1 5 L tested and approved (Contractors, Park to hydraulic • All equipment Daily or as required Manager) machinery (electrical, hydraulic (GM Contractor, Tree or power) must be Contractor, External Review and replacement As required or as • Injury or death due 2 4 M operated (or repaired) Contractors) of electrical, hydraulic and resources permit 18. USING ELECTRICAL, to exposed moving by trained and/or power equipment based (Contractors) POWER OR parts (e.g. power qualified staff on suitability for purpose HYDRAULIC take off, chainsaw) • No defective or as safer equipment EQUIPMENT equipment allowed on Daily or as required available • Injury or death due 2 3 M site – to be (GM Contractor, Tree to combustion of decommissioned or Contractor, External Review and update As required or as fuel (e.g. mower) removed for repair Contractors) training for staff in use of resources permit • No machinery to be all electrical, hydraulic and (Contractors) operated close to Daily or as required powered machinery public unless safe to (GM Contractor, Tree do so, or with Contractor, External ‘banksman’ Contractors) Employees, • Slips, trips and falls 2 1 L • Regular inspections of Weekly (GM All Contractors steps, surfaces and Contractor, Park • Accidents caused 2 2 L furniture Manager) by poorly located • Good housekeeping Daily or as required furniture or items arrangements (GM Contractor, Park 19. GENERAL OFFICE & Manager) ADMINISTRATIVE • Repetitive strain • Training in reducing Annually (through ACTIVITIES injuries (computers, 2 3 M RSI and work-related appraisals) or as seating, posture) stress required (GM • Regular staff breaks Contractor, Park • Stress-related (daily and leave) Manager) illness or injury 3 3 M (e.g. poor lighting)

HSM/SRA/0804/JIJR 9 Employee All (if applicable) Business Unit Parks and Green Spaces LONDON BOROUGH OF LAMBETH

RISK ASSESSMENT Location: Vauxhall Park 5 L M H H H 4 L M H H H Position/Team Lambeth Landscapes 3 L M M H H Assessed 2 L L M M M This risk assessment is based on corporate policy Review Date: August 2017 guidelines. Risk factors & ratings identified are specific 1 L L L L L to the activity & premises and may change. This 1 2 3 4 5

Likelihood harm of general assessment form may identify other specialist Severity of harm Iain Boulton, Theresa Hoare Assessor(s) assessments that are required i.e. Manual Handling, Display Screen Equipment, Noise, and the assessor Using key overleaf and chart above: look across should contact Corporate Health & Safety, x64948 for from appropriate ‘likelihood’ score and up from specialist assistance. appropriate ‘severity’ score to see if risk is ‘High’,

‘Medium’, or ‘Low’.

Groups at Hazards Likeli- Severity Risk Existing Controls Implementation Revised controls to further Implementation Risk Hood Rating Rating Frequency or Date minimise risk Frequency or Date Activity/Risk (1-5) (1-5) L,M,H (Action by) (Action by)

Park Users • Slips, trips and falls 3 1 L • Inspection of Before each activity Inspect all tools at end of After each activity proposed volunteer (Park Manager) each volunteer activity: (Park Manager, • Injury or death due 2 2 L working areas decommission and replace GM Contractor) to misuse of tools • Undertake risk Before each activity defective equipment assessment of tool (Park Manager, Team • Injury or death 2 3 M use before each Leader) Inspect tools at end of Yearly (Park caused by volunteer activity each volunteer season – Manager, GM defective tools • Undertake tool safety Before each activity order new tools if required Contractor) training with each (Park Manager, Team or replace with safer • Injury or death volunteer group Leader) models as appropriate caused by allergic 1 4 L • All volunteers to bring reaction, e.g. or be provided with Before each activity plants, paints, soil suitable PPE (gloves, (Team Leader, Park footwear, clothing) Manager) • Injury caused by • Only properly 20. VOLUNTEER & assault or abuse 2 3 M maintained hand and Before each activity COMMUNITY garden tools to be (Park Manager, GM ACTIVITIES • Injury or death due issued to volunteers Contractor) to infection caused 1 2 L • All volunteers to be During each activity by vermin or waste supervised at all times (Team Leaders, All (e.g. Leptospirosis by qualified staff Staff) or tetanus) • Volunteers to keep in groups and report any During each activity incidents to staff (Team Leaders, All Staff, Volunteers) • Volunteers to notify

staff and leaders of Before each activity any allergies or (Team Leaders, medical conditions Volunteers) before start of activity

• All injuries or During/after each infections to be activity (Team reported and treated Leaders, All Staff)

HSM/SRA/0804/JIJR 10 Employee (if applicable)

Business Unit Parks and Green Spaces LONDON BOROUGH OF LAMBETH

RISK ASSESSMENT Location: Vauxhall Park 5 L M H H H 4 L M H H H Position/Team Lambeth Landscapes 3 L M M H H Assessed 2 L L M M M This risk assessment is based on corporate policy Review Date: August 2017 guidelines. Risk factors & ratings identified are specific 1 L L L L L to the activity & premises and may change. This 1 2 3 4 5 Assessor(s) Iain Boulton, Theresa Hoare general assessment form may identify other specialist Likelihood harm of Severity of harm assessments that are required i.e. Manual Handling, Display Screen Equipment, Noise, and the assessor Using key overleaf and chart above: look across should contact Corporate Health & Safety, x60065 for from appropriate ‘likelihood’ score and up from specialist assistance. appropriate ‘severity’ score to see if risk is ‘High’,

‘Medium’, or ‘Low’.

Guidance on how to complete this form: 1. Type in details of potential hazard arising from task or work activity in first column. 2. Consider people likely to be at risk of harm i.e. administrative staff, managers, surveyors, cashiers, visitors, young people, and expectant mothers. 3. Under Hazard Consequence type in likely injuries or harm i.e. struck by falling object, trip, back injury, RSI, stress 4. Under Current Controls list current management guidance, safety instructions, safety precautions, maintenance procedures.

5. Severity of harm: 1= minor injury (cuts, bruises, etc., unlikely to result in sick leave or lasting harm) 2= moderate injuries (likely to result in 1–3 days sick leave) 3= major injuries (likely to result in more than 3 days sick leave and notifiable to HSE) 4= death 5=multiple deaths

6. Likelihood: 1= feasible but unlikely (less than once every five years) 2= rarely (once in every 1–5 years) 3= infrequently (between quarterly and annually) 4= regularly (between weekly and once a quarter) 5= frequently. (daily or weekly)

7. From the table at the top of the form by looking horizontally and vertically you can see whether the RISK is ‘low’, ‘medium’ or ‘high’ 8. If ‘HIGH’ - immediate action is needed to reduce the risk and the resulting additional or revised controls can be outlined in the final column. If ‘MEDIUM’ - Action is needed within 6 months to reduce the risk and the resulting additional or revised controls can be outlined in the final column. If ‘LOW’ - Review annually or when circumstances change – you may still take the opportunity to revise controls in order to increase safety. The box below can be completed if additional resources needed or a change in approach / management guidance needs to be adopted, so that other people can see summary of issues involved.

Summary of issues and outline of any resource implications

**I haveSigned: received, read Manager and understood this risk assessment Date: form: **The Manager and employeeSigned: should sign Employeeand date the form below on each review and Date:the employee(s) should have a copy.

This box to be completed by senior manager who has delegated authority to authorise, defer or refuse the release of necessary resources, so that chain of decision making is clear. Details of resources authorised/refused/deferred Signed: Date:

HSM/SRA/0804/JIJR 3 Vauxhall Park Park Management Plan

Appendix Three

Vauxhall Park Grounds Maintenance Specification

Lambeth Parks & Greenspaces 4th Floor Blue Star House 234-244 Stockwell Road 020 7926 9000 [email protected] LAMBETH GROUNDS MAINTENANCE SPECIFICATION

Grounds Maintenance Specification September 2016-March 2017

Contents

Introduction and Performance Management ...... 2 Section 1 – Grass Management ...... 4 Section 2 – Waste Management ...... 7 Section 3 – Seasonal Bedding ...... 10 Section 4 – Herbaceous Perennials ...... 11 Section 5 – Shrub and Hedge Maintenance ...... 12 Section 6 – Rose Beds ...... 14 Section 7 – Ornamental Gardens ...... 15 Section 8 – Naturalised Areas ...... 16 Section 9 – Sapling and Minor Tree Maintenance ...... 18 Section 10 – Sports Facilities ...... 19 Section 11 – Children’s Play Areas ...... 21 Section 12 – Paddling Pools ...... 23 Section 13 – Security ...... 24 Section 14 – Furniture and Fittings ...... 25 Section 15 – Graffiti Removal ...... 26 Section 16 – Hardstandings, Paths and Fenceline Maintenance ...... 27 Section 17 – Composting ...... 28 Section 18 – Public Conveniences ...... 29 Section 19 – Repairs and Maintenance ...... 30 Appendix 1 – Sites Covered by this Specification and Litter Zoning ...... 32

~ 1 ~ LAMBETH GROUNDS MAINTENANCE SPECIFICATION

Introduction This specification refers to grounds maintenance operations at the parks, open spaces and cemeteries listed in Appendix 1. Work will be undertaken by Lambeth Landscapes, a new Direct Services Organisation.

Questions or concerns over grounds maintenance operations within Lambeth’s parks and open spaces should be directed to:

Web: lambeth.gov.uk/forms/parks-enquiries Email: [email protected] Tel: 020 7926 9000

RHS Standards Within the specification where references are made to RHS standards, work will be performed as detailed within: RHS Pruning & Training. ISBN Number: 9781405315265.

Performance Management and Key Performance Indicators This document is publicly available and we invite Friends groups and other stakeholders to use it for performance monitoring purposes. Lambeth Landscapes’ Operations Managers and Supervisors will follow a scheduled and ad-hoc inspection regime to ensure all aspects of the specification are being met, and this will be supplemented by inspections from other officers as appropriate. In addition, the following Key Performance Indicators will be monitored against targets on an ongoing basis:

No. Key Performance Indicator Data Data capture/source currently exists? 1 Number of Green Flags awarded (all categories) Yes Keep Britain Tidy 2 Number of Stage 1 complaints received Yes Performance and Development (P&D) team 3 Number of Stage 2 complaints received Yes P&D team 4 User satisfaction levels No Exit surveys 5 Income generated (within parks budget only, Yes Accounting systems excludes events and sports income) 6 External grant income Yes Accounting systems 7 Volunteer hours (commercial groups and Yes Internal records organized activities within parks) 8 Carbon footprint No New calculation 9 Number of local wildlife sites being positively Yes Internal records managed for biodiversity (national KPI) 10 Area of Lambeth-owned land managed No GIS assessment primarily for nature conservation 11 Staffing levels (aiming for 95% recruitment) Yes Establishment data 12 Agency staffing hours (aiming to minimise) Yes Matrix ~ 2 ~ LAMBETH GROUNDS MAINTENANCE SPECIFICATION

No. Key Performance Indicator Data Data capture/source currently exists? 13 NI195 (detritus) Yes Internal & external tranche surveys 14 NI195 (fly-posting) Yes Internal & external tranche surveys 15 NI195 (graffiti) Yes Internal & external tranche surveys 16 NI195 (litter) Yes Internal & external tranche surveys 17 Proportion of residents who have visited a Yes Corporate residents’ survey Lambeth park in the previous 12 months

These KPIs have been chosen to give a broad representation of the service and because the data is relatively easy to monitor and collect. A benchmarking exercise identified a large number of potential measures and these were reduced to provide a practical list which wouldn’t represent an unachievable burden on reduced staff resources. The KPIs are intended to measure outcomes. To date, only the following have been monitored and published: KPIs 1,9,17. All performance data behind the KPIs will be compiled and made available as quarterly and annual reports. Officers will review and assess success in meeting targets and develop an action plan where targets are not being met. As all data will be openly provided to the Parks Forum and Friends groups it is anticipated that Friends groups and MACs will be involved in reviewing performance. Qualitative data will also be derived and published from KPI 4 (user satisfaction) and comments from Green Flag judges. As so many KPIs are new and Lambeth Landscapes is still bedding-in, no targets are being set at this stage, but targets for KPIs will be set for 2017/18, allowing time for the compilation of baseline data to help inform appropriate targets. Where comparative external data can be obtained, benchmarking will take place and be included within performance reports. The collection of data will vary by KPI, but where park-specific data is collected, this will be compiled in the quarterly and annual monitoring reports. In terms of KPI 2 and 3, the Performance and Development team only log communications from customers as a complaint if there has been a recognisable failure in service. Where expectations exceed our specification, that wouldn’t be recognised as a complaint. Complaints analysis will form part of the performance monitoring work with the aim of identifying trends or underlying themes and exploring what can be done to prevent future complaints arising (where resources permit).

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Section 1 – Grass Management

Desired outcomes:

 Well-maintained amenity grassland, kept short throughout the year  Appropriately managed sports pitches  A significant increase in the area of grassland managed for biodiversity.

Service outputs:

1.1 So far as is reasonably practical, all litter and debris will be removed before mowing.

1.2 All reasonable care will be taken to avoid damage to ground, grass sward, emerging bulbs, trees, features, furniture or infrastructure.

1.3 Close mowing or strimming will take place around all furniture, features and obstructions, including tree protection guards, in order to produce a consistent height of cut.

1.4 Soft grass edges will be trimmed flush with their defined edge and reformed as necessary each time they are strimmed.

1.5 Any mown litter and debris will be removed on completion, so far as is practical. Paths and hardstanding areas will be left free of grass clippings on completion of cutting.

1.6 All mowing and strimming will be completed within 24 hours at each location.

1.7 All amenity grass will be cut a minimum of 16 times throughout the year. Between April and September sites will be cut at least twice a month, unless there is prolonged dry weather when cutting frequencies will be reduced.

1.8 Between 1 October and 31 March, weather permitting, amenity grass will be cut at least three times.

1.9 Grass surfaces will be mown to a consistent height, with clippings evenly dispersed across the mown area or mulched within the sward. Mulching configurations will be used wherever possible.

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1.10 Naturalised bulb areas will be mown and maintained as amenity grass once bulb foliage has fully died back. All arisings will be removed for composting through the use of a cut and collect mower.

1.11 Bowling greens will be maintained in accordance with Section 10: Sports Facilities.

1.12 Rough and meadow grass will be mown once annually, between 1 September and 31 October each year. All grass clippings will be collected and removed within seven days of cutting. Although it is an aspiration to produce hay from some areas, experience shows that our grass is too contaminated to be used for this purpose. The arisings will either be composted or used for energy production.

1.13 Additional ad-hoc cuts will be made where necessary in response to safety or other concerns.

1.14 Areas of rough and meadow grass subject to annual or infrequent cutting which border paths or internal roadways will be clearly demarcated to indicate they are part of an active management regime. This will be achieved using a border strip of between 30cm and one metre in width, which will be maintained as amenity grass and mown approximately once every two weeks between 1 April and 30 September. In certain circumstances, and in agreement with Friends groups, no margin will be left, for example where wildflower areas are relatively small, or there is the risk of damage to sensitive species, fruit bushes or other features.

1.15 Differentiated cutting regimes will be discussed and agreed with key stakeholders on an ongoing basis. There will be a presumption in favour of maximising the area of land managed for nature conservation; as well as environmental benefits this will allow the reduced resources to be focused more intensively on the key areas of amenity grass, ensuring a higher frequency of cutting. It may be that some areas are cut two or three times a year; or small areas cut every two years on rotation to enable maximum benefits for invertebrates. Cutting regimes will be reviewed with key stakeholders at least annually and immediate changes will be made if circumstances dictate.

1.16 For each site where the grass-cutting regime has been fully reviewed, detailed maps will be produced and provided to key stakeholder groups.

1.17 Highway verges will be cut monthly between March and October (conditions permitting) unless they have been created or designated as wildflower verges, in which case they will be cut annually in autumn and the cuttings removed.

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1.18 Cemeteries will, in the main, be cut under three different regimes. High profile areas will be cut to a very high frequency with mulching push mowers to create a high quality finish. During the main growing season these areas will be cut weekly, and during the rest of the year they will be cut fortnightly, ground conditions permitting. High profile areas include entrances and crematorium grounds.

The bulk of the cemeteries will be cut on a five to six week cycle, the exact length of which will be dependent on ground conditions and the weather. The cutting period will extend for the entire year, ground conditions permitting.

Lambeth’s cemeteries all date from the nineteenth century and some areas still contain densely packed Victorian graves with no or very few graves still visited by living relatives. This applies to certain areas within West Norwood Cemetery and just over half of Streatham Cemetery. The reduction in resources and the desire to manage our sites to increase biodiversity where possible, means that it makes sense to manage these areas for wildlife and cut them on an infrequent basis. At West Norwood the wildlife areas will be cut annually in late autumn/early winter. The scale of the wildlife areas at Streatham Cemetery means that they will be cut on a three year cycle and it will not be possible to remove cuttings. All areas managed for wildlife will be marked with signs and a register will be kept of visited graves. These will be cut as part of the regular cutting cycle. A verge of approximately 50cm to one metre in width will also be cut as part of the regular cycle where wildlife areas border internal roadways. If resources permit, then additional areas of Streatham Cemetery will be cut during the year, working outwards from the entrance.

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Section 2 – Waste Management

Desired outcomes:

 The removal of litter and detritus in line with legal requirements.

Service Outputs

2.1 Legal obligations for keeping land clear of litter and other waste are set out in the 2006 Code of Practice on Litter and Refuse (CoP). The CoP requires local authorities to zone their land as high, medium or low intensity of use and manage sites accordingly to designated standards and response times. The specification is summarised below and a list of sites with their classification is provided in Appendix 1. Larger sites have split zoning and maps are included within Appendix 1. Some sites are cleaned by Veolia as part of Lambeth’s waste services contract and details are also provided in Appendix 1. Shrub beds and woodland areas are all treated as low intensity of use areas. As this is a new regime it will be subject to annual review and feedback from stakeholders will be welcomed.

Medium intensity of High intensity of use Low intensity of use use Peak season Three times a week Once a day (1 April-30 (Monday, Wednesday, Once a week (Monday-Sunday) September)* Friday) Low season Once a day Once a week Once a month (1 October-31 March) (Monday-Friday) 1/2 a day This means by 6pm if Maximum response time reported before 1pm 1 day to restore to grade A or This means by 6pm the 14 days standard if it falls below by 1pm the next duty following day grade B day if reported between 1pm and 6pm on the previous day Grade A definition No litter or refuse Grade B definition Predominately free of litter and refuse apart from some small items Grade C definition Widespread distribution of litter and/or refuse with minor accumulations Grade D definition Heavily affected by litter and/or refuse with significant accumulations * Peak season may be extended on a small number of very busy sites such as Brockwell Park and Clapham Common.

2.2 Bagged litter will be placed into vehicles and removed from site, or left next to litter bins for removal on the same day. Waste will then be stored in appropriate refuse containers in areas to which the public do not have access. In larger parks waste will also be collected directly from bulk wheeled bins located in areas of high footfall.

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2.3 All vegetative waste removed from site will be separately shredded and composted, with the exception of certain pernicious or scheduled weeds.

2.4 Fly-tipped waste will be removed for disposal within 48 hours of being reported and will be disposed of at Western Riverside Waste Authority transfer stations. Wherever possible fly-tipped waste will be separated for recycling at the transfer station.

2.5 Syringes and sharps will be collected and placed immediately into purpose made sharps containers and disposed of as clinical waste. All such drug-related paraphernalia will be removed within 48 hours of being reported.

2.6 All litter bins with accumulated residue will be jet-washed inside and out at least once every two years. All bins will be emptied in accordance with the litter-picking zones in which they are situated.

2.7 Accumulations of leaves, vegetative matter and detritus will be cleared and composted. Paths and roadways within the following parks are mechanically swept once a fortnight: Agnes Riley, Archbishop’s, Brockwell, Clapham, Hillside, Kennington, Larkhall, Loughborough, Max Roach, Norwood, Ruskin, Streatham and Vauxhall. The following sites will be added to the schedule: Clapham Common play areas, Hatfields, Old Paradise Gardens, Rush Common, Streatham Vale, Tivoli and Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens.

2.8 The FIDO machine is currently used across target parks on a fortnightly basis to remove dog waste. This will continue for the time-being, however there are a number of health and safety concerns regarding the operation and the service is under review. Changes may be made prior to April 2017 in consultation with the Parks Forum.

2.9 Accumulations of leaves will be cleared as part of a scheduled programme over the autumn/ winter period to prevent detriment to grass or planted areas. Seasonal leaf clearance will be completed by the last day of February each year.

2.10 In order to manage litter on the larger sites, 1100 litre wheeled bins will be placed out at strategic locations between 1 April and 31 October. The existing stock will gradually be refurbished so that all bins are of a standard colour (RAL 6008 ‘browngreen’) and clearly labelled for public use. Bins will be left with lids open for ease of use. Additional bins will be purchased during 2016.

2.11 Recycling bins will be trialled in Brockwell Park during 2016 and rolled out more widely in 2017 if

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2.12 A Parks Waste Management Plan will be written during 2016 and a range of trials and education campaigns may be initiated to encourage users to take greater responsibility for their litter. This may include removing litter bins at one or two sites or moving all litter bins to the periphery of sites. Any changes will involve consultation and will be combined with an education and awareness campaign.

2.13 A Parks Enforcement Plan will be written during 2016, comprising of a range of measures to try and reduce littering, dog fouling and anti-social behaviour. This will be consulted on before any initiatives are implemented.

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Section 3 – Seasonal Bedding

Desired outcomes:

 The conversion of seasonal flower beds and planters to low maintenance horticultural features  The use of horticultural features to provide colour and benefits for wildlife, in particular pollinators and butterflies.

Service Outputs

3.1 All flower beds currently used for seasonal bedding will either be converted to herbaceous perennial beds during 2016 and managed as per Section 4: Herbaceous perennials; or they will be seeded with colourful wildflower mixes. Planting designs and seed mixes will be chosen to maximise the provision of native and nectar-rich plants. This change is required to reduce the environmental and financial costs associated with the production, transport, containment, planting and management of seasonal annuals.

3.2 Planters and troughs located across the borough will be planted with nectar-rich, drought resistant plants during autumn 2016. They will then no longer feature seasonal bedding displays.

3.3 Adequate supplies will be purchased to enable the replacement of any losses and will be planted at the appropriate time of year.

3.4 All hard and soft grass edges will be trimmed flush with their defined edge, reformed as necessary, and arisings removed. Grass surrounds will not be damaged or compacted during planting.

3.5 Planting beds will be attended to at least fortnightly in order to maintain them in a weed free condition. Soil surfaces will be cultivated to prevent soil capping and to maintain a level surface. A Parks Weed Management Policy will be completed during 2016 and will include proposed measures to involve stakeholders and volunteers more in management of horticultural features.

3.6 All waste plants and vegetation will be removed for composting.

3.7 All plants will be supplied, transported, handled and planted in accordance with good horticultural practice to maximise rates of establishment.

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Section 4 – Herbaceous Perennials

Desired outcomes:

 Providing vibrant and colourful horticultural features  Achieving wildlife benefits through the provision of native, nectar-rich plants.

Service Outputs

4.1 Herbaceous and mixed beds will be attended monthly to remove weeds and control any invasive or fast-spreading plants as appropriate. The soil surface will be cultivated to prevent soil capping. Weeds will be dealt with in accordance with the Parks Weed Management Policy, which will be completed during 2016.

4.2 Soil structure and soil fertility improvement will be undertaken as necessary to maintain plant health.

4.3 Plant division, pruning, staking, irrigation and dead-heading will be carried out as necessary to maintain plant vigour and in accordance with good horticultural practice.

4.4 No chemical methods will be used to control pests and diseases. Non-chemical methods may be used in extreme circumstances, otherwise serious infestations will be dealt with by removing diseased plants and replanting at an appropriate time.

4.5 All beds will be mulched annually during the winter with appropriate organic material. Mulch will be applied to a depth of no less than 100mm by 31 March each year.

4.6 All vegetative waste will be removed for composting (please see Section 17 for more detail).

4.7 As the opportunity arises, existing plants will be replaced with native, nectar-rich, drought- resistant species.

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Section 5 – Shrub and Hedge Maintenance

Desired outcome:

 Well-managed specimen ornamental shrubs, hedges, shrub beds and climbing shrubs.

Service Outputs

5.1 All shrubs, hedges and climbing shrubs will be pruned and maintained according to species requirements, RHS standards and avoiding forms and shapes unrepresentative of the species.

5.2 Soil structure improvement and fertility improvement will be undertaken as necessary to maintain plant health.

5.3 Weeds within shrub beds will be managed in accordance with the Weed Management Policy and herbicides will not be used except in extreme circumstances. All shrub beds will receive an annual application of a suitable mulch to suppress weed growth and supplementary hand weeding will take place as required. It won’t be possible to maintain all shrub beds in a completely weed-free condition, however the aim will be for at least two visits during the growing season which will include weeding. Involvement from Friends groups and volunteers will be welcomed and encouraged in order to increase maintenance interventions.

5.4 Dead or diseased shrubs will be removed as part of the annual winter maintenance programme. Friends groups will be consulted on the annual programme.

5.5 Climbing shrubs will be securely tied to the supporting structure or wall using appropriate fixing methods. Supporting structures including pergolas, arbors, and wire supports will be maintained in a secure condition. This work will form part of the winter maintenance programme and supplementary work during the growing season will vary between sites depending on the resources available. For sites with dedicated gardeners ties and other fixing methods will be checked regularly through the year. For other sites there will be at least one comprehensive check and maintenance session during the growing season.

5.6 Mature shrubs or those which have outgrown their position will be coppiced or reduced as appropriate – not exceeding 10 per cent of any area of shrub planting each year.

5.7 Areas of shrubs which are identified as regularly being used for anti-social behaviour will be cleared and removed, preferably as part of the winter maintenance programme. The work will take place at other times of year if the need is urgent and resources can be diverted without ~ 12 ~ LAMBETH GROUNDS MAINTENANCE SPECIFICATION impacting on other core areas of the specification.

5.8 All formal hedges will be evenly cut level and close clipped on the top and on all elevations. Hedges will be maintained to an appropriate height and to a uniform or tapering width, and will not exceed the width of the hedge at its lowest point. Maintenance will form part of the winter programme, with supplementary trimming during the growing period where growth is impeding access or causing a safety issue. All hedges will receive at least one supplementary trim during the growing season.

5.9 Hedge bases will be maintained free of weeds through manual weeding and mulching wherever possible. Herbicide application will be carried out where necessary to deal with pernicious weeds.

5.10 All hedge clippings will be removed for composting.

5.11 All hard and soft grass edges will trimmed flush with their defined edge.

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Section 6 – Rose Beds

Desired outcome:

 Appropriately managed species, hybrid, floribunda, climbing and rambling roses.

Service outputs

6.1 All roses will be maintained and pruned according to good horticultural practice and RHS standards.

6.2 On sites with dedicated gardeners the following outputs will be undertaken on a regular basis. On sites without dedicated gardeners the aim will be to try and work with Friends groups to implement an appropriate maintenance regime using a combination of scheduled visits from Lambeth Landscapes staff and volunteer input. On any sites where it is not possible to ensure an appropriate maintenance regime rose beds may be replaced with lower-maintenance features such as herbaceous perennials, wildflower sowings or grass.

6.3 Dead-heading will be undertaken as required to maintain plant vigour and according to good horticultural practice.

6.4 Plants will have root stock suckers and stem suckers removed regularly.

6.5 Climbing and rambling roses will be securely tied to their supporting structure or wall using appropriate purpose made fixings.

6.6 Beds will be mulched annually with an appropriate organic material to a minimum depth of 100mm.

6.7 All rose beds in cemeteries will be attended at least fortnightly for all maintenance purposes and will be hand-weeded on each occasion.

6.8 All dead or inappropriate plants will be removed for composting.

6.9 Soil structure improvement and fertility improvement will be undertaken as necessary to maintain plant health.

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Section 7 – Ornamental Gardens

Desired outcome:

 Dedicated staffing and the maintenance of traditional gardens as areas of high quality horticulture. The gardens will contain a mix of roses, herbaceous perennials, bulbs, ornamental grasses and hedging, specimen shrubs and ornamental trees, managed in accordance with the appropriate section of the specification and professional horticultural practice.

Service outputs

7.1 Qualified gardeners will be provided as full-time and dedicated staff from Monday to Friday each week in the following locations:

 Kennington Park Flower Garden  Brockwell Park Walled Garden.

7.2 Any surplus time will be spent on additional gardening duties within the parks the staff are based in.

7.3 Seasonal bedding will be replaced with herbaceous perennials, ornamental grasses or bulbs.

7.4 In terms of species choice there will be a presumption for native, nectar-rich and drought-tolerant species.

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Section 8 – Naturalised Areas

Desired outcomes:

 Selected sites or areas within specific parks and open spaces will be managed for the benefit of nature conservation, landscape character and biological diversity.  Where possible these sites or areas will also be managed to facilitate public access and for educational purposes.  These sites will be managed in accordance with the London Borough of Lambeth’s Biodiversity Action Plan (LamBAP) and Local Management Plans produced for specific sites.

Service Outputs

8.1 Naturalised grass areas will, in the main, be cut and maintained as ‘meadow grassland’. Grass will be mown on one occasion, to a height of 50mm, between 1 July and 31 October each year, as per section 1.14. The grass-cutting regimes for all parks will be reviewed with the aim of increasing areas managed for biodiversity. For more detail see Section 1: Grass Management

8.2 Weeds classified as ‘noxious’ or ‘invasive’ (e.g. Japanese Knotweed, Giant Hogweed) will be removed and eradicated from all naturalised areas, using appropriate herbicides and manual removal.

8.3 Woodland areas will be managed as ‘ecological woodland habitat’ for which an annual programme of work will be set by the Environmental Compliance Officer.

8.4 All naturalised areas will be kept free of litter and fly-tipped waste in accordance with Section 2: Waste Management.

8.5 Woodlands – Clapham Common, Streatham Common, Unigate Woods, Eardley Road Sidings, Knight’s Hill Wood.

All established pathways and boundaries will be kept clear of obstructions up to a height of two metres through an annual winter programme. They will also be checked and cleared of brambles and any other obstructions at least twice between 1 April and 31 September.

8.6 Wetlands – Clapham Common, Brockwell Park, Ruskin Park, Agnes Riley Gardens, Tivoli Park

All bodies of water, islands (floating and static) and surrounds will be kept free of litter, waste and detritus including fishing tackle. Sites will be checked in accordance with Section 2: Waste Management.

8.7 All water channels and culverts will be inspected weekly and will be kept clear of obstructions, ~ 16 ~ LAMBETH GROUNDS MAINTENANCE SPECIFICATION debris, silt and weeds as required with at least two scheduled full maintenance visits per annum. The aim will be to supplement these visits with additional sessions provided by volunteers or Community Payback groups.

8.8 Aquatic and marginal plants will be maintained as appropriate to species requirements to ensure good plant health. Dead, diseased or inappropriate plant species will be removed on a regular basis or as required.

8.9 Oxygen degradation will be prevented by the control and removal of vegetative matter such as leaf litter. Algae will be controlled by cultural or mechanical methods.

8.10 All aquatic weed species will be controlled by non-chemical means.

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Section 9 – Sapling and Minor Tree Maintenance

Desired outcome:

 The successful establishment of sapling and semi-mature trees through the application of good horticultural and arboricultural practice and standards.

Service outputs

9.1 All new tree wells will be maintained as circular pits with a one metre diameter wherever possible and will be mulched annually during autumn/winter to a minimum depth of 100mm either with one-year old chippings or self-produced soil conditioner. Tree wells will be maintained in a weed- free condition through the use of annual mulching, supplemented with hand-weeding if required. Hand-weeding will be undertaken at least once a year where required.

9.2 All tree wells will be subject to at least one maintenance visit between April and September which will include non-chemical removal of weeds.

9.3 Tree stakes will be secured by ties. Stakes and guards will be renewed or removed for disposal during winter.

9.4 Semi-mature standard trees will be feathered to remove any lateral stem growth to maintain a clear stem between the tree crown and ground level unless otherwise directed by the trees team. This work will be undertaken annually in winter.

9.5 All trees will be kept free of epicormic growth as part of a winter maintenance programme where this is causing an obstruction or is interfering with furniture, fencing or other infrastructure.

9.6 Where young trees are protected by tree guards and no tree well was established, grass will be mown or strimmed right up to the guard as part of the surrounding maintenance regime.

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Section 10 – Sports Facilities

Desired outcomes:

 To support Lambeth’s Outdoor Sports Strategy through the maintenance of facilities in a safe, clean and accessible condition.

Service outputs

10.1 All courts and pitches will be litter-picked in accordance with Section 2: Waste Management. Large items of debris will be removed at the same time that sites are litter-picked. As part of the winter maintenance programme all facilities will be thoroughly cleaned, including the removal of moss and algae.

10.2 All pitches, courts, nets, equipment and facilities will be inspected weekly to ensure they are in a safe condition for public use. Any defects in surfaces or equipment will be reported to the Park Improvement Team (PIT), the sports team, or other appropriate body.

10.3 Replacement nets and fittings will be fitted within seven days of being provided by the sports team or appropriate body.

10.4 Changing rooms will be opened and closed as notified through the council’s sports booking service.

10.5 All sockets and fixtures will be maintained in a sound and secure condition. Sockets will be securely capped outside of the playing season.

10.6 All turf pitch line markings will be accurately measured and marked out in accordance with the relevant sport governing body. Where necessary, additional mowing will be undertaken in order that pitch markings, including those for school sports days, can be applied to suitably short turf and to assist with longevity of the markings. Pitch markings will include the pitch reference number.

10.7 Additional sports and activities will be accurately measured and marked out in accordance with the relevant sport governing body.

10.8 Goalposts and Australian Rules posts will be securely installed prior to play. All equipment will be left in-situ throughout the playing season.

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10.9 On tennis courts all nets and posts will be checked weekly and adjusted to the correct height and tension. Nets will be maintained in position all year round. Tennis court playing surfaces will be mechanically cleaned a minimum of once per year between 1 October and 31 March in order to remove detritus, weeds, moss and algae.

10.10 Polymeric sport surfaces will be maintained to the requirements of Section 16: Hardstanding Maintenance.

10.11 Skateboard facilities will be cleared of litter and large items of debris in accordance with their zoning under Section 2: Waste Management. Sites will receive a deep clean as part of the winter maintenance programme.

10.12 Turf Pitches The playing surface will be maintained level, free from holes, undulations, depressions or trip hazards. Pitch repairs will be carried out with a screened loam based soil prior to play.

10.13 Grass will be maintained at a height of 25mm to 60mm during the playing season. At all other times the grass will be maintained to the Amenity grass specification.

10.14 Line markings will be made without the use of additives which may be detrimental to the sward.

10.15 Redgra playi ng surfaces will be checked monthly to ensure they are free from major trip hazards.

10.16 Tarmac areas will be maintained in compliance with the requirements of Section 16: Hardstanding surfaces.

10.17 Bowling Greens Regularly used bowling greens hosting fee-paying clubs will be maintained at a height of 5mm during the playing season and 10mm outside of the playing season. Mowing will be carried out diagonally in both directions and the green edged on each occasion. All clippings will be removed and composted, or a mulching mower will be used.

10.18 The sward will be maintained in a healthy and vigorous condition and kept free from thatch, weeds, pests and diseases during the playing season. Outside the playing season the greens will be checked weekly and maintenance will be undertaken on an ad-hoc basis as necessary, including patching and re-turfing. Irrigation of the greens will be undertaken as necessary to maintain the health and condition of the grass sward.

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Section 11 – Children’s play areas

Desired outcomes:

 The provision of safe, clean, well maintained and accessible children’s play facilities.  The application of current European safety standards for fixed play equipment.

Service outputs

11.1 All fixed play equipment and infrastructure will be visually inspected at least weekly by appropriately trained staff to the requirements of BSEN 1176-1177 European safety standards for fixed play equipment and surfacing. Any identified faults will be passed to the appropriate team for rectification.

11.2 All play areas will be inspected quarterly by appropriately qualified staff to the requirements of BSEN 1176-1177 and a written or electronic report detailing any defects in equipment, surfaces, furniture or other infrastructure, including landscape play features, will be produced.

11.3 All play areas will be inspected and risk assessed annually by an independent inspector accredited by the Register of Play Inspector’s International (RPII).

11.4 Unsafe or dangerously defective items of equipment will be taken out of service, isolated or otherwise made safe. This will normally be on the same working day that the issue is identified or reported and verified.

11.5 All surfaces, including impact absorbent surfacing, timber steps, ramps, bridges and access decks will be maintained in a clean condition and kept free of weeds, moss and algae without the use of residual chemicals.

11.6 All equipment will be maintained in a clean condition and fit for the intended use.

11.7 All sand pits will be litter picked in accordance with their zoning under Section 2: Waste Management.

11.8 All sand pits will be hand forked or mechanically cleaned to a depth of 250mm and disinfected as necessary to maintain clean and safe conditions, using a bleach free sterilising agent to the manufacturer’s recommended dilution. Cleaning will take place weekly between 1 April and 30 September and monthly between 1 October and 31 March. ~ 21 ~ LAMBETH GROUNDS MAINTENANCE SPECIFICATION

11.9 Sand levels will be maintained to a depth of no less than 100mm and topped up every six months.

11.10 Where sand pits contain fixed play equipment, the sand levels will be maintained to ensure the equipment base fixings are not exposed. They will be checked and topped up as necessary on a weekly basis between 1 April and 30 September and monthly over the rest of the year.

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Section 12 – Paddling Pools / Water Play

Desired outcome:

 The provision of safe, clean and accessible play facilities.

Service outputs

12.1 The service will operate between late May and 30 September at the following locations: Brockwell Park, Clapham Common, Myatt’s Fields Park and Norwood Park. Other paddling pools in Ruskin Park and Streatham Common are being managed by the respective Friends group / SCCOOP, with the exception of compliance testing. Self-management is subject to a standard agreement detailing the responsibilities of both parties.

12.2 All paddling pools will be clean and open for use by 10am each day. Paddling pools will be closed to the public by 8pm. All pumps will be switched off when the pool is closed.

12.3 All paddling pools and their surrounds will be kept clean, hygienic and free from damage, debris, litter, glass, hazardous contaminants or trip hazards at all times of use and maintained to the requirement of Section 2: Waste management.

12.4 All paddling pools and surrounds will be maintained free of algae, moss and weed species. Paddling pools will be drained and the entirety thoroughly cleaned with an appropriate cleaning agent as often as is necessary to prevent the visible presence of algae. Paddling pools will be drained and cleaned no less than every four days.

12.5 When a pool or its surrounds is found or reported to contain any hazardous contaminants such as glass or animal fouling the pool will be drained and cleaned within one hour.

12.6 Each paddling pool will be visited by our contractor no less than once every four hours during periods of use for the purposes of carrying out a safety inspection and a water quality test, recording pH levels. Water pH should be maintained between 7.2 and 8.0. Where necessary, remedial measures will be taken to maintain the water pH through chlorine application.

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Section 13 – Security

Desired outcomes:

 Ensuring selected locations are opened and clos ed as per advertised times.  Ensuring public safety when closing locations.

Service outputs

13.1 All perimeter gates scheduled for locking will be opened by 7.30am (7.00am at Ruskin Park) and all internal gates, toilets and barriers will be opened by 8am.

13.2 Where parks are to be locked at night gates will be locked at or around dusk. For parks with multiple gates, some perimeter gates may be locked at the end of the day’s core working shift (3:00 or 4:00pm).

13.3 On opening, gates will be safely secured open either by a locked drop bolt or by the use of a lock and chain.

13.4 Prior to locking each site, reasonable measures will be taken to ensure that all members of the public have left the site.

13.5 The current locking programme is unaffordable and is under review. The review will be complete by the end of September and this specification will be updated then. Most parks will have to be left permanently open.

13.6 Sites currently scheduled for locking are: Archbishop’s Park, Brockwell Park, Hillside Gardens, Kennington Park, Lambeth Cemetery, Loughborough Park, Myatt’s Fields Park, Palace Road Nature Garden, Ruskin Park, St John’s Churchyard, Slade Gardens, Streatham Cemetery, Tivoli Park, Ufford Street Recreation Ground, Vauxhall Park, West Norwood Cemetery and Windmill Gardens.

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Section 14 – Furniture and Fittings

Desired outcomes:

 The maintenance of all furniture, fittings and infrastructure with particular attention to structural condition.  Isolation and repair of hazardous items.

Service outputs

14.1 All furniture, fittings and infrastructure will be inspected every three months and any damage or hazards reported immediately to the Parks Improvement Team.

14.2 Benches will be maintained clean and free from graffiti, bird droppings, sap etc. and in a condition fit for public use. Any sharp extrusions will be removed. Benches will be washed at least once a year.

14.3 Wooden benches, seat and tables will be treated with a weather resistant stain on an annual basis as part of the winter programme.

14.4 All park shelters will be jet-washed annually as part of the winter maintenance programme and this will include clearing out all gutters. Woodstain or paint will be applied as required.

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Section 15 – Graffiti

Desired outcomes:

 Keeping buildings and other infrastructure clear of graffiti and fly-posting.  Rapid removal of offensive graffiti, or graffiti on sensitive infrastructure.

Service outputs

15.1 Graffiti and fly-posting will be removed from signage, furniture and buildings within seven days of it being discovered or reported.

15.2 Priority will be given to the removal of graffiti that may be perceived as being of an offensive nature or in a sensitive location. This will include graffiti of a racist or obscene nature or graffiti on locations such as war memorials or historic buildings. Graffiti within this category will be removed within 24 hours of discovery or reporting (Monday to Friday only).

15.3 A simple mechanism will be put in place as soon as possible for Friends groups to report graffiti directly to the appropriate operational team. This may be implemented through a temporary system initially.

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Section 16 – Hardstandings, Paths and Fence Line Maintenance

Desired outcomes:

 The maintenance of all footways, hardstanding areas, safety surfaces and the floors of open structures in a safe and clean condition.  The maintenance of clear fence lines and boundaries.

Service outputs

16.1 The cleanliness of all hardstanding areas will meet the standards outlined in Section 2: Waste Management.

16.2 All hardstanding areas will be mechanically cleaned at least once a year to remove weeds, moss and algae.

16.3 All footpaths will be inspected weekly for trip hazards or damage. Any hazards will be immediately isolated and reported to the appropriate team for rectification. Repairs which can be undertaken by the in-house team will be completed within two weeks of being reported.

16.4 During periods of snow or freezing conditions, priority pedestrian routes will be treated with evenly spread road salt at a rate not exceeding 10 grams per square metre.

16.5 All fence lines and boundaries, including path boundaries, will be kept free of obstruction from trees, shrubs or other vegetation, to a height of two metres. Maintenance will take place between 1 October and 31 March with significant obstructions cleared at other times as necessary.

16.6 All fence lines and boundaries will be maintained free of self-set seedlings, weeds, vegetation and epicormic tree growth. This will be undertaken through a scheduled maintenance programme between 1 October and 31 March each year, with significant issues dealt with on an ad-hoc basis at other times. The details regarding the removal of pernicious weeds such as bindweed will be contained within the Parks Weed Management Policy.

16.7 Metalled paths will receive a manual treatment at least once every two years to edge them and remove weeds.

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Section 17 – Composting

Desired outcome:

 The composting of all suitable herbaceous non-woody waste.  The creation of a clean soil conditioner for use within parks on beds and community gardens.

Service outputs

17.1 All non-woody and herbaceous vegetative material arising from maintenance operations will be delivered for composting to the scheduled disposal locations. Where capacity exists this will be to Lambeth Landscapes managed composting facilities, otherwise to the Council’s agreed green waste disposal locations.

17.2 Controlled or notifiable weeds will not be composted.

17.3 Lambeth Landscapes will manage composting sites at Brockwell Park and Clapham Common at the established green waste handling areas.

17.4 The appropriate EA permits will be obtained.

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Section 18 – Public Conveniences

Desired outcomes:

 The provision, opening and closing of public conveniences.  An effective cleansing programme for all toilets.

Service outputs:

18.1 Public toilets in parks will be opened and locked within one hour of the scheduled park opening and closing times.

18.2 Toilets will be cleaned daily (Monday to Sunday) between 7am and 2pm and all consumables will be checked and re-stocked as necessary at the same time.

18.3 Toilets will receive an annual deep clean during the months of April, May or June.

18.4 All toilets will be inspected at least once during the day by a supervisor.

18.5 If significant issues with cleansing are reported or observed, supplementary cleaning will be undertaken the same day wherever possible. However, this will be dependent on location and time of report and staff may not be available until the following day.

18.6 Maintenance issues will be reported daily. Wherever possible issues will be dealt with internally through the Parks Improvement Team, prioritised accordingly.

18.7 Some toilets may be subject to seasonal closure or mid-week closure during the low-season, with any closures discussed with the appropriate stakeholder groups.

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Section 19 – Repairs and Maintenance

Desired outcomes:

 The provision of a responsive, cost effective and good quality repairs and maintenance service  The ability to perform the vast majority of repairs and maintenance tasks within the Lambeth Landscapes teams.

Service outputs:

19.1 A permanent repairs and maintenance team will operate Monday to Friday and will be supported by other members of staff as required. All officers will be appropriately trained and qualified, or will be apprentices within structured training programmes.

19.2 The maintenance team will undertake the following works themselves wherever possible: bench installation and repairs, blocked drains, bollards, brickwork, building works, carpentry, doors, drain covers, electrical work, fencing repairs, fixtures and fittings, gate repairs, grass reinstatement, groundworks, guttering, noticeboards, paddling pool/wet play repairs, painting and decorating, path repairs, paving, playground equipment and surfacing, plumbing, posts, roof repairs, security measures, signage, tiling and welding.

19.3 All works will be carried out in accordance with a prioritisation system as shown in the table below. The timeframes apply Monday to Friday, and working days are Monday-Friday; however for Priority 1 issues where there is a significant health and safety risk, officers will still aim to respond within one hour of being notified under the emergency call-out service and take interim action to try and mitigate risk as far as possible. The prioritisation system will be developed and refined as the service become established, but will be based on health and safety issues and impact on users.

Priority Timeframe to respond Timeframe to resolve P1 1 hour 24 hours P2 4 hours 4 working days P3 3 working days 7 working days P4 7 working days 14 working days P5 Project as agreed Project as agreed

19.4 Repairs and maintenance outside of the scope of the in-house maintenance team will be contracted out, preferably to local companies. Quotes will be obtained in accordance with Lambeth’s procurement regulations and the timescales for rectification will be considerably longer.

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19.5 A simple mechanism will be put in place as soon as possible for Friends groups to report repairs and maintenance requirements directly to the appropriate operational team. This may be implemented through a temporary system initially.

19.6 Officers are exploring options for re-instating a regular gully-cleansing regime, however this will be dependent on a successful capital bid for an appropriate vehicle and does not form part of the specification at the present time.

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Appendix 1 Sites Covered by this Specification and their Litter Zoning

Site Intensity of Use Site Intensity of Use

Agnes Riley Gardens Medium Old Paradise Gardens Medium Albert Embankment Gardens Low Oval Triangle Veolia1 Archbishop’s Park High Palace Road Nature Garden Low Becondale Road Open Space Low Pedlar's Park Medium Brockwell Park High/Low2 Rush Common Low Clapham Common High3 Ruskin Park High/Medium/Low2 Claylands Road Open Space Low Sherwood Avenue Open Space Low Cleaver Square Low Slade Gardens High Coldharbour Lane Open Space Low St John's Church Gardens High Dan Leno Gardens Pinnacle St Luke's Church Gardens Low Dumbarton Court Gardens Low St Mark's Church Gardens Medium Eardley Road Sidings Low St Mary-at-Lambeth Grounds Low Elam Street Open Space Low St Matthew's Church Gardens Veolia1 Emma Cons Gardens Veolia1 St Paul's Church Gardens Low Grafton Square Low Stockwell Memorial Gardens Medium Hatfields Open Space Medium Streatham Cemetery Medium Hillside Gardens High Streatham Common High/Medium/Low2 Holmewood Gardens Medium Streatham Green Veolia1 Kennington Green Low Streatham Memorial Gardens Low Kennington Park High/Medium2 Streatham Vale Park Medium Kirkstall Gardens Low Tivoli Park Medium Knight’s Hill Wood Low Trinity Gardens Low Lambeth Cemetery Medium Ufford Street Recreation Ground Medium Lambeth Doorstep Green Low Unigate Woods Low Lansdowne Gardens Low Valley Road Playing Field Low Larkhall Park High Vauxhall Park High Loughborough Park Medium Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens High Max Roach Park High/Medium2 West Norwood Cemetery Medium Milkwood Road Open Space Medium Windmill Gardens High Myatt’s Fields Park Medium Windrush Square Veolia1 Norwood Park High/Medium2 Wyck Gardens Medium

Notes: 1 please see the table below for Veolia cleansing frequencies. 2 please see the maps below showing parks with split litter zoning. 3 except for 2 of the woodland areas which are classified as low usage. Battersea Woods are high usage.

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The cleansing details for the sites litter-picked by Veolia as part of the Waste Services contract are listed in the table below.

Site Litter-picking Manual sweeping Scrubber-dryer Emma Cons Gardens Daily Daily Once every two weeks Oval Triangle Twice weekly Once every 8 weeks No Stockwell Green Twice weekly Once every 8 weeks No St Matthew's Church Daily Daily No Gardens Streatham Green Daily Daily No Windrush Square Daily Daily Once every two weeks

Split zoning maps for larger parks are shown below. Zoning was proposed by staff with a good knowledge of the sites and minor amendments were made as a result of the consultation. As a new regime these will be subject to annual review and feedback from stakeholders is welcomed.

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Appendix Four

Vauxhall Park Horticultural Planting Guidelines

Lambeth Parks & Greenspaces 4th Floor Blue Star House 234-244 Stockwell Road 020 7926 9000 [email protected]

Vauxhall Park - Planting Guidelines a) Introduction

Lambeth Parks and the Friends of Vauxhall Park identified a need for guidance on planting and this was highlighted through the original management planning process. In 2006 some planting beds had no relevance to historic design or current use, and the design of late 20th Century plantings had not responded to the historic context and current use of the park.

Table 1 describes the condition and quality of plantings in 2006 when the management plan was first compiled, and should be used to direct where new plantings are required, or where planting standards should be improved through use of such guidance.

A schedule of planting areas is provided below to provide information on the type of planting and plant species envisaged for the park. However, the following lists are provided for guidance only; they are not definitive and do not constitute a plant schedule or design. b) Bulbs for Naturalising in Grass Area 1 (Figures 6 and 11)

Where naturalised areas exist or are proposed for the park, the planting of native bulbs, or varieties of native bulbs, works well and provides colour, variety and wildlife value. Bulbs should be selected for autumn, winter and early spring flowering to provide a succession of colour and interest adjacent to entrances from South Lambeth Road. Small narcissus species have been selected for effect and to be in scale with the park.

Crocus tommasinianus – plant in large drifts Crocus speciosus – plant around trees Cyclamen coum – plant amid tree roots Galanthus nivalis – plant near to the hedge and in smaller drifts Narcissus ‘February Gold’- plant in large drifts Narcissus ‘Jack Snipe’- plant in large drifts c) Shrubs for Use in Areas 1, 2, 3 and 8 (Figures 6 and 11)

Areas for shrub planting within the park are limited and relatively small in scale. For reasons of security, perceived issues of security and the maintenance of sightlines, it is intended that the majority of planting should not exceed eye level, reaching 1.2 -1.5m high. The planting should be varied in height up to this approximate level with small trees and open branched specimen shrubs rising above the shrub layer.

There should be an emphasis on evergreen shrubs to provide form and texture throughout the year with flowers, scent, berries and autumn colour providing seasonal interest, and for increasing the park’s biodiversity interest. Table 2 indicates the types of shrubs that should be used in the park in any planting schemes and the qualities or benefits of each type.

Careful consideration must be given to levels of shade, drought tolerance, and the limited use of herbaceous plants and bulbs in association with the shrubs, and to planting that gives a sense of unity and cohesion while being designed to meet the requirements of particular locations in the park.

d) Planting Around the Fountain (Figure 11)

This would become a ‘new’ planting area contained by yew hedging and the planting designed to reflect this. As the space is generally sunny there is an opportunity to use species that will not thrive elsewhere.

Consideration should be given to colour, scent and form, and scale in relation to the model village, and the longevity and sustainability of plantings. The planting could contain herbaceous plants, grasses and bulbs, a varied tapestry in different layers with a succession of flowering interest, retaining form and interest during the winter months. e) Planting Area Adjacent to the Wall (Eastern Boundary, Area 6, Figure 11)

Consideration should be given to involvement of children in the design and use of this area. The planting area could be developed with espaliered fruit trees against the wall, flowers to attract insects such as butterflies and with seeds to attract birds, and scented flowering shrubs adjacent to the seating area by the toy train.

Table 1. Schedule of Planted Areas

No. Type Description Assessment Area 1 1.1 Evergreen Young established coniferous Good condition, but improve shrub bed with rockery; apprentice planting planting exercise 1.2 Evergreen Young established bed with Fair, gaps and shady; improve shrub rockery; apprentice planting planting exercise Area 2 2.1 Roses Corner bed by north west Sparse and a little tired – needs entrance to be improved Area 3 3.1 Herbaceous Corner bed by south west Very sparse, shady; improve as entrance with forsythia and important feature at park privet to boundary. Mulched entrance with woodchip 3.2 Evergreen Planting of large, mature Good, low maintenance; make cotoneaster more use of space 3.3 Roses Young established Good Area 6 6.1 Evergreen Large specimen shrubs in grass Good, low maintenance marking boundary of play area Relict Victorian planting 6.2 Mixed Contains 3 Japanese acers Fair, bed needs filling out shrubs 6.3 Mixed Medium size Fair, but improve pruning, and shrubs more design quality 6.4 Mixed Medium size Fair, but improve pruning, and shrubs more design quality 6.5 Mixed Large deciduous and evergreen Improve weeding and pruning shrubs shrubs against eastern wall Area 8 8.1 Lavender Modern planting bounded by Fair, but gapping up required. blocks of Miscanthus. Laid out Requires crisper treatment for on former bowling green design to succeed – clipping and grass edging 8.2 Roses Fair. These traditional beds 8.3 Herbaceous require considerable 8.4 Roses maintenance 8.5 Herbaceous 8.6 Roses 8.7 Roses 8.8 Evergreen Coniferous ground cover 8.9 Mixed shrubs 8.10 Bedding 8.11 Roses 8.12 Roses 8.13 Bedding Model village with rockery, Good, but conifers getting out of conifers to rear scale with model village? 8.14 Bedding Fair 8.15 Bedding Fair

8.16 Climbers Fair 8.17 Evergreens Large shrubs Fair 8.18 Roses Narrow bed alongside former Need to improve bowling green path 8.19 Bedding Fair 8.20 Bedding Fair 8.21 Shrubs Fair, sparse, shady Area 9 9.1 Herbaceous Fair, sparse, shady 9.2 Herbaceous With tall conifers to boundary Fair, sparse, shady 9.3 Herbaceous With tall conifers to boundary Fair, sparse, shady 9.4 Bedding Good

Table 2. Shrubs Selection Guidelines for Vauxhall Park

Shrubs Evergreen Specimen Flowers Scented Berries Berberis verruculosa * * Buxus microphylla ‘Faulkner’ * Buxus sempevirens ‘Blauer * Heinz’ Buxus sempervirens * ‘Elegantissima’ Choisya ternata * * * Cotoneaster ‘Cornubia’ * * * * Daphne laureola * * * Daphne laureola var philippi * * * Euonymus ‘Albomarginatus’ * Hamamellis mollis * * * Hydrangea serrata ‘Bluebird’ * Hypericum x moseranum * Mahonia japonica * * * * Pachysandra terminalis * ‘Variegata’ Philadelphus ‘Manteau * * d’Hermine’ Philadelphus coronarius * * ‘Aureus’ Rhododendron * * * ‘Narcissiflorum’ Ribes sanguineum ‘King * * * * Edward VII’ Sarcocca confusa * * * * Skimmia fragrantissima * * * * Skimmia japonica ‘Winifred * * * Crook’ Syringa persica alba * * * Syringa x chinensis * * * Taxus baccata ‘Repens’ * Viburnum x burkwoodii ‘Anne * * * Russell’ Viburnum tinus * *

Vauxhall Park Park Management Plan

Appendix Five

Vauxhall Park

Tree Management Strategy

Lambeth Parks & Greenspaces 4th Floor Blue Star House 234-244 Stockwell Road 020 7926 9000 [email protected]

A. Tree Management Strategy - Scope and Outline

Background

In 2006 when a management plan was being developed for Vauxhall Park, there was a need for guidance in managing and improving the tree stock in the park. Prior to this arboricultural work has been pragmatic and new trees had been planted in the park without careful consideration of existing heritage and biodiversity character, and without records of how these were intended to contribute to the park.

The following section sets out the aims and objectives that a robust tree management strategy should follow. The subsequent section then provides an outline tree management strategy for Vauxhall Park, which sets out how these key issues will be delivered in practice.

Aim of the Strategy

A Tree Management Strategy for Vauxhall Park should be implemented in order to provide a framework and guidance for future decisions regarding tree management that supports and furthers the vision and objectives of the Vauxhall Park Management Plan.

The tree management strategy should:

• Use the history of the park’s development to understand the current situation • Analyse design intentions, change, quality and character • Identify the tree structure or tree groups within the park • Determine what each group contributes to the character of the park • Identify issues • Define objectives i) Use the history of Vauxhall Park’s development to understand the current tree situation

Information contained in the Vauxhall Park Management Plan, together with an updated tree survey and site observations, should form the basis of this work. ii) Analyse design intentions, change, quality and character

Consider the original park designer’s intentions and the changes that have taken place to the tree stock since the park’s opening. Identify is the character of the park has changed as trees have matured and others have been added. Identify if there is scope and opportunity to revisit these original plans and return to the intended tree stock and planting programme. iii) Identify the tree structure or tree groups within the park

In outline this appears to be:

• Large forest scale trees known to flourish in London and favoured by the designer • 1930’s-1950’s planting of small ornamental trees and conifers • Following the clean air act – the planting of a range of ornamental specimen trees

iv) Determine what each group contributes to the character of the park

Positive and negative impacts need to be considered for each group and their contribution to the character and use of the park. Issues may include:

• Large forest scale trees, e.g. Plane trees: provide an overarching framework and contribute largely to the sense of being away from it all. They have a long life expectancy and cast considerable shade; • Small ornamental trees: many are now in decline, shaded, short lived or have outgrown original intentions, so must be a priority for replacement and with better selection of specimens • Ornamental specimen trees: mostly in garden areas, and require more considerate pruning. However, they contribute to the diversity and interest of the park, and should be considered as long as location and management is appropriate. v) Identify issues

This will include:

• Increased shade: good for people in a situation of climate change but presents challenges for the establishment of new trees • Climate change: influences the choice of species • Compaction: the need for more intensive and new forms of management • Establishment maintenance: provision of skills and resources • Proximity of trees to building and paths • Sightlines • Increasing biodiversity • Conservation Area consent required for work to all trees vi) Define objectives

These may include:

• Sustaining the canopy of Plane trees • Maintaining the layering, diversity and interest of the tree collection • Determining appropriate tree species for different areas • Undertaking new planting to restore and enhance the character of the historic park • Improving opportunities to enhance biodiversity • Providing interpretation of the tree collection

Vauxhall Park Tree Management Strategy

1. Introduction

This document aims to provide guidance as to the management, protection and enhancement of the tree stock at Vauxhall Park, developed in partnership with the user community and maintenance/contractor staff. It complements and supports the Park Management Plan as well as other strategic documents.

2. Objectives

The Tree Management Strategy will ensure:

a) Sustainable management of the existing tree stock, ensure tree loss to disease, damage or neglect is avoided or minimised, trees lost are replaced, and new trees added where appropriate to extend tree diversity and cover in the park. b) Management of the existing tree stock for the benefit of nature conservation, landscape protection and enhancement, and other environmental benefits, e.g. noise and dust suppression, recreation and education. c) Promotion of a greater interest in, awareness of and enjoyment of trees in parks.

3. Policies

3.1 General Management

Lambeth Council will:

a) Endeavour to undertake regular surveys and inspections of the trees and gather information on the extent, condition and structure of the tree population. b) Ensure that provision of trees is fully considered and integrated within the management plan, both during implementation and review. c) Protect and where possible replace important tree features in the park, including avenues, copses, specimen and ancient trees. d) Endeavour to plant a diverse but also suitable range of tree species, especially within areas that have an ornamental or ‘arboretal’ theme, or to retain or enhance existing biodiversity value through the use of native species. e) Where appropriate, seek to increase tree plantings to develop natural landscapes and green corridors within the park, including the planting of hedgerows. f) Consultation with relevant groups in advance of significant work to trees in the park, and make use of notices and notice boards to ensure park users and residents receive timely information of the purpose and benefit of such works. g) Only remove existing trees when there are valid grounds to do so, in order to protect the safety and wellbeing of both park and public, and avoid damage to the reputation of or financial loss to the council. h) Presume against tree works being undertaken as a result of a complaint unless there is an overriding health and safety reason for doing so.

3.2 Tree Planting and Regeneration

The Council will:

a) Where appropriate plant trees within the park depending on sufficient budgets. b) Undertake a site appraisal before carrying out tree plantings so that proposed locations are appropriate and conflict with other uses is minimised. c) Maintain records of all trees planted within Vauxhall Park, including future management requirements, and monitor the success of newly planted trees. d) Ensure that new tree planting does not reduce the value of existing landscapes or nature conservation value of Vauxhall Park. e) Plant tree species appropriate to the conditions and character of the park, as well as avoid planting trees that introduce or spread disease, are invasive, cause damage to the parks infrastructure, or are prone to loss from changing environmental factors, e.g. climate change, waterlogging or drought. f) Utilise a wide range of tree species and planting sizes according to the original objectives of the planting, and use stock from reputable suppliers. g) Whilst welcoming the planting of sponsored, memorial or commemorative trees in Vauxhall Park, the selection, location, size and actual planting of tree will be at the discretion of and undertaken by the council alone.

3.3 Community Involvement

The Council will:

a) Encourage involvement of the community in planting and maintaining new trees. b) Develop programmes of guided walks, talks, open days, presentations and exhibitions to promote the importance of trees in the park, with respect to heritage character, biodiversity and their environmental benefits. c) Provide opportunities for active participation by local residents, park user groups and businesses in the planting and maintenance of trees in the park. d) Encourage and promote where appropriate initiatives such as National Tree Week, The Great Trees of London and The Great Stag Hunt, in order to develop a greater awareness and interest in trees, heritage and biodiversity.

3.4 Site Specific Issues

a) Vauxhall Park used to contain an old and attractive Black Mulberry (Morus nigra) in the northern section of the park, close to the dog exercise area. This tree died in 2007/8 due to age and strong winds which broke its trunk. The intention is to replace this tree with a young Black Mulberry in a similar location, possibly as a memorial or commemorative tree. b) The mature London Plane trees are crucial to the character and quality of the park; these need to be given special attention and any maintenance issues addressed. However, the trees need careful pruning to ensure that they do not over-shade the park or generate a ‘closed in’ feel which has safety implications.