Parsloes Park, Dagenham

Groundwork case study: Parsloes Park, Dagenham YOUTHWORK>>>CONSULTATION>>>FUNDRAISING>>>PARTNERSHIP BUILDING>>>PROJECT MANAGEMENT Groundwork’s role At the request of Barking and Dagenham’s Parks Department, Groundwork encouraged local young and adult residents who live, work or go to school close to Parsloes Park to participate in a series of workshops. The workshops aimed to identify what facilities would be suitable for young people in the park, the largest in the borough. Project description Parsloes Park is the largest park in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham (LBBD). It is predominantly an area of flat playing fields, with few facilities for young people, and those that are available are in need of refurbishment. Groundwork had been asked to create a Community Action Plan for the area, which had been adopted by the Council. This plan highlighted the need for better facilities in the park. Additionally, local residents felt it was essential to have something in the park for 11-16 year olds. It is important for young people to have their say on what they would like to see in their park as every young person has their own ideas and views. To gather these, 12,000 questionnaires were sent to secondary schools in the borough. An additional 2,000 questionnaires were distributed to local residents. Through expert analysis of the responses against predetermined criteria, five potential ideas were produced. Local schools, youth organisations and local residents were then involved in a series of interactive workshops (see pictures) to help decide what the best solution was for their park. This included where it should be, what it should look like and ways of limiting any damage or anti social behaviour. The final recommendations were passed to the New Opportunities Fund for approval and implementation. Project Partners The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham “There is nothing to do in the park, apart from playing football. This will brighten the park up.” Local young person Objectives Achievements Provide a facility for young people in Parsloes Park 14,000 questionnaires distributed to Build capacity with existing communities schools and local residents Develop partnerships with stakeholders and residents Local schools, youth organisations and Empower local young people and give them a sense of residents involved in workshops ownership by giving them the opportunity to take part in Decisions made on a new facility, location the decision making process for deciding on the parks and ways of reducing anti-social new facility behaviour Designs and recommendations sent to New Opportunities Fund for approval Funding New Opportunities Fund Big Lottery Fund - Transforming Your Space London Borough of Barking and Dagenham “The project has demonstrated the effectiveness of the collaboration of the council and Groundwork in attracting external funding and using it to provide facilities that local people would wish to see in the park.” Councillor Terry Wade - Barking and Dagenham Council The Future The newly constructed playground boasts 8 pieces of equipment including a cable-way, tubular slides, sky-way two person ride, multi-person pendulum dish, climbing equipment, gyro swing, rodeo board and a blue-bac ball game. The playground also features mounds, natural rock seats, a teen shelter and floodlights for winter use. An additional 29 specimen trees have also been planted. As well as being a much welcomed local facility, the playground is also being used by the AbPhab Youth Organisation, a local youth group for people with and without disabilities. The group use the adventure playground as a place for leisure and summer activities. The park was specifically designed with good access for young people with disabilities. www.groundwork-london.org.uk Groundwork supports communities in need across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, working with partners to help improve the quality of people’s lives, their prospects and potential and the places where they live, work and play. Our vision is of a society of sustainable communities which are vibrant, healthy and safe, which respect the local and global environment and where individuals and enterprise prosper..

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