CONTENTS Introduction 1 1. Site Overview 1.1 Havering 2 1.2 Strategic Framework 3 1.3 Site Description 3 1.4 History 4 1.5 Location and Transport Links 7 2. A Welcoming Place 2.1 Entrance Points 10 2.2 Entrance Signs 11 2.3 Equal Access 12 3. Heathy, Safe and Secure 3.1 Health and Safety Systems 14 3.2 Parks Protection Service 16 3.3 Parks Locking 19 3.4 Infrastructure 19 3.5 Parks Monitoring 20 2018/19 Update 21 4. Maintenance of Equipment, Buildings and Landscape 4.1 Grounds Maintenance 23 4.2 Sports Areas 26 4.3 Vehicles and Plant Maintenance 29 4.4 Parks Furniture 29 4.5 Play Areas 30 4.6 Parks Buildings 32 2018/19 Update 33 5. Litter, Cleanliness and Vandalism 5.1 Litter Management 39 5.2 Sweeping 39 5.3 Graffiti 39 5.4 Flytipping 40 5.5 Reporting 40 5.6 Dog Fouling 40 6. Environmental Sustainability 6.1 Energy Sustainability 41 6.2 Peat Use 41 6.3 Waste Minimisation 42 6.4 Pesticide Use 44 6.5 Tree management 44 2018/19 Update 45 7. Conservation and Heritage 7.1 Conservation of natural features, wild fauna and flora 47 7.2 Biodiversity 51 7.3 Conservation of buildings and structures 56 2018/19 Update 58 8. Community Involvement 8.1 Council Surveys 59 8.2 User Groups 59 2018/19 Update 9. Marketing and Promotions 9.1 Parks Brochure 68 9.2 Social Media 68 9.3 Website 68 9.4 Interpretation Boards 68 9.5 Events 69 2018/19 Update 72 10. Management 10.1 Management structure 73 10.2 Financial Management 75 10.3 Computerised Management System 75 10.4 Accreditation 75 10.5 Action Plan 77 2018/19 Update 81 10.6 Parks Contact Details 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. Vehicle Check Form 10. Parkour Design 11. Play Area Visual Inspection Form 12. Play Area Operational Inspection Form 13. Peat Use Policy 14. ‘Your Council Your Say’ Survey 15. Parkrun Webpage 16. Marketing 17. Event Application Form 18. SWOT Analysis 19. Improvement Plan Introduction The Harrow Lodge 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 2016 and will be revised annually until a full update in 2021. It was recognised that the park given its importance locally and borough wide 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 Sunrise over the lake 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 Harrow Lodge Park sits within the national, regional and local context for parks and open spaces can be found in Appendix 1. 1.3 Site Description Harrow Lodge Park is the borough’s largest urban park of 53 hectares that serves the local and wider community and is situated within the residential area of Hornchurch. It has a variety of uses from informal recreation to large scale events, including the annual borough show. It is an open park with several access points to the site. Many are informal entrances which come off the public highway or via alleyways. There are 3 vehicle entrances and car parks leading from Hornchurch Road, Warren Drive and Upper Rainham Road. Although the park is not closed at any time the The Hornchurch Sports Centre is situated in the North of the park and although it is owned by the Council it is managed by the company SLM as part of a borough wide sports management contract. Customers access the centre via Hornchurch Road and can use the car parks around the building or the nearby park area. Hornchurch Sports Centre The Hornchurch Bowls Club is also situated in the North of the park and is managed privately under lease to the club. Members can access the club via Hornchurch Road and use a private car park. Hornchurch Cricket Club has a pitch and pavilion on the field off Hornchurch Road. Elm Park Bowls Club is situated in South of the park with the members and visitors being able to 3 use a small car park off Upper Rainham Road. There are football pitches in the centre and North of the park that are used by local football clubs. There are 2 children’s play areas in the South and North of the park. There are 2 multi-use games areas at these locations with skate equipment and tennis courts in the South, and a Parkour area in the North. A café is situated in the centre of the park who also hires out pedal boats on the lake. The park has a varied landscape with woodland areas, amenity grassland, conservation areas and 2 lakes which are fed by the River Ravensbourne running from the northern boundary of the park. There is also the ‘Secret Garden’ located by the side of the Harrow Lodge house in the North of the park and a mix of shrub beds throughout the park. There are 2 Public Rights of Way in the in the South and centre of the park linking public highways together. One of which from Hartland Road to Warren Drive crosses the lakes and is a popular route for pedestrians using the local high street and undgeround station in Elm Park. This path is lit by lamp columns as are the footpaths to the Sports Centre from Hornchurch Road and Abbs Cross Lane. There is also a good network of tarmac footpaths through the park, linking all main entrances and key facilities. In the natural areas of the park, around the North and west of the lakes, paths are cut through the conservation areas. The Council’s primary Public Realm depot is situated in the North of the park, just off Hornchurch Road. This is primarily used by Operational Staff but the management team are also based there. Public Realm Depot 1.4 History Harrow Lodge Park is formerly the manor of Maylards Green and Wybridge. The original name is derived from the Mayloor family who held the manor in the C13th and C14th. The manor of Maylards Green and Wybridge comprised two ancient tenements, lying respectively north and south of Bowles brook, also called Wybridge river, a tributary of the river Beam. The name Maylards was corrupted in the 19th century to Maylands, a form preserved in Maylands Avenue, Elm Park. Maylands was probably named from the Maylour family, which was recorded in Hornchurch in the 13th and 14th centuries. 4 In 1237 Hornchurch priory quitclaimed to Walter of Wybridge ½ virgate of land in Hornchurch, in return for which he granted the priory at Wybridge.