CONTENTS Introduction 1 1. Site Overview 1.1 Havering 2 1.2 Strategic Framework 3 1.3 Site Description 3 1.4 History 3 1.5 Location and Transport Links 5 2. A Welcoming Place 2.1 Entrance Points 8 2.2 Entrance Signs 11 2.3 Equal Access 12 3. Heathy, Safe and Secure 3.1 Health and Safety Systems 13 3.2 Parks Protection Service 15 3.3 Parks Locking 17 3.4 Infrastructure 17 3.5 Parks Monitoring 18 4. Maintenance of Equipment, Buildings and Landscape 4.1 Horticultural Maintenance 20 4.2 Arboricultural Maintenence 26 4.3 Vehicles and Plant Maintenance 26 4.4 Parks Furniture 27 4.5 Play and Recreation 28 4.6 Parks Buildings 31 5. Litter, Cleanliness and Vandalism 5.1 Litter Management 34 5.2 Sweeping 34 5.3 Graffiti 34 5.4 Flytipping 35 5.5 Reporting 35 5.6 Dog Fouling 35 6. Environmental Management 6.1 Energy Impact 36 6.2 Peat Use 37 6.3 Waste Minimisation 37 6.4 Pesticide Use 40 7. Biodiversity, Landscape and Heritage 7.1 Management of natural features, wild fauna and flora 41 7.2 Conservation of Landscape Features 43 7.3 Species List 45 7.4 Biodiversity Action Plan 46 7.5 Conservation of Buildings and Structures 46 7.6 Havering Local Plan 47 7.7 Natural Ambition Booklet 48 8. Community Involvement 8.1 Community Surveys 50 8.2 Use r Groups 51 9. Marketing and Communication 9.1 Parks Brochure 55 9.2 Social Media 55 9.3 Website 55 9.4 Interpretation Boards 55 9.5 Events 56 10. Management 10.1 Management structure 58 10.2 Financial Management 60 10.3 Computerised Management System 60 10.4 Accreditation 60 10.5 Action Plan 62 10.6 Parks Contact Details 67 Appendices 1. Policy Context 2. History 3. Pesticide Reduction Strategy 4. Risk Assessments 5. Pleasure Ground Byelaws 6. Parks Fitter’s Instruction Form 7. Parks Monitoring Form 8. Grounds Maintenance Specification Contents 9. Tree Strategy 10. Vehicle Check Form 11. Play Area Visual Inspection Form 12. Play Area Operational Inspection Form 13. Peat Use Policy 14. Biodiversity Action Plan 15. ‘Your Council Your Say’ Survey 16. Spring Clean Survey 17. Marketing 18. Park Event Application Form 19. SWOT Analysis 20. Improvement Plan Introduction The Upminster Park Management Plan has been prepared by the London Borough of Havering Public Realm (Parks and Open Spaces) department and represents a five year plan for the Park. The plan was completed in 2017 and will be revised annually until a full update in 2022. It was recognised that the park given its importance locally required improvements to facilities and standards. As part of this process the plan was produced to reflect these improvements and how the park is managed. The format of this plan follows the Green Flag Award criteria as this is recognised as the nationally accepted standard of excellence for parks and open spaces. The criteria also reflect a comprehensive and logical breakdown on the complements of how a park is managed. The plan also includes an action plan which is achievable within the remit of current budgets. The plan has been produced to give the reader a ‘virtual’ tour of the park and a practical management guide. The key information is in the main body of the plan with more detailed information including policies and examples in the appendix. It is intended for a broad audience interested in the development of the park namely: • Public Ream staff - Parks and Open Spaces Officers, Grounds Maintenance • Other services and departments within the London Borough of Havering • Elected members, ward councillors and portfolio holders • The community and its representative organisations View from inside Corbets Tey Road 1 1. Site Overview 1.1 Havering The London Borough of Havering is London’s third largest borough. The north and east boundaries border the rolling Essex countryside and the south covers three miles of River Thames frontage. To the west Havering is bordered by the boroughs of Redbridge and Barking and Dagenham. The name ‘Havering’ originates from the Royal Liberty of Havering, to which Edward IV granted a charter in 1465. The area’s history stretches back to Roman times with early settlements at Rainham and Collier Row. The London Borough of Havering was created in 1965 by the merger of Romford and Hornchurch Urban District Councils. The name of Havering was finally agreed as a combination of the town names was not allowed. The idea of blending the two names was never a serious consideration.Armorial bearings were granted at the time of the formation. The motto ‘liberty’ represents the present free and democratic way of life but is inspired by the fact that Havering was mostly a part of the royal liberty of Havering – Atte – Bower from 1465 – 1892. London Borough of Havering Location Plan Many of Havering’s open spaces and public parks have a long and rich history. Some are former private estates with historical and heritage importance including Bedford’s Park, Clockhouse Gardens, Parklands Park and Langton’s Gardens. Well known landscape architects such as Humphrey Repton designed some open spaces within Havering e.g. Langton’s Gardens and many parks were developed in the twentieth century e.g. Upminster, Rise and Lawns Parks. 2 There is a large amount of countryside, especially in the north of the borough, with a good Public Rights of Way network and 4 country parks. There are also a wide variety of urban spaces from ornamental gardens to large municipal parks. 1.2 The Strategic Framework Information how this Management Plan for sits within the national, regional and local context for parks and open spaces can be found in Appendix 1. 1.3 Site Description Upminster Park is a medium sized recreation park that covers 6.91 hectares. It is very well used by the local community. Its main functions are to provide a range of sports activities and as an area of passive recreation. The facilities include tennis courts, a multi-use games area, a cricket table and a full sized football pitch during winter. During the summer period the same area is marked out as a running track and softball area for use by the local Primary and Secondary Schools. The cricket club that use the park have a small pavilion that is shared also Upminster Hockey Club. In addition the park has a large children’s play area and an outdoor gym. The park is also served by its own small car park. Footpaths enter Upminster Park at five access points: St Mary’s Lane, Stewart Avenue, Brookdale Close and two points along Corbets Tey Road. These footpaths link up with each other within the park. Access is also possible from the Windmill Hall car park and via many places along Corbets Tey Road, the Park is only gated to prevent vehicle access. It is open to pedestrian access 24/7. 1.4 History The population of Upminster increased considerably at the end of the First World War and it was decided by the Parish Council that a recreation ground was needed to provide for the leisure needs of the local residents. Map of the Glebe Land 1826 (Green line marks current Park boundary) 3 There was Land in Upminster that was owned by The Church Commission and known as The Glebe Land that was suitable. The Church was keen to sell the land and an idea to buy it for the purposes for recreation was put forward by the Council in 1920. It was debated and resolution put forward to purchase the land for no more than £3750. This was defeated though on the grounds at the time of the need for nation economy. Another opportunity presented itself in 1929 and this time the Council was successful in purchasing the land for £6000. Once it had been acquired, the whole parish became very enthusiastic and the Ratepayers Association made an offer to beautify the new park. They agreed to plant a number of trees, to level the meadow area and re-sown the grass where necessary. The public subscribed the generous total of £8.10.6d towards the cost of the trees etc and they were planted at the gates and around the level meadow. During the Second World War the park also served a useful role as it was one of the few public spaces kept open for recreational purposes. As part of the air raid precautions public underground air raid shelters were built on the North East side of the park In 1948 the underground air raid shelters were demolished and an ornamental garden built in their place. Also in the same year two grass tennis courts were converted to hard surface and the main path from Corbets Tey Road to St Mary’s Lane constructed. Upminster Cricket Club and Upminster Hockey Club are the constituent parts of Upminster Pavilion Club. The pavilion club was formed in 1963/4 following the demolition of the former timber pavilion and the erection of the new brick built pavilion In the 1980’s the play area moved from its old location near St Mary’s Lane to that of its present location next to the tennis courts. An extension was made to the pavilion by the club in the first half of the 2000’s and later on they had two purpose built fenced cricket practice nets installed at the rear of the tennis courts. The current friends group was formed in 2004 with help from the Parks and Open Spaces Service and have assisted greatly in renovations in the Park.