Queens Park, Crewe in 2017 – a Brief Description Across the Borough to Deliver Our Core Philosophy of “Working for a Brighter Future - Together”

Updates 2018, 2019 4.0 Period of Regeneration for Queens Park ...... 21 CONTENTS 5.0 The Recent park Improvements ...... 23 i. PREFACE ...... 3 5.1 Facilities Improvements ...... 24 ii. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... 4 Section B: Visitor Services ...... 29 Section A: Background ...... 10 6.0 Role of the Parks And Recreation Officer (Park Manager) .. 29 1.0 Introduction ...... 10 7.0 Community Consultation And Inclusion ...... 30 2.0 Strategic Value of the Park ...... 10 7.1 Consultation ...... 30 2.1 The Local Plan ...... 11 7.2 Friends Of Queens Park ...... 30 2.2 Recreation And Community Facilities ...... 11 7.3 Police And Community Wardens ...... 32 2.3 Natural Environment And Resources ...... 12 7.4 Education ...... 32 2.4 The Built Environment ...... 12 7.5 Accessibility ...... 32 2.5 Community Strategy ...... 13

2.6 Cultural Strategy ...... 14 8.0 Marketing And Events Programme ...... 33 2.7 Play Area Strategy ...... 14

2.8 Sustainable Transport Strategy ...... 15 8.1 Park Event And Charging Scheme ...... 33 2.9 Byelaws ...... 15 9.0 Health, Security And Safety ...... 34 2.10 The Dogs (Fouling Of Land) Act 1996…………………………16 2.11 Licensing Act 2003...... 16 9.1 Security………………..……………………………………………………………..37 9.3 Infrastructure, Monitoring & Maintenance ...... 35 3.0 Park Description And Features ...... 16 9.4 Dogs…...... 36 9.5 Dangerous Materials ...... 36 3.1 Physical Aspects ...... 16 9.6 Fear Of Crime ...... 36 3.2 Community, Visitors And Non-Users ...... 19 9.7 Parks Risk Assessment ...... 36 3.3 Management ...... 20

10.0 Horticultural Standards ...... 37 Appendix 4: Soft Landscape Feature Maintenance ...... 102 10.1 The Council seeks to: ...... 37 Tree Management ...... 102 New Tree Planting ...... 103 10.2 Street Cleansing Standards ...... 39 Shrub Bed Maintenance...... 103 10.3 The Dogs (Fouling Of Land) Act 1996 ...... 40 Herbaceous Maintenance ...... 104 10.4 Play Area Standards ...... 40 Hedge/Boundary Maintenance ...... 105 10.5 Graffiti Removal ...... 40 Grass Maintenance ...... 105 Amenity Grass……...... 107 11.0 Sustainability And Recycling ...... 38 Bowling Greens… ...... 108 Chemical Control ...... 108

Litter And Leaf Collection ...... 110 ...... 39 12.0 Biodiversity And Nature Conservation Appendix 5: Education Strategy ...... 111 Schools/Community Groups...... 111 13.0 Sports And Children’s Play Facilities ...... 40 On Site Education…..……………………….……………………….…………………………………….111 Appendix 6: Biodiversity Considerations ……………….………………..…………………….102 14.0 Buildings ...... 41 Appendix 7: Major Refurbishments …………………………….….……………………..……. 104 Appendix 8: Queens Park KPI’s ...... 110

Appendix 9: Friends of Queens Park ...... 121 ...... 42 Section C: Park Development Appendix 10: Lake Management Plan…………………………………………………………..122 Appendix 11: Example Of Habitat Creation……………………………………………………122 15.0 SWOT Analysis of the Park ...... 42 Appendix 12: Queens Park Customer Satisfaction Survey …………………….…....144 Appendix 13: Fees And Charges 2017-2018 ..…………………………………..….……… 146 16.0 Aims And Objectives ...... 50 Further Reading ….…………………………………….……………………………………………….. 147

16.1 The Final Word - Chairman's Note .………….……………………. 55

APPENDIX'S Contacts: George Broughton – CEC Commissioning Officer Appendix 1: Audience Dev Plan ...... 53 [email protected]; Appendix 2: Queens Park Risk Assessment ...... 74 Elaine Webster – ANSA Parks Manager Appendix 3: Hard Landscape Feature Maintenance ...... 101 [email protected]; Pathway Maintenance: ...... 101 Entrance Features ...... 101 Furniture………………...... 101

i. PREFACE ii. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Management Queens Park – Heritage & Community This plan details the management of Queens Park. It supports the Green Flag Award application process and is Queens Park is an excellent example of our historic legacy working intended to be a long term, prescriptive yet adaptable well in the 21st century. management plan for the park.

In partnership with the Heritage Lottery and the local community, Ownership of the Park Cheshire East Council has restored this Victorian park, reflecting the glory of the railway heritage of Crewe but providing modern Cheshire East Borough Council is the owner of the site and is facilities for our residents. The park is managed in partnership responsible for the maintenance of the park. with the Friends of Queens Park who represent the local The delivery of maintenance is through community. ANSA Environmental Ltd. ANSA are a company, wholly owned by the council who act as agents for the council and are responsible The result is an excellent park that is vibrant and greatly valued by for the implementation of the management plan, with input from the people of Crewe, attracting visitors from across the region. community groups such as The Friends of Queens Park.

Cheshire East Council is keen to work in this way with communities Queens Park, Crewe in 2017 – A brief description across the Borough to deliver our core philosophy of “Working for a brighter future - together”. The heritage of Crewe is heavily linked to the expansion of the Railway in the first half of the 19th Century. The park was given to Queens Park is a wonderful park which has recently been rated as a the people of Crewe by the London & North Western Railway Green Flag Award / Green Heritage Award park recognising the Company and opened in 1887. quality of the excellent ongoing work. The park was designed by Francis William Webb Councillor Don Stockton (Chief Engineer LNWR) and Edward Kemp (Celebrated Victorian Cabinet Member for Environment Landscape Gardener – Head Gardener at Birkenhead park). The Cheshire East Council park is oval in shape, surrounded by an external carriage-drive and enclosed by railings and gates at each compass-point.

main entrance to the park on the northern boundary. The tributary stream was transformed into an artificial watercourse and the area is now referred to as Coronation Walk Valley in commemoration of the Coronation of King George V.

The main entrance is situated in the midpoint of the northern boundary and is formed by imposing ornate cast iron gates flanked by two half-timbered lodge buildings and by an imposing free standing Clock Tower.

The lake in autumn (Post-restoration)

The northern half of the park is mostly flat, or slopes gently towards the southern half which originally formed part of the valley of the River Waldron which now flows within a culvert under the Queens Park Lake. The 4.5 acre Lake incorporates three evenly spaced islands in its central portion.

1960’s Postcard of Main Entrance & Driveway

The Clock Tower, in red brick & local red sandstone, was donated by the workers of the LNWR for the park’s opening. It carries carvings of the central characters at the LNWR and of Queen Victoria. It is centrally located at the beginning of a formal driveway lined by an avenue of Lime Trees, the Avenue in turn culminating at the main Pavillion in the centre of the park.

Culvert under lake (Pre-restoration) The “Broad Walk” traverses the park east to west, at the point

where the flatter areas of the northern section gives way to the A tributary stream off the River Waldron formed a natural valley sloping fringes of Queens Park Lake. running in a north-south direction, immediately to the west of the

Project concept drawing of the Lakeside Pavillion.

The modern Lakeside Pavillion (2011) is situated at the intersection of the formal Avenue and the Broad Walk. The Pavillion is located overlooking the lake, on an elevated terrace The Boer War Memorial is sited at the intersection of Broad Walk providing wonderful views of the lake and the surrounding and the Formal Avenue, to the north facing frontage of the landscape. The Lakeside Pavillion is built of red sandstone, glass Lakeside Pavillion. Forming a focal-point for the park, this with a steeply pitched red-tiled roof; it is of iconic design featuring monument was a key influence on the design of the Lakeside massive oak beams and has a glass central section reflecting the Pavillion. It sits in direct line down the avenue of trees from the two identical stone wings. main gate, the central glass section of the Pavillion immediately behind the monument and framing this monument.

At the western end of Broad Walk lies a cast iron and sandstone Victorian Bandstand, forming an additional focal point. This traditional Victorian circular roofed Bandstand is magnificent with its painted ironwork framed in its setting amongst the mature trees.

An informal serpentine footpath network provides continuous blending into their setting amongst the mature trees and across the access around the periphery of the park and the perimeter of the lake, creating opportunities for budding artists and photographers. lake. This pathway provides visitors with views of a constantly changing, landscape and a relaxing and interesting wander amongst Perimeter tree and shrub planting defines the extent of the park the mature trees and shrubberies of the park perimeter. and screens most of the views of the surrounding built up areas from within the park, providing a backdrop to the park’s principle features. The shrubberies in places still demonstrate the “Kemp” design.

All around the park, Kemp’s design intention was to carefully site the tree and shrub planting to frame views and form vistas; prior to restoration, many of these views had been curtailed or obstructed by subsequent phases of planting carried out without reference to, or understanding of, Kemp’s original design intentions. After a process of carefully considered tree removal, the project has restored many of the intended landscape designs to the park. This process is ongoing and subsequent planting has to take account of this concept.

The park today has a legacy of a wide variety of exotic tree and shrub species. It has many fine and mature specimen trees and its designed landscape is a wildlife haven supporting a range of wildlife habitats, the blend of native and exotic species attracting a variety

Footways under construction of bird and insect life. Considered management of the park will offer numerous opportunities for the conservation of the wildlife to Access around and across the lake is provided by four bridges; the sustain the park biodiversity. most prominent being the two bridges which span the lake and central island (known as the Burma Star Island) and provide direct The formal layout of the park naturally divides into four quadrants. access from the southern entrance to the main body of the park. Historically, in the southern half, the east and west quadrants of the lake, were utilised for boating and fishing respectively, both of The new bridges have been designed to be modern and significant which have been reintroduced. The north eastern quadrant is the structures within the landscape, framing the landscape and yet principle area for recreational activity. It hosts many of the main

events in the park and contains features not found within the original layout. Subsequently introduced to meet modern trends were a bowling green and games pavillion and a play area. The play area was reconstructed in 2010. It is designed to be universally accessible and to be used by a wide age range of children. Play equipment for the youngest children is provided at the southern end, the more adventurous play facilities for older children being located at the northern extreme. The Play Area is purposefully not fenced to encourage the area of play to extend into the adjacent parkland as a stimulus to natural play.

In the past the north-west quadrant was also used for events and Bandstand Restoration Blueprint (2009) formal activities but this area is now predominantly used for informal recreation. However, the newly restored Bandstand will provide a principle focus for music and performance arts. The park’s maintenance depot is located on the perimeter of the north east quadrant. In 2017 the depot buildings were removed The steep sided slopes of Coronation Walk Valley create a natural and the area reduced to limit the scale of the depot’s intrusion into barrier to access but linked by the Broad Walk Bridge and the the park landscape. The visual impact of the depot will be serpentine footpath network or via the West Gate. minimised by screen planting to reflect the “Kemp” design principles.

In summary, today Queens Park offers the following attraction and facilities:

 A broad avenue leading to the Boer War Memorial and Lakeside Pavillion.  The new Lakeside Pavillion café and toilets.  Newly refurbished East & West gate Lodges.  A bowling green with a new bespoke sports Pavillion and public toilets.  Historic park landscape designed by Edward Kemp.  Winter and Summer floral bedding displays.

 Modern play area and outdoor adult gym. Access to the park via public transport:  Bandstand.  Crewe railway station is situated some 1.7 miles from the  Attractive lake with Burma Star Memorial Island. park, 6 min drive, 40 min walk, and the link to the park being  Listed Memorials – Boar War, WW2, Gulf War, served by bus route 42 (hourly but no Sunday service). Lady Dianne Spencer.  From Nantwich Bus Station, is the no. 78 (hourly – no  The Coronation Valley - a wonderful rock Sunday service). (These services provide alighting/pick up stops at and water garden feature. Capesthorne Ave stop and by the Queen park Main Entrance).  Additionally, a 5min walk away in Alton Street is the no. 8 Location of Queens Park Service from Crewe Bus station (half hourly weekdays, Sundays hourly from 11.20am). Queens Park is located approximately 1 mile to the west of Crewe (The maximum distance from the furthest bus stop to a park Town Centre. The park office address is: entrance is a 5 min walk away).

West Lodge For visitors arriving by car, parking facilities are provided in two car Queens Park parks adjacent to Queens Park. Parking within the park is not Victoria Avenue permitted other than by special arrangement. The park is happy to CREWE make special arrangements for visitors with mobility issues. CW2 7SE  East Gate: The Tipkinder car park (capacity est. 50 spaces) Telephone: 01270 686708.  West Gate: The King George V Playing Field overflow car park (est. 50+ spaces) It is estimated that 35,940 people live within a one mile catchment of Queens Park and green space footpath networks link access to the park from the communities of:

 West Ward  St Barnabas Ward  Crewe Central  Crewe North (TC),  South Ward (TC).  Excluded - East Ward (Coppenhall area- over 1mile)

SECTION A: BACKGROUND plan has been informed, by the recommendations of the Management and Maintenance Plan required by the HLF for the 1.0 INTRODUCTION sign-off of that project but has been tailored to meet the needs of the Green Flag Award Scheme.. On plan, the park covers an area of 18 hectares (45 acres) but in surface area is estimated to be as much as 22 The aim of enhancing the park to the vibrant community venue and hectares due to topographical variation. focal point for which it was designed has been carried forward with the subsequent completion of the outstanding works (Pathways, This management plan has been written to ensure the vision, Coronation Valley and Depot), now fully completed. expectations and potential of the park are reached. It builds upon the Queens Park Restoration Project completed in 2015. The plan is The HLF plan initially covered twenty years but is formally reviewed to ensure the park is both a superb local park for the residents of every three years. It is an “organic document” that grows and Crewe and a destination park for visitors from across the region. develops, responding to the needs of the community and to protect the outstanding heritage of this wonderful park.

The local community, park users and voluntary and community groups were consulted During the writing of this plan.  The Friends of Queens Park,  Crewe Town Council,  ANSA Environmental Ltd,  Councillors and Officers of Cheshire East Council.

The management and maintenance described in this plan will be monitored throughout the year by the Friends of Queens Park and the Commissioning Team of Cheshire East Council.

2.0 STRATEGIC VALUE OF THE PARK

The park is a vital asset to the local community. It is also important

in terms of its Heritage (Grade 2*), landscape and nature The Restoration Project (2006 – 2015) delivered a complete rebuild conservation value. The importance of the park is highlighted in this & restoration of the listed heritage of the park. This management section in relation to local plans and polices.

The following policies are of particular relevance to Queens Park 2.1 The Local Plan 1. Proposals for the development of new facilities for Queens Park is covered by a number of relevant policies and recreation and community use or the expansion of existing designations, in the Local Plan First Review, (now referred to as the facilities will be permitted where it reflects the needs of the Local Plan); items of particular relevance are included in boxes: Borough and that the use of land/buildings for such purposes does not adversely affect the surrounding area, nor use land 1. The park is as a protected area of open space/recreational which is of agricultural, nature conservation, geological or facility and is protected from development for alternative landscape value. uses, unless a number of detailed criteria set out in Policy RC2 of the plan are satisfied. 2. Protection of existing areas of open space or recreational facilities such as Queens Park from development for 2.2 Recreation and Community Facilities alternative use unless it would not result in a local deficiency and has no significant local value. The Local Plan aims to ensure that sufficient land and facilities are made available to meet the recreation and community needs of the 4. General support for the development of outdoor playing local population and those visiting the Borough, whilst minimising facilities such as football pitches, Skate parks, etc. to improve any potentially detrimental effects on the environment. current provision for formal sports activities within the Borough, subject to parking, access and impact on amenity of Recreation is recognised as providing a positive contribution to the nearby residents and properties being acceptable. quality of the environment, the quality of life of residents and to the creation of jobs. It is considered important within the resources 5.General support for the development of indoor recreational available, to strive to meet the recreational demands of those facilities, entertainment, social, cultural and community uses residents living in the Borough. The Leisure Strategy found that the which serve the needs of the general community and which current provision of facilities within the Borough is unlikely to cater may therefore be considered appropriate in a variety of adequately for the perceived increase in demand over the Plan locations. period. In order to maintain and where possible increase provision the Local Plan seeks to protect existing facilities and to allow for 6. Protection of existing community facilities further new facilities to be provided in appropriate areas.

2.3 Natural Environment and Resources Policies particularly relevant to the park are

The policies of the Local Plan concerning the natural environment 1. Protection of existing trees & woodland from are aimed at: development and maximising opportunities for the establishment and management of woodlands and • conserving and enhancing the diversity and distinctiveness community planting schemes. of landscape character in the plan area, 2. Protection from loss or damage of flood plains and • recognising the importance of the full range of wildlife watercourses. habitats with appropriate policies to protect them, 3. Protection from loss or damage by development to all • protecting important features in the countryside and towns, sites of nature conservation importance including Wildlife • supporting the enhancement of landscape and habitats and, Corridors (the park forms part of a larger Green Corridor where appropriate, the creation of new ones. along the River Waldron into Crewe) and maximise opportunities for creating new wildlife/nature conservation habitats.

2.4 The Built Environment

The policies of the Council seek to ensure that the Borough’s built environment and heritage assets are preserved, enhanced and utilised. Working alongside other partner services to ensure there is support and investment opportunities for service delivery.

“Kempian” perimeter trees & shrubberies

In particular the Local Strategic Partnership wants to ensure that:

• Lifelong learning is promoted, enabling people to continue learning and working in the Borough, and by skills create sustainable employment opportunities.

• People want to live in the Borough and that its culture, heritage and environment, both urban and rural is protected and enhanced, well maintained public green spaces and leisure opportunities are provided in safe environments that meet our community’s needs.

• People want to work and invest in the Borough where the private sectors and business leaders encourage both the formation of new businesses and the retention and development of existing 2.5 Community Strategy businesses supported by good road and public transport systems.

Responding to identified local needs and priorities, the Community • People are actively involved in local community life and that Plan aims to: in the development of their communities they are engaged in the democratic process in both determining and meeting their • Improve the services provided to the public through closer, communities’ needs. more co-ordinated working; • Provide a way for the local authorities and their public • People of all ages enjoy high standards of health and sector partners, in consultation with the private sector and the wellbeing. The “health gap” which exists between those with the voluntary and community sector, to agree both a strategic vision poorest health and the rest of the community will be reduced for the area and the actions which each of the partners will take in pursuit of that vision and; • People with special needs are supported, enabling more • Help the local authorities and their public sector partners to independent lifestyles identify together the needs and views of individuals and communities and to assess how they can best be addressed. • Communities are supported by a good standard of public, private, voluntary and community services that meet their needs.

and help to focus the needs of particular communities or The Communities strategy has identified six key themes populations. all of which are relevant to the park The six aims of the cultural strategy are 1. Healthy Communities 1. Cultural Economy - To sustain and develop a cultural 2. Safer Communities and creative economy and retain talent and expertise 3. Environmentally Sustainable Communities through an integrated and focussed approach. 4. Economically Prosperous Communities 2. Social Economy - To develop the role of culture in 5. Involved Communities creating sustainable, vibrant and healthy communities. 6. Learning Communities 3. Environment and Heritage - to promote the Borough’s landscape and heritage as central to its culture The Cheshire East Council parks Strategy was formally adopted in and quality of life. 2016. 4. Advocacy - To make the case for the role of culture and creativity within all aspects of policy and for their role in adding value to the commercial and industrial sectors. 2.6 Cultural Strategy 5. Image - Putting culture central to the Borough’s image and external marketing of the Borough as a place to Each town within the Borough has its own identity and traditional live, work, visit and do business with. community networks. There is a thriving voluntary sector covering 6. Cultural Learning - To encourage, support and arts, sport, heritage and environmental interests. The range of provide cultural lifelong learning opportunities. cultural assets within the Borough and the town of Crewe are extensive. Culture, in its many and varied forms, as well as having its own 2.7 Play Area Strategy value and worth, is seen as an important “delivery mechanism” for a wide range of objectives such as social inclusion, community and Whilst accepting the need for good quality and accessible Play economic development and rural regeneration. Areas to meet the needs of local communities, the current level and rate of increase in Play Area provision across the Borough is The geographical identity, local history and the character of an area considered to be unsustainable both in the present and in the help shape its particular culture. Cultural activities, interests and longer term. During the park Restoration Project, play and leisure places generate vitality and increase the quality of life of both installations were renewed and painted appropriately to fit the individuals and communities. They also provide positive links heritage park setting. The conscious decision was taken not to between the past present and future; bring communities together; enclose the Play Area within railings. This means that Queens Park

now meets these requirements. Regular investment is required to All footpaths around the park have been resurfaced (completed in maintain the play areas. 2016) making all areas of the park accessible.

The strategy defines the provision of Queens Park equipped play areas to serve children from toddlers to teenagers, and ideally to the following minimum standard.

1. All items of traditional play equipment, each stimulating a different play activity. 2. The general colour scheme to be green & yellow. 3. Play equipment and safer surfacing to comply with relevant European Standards. 4. Total minimum activity zone of 1000m2 5. Well drained grass and/or hard surfaced playing space. 6. Buffer zone of 30 metres between edge of activity zone and park gate and boundary fence. 7. Seating. 8. Litter bins 9. Signage, litter bin and cycle parking. 10. Measures to control dogs in the absence of the area There are also excellent pedestrian access links from the town being fenced. centre and residential areas to the four park entrances.

Cycle storage facilities are located within the main park entrances 2.8 Sustainable Transport Strategy as part of the development associated with the Sustrans Cycleway.

The park is ideally located to encourage sustainable access 2.9 Byelaws opportunities. Accessible on Victoria Drive bus routes providing excellent public transport. The park is situated within a residential  Byelaw made by the Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses of the area. The park is on the “Sustrans” cycle route to Nantwich. Borough of Crewe acting by the council with respect to the Queen’s park (extends byelaw made in relation to pleasure grounds known as West Ward, North Ward and South Ward playgrounds, Jubilee

Gardens and Valley park dated 6th May 1931 to Queen’s park and repeals byelaws dated 9th May 1888 and 4th September 1895. 2.11 Licensing Act 2003  Byelaws made by the Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses of the Borough of Crewe acting by the council with respect to the A Premises Licence (PREM 785) has been in place since the Queens Queen’s park (1932)require replacement with some simple Jubilee park events, a copy of which is available upon request. guidance to the benefit of all park users.

2.10 The Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996 3.0 PARK DESCRIPTION AND FEATURES

This has largely been encompassed within the Cleaner 3.1 Physical Aspects Neighbourhoods Bill, which gives greater powers to Local Authorities. Queens Park is owned by Cheshire East Borough Council, and today is managed by ANSA Environmental Services Ltd, a wholly owned There is a rule across the park that dogs should be on a lead and and managed Cheshire East Council company. Queens Park is not taken into in the children’s Play Areas. Dogs are required to be classed as a Public Open Space with the 2* grade of Heritage park. kept on leads in all ornamental planting areas. The council operates on the spot fines for failing to clean up after dogs. The park is situated on land along the valley of the River Waldron. It is now surrounded by established residential developments with There has been recent (2017) consultation with regards to updating King George V Playing Fields / Golf Course to the west and the existing Public Protection Orders. Cheshire East Council are Shanaze Reed BMX / skateboard facility to the east. currently looking to educate and engage. New signage will be erected in readiness of enforcing the order which is Borough wide. On plan, the park covers an area of 18 hectares This particularly relates to Dog fouling and dogs on leads, if (45 acres) but in surface area is estimated to be as much as 22 requested by an authorised officer. Cheshire East Council will hectares due to topographical variation. then look review and amend the order as requirements if the above two prohibitions are proved to be ineffective. The park is oval in shape, surrounded by an external carriage-drive and enclosed by railings and gates at each compass-point.

park', was for the park’s dedication in July 1887, marking the joint Historical background to the park occasion of Queen Victoria’s Jubilee and the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Grand Junction railway.

Queens Park is regarded as the 'Jewel in the Crown' urban parks in Cheshire East; it is the principal example of a Victorian park in the

Borough, laid out in the 1880's. Constructed on land gifted to the town by the London and North-Western Railway Company (LNWR), The illustration provides a clear indication of the design intentions the park was designed by F W Webb and Edward Kemp (1817- and layout and distribution of features but evidence from 1891) a noted landscape designer who became one of England’s subsequent Ordnance Survey mapping, and present day site leading figures in the design of mid-Victorian parks and gardens; investigation, indicates that the design was amended during with several examples of his work in the north west, and officially construction. The 1898 edition of the Ordnance Survey, which opened to the public in June 1888. represents the coming to maturity of the original park, is regarded as the best indication of the intended layout. The park was created from a rural landscape on what was then the fringe of Crewe.

At present there is no indication that the original design drawings and plans have survived. However, a 'Bird's Eye View of Queen's

standards for access and safety but the clear intention has been to achieve these changes without compromising the park’s heritage landscape integrity.

Published Edition of the Ordnance Survey (1898) Restoration Project Masterplan (2006)

There had been relatively little alteration to the design of the park The restoration works undertaken within the Queens Park since it was laid out in 1888, and of those alterations that have Restoration Project restored the following features: taken place, either through loss or amendment, most are capable  The main engineering elements include the dredging of the of reinstatement or replacement. Over the 125 years, successive Lake with the reconstruction of the bank-sides. park regimes had hidden some of the pure landscape design  The bridges around the lake have been replaced with iconic structure through ill-considered tree planting and some changes to but modern replacements including the new bridge across the the landform, principally in the Coronation Valley and around the Coronation Valley, the design taking inspiration from the Victorian lake. originals.  The West and East Lodge have been restored to be brought These landscape issues along with the gradual decay or succession back full into use. of the park’s key features formed the basis of the 2006 restoration  The Bandstand and two other shelters have been restored. scheme proposals.  The Clock Tower and the Boer War Memorial have been The Restoration Plan proposals, with a few exceptions, restored to their former splendour. concentrated on the restoration of original features. Some minor changes to the original layout were required to satisfy modern

 In addition two Pavillions have been built; one as a sports Queens Park over its 130+ year history has been truly significant for Pavillion alongside the bowling-green and an iconic new main the population of Crewe as a place for remembrance, a place of Pavillion sits in a prime position at the focal point of the park at the carnival, a place for exercise, a place for relaxation and a place of end of the main drive and overlooking the lake. peace. The park when fully restored will be fit to continue this  The fencing and gates around the distinctive oval form of function for the next 125 years. the park have been replaced to reflect their original design splendour. 3.2 Community, Visitors and Non-users

A key issue for the restoration has been the process of taking the Visitor numbers since restoration landscape back to that as originally intended by Kemp and Moon. Over the intervening years many trees had been planted without  2013/14 180,411 an understanding or due regard of the designed landscape,  2014/15 297,526 together with those which have been permitted to flourish after  2015/16 361,433 self-seeding. As these have matured they have created barriers in  2016/17 390,778 the landscape that effectively blocked the sight-lines towards the  2017/18 218,403 (figures for 6 months only) park’s special features. These trees have been removed and the key vistas have been restored. Today the park faithfully retains the Today the park is a popular venue for a number of large events for integrity of its Victorian designers as an open pastoral landscape families such as Fun days for children, including an all-inclusive encompassed by trees and shrubs. Sitting within this verdant event, Party in the park and numerous activities for primary school landscape, the iconic features are carefully situated so that they children and community and disabled groups. draw the eye. The rich blend of tree and shrub species, carefully positioned, creates a multi-coloured and seasonally ever-changing Visitors to the park are primarily drawn from the residents of tapestry to delight the visitors, as was envisaged when the park was Crewe, but many also visit from around the Borough and wider originally laid out. Cheshire / Potteries region.

The philanthropic foresight of the Victorian Railway Industry in Observations have shown that the majority of visitors arrive on giving Queens Park to the people of Crewe cannot be understated. foot, with significant numbers of users arriving by car and parking They believed that access to the natural environment had positive at The Tipkinder car park adjacent to the east entrance. There is benefits for the health and wellbeing of the working population. currently no information on the origin or duration of their visit. Today, the latest research is scientifically proving this as fact with measurable benefits demonstrated to both physical and mental Demographic information is used to plan development activities health of individuals and to the general community. within the park and for constructing representative survey samples

to ensure that the park delivers what the residents desire and need compaction alleviated. The cost of this is built into the event- where possible. Visitor numbers are collected at each gateway charging scheme. electronically. The Bowling Club lease the green for use throughout the season. Visitors to the site often take part in more than one activity, This gives them sole access to the green during leased hours and including walking, sitting and visiting the play Area or bowls sole access to the adjacent Games Pavillion. The green is an facilities. important community facility. The information regarding their accessibility and hours should be included in the park notice There are the accessible toilets for male, female and disabled boards. visitors in both the Lakeside Pavillion and the Games Pavillion. There is an active programme of events throughout the year There are many benches and picnic benches in and around the play targeted at all age groups, arranged by community groups including area which is a fully equipped play Area suitable for toddler and the Friends of Queens Park, generally in partnership with the junior use. council / ANSA.

There are wide open grassed areas and an outdoor gym (further 3.3 Management play area, BMX & Skateboard facilities are located on the fringe of the park at Tipkinder and on the King George V Playing Fields, Queens Park is managed and maintained by ANSA Environmental together with the King Shilling Walk leading into Nantwich). Ltd, acting as agents of Cheshire East Council. The Friends of Queens Park act as a park scrutiny group, contributing and The Bowling green is available for public use which are managed commenting on all park activities and plans. This group has a large and run by Queens Park Bowls Club. park information boards are role in the management and long term vision of the park. This located at each entrance providing information on community group has a holistic approach, but is also set up as a task and finish activities and events, site facilities and a visitor map. group who manage in individual projects.

The central area is hired by a range of users, including for the The Friends of Queens Park are constantly looking for issues annual Guy Fawkes Night event and other community events. The requiring attention in the park. The wider mail list keeps all local park is returned to ordinary park users quickly after these activities. organisations and partners informed of issue also.

Post event care is of the up most importance to ensure the area is suitable for maximum use. As part of the post event care the site should be examined following an event and any remedial work undertaken. Where applicable, areas will be re-seeded and ground

plant selection and floral care through to Bowling green management. Additional resource can be brought into the park when required to carry out shrub and tree works. The park will also be managed for education and community use.

The implementation of this plan will deliver further developments and improvements within the park.

Support is available through several internal departments within Cheshire East, including sports development, planning and leisure. ANSA Environmental Ltd, a company wholly owned by Cheshire East Council, are the delivery agents for all aspects of park management and maintenance. There are also many local partnerships with other community and environmental organisations along with the police and other government agencies.

4.0 RECENT INVESTMENT IN QUEENS PARK

Friends of Queens Park, include their ANTS (Action Not Talk) team, Over the last 50 to 70 years investment in parks declined nationally a Wildlife Team and Angling Group. They all help to market and as their perceived importance declined. Linked with this was the develop the site, through activities and funding. The group is reduction in use and their designation as a non-statutory service, constituted and there is a formal management and meeting within the Local Government framework. As a result funding was structure and the group liaise with the council/ANSA through the gradually reduced, in order to maintain other council services and group executive. to reduce deficits, without raising taxes. The introduction of compulsory Competitive Tendering in 1982 switched the focus of Management of the park is currently maintaining good levels of service delivery to cost first followed by quality. quality. The grounds maintenance schedule is designed to achieve this and is monitored monthly. There is a team of ANSA gardeners Queens Park did not escape this trend and as a result the fabric of who are responsible for the maintenance and cleaning of the park. the park declined or was removed. Queens Park saw a reduction in Four dedicated gardeners are on site with specialist skills from

park staff to a current level of 4 gardeners and suffered a reduction  The responsibility for any built structures rests with the in budgets for routine maintenance and investment in machinery. Corporate Landlord and in particular the Facilities Management Team; Each Asset is incorporated into an “Atrium system” with all Routine maintenance work was reduced to the bear minimum, routine & cyclical maintenance events programmed to be delivered which encouraged a general decrease in the use of the park through a range of corporate contracts (Legionella testing, boiler resulting in an increase in crime, vandalism and anti-social maintenance, electrics / PAT etc). These budgets are held centrally behaviour accelerating the spiral of decline. Early asb and crime to maximise their value for money impact. figures, resulted in some £40K worth of damage annually, however, this was significantly reduced with the successful introduction of  Grounds Maintenance and general park management is CCTV, two cameras being installed, and link to the town centre provided (Since 1st April 2014) by ANSA Environmental Ltd, a Radio link system via SCOOT (Stamp Crime Out Of Town), both private company wholly owned by the council. ANSA are funded by monitored from the town centre hub enabling increased policing an annual Management Fee paid by Cheshire East Council. The response and monitoring. . contact is an outcomes based contract with a number of KPIs. Specific to Queens Park is the annual retention of the Green Flag The reduction in investment as a result of austerity and earlier Award. opportunistic budget reduction with Compulsory Competitive Tendering (CCT) resulted in the reduction of maintenance, repair  Volunteers contribute significantly to the maintenance of and replacement of park facilities. As the infrastructure declined Queens Park. The main practical support coming from the ANTS, usage dropped and crime and vandalism increased as the cycle of Wildlife and Angling sections of the Friends of Queens park who decline took hold. regularly litter pick, maintain shrub beds, plant out bedding displays, carry out conservation works, repair / paint benches and From 2000, the council and the local community stakeholders much more. sought to halt and reverse this decline. Funds were committed and a large Heritage Lottery park Restoration Grant was secured in  Other groups including the Lions and other community 2005 of £2.75M. groups will often undertake tasks as well. The practical input by volunteers also extends to voluntary “professional” contributions in By 2017, the restoration is complete and all partners in this project areas such as project design, environmental monitoring and the continue to engage in the long-term effort to ensure the park never management of community events in the park. deteriorates again, summary works are as contained within Appendix 6.

The ownership of Queens Park rests with Cheshire East Council.

Capital Investment Through this partnership between the Community, local Queens Park has benefited from investment from a range of organisations and the local Council (Members and officers), the organisations: restoration of Queens Park has been achieved. The funding has gradually been raised but most significantly the whole community • Cheshire East Council has been involved and engaged. The restoration has been gradual • ANSA Environmental Ltd and hard won. It is this community engagement and participation in • Crewe Town Council the process that will guarantee the long term sustainability of this park. • Heritage Lottery

• WREN (Landfill Tax)

• Section 106 developer contributions 5.0 RECENT PARK IMPROVEMENTS • The Friends of Queens Park • The Crewe & Nantwich Lions Assoc plus, many other local Improvements implemented to facilities and features within the groups and organisations. park during the period from 2006 to 2017 have included:

Since being established in 2008, Cheshire East Council has pooled Burma Star restorations – complete re-vamp of the landscaping resources to generate the capital funding required to rejuvenate and paved area, incorporating now a be-spoke bench and area for the park. Cheshire East Council has contributed directly through an remembrance and contemplation. School children were involved in Environmental Capital Investment Programme. It has sought the creation of signage for all that lives on and in the lake, also an external funding from Section 106 developer contributions for the information history board has been installed. The year prior saw a park and this has provided the core funding foundation for re-dedication and opening service by the combined Services with improvement projects. Officers have used these funds to lever out their Minister. additional external grants. The Friends of Queens Park have actively fund raised to support projects large and small in the park. Boar War memorial – further improvements completed to the area including cleaning to plinth stones and realignment. New chains Aside from the level of funds raised, the source diversity of this added. All to reflect the monuments original status. funding has been essential. External grants and developer contributions can only be spent on specific items / projects so Coronation Valley - £130K project funded by Cheshire East Council having funds available from diverse sources allows a flexible the together with WREN. To recreate the man-made water-course, steering group to be more flexible in how it responds to need and installation of pump, pathway surfacing renewed, benches issue resolution.

installed, information sign, granite sign, and suitable planting Lakeside Pavillion scheme, the planting is to be added too as the scheme matures. Further works to improve the Fish Pond and pump are underway 2018/19.

Depot – Deport demolished with new fence line and gates installed. Surface relevelled. Fence line planting scheme programmed for 2018-19 is now completed.

Lakeside Pavillion – Veranda Decking replaced. Surface changed from wooden to a recycled plastic material lat, to improve non-slip properties and enhance the ‘life’ of the surfacing as will not rot. Under floor electrics replaced and lights on access steps replaced following deterioration.

5.1 Facilities Improvements

Bandstand Games Pavillion

Boer War Memorial Gate Lodges

Play Area

Lake & Bridges

Frank Dick Shelter Clock Tower

Burma Star Island Gulf War Memorial

Lake Sluice Mechanism Landscaping & Footpath Improvements

Gates & Railings Coronation Valley Renovation

SECTION B: VISITOR SERVICES • Ensure park facilities and equipment are clean, properly maintained and monitor the standards of the grounds 6.0 ROLE OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION OFFICER (park maintenance. Manager) • Carry out quarterly inspections. Investigate and report to supervisors on matters relating to park safety, maintenance and The Park Manager is the primary point of contact between park cleanliness, which ensures outstanding work is completed. users, voluntary groups, stakeholders and the Authority and is vital • Promote the park, its facilities and potential benefits to all to the delivery of polices and services. sectors of the community including promoting the park as an educational resource. The key role for the Park Manager is to ensure the long-term • Develop new initiatives to further develop the park and sustainability of the park as it fulfils its function for the community increase usage. of Crewe and Nantwich, together with Cheshire East. Securing and • Undertake annual customer surveys to assess levels of managing the resources necessary to prevent the degradation of satisfaction with park facilities. the park, making improvements as appropriate. • Organise suitable events within the park and assist in the co-ordination of events staged by community groups. The Park’s Manager general responsibilities are: • To coordinate and ensure the event booking procedures are • To promote and practice customer care and to act in a adhered to for all park events. manner which presents the good image of the council. • To manage the event charging scheme and ensure that all • To contribute to improving standards, performance and income is received. efficiency. • To work in collaboration with community organisations including the Friends of Queens Park and other groups to develop The Park’s Manager specific duties and responsibilities are: community involvement thus improving park facilities. • Ensure the security and safety of the park infrastructure, • To work with stakeholders to promote and develop a users including appointed contractors in accordance with program of events to encourage park usage. procedures laid down by the council, Health & Safety Legislation • To attend meetings of the park Steering Group and make and the council’s Safety Policy. written and verbal reports in the operation of the park. • Inform visitors of the park facilities and supervise public • To work in partnership with police community action team, visits when necessary. council wardens and other organisations on crime and disorder • Advise visitors of park rules and regulations and enforce issues. these when necessary. • To oversee and monitor the catering franchise within the park ensuring all Health & Safety Legislation is adhered to.

7.0 COMMUNITY CONSULTATION AND INCLUSION

7.1 Consultation

Every aspect of development within the park is subject to extensive public consultation. The majority of the stakeholder groups consist of local residents and this primer for community consultation and involvement in decision making provides a natural lead into a wider, more comprehensive consultation process.

The involvement of so many community members in the stakeholder groups also gives us a much better understanding of how to engage with the wider community in consultation and which methods will be most effective.

Every element of the recent developments in the park, as described within this document, has been subject to well considered, targeted and effective community consultation. Community members are talked through proposals and are given opportunities to offer opinions that shaped the design brief.

7.2 Friends of Queens Park Friends Flow Chart

The Friends of Queens Park group was launched in 2006 and is a constituted community group open to anyone who wishes to attend. The groups’ main focuses are:

 To ensure the local community needs are considered as part of the management of Queens Park  To help develop and promote the park as a community resource  To raise funds for investment into Queens Park  To undertake regular voluntary maintenance operations  To work with others in the delivery of significant development projects within the park.  To carry out Volunteer tasks.

ANTs in Action

The Group has been involved with a number of joint projects with the Steering Committee, such as applying for external funding for the Burma Star Island project and will take forward maintenance provision for this new area. The Group hold fund-raising events to support its activities and is represented alongside other groups at community events. Volunteers wear distinctive hi-viz vests to identify them and when vehicles are used to transport plants and equipment, they are clearly marked.

 The Friends of the park Steering Committee will continue to

scrutinise and support the work of the council. The Friends are

developing project, particularly linked to community development The main aim for educational development is to establish links with objectives and to enhancing the wildlife in the park. local primary and secondary schools in offering cross curricula support. 7.3 Impact of Partnership Working It is intended to continue an ongoing programme of educational The successful collaboration of the Friends Group and many other events with local schools in coordination with The Friends Group local organisations working with Cheshire East Council (and ANSA others. Environmental Ltd since 2014) has resulted in the transformation of the park. All concerned share a vision for the park to enhance its 7.6 Accessibility facilities for all age groups whilst ensuring that this heritage park is protected for future generations. Following its restoration, in 2016 Cheshire East Council has a commitment to Equality and Diversity Queens Park achieved a Green Flag Award and in 2017 a Green issues. As part of this commitment, Queens Park strives to involve Heritage Award. all members of the community and provide facilities that are accessible to all. 7.4 Police and Community Wardens The park’s serpentine network of pathways around park provides a Strong links have been established with the Cheshire police and smooth surface suitable for wheelchair access. Footpath rebuilding community wardens. Regular contact is maintained and problems work was undertaken in the autumn and winter of 2015 to improve are dealt with in partnership, with information sharing and the whole pathway network. All pathways were designed to occasional attendance by PCSO's at Friends meetings. This provides facilitate easier, safer and improved wheelchair access additional feedback and an opportunity to keep updated on opportunities throughout the park. Due to some natural gradients developments and projects in the surrounding areas of the park. and the restrictions placed by English Heritage, some pathways do exceed recommended inclines but in all instances efforts have been 7.5 Education made to facilitate universal access.

The historic and cultural context of the park, its natural The park has modern accessible toilets / disabled toilet facilities for environments, habitats and the surrounding community, offer public use located in the Lakeside Pavillion and in the Games considerable scope for the development of on and off site Pavillion. interpretation and supporting educational resources. All project plans are reviewed by the local access groups, the Disability Resource Exchange (DRE) and Iris, during their design.

8.0 MARKETING AND EVENTS PROGRAMME income gained from the charging scheme is incorporated into the Annual Management Fee reducing the pressure on existing budgets The parks manager and the Friends Group co-ordinate with users of and help to fulfil the council’s commitment and conditions to the the park including the voluntary and corporate sector and the other Heritage Lottery. The scale of charges is reviewed on an annual primary stakeholders in the development of the annual program of basis. The scale of charges for all parks is shown in events within the park. The aim is have a range of events including Appendix 13. health promotion activities, sports, environmental and community events and music within the park. The council has adopted an event The table below shows the annual events programme as scheduled scheme, which includes an application form, guidance to organising to date. safe events and pricing schedule for events.

To improve the marketing of the park, notice boards have been installed at all park entrances.

The park has its own web pages and a “Facebook” social media interactive pages. These are maintained / updated by the park manager on a regular basis.

8.1 Park Event and Charging Scheme

The park has become an attractive venue for community events. To control costs, a scale of charges has been introduced to reduce and recoup a proportion of the council’s costs. For commercial events all costs will be recovered, for large open-air events where tickets are sold, some flexibility is retained and the community portfolio holder will deal with each application individually. For voluntary/charitable organisations events it was agreed that a proportion of the cost be recovered. Evidence from the increased number of events shows that this scheme does not prohibit events taking place and controls ambitious expansion at the council’s expense. It should be noted that the hiring charges are well below that of other councils such as Watford and Bexley. The additional

QUEENS PARK EVENTS 2018 AD-HOC SCHOOL VIISTS: -Gainsborough Road - -Wistaston Academy - -Ruskin School EVERY THURSDAY from 19th April 11am-12noon Lakeside Pavillion

Boogie Beat NEW Children’s Club www.facebook.com /BoogieBeatNStaffs andCheshire

9.0 HEALTH, SECURITY AND SAFETY views across the park. These open views provide reassurance in the sense that people can see who is around and provides mutual 9.1 Security reassurance to other users.

Queens Park is an attractive park with wide spread community use. The park benefits from onsite maintenance staff regularly working within the park. These friendly gardeners help to reassure park The park is locked each night at dusk, facilities are patrolled by a users by their presence. This benefit is increased by the staff private security company. engaging in conversation and greetings with users.

Common concerns regarding public open spaces are: The Friends group is very active within the park and when undertaking tasks in the park, volunteer members of the Friends • broken glass within play Areas Group wear identifying hi-viz vests at all times. This makes it clear • dog fouling who they are and represents best practice in terms of safe working • anti-social behaviour by youths and that community representatives are actively involved.. • fear of attack 9.2 Infrastructure, monitoring & maintenance These fears are varied and public perception is different to the reality of the safety risks and Local Authority policies are in place to The park has a regular recorded inspection regime. This relates to counter-act them. Generally, Queens Park is a very safe all built and Green infrastructure within the park, but environment for all members of the community. There are isolated predominately the following: incidents but these are very occasional and are of a minor nature.  Path surfacing The park manager convenes periodic park security meetings with  Play and sports equipment the local police & PCSO officers.  Buildings The information of incidents is relayed into the police resources  Trees deployment structure so appropriate and adequate resources can be deployed to tackle any issues. Regularly checks are undertaken to path surfacing and associated drainage as part of a Health and Safety Inspection. Obvious danger Visitor numbers are increasing dramatically since the park points such as trip hazards and potholes should be noted for repair, restoration. The presence of other visitors provides a feeling of receive temporary works or cordoned off from the public. security and this is enhanced with the restoration of the open

9.5 Dangerous Materials

During 2017 ANSA introduced a hand-held Dangerous items such as hypodermic syringes, broken glass, litter Public Service Software Live (PSSL) system. This will improve safety and dumped waste is assessed and dealt with immediately by the and maintenance inspections, quicken the data capture process parks site staff. They have received assessment training and they and response time and also build a history and catalogue regarding decide if they need external assistance from Cheshire East Council the park area. operational teams to clear up waste.

Repairs to paths, play equipment and other fixtures will be being 9.6 Fear of crime resourced from the maintenance budget for the park, with a combination of Capital and Revenue budgets with regular input New and improved CCTV cameras were installed in the park. These from the Friends group. These works should be planned on a cameras are routinely monitored. Regular inspections are made yearly basis and incorporated into capital schemes and revenue and there are also regular visits by PCSO’s. budgets. 9.7 Parks Risk Assessment Play and sports equipment checks are detailed in the maintenance issues section. All activities in the park are risk assessed. Any events planned by outside organisations require the presentation of a full and All activities within the park have been subjected to risk relevant risk assessment. Organisers also have to provide method assessments through the council’s health and safety officer. These statements and evidence that they hold sufficient public liability are to be reviewed regularly. insurance.

9.4 Dogs See Appendix 1 which details a list of potential hazards and the people affected with details of control measures and staff Dog fouling is always a concern for user’s stakeholders and the responsibilities: Local Authority, especially to those with young children who visit the park. Cheshire East Council has a Dog Warden service for the Borough who actively educates, enforces and pursues prosecutions.

Examples of Risk Assessments • Grassed areas. • Litter collection Operational • Flower and shrub beds

• Trees & hedges Contractors working with chainsaws, working on slopes and using • Playgrounds chemicals must provide risk assessment documentation and

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulation The outdoor sports facilities and outdoor gym are all maintained assessment as appropriate. appropriately and standards of cleanliness and health and safety

are achieved by regular inspection. The risk assessment is provided by the contractor and approved by the park manager 10.1 The council seeks to

Events This can include assessments of a wide range of activities. Activities close to water, disease infection, cuts and falls. The risks • Promote a healthy community by providing clean streets and can be diverse and numerous but all documentation will be landscape. requested and closely inspected by the park manager before event • Grounds maintenance is part of ANSA Environmental Ltd. approval is granted . providing care for the local environment, making sure that grass is cut, litter is collected, shrubs are pruned and weeds removed.

10.0 HORTICULTURAL STANDARDS 10.2 Street Cleansing Standards

ANSA Environmental Ltd. is responsible for the general operational On each working day, or as required, the park Gardeners must management and day-to-day maintenance of Queens Park. ANSA collect litter from all areas on the site. Where necessary this may provides a dedicated team of staff who pride themselves in include the sweeping of hard surface areas. All detritus, including delivering a high standard of horticultural maintenance in the park. glass debris shall be removed to the Authorities Authorised Disposal Point leaving the site in a clean and tidy condition. The gardening staff maintains the quality and range of horticultural Bins are emptied a minimum of at least once a week and then as features such as: and when required.

10.3 The Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996 Authority takes fly posting seriously, especially where the advert creates a safety hazard. This has largely been encompassed within the Cleaner Cheshire East Council actively pursues and takes action against fly Neighbourhoods Bill, which gives greater powers to Local posters in the Borough. Authorities. In 1997 CNBC made an Order entitled “The Borough of Crewe and Nantwich (Dogs Fouling) Designation of Land Order ANSA will aim to remove graffiti and fly-posting from the public 1997.” This means that all persons failing to remove faeces left by highway within 48 hours. Any obscene or offensive graffiti should their dogs commit an offence under the above act. be removed within 12 hours from the time it was reported. Graffiti There is a complete dog ban in the children’s Play Area and dogs on private property is usually the responsibility of the owner of the must be kept on a lead in the other areas of the park as detailed in property. the byelaws section of this report. The Council operates on the spot fines for failing to clean up after dogs. 11.0 SUSTAINABILITY AND RECYCLING The dog warden carries out on the spot inspections of the park and will increase his presence in the area as and when required. Cheshire East Council and ANSA is undertaking a series of ‘good practice’ initiatives with regard to the sustainable management of 10.4 Play Area Standards the park.

To increase the enjoyment and safety of visits to the play areas, These include: owners of dogs are required to ensure that they remain outside of • Felled trees and shrubs will be chipped and used on site play areas, all litter should be placed in bins and all small children where conditions allow. within the play area should be accompanied by an adult. • Mulching of grass cuttings on the grass beds where they fall, (with the exception of the Bowling greens), with associated All Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA) monitoring of depth and condition. recommendations are adhered to – see Section 13.0. •Peat free compost. 10.5 Graffiti Removal  Weed Control – The council will use only approved products within the parks, and wherever possible alternative biological or Graffiti Fly-Posting (general) It is illegal both to fly post and to cultural methods will be employed. Herbicides are only used If a benefit from advertising through fly posting. Furthermore fly weed infestation appears, that cannot be controlled through posting is an anti-social activity that creates a negative impression manual methods on hard surfaces, Bowling greens or in fine turf of an area and contributes to people's fear of crime. The Local areas. Chemicals are constantly assessed to ensure they comply

with current legislation and if applications are required, only trained operatives will carry out the operation. Long Term Sustainability Opportunities

Development of the park will take into account environmental The Friends seek to introduce a composting system; this scheme impacts and, where possible look to mitigate them. Recycled will be further explored when secure fencing is achieved within the material will also be used where appropriate. works area improving access and storage also. The area will need to be monitored to ensure there is no casual dumping in the The feasibility of introducing rain water/grey water recycling is to compound. be investigated as the most water input into the maintenance is the Bowling greens and the areas around them. A simple water butt based rainwater harvesting system will be investigated with 12.0 BIODIVERSITY AND NATURE CONSERVATION supply generated from the roofs of buildings around the Bowling greens. Although there are no formal Natural England designations that cover the park, informally there has been considerable community Re-cycled products have been used in the construction of the play interest in developing areas within the park and its environs for areas, such as black rubber wet pour safer surface, where habitat creation, biodiversity and ecological promotion. The park practicable. Wooden play equipment will be sourced from FSC sits within the River Waldron corridor which brings the wildlife certified sustainably managed forests. from the surrounding countryside through Queens Park towards the town centre. The relationship between the Wildlife Corridor There is currently an informal material storage area, concealed and the park should be carefully considered in terms of any habitat behind dense ornamental planting to the west of the formal picnic creation or biodiversity initiatives that are undertaken in the park area. This area has been used to store council vehicles, equipment as the habitat potential of the Wildlife Corridor is considerable and and soils in the past. It is proposed that the feasibility of creating a should be harnessed to increase the biodiversity impacts of any formal composting facility in this area be investigated during the wildlife conservation initiatives undertaken within the park. 2015/16 season and if appropriate funding and recycled materials identified to construct the facility. This would then allow the green The Friends group and its Wildlife team are actively promoting waste arisings from site maintenance activities to be composted on habitat creation and biodiversity within the park. site and would then provide a sustainable supply of compost, Recent community events include bird box building days, tree negating the requirement for the importation of commercially planting and habitat pile creation works. The lake perimeter and produced compost products and the supply chains associated with embankments are being planted with diverse wild plants / flowers. them. Habitat creation initiatives are encouraged. Bee Collection Units

have also been introduced by a local expert , with a possible Hive Professional ecologist advice is sort prior to any civil works, for area planned 2019-2021. A ‘Bug Hotel’ was constructed, with the example a park area survey was undertaken in July 2016, plus assistance of local school children summer 2018, and is housed Project specific surveys in: April ’16, Nov ’16, Site visit Jan ’17 and close to the Lakeside Pavillion. There is an accompanying poem Camera placement 18th Jan – 3 Feb ’17. created by the Friends Secretary which is both fun and informative. The “Kempian” designed perimeter planting around the park is now mature and as such provides wonderful habitat for many mammals, birds and invertebrates typical of mature parkscapes.

13.0 SPORTS AND CHILDREN’S PLAY FACILITIES

Play Area Inspection Regime As all play areas are subject to vandalism and high use the play equipment is inspected daily by gardeners, quarterly play playground engineers and records are kept. Formal inspections are undertaken with new Public Sector Software Live technology. The parks consultant also undertakes a follow-up on all areas in the park and undertakes inspections at six month intervals. Defects are made safe until repairs can be made or delivery has been received of replacement pieces of equipment. If required the play area will be closed until repairs can be made. An independent inspection Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA) is undertaken annually.

At the time of installation all play equipment will comply with the current National and European Standards.

Bowling greens The parks gardeners are required to maintain a safe, smooth, pest and weed free playing surface throughout the period of, and within the terms of the Contract, and shall

undertake all operations in accordance with good practices for the The following operations are routinely undertaken by cleaning maintenance of fine turf. personnel:

The playing season runs from April to mid-September in each year. • All toilets and urinals must be cleared of any blockages and Maintenance operations must be carried out before 10.00am. left in a clean hygienic condition. • The internal surfaces of water closets and all surfaces to be The bowling green will be maintained to a height of 5mm during cleaned with scouring powder and brushed to remove all stains the bowling season and during the closed season will be during the remainder of the cleaning operations. maintained to a height of 8mm. Appendix 3 contains the full • All washbasins must be cleared of all solid debris and specification. cleaned using suitable cleaning materials and basins left in a clean and hygienic condition. 14.0 BUILDINGS • All ledges, doors and walls must be wiped with cleaning materials and rinsed as appropriate up to ceiling heights. The floor All buildings and built infrastructure are maintained through the of the toilets must be mopped and rinsed using fresh solutions of council’s Corporate Landlord System. disinfectant or bleach and the floor left in a clean condition. • Once floors have dried the toilets and urinals must have all Pavillions traces of scouring powder removed. • Mirrors must be cleaned to remove all stains and produce a The Games Pavillion provides the public toilets in the northern high degree of polish. section of the park. The Pavillion is used predominately by the park • Toilet rolls in holders must be replaced as necessary. Bowling Club. However, the Pavillion is also available for other uses • New channel blocks must be placed in the urinal and grids including meetings and for training events. Bookings can be cleaned and replaced. At times there must be three whole or part arranged with the park Manager. channel blocks in each bay type urinal and one block or part block in each separate urinal. The Lakeside Pavillion is the central attraction in the park. It is leased to a private café operator who maintains the internal fittings Gate Lodges including the main public toilets. The toilets are within the main building but are also accessible via an external door. They consist East Lodge is used as the mess facility by the gardeners. There is of: Male, Female and Disabled WCs. also a shower facility if required. The lodge has office accommodation that was used by the community warden team.

West Lodge is used as the office base for the park Manager and Friends Secretary. It has meeting facilities which are regularly used Event Power Mains the main event areas within the park are for project and other organisational meetings. supplied with a ring of electric power mains, located within locked steel cupboards. Old Toilet Block is redundant as a public toilet facility but now used as a central store for equipment used during park events and by volunteers. SECTION C: PARK DEVELOPMENT

15.0 SWOT ANALYSIS OF THE PARK: Green Flag Criteria

A WELCOMING PLACE STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES OPPORTUNITIES THREATS 1. Entrances are identifiable and 1. Tourist sign-posting 1. To build the park as a 1. Vandalism and Anti-social the park is signposted off surrounding could be improved from the tourist destination as a behaviour. routes. town centre and consequence or the heritage 2. A map of the park is visible at transportation hubs. linking with the railway and the 2. Availability of funding, each entrance. park design by renowned park grants support and local 3. Entrances free from litter, dog designer Edward Kemp. sponsorship opportunities. fouling and over grown plants. 4. Entrances to the park are away from busy roads, with safe pedestrian access 5. The main entrance is well lit and within sight of the CCTV system. 6. All entrances are accessible to wheel chairs and buggy access. 7. The Tipkinder car park provides excellent parking provision at the East entrance. 8. Toilets are available.

9. park Notice Boards are visible at each entrance. 10. High profile Friends partnerships. 11. The Green Flag is flying beside the main entrance.

HEALTHY, SAFE AND SECURE STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES OPPORTUNITIES THREATS 1. Equipment is routinely inspected and 1. There is 1. Introduce posts 1. Funding. complies with the relevant BSEN number at the no first aid point highlighting important features, 2. Anti-social behaviour and time of installation. for the public. facilities. vandalism. 2. Dog fouling is tackled through the 2. Train all onsite staff in first presence of onsite staff and community wardens aid. who challenge incidents. Fixed penalty tickets can 3. Develop education also be issued. material for children on the safe 3. The park Manager undertakes a quarterly use of parks. site inspection to evaluate and fix safety issues. 4. Introduction (2017) of 4. Toilets are available during daylight hours new hand held technology to and these are cleaned regularly. assist with inspection process, 5. The Play Area is regularly inspected and information gathering and well maintained. response times. 6. Uniformed on site gardeners provide a visible presence. 7. Staff wear appropriate PPE as necessary. 8. Staff trained in the use and maintenance of machinery. 9. The design & construction of the lake protects visitors from direct access to deep water. 10. Staff training. Some site staff are first aid

trained.

CLEAN AND WELL MAINTAINED STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES OPPORTUNITIES THREATS 1. Bins are evenly spaced and visible. 1. Problem with 1. Education work with 1. Vandalism 2. On site staff collect litter regularly. large number of local schools and community 2. Financial pressures. 3. Regular litter clearance activities by the Canada Geese visiting groups, over issues including, 3. Inappropriate use of the park, 'Friends of' group throughout the year. the park each day vandalism, end for example cyclists, dog owners. 4. Flower and shrub beds are regularly creating mess. environmental responsibility. weeded and tendered. 2. Problem with 5. The Lake is subject to a 20 year visitors feeding birds management plan. inappropriately. 6. Infrastructure is monitored monthly. 7. Paths are regularly swept.

SUSTAINABILITY STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES OPPORTUNITIES THREATS 1. Pesticides are only used in situations where biological or manual 1. No water recycling on 1. Investigat 1. Periodic control is not successful or appropriate. site. e renewable invasive species 2. Where applicable grass is left evenly spread on site to maintain 2. Tree management has energy sources. such as Canada nutrient levels. traditionally been reactive 2. Publicise Geese & 3. Watering of flowerbeds only takes place when required and resulting in outstanding work. and educate the Starlings. outside of the hottest part of the day. Now being rectified sustainable 2. Rising 4. Fallen timber is left on site where applicable, or moved to a 3. There is further scope measures used energy costs suitable location on site. for using recycled materials within the park. 5. All wood used on site will be from sustainable sources locally and recycling on site. 3. Tree sourced where available and will not be tropical hardwood. Planting to 6. Arisings from tree pruning activities are cut to suitable lengths and consider global stacked as habitat piles in eastern habitat areas. warning.

7. All lights in the lodges & Pavillions are turned off automatically

CONSERVATION STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES OPPORTUNITIES THREATS 1. Ecological monitoring of the emerging 1. The lack of woodland 1. Further 1. Vandalism and anti- habitats within the Lakeside and valley areas management over the last 50 enhancements to develop social behaviour. continues to be monitored and recorded. years has resulted in mainly pollination opportunities 2. Reduction in 2. Native species are favoured over non-native mature and veteran tree stock with local bee keepers. maintenance budgets. where applicable. within the park woodland 3. Theft of timbers from 3. A tree replacement strategy is being belts. habitat piles. developed and implemented in cooperation with the 'Friends of' group. 4. On site conservation educational events are to be implemented through local schools. 5. Educational material is being developed. 6. There is an active local interest in the ecological and habitat development of the site 7. The Lake has a specific habitat management plan. 8. Lake marginal Planting. 9. Wildflower meadows being encouraged on embankments. 10. Ecologists are engaged when planning projects within the park (e.g. Bandstand, Footpaths & Coronation Valley)

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES OPPORTUNITIES THREATS 1. Visitor counts routinely undertaken. 1. Funding to 1. Encourage open use of 1. Potential loss of 2. Local community involved in the consultation for support events is low Face Book re community interest by sections of the production of the park Development Plan. and could be groups and partners. the community 3. Active “Friends of Group.” increased to stimulate 2. Friends of Group can 2. Lack of cross-

4. Substantial number of community events takes additional activity. apply for funding further community group place in the park. funding to improve the park, communication. 5. All sectors of the community are catered for in which Cheshire East Council terms of recreational facilities. facilitates. 6. There is a community room available for booking. 3. To expand youth 7. School holiday activities operate within the park. programmes in partnerships 8. A varied events programme takes place within the with local schools. park. 4. To expand programmes 9. Links with external organisations. to accommodate all-inclusive 10. Educational activities created. use and event programmes. 11. Extensive range of play/leisure equipment.

MARKETING STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES OPPORTUNITIES THREATS 1. parks manager. 1. Limited dedicated on-line 1. To build upon the 1. Events being arranged 2. Very active 'Friends of' group. marketing mechanisms link to the other local at short notice not having 3. Community groups promote activities specifically for the park and parks designed by Edward effective community taking place within the park. associated activities. Kemp. marketing mechanism. 4. Cheshire East Council events website. 2. Budget pressures 5. Links with external groups. limiting the number of events. 6. New park Notice Boards. 7. Popular Facebook site. 8. New park leaflet

16.0 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES We recognise that improvements will also be required to local The aims for Queens Park is to provide a park that is welcoming and smaller parks and play areas and we will aim to renew and replace well maintained with vibrant community usage and ownership. In infrastructure equipment in a considered and prioritised way. The 2016, Cheshire East Council published a Municipal park Strategy. key priority will always be to ensure visitor safety. The strategy was consulted widely across the Borough. To make our parks fit for the future. From the Municipal park strategy Our Vision states What do we want from our parks? Our objectives… Principally, we want to protect our parks and plan with a view to their long-term sustainability.so that they will continue to play a Objective 1: A Community Resource vital community role for future generations. Cheshire East Council strongly believes that every person, of Ideally we would want all of our parks to provide a range of high whatever age or background, must feel they can become fully quality facilities for all our residents to enjoy. involved in the management and development of their local parks, so that they can then be justifiably proud of helping to keep their Our local communities want parks that are: park attractive and welcoming, an essential ingredient of their daily lives. Parks are important to our residents. Our survey showed the  Well maintained and well managed parks are visited by over 40% of our respondents on a monthly  A community resource basis. How they look and feel affects the way this council’s services  A place for nature are perceived.  A place for health and well being  Well-designed places that reflect their cultural heritage Communities use a main park, or where no main park exists, a  Places that help to drive and support the local economy network of smaller parks / play areas to meet some of their needs. Each of the parks has a catchment area from which its visitors are We will look to develop park specific management plans for our taken. For instance Queens Park is of national importance and has larger parks to reflect their importance. Taking the long term view visitors from all over the world to add to the local base of regular is so important for parks and these management plans will help to users from the local catchment area. This is different, for example, guide where the future investment should be made. Our ambition to Sandbach Park which is more likely to attract users from a will be to attain Green Flag status for all strategically significant discrete local catchment area. The mechanisms to deliver what parks during the life of this Strategy. local residents see as priorities will be different for each park.

Objective 1c: We will consult locally when planning projects in Our experience shows that the most successful parks are those parks, consulting with Local Councillors, individuals and local where the community plays an active role as a part of a strong community groups. partnership driving all aspects of management. We recognise the value of the contribution Friends Groups make to helping Objective 2: Volunteers maintaining our parks and open spaces and this was reflected in our consultation with over 80% of responses advocating support Volunteers already make a massive contribution to our parks and for Friends Groups. volunteer participation will continue to be important to the sustainability of our parks moving forwards. We will need to There are currently 12 Friends Groups across the Borough and the expand and develop our efforts to support and facilitate council will work with these Groups to help develop management volunteering in our parks and open spaces, to help minimize the plans for the parks. We will also look to develop new groups where impact of the cuts to services, building on the success of they don’t currently exist. Whilst Friends Groups will be volunteering at parks such as Queens Park in Crewe, Sandbach Park enthusiastically consulted as part of the process of park and other notable examples across the Borough. improvements all local people deserve to have a voice and our consultations will try to reflect this. There are some notable and Objective 2: We will seek to develop volunteering opportunities in positive examples of this across Cheshire East parks, parks where all our parks. an active local Friends Group, the local Town or Parish Council, Local Enterprise Partnership and others all work together for the Objective 3: Children and Young People benefit of the parks. The great work achieved at Queens Park demonstrates this very clearly but is not the only example. This is Play is acknowledged as a vital component in the development of the model that Cheshire East Council wants to develop and support children and young people. It helps them to learn many of the life for all our main parks. skills they will need as they grow into balanced members of society. It also offers a way to counteract the increased pressures of modern lifestyles by encouraging fun and enjoyment. However, Objective 1a: We will seek to develop and support the formation the provision of play is not just about fun as 24.1% of our children of fully constituted and independent local park Friends Groups. aged 4-5 years old are overweight or obese. Good play provision gets children and families more active building community health Objective 1b: We will develop local steering Groups for each park as well as family / social cohesion. to manage and coordinate all development and day to day activity in the parks. Whilst there is provision for younger children in many of our parks, for some communities there are still only limited facilities available

for local teenagers to enjoy. This is often the result of negative perceptions of teenage activities and the impact they have on With the many advances in medicine people are living longer and communities. Our traditional play facilities tend to cater for 0-13 more active lives. However, health care is very expensive year olds so we will also need to consider how we can provide particularly when dealing with long-term chronic conditions areas for teenagers to “hang out” and actively use the parks in particularly linked to an aging population so investment in harmony with the rest of the community. preventative initiatives can be seen as a very attractive alternative. From the perspective of those planning future health care, an all- Objective 3: We will aim to provide facilities that meet the needs of inclusive approach to public health is emerging. It values the the different age groups using our parks but also to ensure that prevention of disease and the promotion of long-term health and social cohesion building, inter-generational activity is facilitated. mental well-being as highly as treating the symptoms of illnesses. Maintaining health involves encouraging regular physical activity and finding mechanisms to maintain mental wellbeing. Objective 4: How Green spaces can help tackle health inequality Encouragement to gentle physical activity being the best way to and support an aging population prevent skeletal and muscular degeneration as well as stimulating mental faculties both individually and collectively as a society. The evidence shows that inequalities in mortality are higher for There’s a realisation that enabling healthy lifestyles can mean long- those who have less exposure to green space and that children term savings in health treatment costs. living near green spaces are less likely to experience an increase in body mass index over time. Living in a neighbourhood with less The decision to place Health & Wellbeing Boards within Local green space is associated with greater risk of anxiety and Authorities offers real opportunity for a joined up and collective depression, feelings of loneliness and perceived shortage of social approach. parks provide wonderful places that can support and support. Conversely, living in a neighbourhood with more green encourage healthy activity at all levels across the whole space and visiting natural environments is associated with lower community. It is important that Health & Wellbeing Boards and levels of stress and anxiety and has been known to improve Local Authorities work more closely together in the future to concentration and mood. Evidence is increasingly suggesting that ensure that our parks deliver maximum impacts for community initiatives to engage more people with the natural environment health. and green spaces can have a positive impact on health, reducing obesity rates, long term health conditions, mental ill-health and Objective 4: We will aim to achieve more collaborative working premature death, reducing the risk factors that lead to poor health. with the Health & Wellbeing Board and by doing so target Access to green spaces is proven to contribute to mental health. investments to ensure that maximum health; well-being and There is an increasing recognition that improving access to the sustainability benefits accrue from our public parks and open natural environment can be a cost effective part of the solution. spaces.

Objective 6b: We will distinguish areas appropriate for large scale Objective 5: Recreation and Exercise events and those that are more suitable to smaller community Evidence currently shows high levels of obesity in our adult events and local celebrations. population. Good parks that meet user needs encourage greater active participation thus support healthier lifestyles. The majority of visitors currently use the parks to walk, play or take part in some Objective 7: A Place for Nature form of physical activity. Over recent years, adult gym equipment The Borough’s parks and open spaces play a fundamental part for and fitness trails have been installed into parks in Cheshire East. conserving, enhancing and promoting local biodiversity. This is a Cheshire East Council also provides playing fields for the particularly vital function within an urban environment. For community to encourage participation in competitive sports for a example, the trees help to cool summer temperatures, reduce air wide range of ability levels. We need to ensure that there are pollutants, absorb noise and the green areas absorb rainfall sufficient facilities available to match current and future needs for preventing flooding. Whilst providing green oases and refuges for quantity and quality. wildlife, in parks there are often significant opportunities to enhance biodiversity in line with our legislative responsibilities. Objective 5: We will aim to find new ways of encouraging physical Initiatives such as, establishing wildflower meadows, supporting activity in the general population, forging strong partnership with bat roosts, restoring ponds and wetlands contribute significantly to sports clubs, associations and other stakeholder groups to ensure wildlife diversity. When combined with more sensitive parks fulfil their potential of fostering healthy physical activity. development and maintenance operations and with greater local Objective 6: A Place to Meet, Socialise and Celebrate engagement, through volunteering and friends of parks groups, parks play a vital part in sustaining and developing social cohesion these measures will bring residents closer to nature increasing their in the local population. They encourage the community by overall enjoyment and physical and mental wellbeing. providing places for them to relax, enjoy and mingle. Not everyone wants to play or take part in an activity or sport and we recognise 2019-21 sees a wildflower planting scheme in partnership with the that many of our users come for a walk or just to relax in a quiet Cheshire Wildlife Trust, for the creation of suitable species rich grassland, way. Our parks are also home to numerous community events. with soil samples taken for analysis to demine suitability for the creation Not all our parks are capable of or suitable for hosting events. of wildflower meadow habitats. Objective 6a: We will aim to look at how we design places and Proposed sites include: manage the verdant landscape with seating and quiet areas to The bank near the main gate house access ensure that there is space for quiet contemplation of the  This was considered a potentially suitable location as the bank environment. would get lots of sun.

 The introduction of a wildflower meadow would however  If other park areas reseeded potential to re-sow this area at the prevent the existing June cut of the existing spring bulbs being same time. undertaken.  As the bulb planting is dense it was felt that this might limit the Objective 7: We will aim to develop initiatives that will bring success of wildflower seeding. residents closer to nature increasing their overall enjoyment of Bonfire site parks to enhance their physical and mental wellbeing.  Sowing the bonfire site with a native annual mix (poppies and corn flower) Objective 8: Well-designed places that reflect their cultural  This would need to be re-sown every year, but would deliver heritage benefits for pollinating insects. Area under the pine trees Ideally all parks should be attractive, have excellent facilities and be  On hold - It was thought that this area would be too shaded to physically accessible to all residents. They should also be well establish wildflower grassland. designed, well maintained and feel safe. How we design the spaces Damp open area near the pine trees and how we plant and furnish them changes how local residents  The soils here consisted of lots of clay which might mean that the respond to them when they visit. Good design enriching the retain lots of nutrients, we would need to see what the results of experience for all. Our parks are not all the same either in origin, the soil samples where. context or their features. Understanding the unique character and  If nutrient levels were low a seed mix more suited to damp indeed the reasons for each individual park’s existence is the key to conditions would be needed but this is not a concern. finding the way in which each should be managed. We must Bank down to lake where the dead trees has been removed develop management plans for our parks which consider these  The soils here were lighter which may make them more suitable factors, ensuring that any changes to the design, planting or for the creation of wildflower meadow. features is actually appropriate for the park.  Plants present includes Plantain and Hawkweeds which do Objective 8a: We will seek to develop and manage the parks, suggest that conditions here are favourable. reflecting their cultural and heritage importance, in line with the  Joe suggested treating the ragwort in this location prior to undertaking any works. aspirations of the local communities.  Again Joe took soil samples. The C&N Lions Club are to support the planting of a new Rockery 2019-20, which has been created to support the failing exterior Steep bank down to the lake where previously seeded fence line, now secured by rocks utilised from elsewhere in the  Planted area was very successful following initial seeding but was Park as moved/found during restoration. disappointing in the following year. Objective 8b: We will aim to develop individual management plans  Meadow plants including: knapweed, ox-eye daisy and meadow for each of our key and secondary parks, based on local needs in vetchling were however still present. the lifetime of this Strategy.  To spot treat the thistles and docks. Followed by a single cut (with the cutting raked off) and a harrow down in August.

Objective 8c: As our overarching design philosophy, we will aim to treat each park as a unique design, judged on its own merits. The type of landscape, equipment and furniture we use will also need to reflect the area and nature of the provision.

16.1 THE FINAL WORD

As Chairman of the Friends of Queens Park I have experienced all aspects of her refurbishment project from both an external an internal perspective. The planning, permissions, funding and management aspects are all considerable, aspects of which have been a learning curve for all involved. Breaking ground in 2006 the project has come to fruition, as much as is possible at any moment in time. Today she has regained her worthy title as the Boroughs ‘Jewel in the Crown’.

The Friends group also has a number of worthy sub-groups including the popular ANTs, the active Anglers and Wildlife group, and popular Eventing organisers, to mention but a few.

I am proud of this team spirit and of being able to contribute towards Queens Park success and her beauty. Today she is a delight; I hope to see her to continue to flourish for the benefit of generations yet to come.

Queens Park a people’s park a park to be proud of a park preserved for the future.

Derek Morgan Chairman of ‘The Friends of Queens Park’

(Pic with Mark Hulme, ANSA Gardener)

17.0 APPENDIX 1 - AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT PLAN

TARGET ITEM OBJECTIVE FUNDING RESCOURCES COMPLETED DATE PARKS WELCOME SIGNAGE Produce signage plan HLF £0 Entrance signage – Welcome, Opening times, Contact Revenue £10K Yr 1 Y Tel No’s, Bylaws, acknowledgment of HLF / partners. Adopt suitable style to be common throughout park. Update / renew signage at entrances. Opening times Revenue £4K 2017-18 In Progress and general Regs. Welcome message, contact tel no’s. Wildlife / fowl interpretation signs – use of imagery Revenue £5K Yr 1 Burma Star Is 2016-17 Yes Burma Star Campaign signage Mixed £1K 2016 Y Navigation Course – mapping of Queens Park for course Revenue £0 Yr 1 Y development Navigation Course – Trail – flexible to be interpreted for Revenue £4K Yr 1> Y history, features, wildlife/fowl COMMUNICATIONS Up-date Cheshire East Council web site Revenue £0 On-going Y Introduce social media - Face Book Revenue £0 On-going Y Produce Events Calendar / Posters / Media PR – in Revenue £1K pa On-going Y partnership with Cheshire East Council , the Community, Deep Beat, all partners Produce at least 2 x good news items per month for Revenue £0 On-going Y media Produce History leaflet – explore potential for Electronic Revenue £3K 2016 Y Information Booth – interactive, collect relationship marketing data – print off only information required i.e. history, trees, wildlife… 54

Friends group to be Constituted Revenue £0 Yr 1 Y Friends – support 4 – 6 weekly public meetings, Revenue £1k On-going Y maintain membership data base, dispatch of minutes, encourage working task groups, events and activities To support ‘Deep Beat’, at the Lakeside pavillion’ Revenue £1K On-going Y programmes, ‘offer’ and events.

I.e. Postcard Promotion – wish you were here? With Sponsored PJ £600 Yr 2 Y free visitor drink Onwards To fully utilise Volunteer opportunities. See Appendix Parks Manager Time only Ongoing Y for 2018 summary re growth in volunteers To encourage tour operators back into Queens Park Revenue £200 print Yr 3 onwards O/S i.e. Mystery Visits, aspiration – QP as a destination material visits Develop links with local transportation organisations Revenue £0 Ongoing Links on Cheshire East to ensure route service to QP. Include Planners and Council web site. Bus Transportation Cheshire East Council Officers service information updated. Road network information available. Introduce Marketing signage in adjacent to town HLF £12k Yr 3 Held as Crewe TC to centres, Crewe & Nantwich, also railway station take responsibility for TC info boards – in progress. Develop QP meeting room West Lodge, consider HLF £8K Yr 2-6 Interpretation Boards Lounge – featuring display cases, visual plaques re re history to date past curators Introduced 2016 in Cafe. Site specific marketing leaflet introduced 2016-17 16-17  following Green Flag recommendations. Create ‘Books’ re HLF Restoration for all aspects of Revenue £500 Yr 3-6 project for visitors, students..... 55

Create registered wedding venue – Lakeside Revenue £3K Yr1 Llicenced not renewed Pav/Bandstand beyond 2016 as no uptake.

MARKET RESEARCH To re-evaluate previous MR and action comparisons Revenue £800 Yr 1 Y – local media used Friends to undertake annual user survey to ID Revenue £200 Yr 1, 2, 3  Update 2017 priorities, programs, encourage new membership – print cost only To feedback results and actions to Friends and media Revenue £0 Yr 1, 2, 3  EDUCATION Invitation to all local Schools for participation Revenue QPM Time Yr 1>  Joint projects with schools i.e. Sir William Stannier, Revenue QPM Time Yr 1, 2, 3>  Lantern Parade etc Form links with School liaison Officer (Ben Wyre) to Revenue QPM Time Yr 1>  expand opportunities Offer potential for schools to showcase artwork Revenue Pickle Jar / On-going  Pickle Jar concessionaire within Lakeside pav QPM now Deep Beat >2018 Wildlife signage to be introduced. Revenue QPM / 2017  Wildlife group Duck Advice Feeding Signage. Revenue £200 2017  Creation of Bug Hotel, with school input. Plus Revenue £300 2018  Adelaide School Attended informative education Day. Workshops x 2 Education Pack to be introduced 2019. Friends/Sponsor £700 2019 HEALTH & WELL BEING To improve Visitor Safety throughout the grounds – Revenue Officer On-going  introduce site safety check sheets, minimise litigation Time Undertake annual inspection for all Buildings Revenue Assets In-going  Up-date QP Risk Assessments Revenue £0 Yr 1, 2, 3  Produce and implement Emergency evacuation Revenue QPM Time Yr 1  procedures for I, Games, lodges x 2 – Assets Contact community groups, users, retirement homes Revenue QPM / On-going  – to organise accompanied walking session around Friends QP Time PM to develop programmes in partnership with Revenue PM / Sport On-going 

Cheshire East Council’s Health Dev Team. I.e. & Youth Walking, Nordic Walking, Cycling, Youth activities Dev Time and events, GP referral scheme To produce an Events programme, together with Revenue £6K Yr 1, 2, 3>  partners, to encourage repeat visits – address affordability issues Introduce Sensory Trail in partnership with C&N HLF / Lions £5k Yr 3 Funding withheld until restoration of Lions Assoc areas completed. PSSL Inspection system introduced for all Green Revenue £20K 2017  Space areas, staff training undertaken. Bee Collection hives to be trialled 2018 – many None Bee Keeper 2018  environmental benefits / QPM / Friends Plus, 2019-21 Possible Hives area Time Defibrillator to be located adj to Lakeside Pavillion Council NK 2017 PJ staff to undertake weekly checks on and registered equipment box Sustainable Planting Scheme main drive area. Revenue Saving 2017  Wildflower Planting Scheme CEC Wildflower 2019-21 Trust Soil samples and site visits 2018 ACCESS FOR ALL To form strong partnerships with local disability Revenue QPM / On-going  Now re-located to Macc, local grounds i.e. DRE (Disability Resource Exchange) / Friends individual contact remains. IRIS Time Disability Discrimination Act - compliant paths. Cheshire East MMP 2014-16  Council Capital To implement facility for monitor scooter hire HLF £5K Yr 1, 2 On hold due to paths. Re-visit 2018-19 Introduce audio facility for the Blind re History and HLF £2K Yr2  facilities Introduce Disabled Angling Bays Friends £3K 2017-18 2018 purchased / 2019 install Introduce Disabled Swing Friends £5-6K 2017-18  2018 completion 58

Arrange site visit by DRE Representative PM - 2017 & 2017 undertaken 2018 Pickle Jar to undertake staff Dementia training for PJ NK 2017 2017 undertaken Lakeside Pavillion services i.e. type of foods , dementia friendly facility To be repeated by Deep Beat 2019/20. RESTORATION Produce street furniture plan HLF £0 Yr 1  Replacements of park benches, other feature seating HLF / some £1k per 2016> X 8 2015 income bench Memorial benches continue generation Introduce lighting on main pathways HLF £ Yr2, 3 Revisit 2018-19 Replace bins, include feature bins for young people HLF £ Yr 1, 2, 3  Painting of directional signs Revenue £500 Yr 1, 2, 3  Memorial plaques: Revenue £1k Yr 1  Acknowledge creators. Replace Falkland’s War Plaque Update memorial information of War Mem web site Nil parks Man 2017  Protection advice and safety sign for memorial £100 parks Man 2017  Main gateways’ painting programmed Council £2K 2018  Painting of Lodges East & West CEC £8K 2019 Screen Planting of new fence line Depot perimeter CEC/ANSA £2K 2018-19  GREEN FLAG AWARD Establish Green Space Strategy Revenue parks Yr 1  Officer time Build infra-structure to satisfy Green Award Revenue parks Yr 1, 2, 3  Application Officer time Make application Revenue parks Team Yr 3> GF app 2016 ACHIEVED

time HERITAGE Make application Revenue parks 2017> 2017 first Award  ACCREDITATION managers Time

MARKETING PLAN Objectives Action Priority Indicative Timescale Target Budget Audience 1 Provide enhanced interpretation of heritage of park. Map / orientation Boards All visitors £15,000 2016

Titular signs at entrances. All visitors £4,000 2012

Heritage display in Pavillion. Tourists and £1,500 2016-17 day visitors. Improve website pages. All visitors £0 (staff time) 2012>

Burma Star Forgotten War All visitor / £1,000 2016 Information Board Veterans History Boards – Coro Valley plus 1 All visitors £2,500 2016 -

Introduction of visitor paper history All visitors £1K 2016-17 leaflet Update and enhance all signage as All visitors £5K 2017-19 identified 60

2 To increase educational use of the park. Curriculum based information made Local Work in Ongoing available. primary partnership with schools. schools. Curriculum based information made Secondary Work in Ongoing available. schools partnership with schools. Practical work experience and active Reaseheath work in Ongoing participation in projects. College partnership.

Visitor research and analysis. MMU work in Ongoing partnership. Curriculum based information made Others. Work in Ongoing available. partnership with schools. Develop archive of heritage General Volunteer time Ongoing information. community. of local historians. Queens Park leaflet created Parks £1000 2016 Manager History Boards created: Parks £2K 2017 Burma Star Island Manager Coronation Valley Map Kemp bi-centenary walk, Parks £500 2017 presentation and information Manager created. 61

Develop Schools pack with the Friends £700 2019 Friends and potential sponsor Crewe Town Council 3 To make park more attractive to visitors at all times of year. Provide café in main pavillion. All Income Licence let in 2011 for 5 generation – 7 years. Renewal due opportunity. 2018. Facilitate and promote events Local Some pump- Annual programme. programme. Community prime budget required but generally self- financing. To continue to develop the park as All Maintenance an outdoor / green gym. budget. Partnership working and liaison with local fitness centres. Make the park an attractive Access for DIABABITY HLF phase 2 destination for visitors with health all DISCRIMINATION and mobility problems. ACT compliant path network. Be-spoke Circular bench made and Friends and £7.5K 2017 installed Burma Star – arch to reflect fundraising those of bridges.

4 Youth Development

Actively manage Tipkinder BMX & Youth Maintenance Ongoing. Skateboard facilities. budget. Encourage more youth engagement Youth Events Ongoing. in park in general.

Introduce disabled swing into Local Event, Fund 2017-18 Playground area. community raising, and /Partners. sponsorships. 5 Volunteers Create and manage opportunities for All sections Ongoing. volunteers to help look after the of the park. community Equipment and training Support the ongoing development of All sections Staff time Ongoing. the Friends Group of the community Seek to establish a volunteer ranger All sections Staff time, Ongoing – resources team of the Cheshire East found to be insufficient community - Countryside at this time (2017), Friends Service, although the Friends equipment and Wildlife group have training. taken up part of this task i.e. dog education, swan tagging, info signs, RSPCA input,

feeding area being explored.

New ‘park Run’ initiative to be All sections Events 2018> introduced 2018 – free 5K run/walk of the every Sat am. Health benefits, community interact, networking, park vibrancy at a quiet time. 6 Data / Evidence gathering visitor counters Ongoing

Visitor surveys. Ongoing

VOLUNTEER PLAN

Activity Resources Cost Proposed number of volunteers in project and timescale Year 1-2 Year Year 5-6 Year 7-8 Year 9- 3-4 10 Communications and marketing Regular Meetings, Newsletters Staff time (PM) >50 >50 >50 >50 >50 activity to keep Queens Park in the and updating of digital media public consciousness. resources.

To support all visitor management Queens PM & Ranger service Staff time, 5 10 15 20 >25 activities and to try to protect the to train volunteers and other equipment and parks facilities and heritage assets. Council staff to facilitate materials as activity. Keeping community necessary. rooms available in East Lodge. To gather and conserve information Maintain archive in West Training, utility 5 about the park to support park Lodge. Seek to make this costs, display interpretation and make it available available through public access equipment. for education and cultural activity. supervised by trained volunteers. To support general park General volunteers to support Staff time & 5 10 15 20 25 maintenance, provide increased GM / horticultural activity. training. resources and to maintain and Equipment (PPE & enhance skills in the community. Tools)

To support and initiate eventing, Eventing team now part of Staff time, 5 12 12 encouraging local participation, Friends. Active Friends Sec all attractions, together with wider marketing to working in partnership with equipment hires, attract visitors. It is intended to the parks manager. ground logistics. seek support from other community groups to aid at event set-up / take down / stewarding i.e. scouts etc. To log an accurate record of Friends 0 annually memorial Bench locations To become involved in National PM / Friends £100 Rev 2017  ‘Love park’ Campaign 2018  2019

FRIENDS SUPPORT GROUP

At the commencement of the Queens Park restoration the Friends consisted of a good cross-section of ages, skills, abilities and partners. Formed with representations from every sector; first to third generations, public, private, voluntary, disabled, wildlife/fowl, families, professionals, skilled, unskilled, education, security and media.

The Friends Group are seen to be an essential ingredient in providing support and are considered to be the cornerstone to ensuring the Park’s sustainability and public/community support and ownership.

The Queens Park Manager, employed from 2010, formalised the Friends introducing a Constitution with their own mission statement and objectives, see Appendix l. To date, the Friends Group have staged various events, plus, supporting the wider programme of other eventing, taking the opportunity for fund raising opportunities.

The ‘Friends of Queens Park’ had their activities dramatically boosted by the 2013 creation of ANT’s, (Action Not Talk) who quickly evolved following a challenge, from the Council’s Leader, for the public to become actively engaged in Park life.

This, the public responded to with gusto. The pace of growth regarding voluntary participation has been nothing less than staggering, and achieved, a never yet to be repeated 4,000 man hours in 6 months. This input lead to further positive input and investment from Cheshire East Council and other partners. The results are undeniable, the impact visible to all and the goodwill conveyed infectious.

A.N.T. ATTACKS Committed individuals, arrange regular input into maintenance programmes, including introducing open maintenance weekends and developing further partners with local businesses and community groups via their own individual networking.

The group provides the community opportunity to air their views concerning any Park issues and matters that arise. They also allow the local community direct access to Parks Management to discuss concerns, ideas and potential.

Working with the Friends Group is now an established management process. Membership remains open to all and the Park benefits from their energy, skills, influences, connections and knowledge. Initially they operated their own management committee,

this has now been stream-lined into the core Friends group, to drive their activities, whilst maintaining clear lines of communication with the Parks Management and CEC.

ACTIONS

1.1 ACTION: The Queens Parks Management (ANSA), supported by CEC Client Officer, will continue to provide the support to the Friends Group as required to support their activities, aims and objectives.

1.2 ACTION: To build on the existing and strong links with the Friends Group and to ensure they continue to play a part in every aspect of Queens Park as a key local stakeholder.

1) Placing the Park at the centre of the local community

Many other community partners exist and a key focus for the Friends and Park’s Manager is to engage with the full spectrum of groups from across the community to stimulate their participation at Queens Park.

2.1 ACTION: To build on the existing and strong links with the many other community partner organisations and groups to support local community needs.

3) Developing a stable Park economy

Analysis of the demographic data for Crewe and the areas surrounding Queens Park, concludes that the local population is more likely to be experiencing factors associated with social deprivation.

3.1 ACTION: The Friends will encourage initiatives which continually strive to ensure the Park is able to support a healthy local community. To provide appropriate facilities that will meet the needs of the full cross-section of the community and is fully accessible. As well as the work which enabled DDA / Equality Act (2010) compliant footpath network, and a carefully planned seating plan.

Partnerships with the Disability Resource Exchange (DRE) and IRIS Vision Resource Centre continued and develop, these being representative on the Friends group.

3.2 ACTION: The Friends in partnership with the Parks Management will work to ensure all pricing structures for event participation and at the café are affordable to reflect the local needs.

3.3 ACTION: The Friends will support the Parks Management in the co-ordination of a wide ranging volunteer engagement programme to facilitate opportunities for local people to contribute to nurturing their local Park.

4) Crime / anti-social behaviour:

The Police and the Community Support Officers input into the Park and stage Police Surgeries open to all. A QP Security Group evolved out of the partnership. .

4.1 ACTION: A Queens Park Security Group has been formulated and consists of representation from The Friends of the Park, Cheshire East Council Officers (Community Safety, ANSA, Assets Management, and Community Wardens), Cheshire Police / Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) and representatives of the Crewe Local Area Partnership.

5) Poor social cohesion:

A Park is the ideal venue to build social cohesion. It is a place where the community can relax, meet and play together. This can be completely informal or it can be engineered through organised activity. Eventing itself helping to bind the community and the number of events staged continues to increase annually.

5.1 ACTION: The Friends will support and promote the involvement of a wide range of stakeholders in the management, maintenance and community participation in the Park. The target will be to grow visitor numbers and the variety of positive activities in a way that respects the Park’s heritage.

The Friends will develop their own programmes of affordable entertainment in the Park either on focused days or in support of other community group activities.

6) Ethnic Diversity:

The top three foreign languages spoken by Crewe school pupils at home, in descending order are Polish, Bengali and Slovak. It is recognised by CEC there are many others also.

6.1 ACTION: The use of visual information (pictograms) and some translation should be introduced as appropriate, such as the newly formed Angling Club ’14, Code of Practise is produced in Polish.

6.2 ACTION: Friends to consideration the introduction of activities that recognise and celebrate this rich cultural diversity.

7.0 Information and Interpretation:

To fulfil its true potential, visitor development for Queens Park must be based on information and evidence.

7.1 ACTION:

1. The Friends are ideal to conduct on-site research 2. Friends to assist with analysing research results 3. Corporate and Park specific customer and non user research from regular visitor surveys 4. Regular Friends open meetings within the Park a. Friends Open meetings target 8 pa b. Ants / Volunteers Action Day target 9 pa (exceeded 2018) 5. Use of all media including opportunities from social media 6. Friends to maintain Park Notice Boards 7. Friends to assist in marketing Event programme information 8. Develop a Friends owned and managed Web site 70

9. Develop on-site information, leaflets, walks and talks, and a programme of school visits 10. To maximize the opportunities the Lakeside Pavillion represents, with a fruitful partnership with the concessionaire, the facility being the vibrant community hub of the Park.

2018 SUMMARY OF VOLUNTEERS 8 Friends - Volunteer Groups & Roles

In recent years, the Friends Group has evolved, with sub-groups, and now includes:

The Core Committee: The Chair and Secretary support all of the sub-groubs and are active in fund raising, eventing and becoming involved with many aspects of Park life. Supported by The Parks Manager, they also work behind the scenes to liaise with other community groups and Park users. The ANTs: A hands-on service that meets monthly to undertake Park tasks Wildlife Group: members maintain a careful watch over the Park’s Wildlife and work closely with the RSPCA Angling Group: Responsible angling in the lake is monitored and encouraged by the example and active involvement of fishing bailiffs Events Group; Creative Crewe volunteers are the reps for this group and the Friends Secretary provides a link with them. They organise two main events in the Park each year and support many others, through activities and fundraising. Their work is now being supported by Crewe Lions (Easter Event) Bowls Group: The group makes good use of the Park’s lovely Bowling Green, to tutor and to encourage new membership Lakeside Pavillion: The management and staff of the Pavillion café are an integral part of all work and activities in the Park and also organise events as well as providing a picturesque venue for the public to enjoy and/or to hold their own special celebrations

8.1 Events organised / supported by Friends Group Volunteers over the last year

 Bonfire Night  Craft Activities and Father Christmas in the Pavillion  ParkRun opening days  Creative Crewe’s Easter Workshop with clay work and an Easter Egg Hunt – use of Bowls Pavilion  April Tea Party for Council Personnel – this in response to ongoing adverse publicity

 Bowls Open Day and publicity to support our Bowling Club  Armed Forces Day  ArtsPark – a new and successful venture for local Artists in the Park  The Bug Hotel – working with Beechwood School pupils  Restored Jig-saw piece and inclusion of pieces in the Park  Play Day  Creative Crewe’s Family Fit and Fun Day, involving meeting and greeting Mayor of Cheshire East and Town Mayor, movement of equipment and eventing logistics  Summer Band Concerts, with thanks to sponsorship from Mike Worthington  Bug Hotel time and reading with Reception Class pupils from Edleston Primary School  Green Flag Award Ceremony / Winning Nomination Application for Elaine Webster as Green Flag ’Employee of the Year’  School Visits x 3  Friends Formal Meetings 8pa ie 312 volunteers for 4 to 13hrs

8.3 Friends - ANTS Days / Hours Action Days x 9 Sundays (Dec-Jan excluded) -– last of each month – from 10am – 1pm, with an average of 8 volunteers per occasion.

Ie 216 man hrs pa 8.4 Social Media Friends Pages – on average 4.7K ‘hits’ per week ANTS – The People’s Park FaceBook Pages say updates twice weekly for 0.5hrs ea week per page Ie 104 man hrs pa 8.5 Other Groups  Probationary Services Volunteering in the park - Monday and Friday, 10.30 - 3pm. CVS Officer supports 4 people. Throughout Spring/Summer. Winter comment yet to be confirmed. Ie 4.5hrs x 2 days per week x 52 weeks x 5 = 1,170 man hours

DUTIES  Watering and weeding the flower beds on the main drive  Weeding and maintenance of Burma Star Island  Weeding of the bridges to the Island ( not finished the far one yet)  Weeding and maintaining of the boule pit  Weeding the lady Diana memorial garden  Staining some of the park benches

 CVS Services - New to the Volunteers 2018-19 2 occasions 12 people attending, supported by 3 Friends = 72 volunteer hours

 Miscellaneous ie School, Colleges, NCS (youth Fed), ad-hoc Community Groups Small eventing, fun education, bench painting = est 100 man hrs

APPENDIX 2: QUEENS PARK RISK ASSESSMENT

Overall risk rating LOW MEDIUM HIGH

PARKS & REC GROUNDS - a Company owned by Cheshire East Council RISK ASSESSMENT Name of Assessor Signature Date Directorate: ANSA Section: Parks & Rec Grounds

Elaine Webster April 2018 Assessment of risk for: Tripping

Risk Additional Controls Required No. Potential Hazard Groups of People at Risk Existing Control Measures Priority to Minimise Risk Tripping on Footways - Visitors – participants, Inspection of Footways, Verges, 6 monthly inspections completed by Park 01 L Litigation employees Manhole Covers, Grids* Managers, supported by ANSA ground staff. Iron work (fencing down) as per Inspector. Remedial works completed two L contractual responsibility. days prior to programmed events. Defects code of practice used in accordance with Cheshire L Threat is greater for the elderly/very young. County Council Section 58 Highway Act.

QP ONLY:

Footpaths completed Dec-March 2016. *Secondary footpaths all to be Coronation Valley completed Mch 2017. resurfaced once additional Depot outstanding 2017-18 now completed

funding confirmed – uneven 2018/19. One loose track leading to lake notices erected. remains due to no compliant DDA and steepness.

High: Accident likely with possibility of serious injury or loss Risk Priority: Medium: Possibility of accident occurring causing minor injury or loss Low: Accident unlikely with control measures in place

ANSA - A COMPANY OWNED BY CHESHIRE EAST COUNCIL

RISK ASSESSMENT Name of Assessor Signature Date Directorate: ANSA Section: Parks & Rec Grounds

Elaine Webster April 2018 Assessment of risk for: Overhanging trees & Shrubs

Risk Additional Controls Required No. Potential Hazard Groups of People at Risk Existing Control Measures Priority to Minimise Risk Damage to eyes, face, upper Existing inspections by Park General safety inspection completed daily with body, by tripping via trees and Visitors – participants, 02 Managers., supported also by L more indepth inspection two days prior to shrubbery, low hanging employees grounds staff. events. branches - litigation To ensure the site is not mis-used ie results

of vandalism.

ANSA - A COMPANY OWNED BY CHESHIRE EAST COUNCIL

RISK ASSESSMENT Name of Assessor Signature Date Directorate: ANSA Section: Parks & Rec Grounds

Elaine Webster April 2018 Assessment of risk for: Illumination

Risk Additional Controls Required No. Potential Hazard Groups of People at Risk Existing Control Measures Priority to Minimise Risk Falling, tripping from poor Safety inspection completed prior to large Visitors – participants, 03 illuminations of public areas. Park generally closed at dusk. NA scale events in particular where darkness/ employees Litigation early evening applies. Reduce risk by mobile lamp If appropriate as decided by Parks Manager / L hires at main entrances. Event organisers. None event days Park closed prior to

darkenss.

ANSA - A COMPANY OWNED BY CHESHIRE EAST COUNCIL

RISK ASSESSMENT Name of Assessor Signature Date Directorate: ANSA Section: Parks & Rec Grounds

Elaine Webster April 2018 Assessment of risk for: Street Furniture

Risk Additional Controls Required No. Potential Hazard Groups of People at Risk Existing Control Measures Priority to Minimise Risk Existing inspections by Park Safety inspection completed prior to Personal injury from street Visitors – participants, 04 Managers supported by ANSA L programmed events. Items of concern to be furniture – litigation employees ground staff. removed, if prior repair not feasible.

Threat greater with youths mis-using area.

ANSA - A COMPANY OWNED BY CHESHIRE EAST COUNCIL

RISK ASSESSMENT Name of Assessor Signature Date Directorate: ANSA Section: Parks & Rec Grounds

Elaine Webster April 2018 Assessment of risk for: Pyrotechnics

Risk Additional Controls Required No. Potential Hazard Groups of People at Risk Existing Control Measures Priority to Minimise Risk Use of recognised/competent Inspection of area/contractor on event day. Burning, singeing from Visitors – participants, pyro-supplier/firer. According to Contractor to supply ANSA with inspection of 05 M pyrotechnics drop out. employees BS standards and trained firer. certificates and risk assessments prior to the Supplied according to BS7 114. event. Angled to minimise fall out (Theatre tech to be used if in- Ensure drapes and combustible material is M house). Allow for suitable firing away from the firing area. safety distance.

Use of barriers to distance public.

ANSA - A COMPANY OWNED BY CHESHIRE EAST COUNCIL

RISK ASSESSMENT

Name of Assessor Signature Date Directorate: ANSA Section: Parks & Rec Grounds

Elaine Webster April 2018 Assessment of risk for: Vehicle Movement

Risk Additional Controls Required No. Potential Hazard Groups of People at Risk Existing Control Measures Priority to Minimise Risk Personal injury from accidents Visitors – participants, No unauthorised cars to be Highway authority approval required if using 06 H via traffic entry / regress. employees within Park grounds. adj public highway. Ensure that staff are wearing

reflective vests when managing

traffic in and around the Park.

ANSA - A COMPANY OWNED BY CHESHIRE EAST COUNCIL

RISK ASSESSMENT Name of Assessor Signature Date Directorate: ANSA Section: Parks & Rec Grounds

Elaine Webster April 2018 Assessment of risk for: Attractions

Risk Additional Controls Required No. Potential Hazard Groups of People at Risk Existing Control Measures Priority to Minimise Risk Safety certificates individually Personal injury from rides and CEC Events Officer & Environmental Health Visitors – participants, checked for each ride. 07 attractions. Examples: funfair/ M Officers advise/ PO inspection where employees Plus, ADIP web site/QP code inflatable’s and rides. appropriate. check. Public liability insurance for Copies to be sent to organisers pre-event. event checked. CEC requirement M Formal hire agreement for larger sitings via Of £5million for hirer risk Legal Services. attractions. CEC Events Officer, Environmental Health

Amusements Providers RA check M Officers & PO to review and advice as

necessary.

TIPKINDER ONLY

Amusements Providers RA – The site is former waste site and the loadbearing capability is unknown – Amusement providers will be advised to L satisfy themselves of that in conjunction with their own risk assessment for their use and equipment.

ANSA - A COMPANY OWNED BY CHESHIRE EAST COUNCIL

RISK ASSESSMENT Name of Assessor Signature Date Directorate: ANSA Section: Parks & Rec Grounds

Elaine Webster April 2018 Assessment of risk for: Event Infra Structure

Risk Additional Controls Required No. Potential Hazard Groups of People at Risk Existing Control Measures Priority to Minimise Risk Burning from fire where Marquee contractor to supply Risk Assessment canvas or plastic canvas or Visitors – participants, Supplied by reputable 08 L and insurance documentation prior to the plastic coated covered area employees contractor. event. used ie. Marquees, Stages Marquees and covers to meet

specification according to

BS5438/7157

Flame retardant material.

Fire extinguishers on site. Fire appliance to be able to gain a 50

meter reach to the marquee (powder). Marquees to be placed a

minimum of 6 meters apart – to

prevent the spread of fire.

ANSA - A COMPANY OWNED BY CHESHIRE EAST COUNCIL

RISK ASSESSMENT Name of Assessor Signature Date Directorate: ANSA Section: Parks & Rec Grounds Elaine Webster April 2018 Assessment of risk for: Marquee and Canvas Hire Risk Additional Controls Required No. Potential Hazard Groups of People at Risk Existing Control Measures Priority to Minimise Risk When hiring marquees and Marquee Hire: Tripping canvas, contractors to plan the Hire contractors to produce Risk Assessments, Visitors – participants, 8.1 hazards on guide ropes and positioning of sites where M to use correct PPE on site. Insurance employees frames. possible to reduce guide ropes certification to be checked. used. To encourage promoters/ ANSA / Organisers to arrange pre-event

divisions to hire marquees ie. meetings with contractors to establish correct

‘clear span’. siting and reduce potential issues. All marquees to be substantially weighted down and anchored on In the event of high winds/ adverse weather,

areas and when not able to peg abandonment may need to be considered. into grass.

ANSA - A COMPANY OWNED BY CHESHIRE EAST COUNCIL

RISK ASSESSMENT Name of Assessor Signature Date Directorate: ANSA Section: Parks & Rec Grounds Elaine Webster April 2018 Assessment of risk for: Performers control Risk Additional Controls Required No. Potential Hazard Groups of People at Risk Existing Control Measures Priority to Minimise Risk Use of arena stewards when required. Professional agencies used only. Personal injury from stunt act, Visitors – participants, Appropriate uniform for identification. 09 Insurance agreement included in L participants and spectators. employees Environmental Health Officers available if hire arrangements. required. Health and Safety guidelines

adhered to: ie min area of Park teams to be trained in basic first aid.

performance area. First Aid on site for large scale Staff to be contactable by a mobile telephone. events.

ANSA - A COMPANY OWNED BY CHESHIRE EAST COUNCIL

RISK ASSESSMENT Name of Assessor Signature Date Directorate: ANSA Section: Parks & Rec Grounds Elaine Webster April 2018 Assessment of risk for: Crowd disturbance Risk Additional Controls Required No. Potential Hazard Groups of People at Risk Existing Control Measures Priority to Minimise Risk Emergency services on site for Personal injury from crowd Visitors – participants, Police notified of activities and communication 10 large scale event. Ie Carnival / M disturbances. employees channels confirmed. Bonfire. Use of mobile telephone for M Easy access to first aid boxes on site. Supervisors. First Aid provided for larger events provided by St Johns and L / or Red Cross. To clearly identify first aid units and areas.

ANSA - A COMPANY OWNED BY CHESHIRE EAST COUNCIL

RISK ASSESSMENT Name of Assessor Signature Date Directorate: ANSA Section: Parks & Rec Grounds Elaine Webster April 2018 Assessment of risk for: Crowd disturbances

Risk Additional Controls Required No. Potential Hazard Groups of People at Risk Existing Control Measures Priority to Minimise Risk Larger events – Police informed. Personal injury from public Visitors – participants, Adherence to licensing 11 M Approval of Police Licensing Officer. disorder via misuse of alcohol. employees authorities stipulations. Public disorder recorded on inspection sheets. Communication with the Police, possible issues from youths etc Primarily QP alcohol free zone. through radio link and mobile telephone. Organisers to restrict where possible staff lone

working.

ANSA - A COMPANY OWNED BY CHESHIRE EAST COUNCIL

RISK ASSESSMENT Name of Assessor Signature Date Directorate: ANSA Section: Parks & Rec Grounds Elaine Webster April 2018 Assessment of risk for: Catering Conditions – Mobile Units Risk Additional Controls Required No. Potential Hazard Groups of People at Risk Existing Control Measures Priority to Minimise Risk To tender for ‘traders’ supported by Food poisoning and upset Visitors – participants, Use of recognised/reputable 12 L recommendations. stomach condition. employees caters. Reference(s) required. Inspection of food hygiene and To inform Environmental Health of any certification through CEC L concerns. Environmental Health Dept. Ensure any waste is managed Ensure enough wastage receptacles are L correctly in its disposal. available, particularly for large events.

No casual caterers on the day.

ANSA - A COMPANY OWNED BY CHESHIRE EAST COUNCIL

RISK ASSESSMENT Name of Assessor Signature Date Directorate: ANSA Section: Parks & Rec Grounds Elaine Webster April 2018 Assessment of risk for: Catering Conditions – Mobile Units Risk Additional Controls Required No. Potential Hazard Groups of People at Risk Existing Control Measures Priority to Minimise Risk Use of mobile telephone – be Training through the PADI process, handling Visitors – participants, 13 a Injury to staff and others. able to communicate with M threatening situations. Record all accidents employees Police. and incidents on correct forms.

Pre-event staffing assessment.

Staff to wear uniform and high M visibility bibs for large events. Staff always to be visible and

aware.

13 b Visitors – participants, Annual Env Health Rodent Env Off Inspection at other times as deemed ... by rodents L employees contract for regular Inspections necessary.

ANSA - A COMPANY OWNED BY CHESHIRE EAST COUNCIL

RISK ASSESSMENT Name of Assessor Signature Date Directorate: ANSA Section: Parks & Rec Grounds Elaine Webster April 2018 Assessment of risk for: Personal Injury – Children lost/welfare Risk Additional Controls Required No. Potential Hazard Groups of People at Risk Existing Control Measures Priority to Minimise Risk Staff to contact Police Loss of children and distressed Visitors – participants, immediately. Child to be placed Record details of event, names, staff involved 14 L public/parents. employees in care of the Police etc. immediately. When PA commentator is Event Organiser to communicate with child’s

available to announce relevant details to staff with mobile telephone/

details ASAP. communication methods. Safe area for children with Staff to affect search only when man power Police to be re-united with available. Mainly at larger events. parents and carers. If gated, Event gate close down – make

If ‘missing’ child. announcement on PA, apply description at

Police advice only.

All staff where child related activities - to be

CRB checked. High: Accident likely with possibility of serious injury or loss Risk Priority: Medium: Possibility of accident occurring causing minor injury or loss Low: Accident unlikely with control measures in place

ANSA - A COMPANY OWNED BY CHESHIRE EAST COUNCIL

RISK ASSESSMENT Name of Assessor Signature Date Directorate: ANSA Section: Parks & Rec Grounds Elaine Webster April 2018 Assessment of risk for: Personal Injury – Panic Situation Risk Additional Controls Required No. Potential Hazard Groups of People at Risk Existing Control Measures Priority to Minimise Risk Establish pre-event emergency Injury from a panic situation in Visitors – participants, 15 rendezvous point for emergency L the event of an evacuation. employees services. Police to be responsible for the

overall co-ordination of a major

incident. Queens Park only - Establish a temporary mortuary (E/W Lodge) and triage point (Triage - the process of prioritizing sick or injured people for treatment according to the seriousness of the near to the main area of the condition or injury). site. Coroner consulted to use a suitable area.

ANSA - A COMPANY OWNED BY CHESHIRE EAST COUNCIL

RISK ASSESSMENT Name of Assessor Signature Date Directorate: ANSA Section: Parks & Rec Grounds Elaine Webster April 2018 Assessment of risk for: Personal Injury – Panic Situation

Risk Additional Controls Required No. Potential Hazard Groups of People at Risk Existing Control Measures Priority to Minimise Risk Assessment of a situation. Ensure a minimum of 1.5m distance for Injury from a panic situation in Visitors – participants, 15.1 Inform emergency services M gangways and walkways and emergency exit the event of an evacuation. employees immediately. routes. Police to advise event organiser of required action subject to the L evacuation with a view to stopping the event. Clearly mark exists and routes.

Public announcements of the

issue and exit routes.

ANSA - A COMPANY OWNED BY CHESHIRE EAST COUNCIL

RISK ASSESSMENT Name of Assessor Signature Date Directorate: ANSA Section: Parks & Rec Grounds Elaine Webster April 2018 Assessment of risk for: Manual Handling of event equipment Risk Additional Controls Required No. Potential Hazard Groups of People at Risk Existing Control Measures Priority to Minimise Risk Manual handling causing injury Visitors – participants, Manual handling training staff To introduce manual handling training for 16 ie. lifting, pulling and strains to L employees involved with event set ups. event organisers and Supervisors. the body. Use of CEC / ANSA lifting or Staff only qualified in automatic lifting under

hoist or tail lift vehicle for M training with ‘lorry loader’ configurations –

staging etc. grab and crane swivel hook.

Lifting aids to be used as required, lifting trucks, wheeled L Method statement from suppliers required. equipment etc. Adequate staffing available when required. Necessary transport available as ANSA to hire vehicles if required. required.

ANSA - A COMPANY OWNED BY CHESHIRE EAST COUNCIL

RISK ASSESSMENT Name of Assessor Signature Date Directorate: ANSA Section: Parks & Rec Grounds Elaine Webster April 2018 Assessment of risk for: Manual Handling – erection of crowd barriers Risk Additional Controls Required No. Potential Hazard Groups of People at Risk Existing Control Measures Priority to Minimise Risk Manual handling – causing Inspect barrier for defective m injury setting out crowd Visitors – participants, 16.1 feet, to order barriers with m barriers, unloading, loading employees rounded feet to avoid tripping. M and delivery. Barriers to be used to dissipate

a crowd in lines if required. To

prevent surges. Barriers to be placed with clear Enable the pit to be large enough for stewards entry and exit routes, maximum L and first aiders to operate safely. sight lines.

ANSA - A COMPANY OWNED BY CHESHIRE EAST COUNCIL

RISK ASSESSMENT Name of Assessor Signature Date Directorate: ANSA Section: Parks & Rec Grounds Elaine Webster April 2018 April 2018 Assessment of risk for: Manual Handling – erection of crowd barriers

Risk Additional Controls Required No. Potential Hazard Groups of People at Risk Existing Control Measures Priority to Minimise Risk Manual handling causing injury To use crowd barriers for larger Ensure the correct use of PPE – toe protectors – to setting out crowd barriers, Visitors – participants, 16.2 events. Unloading by manual L and gloves. Ensure correct type of barrier is unloading, loading and employees operators or hydraulic hoist. used to with-stand the proposed loading. delivery. Barriers to be erected in front of To prevent impending danger by protecting

staging and create a pit area for L electrical, stage and general equipment. Use

organiser and contractors. of a reputable supplier. Ensure erection prevents trapping points of feet and

hands, when under load. L

Inspect for rough edges and defects, bolts protruding.

ANSA - A COMPANY OWNED BY CHESHIRE EAST COUNCIL

RISK ASSESSMENT Name of Assessor Signature Date Directorate: ANSA Section: Parks & Rec Grounds Elaine Webster April 2018

April 2018 Assessment of risk for: External Bookings

Risk Additional Controls Required 5o. Potential Hazard Groups of People at Risk Existing Control Measures Priority to Minimise Risk Organiser to produce individual risk Other organisations – booking ANSA to receive confirmation of assessments specific details to the event one, Parks & Rec Grounds – to Visitors – participants, 17 liability and indemnity prior to L month in advance of event, in conjunction ascertain safety knowledge to employees event by the applicant. with the ANSA generic risk assessment operate on a public area. (adapted if nec where new activity). ANSA to advise other organisations of control Adequate supervision from organiser and L procedures, restrictions on team. commercial usage. Inspection of equipment certification pre-

event when provided.

TIPKINDER ONLY

Organisers RA – The site is former waste site and the loadbearing capability is unknown – Organisers will be

advised to satisfy themselves of L that in conjunction with their own risk assessment for their use and equipment.

ANSA - A COMPANY OWNED BY CHESHIRE EAST COUNCIL

RISK ASSESSMENT Name of Assessor Signature Date Directorate: ANSA Section: Parks & Rec Grounds Elaine Webster April 2018 Use of Parks & Rec Grounds – elements created April 2018 Assessment of risk for: by other departments Risk Additional Controls Required No. Potential Hazard Groups of People at Risk Existing Control Measures Priority to Minimise Risk Other departments – booking the Park – to ascertain safety Visitors – participants, Risk Assessment to be produced To book the event with ANSA and list the 18 M knowledge to operate on a employees for departmental events. programme/ operation details of the event. public area. Adequate supervision to be

supplied by designated M

department.

TIPKINDER ONLY

Organisers RA – The site is former waste site and the loadbearing capability is unknown – Organisers will be

advised to satisfy themselves of L that in conjunction with their own risk assessment for their use and equipment.

ANSA - A COMPANY OWNED BY CHESHIRE EAST COUNCIL

RISK ASSESSMENT Name of Assessor Signature Date Directorate: ANSA Section: Parks & Rec Grounds Elaine Webster April 2018 April 2018 Assessment of risk for: Weather – conditions and cancellations

Risk Additional Controls Required No. Potential Hazard Groups of People at Risk Existing Control Measures Priority to Minimise Risk Weather – issues of conditions ANSA or representative to compromising safety, Visitors – participants, Weather information/forecast may assist in 19 establish whether the event is M electrocution, slipping, employees preparation and necessary contingencies. safe to commence and run. abandonment of event. Indicators are: if electricity is to Electric connections to be disconnected from Rain/Precipitation. be supplied to any area of the power cabinets. Protection to PA and 20 M squares. Inclement weather, electrical equipment with a water proof cover rain or precipitations. for minimum protection. Staging to have a rain cover mounted. The event to be L suspended until the stage flooring is dried.

Details on Marquees see

section 8 High: Accident likely with possibility of serious injury or loss Risk Priority: Medium: Possibility of accident occurring causing minor injury or loss Low: Accident unlikely with control measures in place

ANSA - A COMPANY OWNED BY CHESHIRE EAST COUNCIL

RISK ASSESSMENT Name of Assessor Signature Date Directorate: ANSA Section: Parks & Rec Grounds

Elaine Webster April 2018 Assessment of risk for: Weather – conditions and cancellations

Risk Additional Controls Required No. Potential Hazard Groups of People at Risk Existing Control Measures Priority to Minimise Risk Weather – issues of conditions compromising safety, Visitors – participants, Safety Check to be on-going via Park Ground 20.1 electrocution, slipping, employees Staff. abandonment of the event. To ensure that any equipment Excessive winds. used for events to be correctly M Weather information/forecast pre-event.

secured. Temporary covers over staging and PA to be anchored to avoid flapping and tearing. Marquees

to be weighted down. Events to M

be abandoned if artists and equipment can not be protected adequately and safely.

ANSA - A COMPANY OWNED BY CHESHIRE EAST COUNCIL

RISK ASSESSMENT Name of Assessor Signature Date Directorate: ANSA Section: Parks & Rec Grounds

Elaine Webster April 2018 Assessment of risk for: Weather – conditions and cancellations

Risk Additional Controls Required No. Potential Hazard Groups of People at Risk Existing Control Measures Priority to Minimise Risk Weather – issues of conditions compromising safety, Visitors – participants, 20.2 electrocution, slipping, employees abandonment of the event. In the event of surfaces that In the event of any cancellations or artists are performing on – abandonment, providing artists arrive on site staging, matting and / or Slipping – the artists fee if under contract will be grounds; are damp from M payable. Where possible contractible fees and weather conditions or spillages, costs will be kept to a minimum, ie. hire of attempts should be made to dry equipment/transport etc. areas. Continual dampness will lead to Any accidents and incidents to be correctly

abandonment. recorded on PRIME.

ANSA - A COMPANY OWNED BY CHESHIRE EAST COUNCIL

RISK ASSESSMENT Name of Assessor Signature Date Directorate: ANSA Section: Parks & Rec Grounds

Elaine Webster April 2018 Assessment of risk for: Illegal Traders – staff challenging

Risk Additional Controls Required No. Potential Hazard Groups of People at Risk Existing Control Measures Priority to Minimise Risk Legislation – staff to have a Involvement of staff knowledge of legal challenging illegal traders – Visitors – participants, requirements. Support from the 21 M vulnerable to abusive and employees legal department upon request. threatening behaviour. Necessary support from Police. Pre-event and on the event day. Event organisers to carry mobile telephones. Aggression and handling Emergency numbers to be available. threatening situations – training M Additional support from the Police and CEC available through the PADI. Wardens.

ANSA - A COMPANY OWNED BY CHESHIRE EAST COUNCIL

RISK ASSESSMENT Name of Assessor Signature Date Directorate: ANSA Section: Parks & Rec Grounds

Elaine Webster April 2018 Assessment of risk for: Fancy Dress – Protection from public

Risk Additional Controls Required No. Potential Hazard Groups of People at Risk Existing Control Measures Priority to Minimise Risk Fancy Dress – possible that Visitors – participants, Ensure characters are partnered 22 youths etc may be abusive and M Incidents recorded on safety check sheets. employees by a ‘buddy’. confrontational.

Incidents reported to the Police.

‘Buddy’ to direct characters Possible tripping as vision may around the event, looking for L be restricted. trip hazards, cables etc.

ANSA - A COMPANY OWNED BY CHESHIRE EAST COUNCIL

RISK ASSESSMENT Name of Assessor Signature Date Directorate: ANSA Section: Parks & Rec Grounds

Elaine Webster April 2018 Assessment of risk for: Communication – Event Control

Risk Additional Controls Required No. Potential Hazard Groups of People at Risk Existing Control Measures Priority to Minimise Risk Communication – poor communication escalating to Visitors – participants, All organisers to have access to Emergency numbers to be recorded on Risk 23 organisers unable to control M employees mobile telephone. Assessments and inspection forms. events, and unable to contact emergency services. To utilise CCTV control room, for

camera direction / or notification L

to Police / emergency services.

ANSA - A COMPANY OWNED BY CHESHIRE EAST COUNCIL

RISK ASSESSMENT

Name of Assessor Signature Date Directorate: ANSA Section: Parks & Rec Grounds

Elaine Webster April 2018 Assessment of risk for: Children’s Protection

Risk Additional Controls Required No. Potential Hazard Groups of People at Risk Existing Control Measures Priority to Minimise Risk Event organisation, to reduce All ANSA / CEC organisers to the risk of potential children’s To introduce the need for all entertainers Visitors – participants, display identification badges and 24 abuse and compromising L involved in ‘children’s’ entertainment to hold employees uniform. To clearly be identified situations to event organisers CRB checks.. as organisers and staff. and staff. Organisers to be aware where To enforce CEC requirements and to advise necessary to arrange chaperons L other organisers in line with the Borough and Supervisors during Council directive. children’s event.

ANSA - A COMPANY OWNED BY CHESHIRE EAST COUNCIL

RISK ASSESSMENT Name of Assessor Signature Date Directorate: ANSA Section: Parks & Rec Grounds

Elaine Webster April 2018 Assessment of risk for: Queens Park Lake Users

Risk Additional Controls Required No. Potential Hazard Groups of People at Risk Existing Control Measures Priority to Minimise Risk Visitors – participants, 25 Trips and falls Queens & South Park Only: employees Lake edges inspected by Park Angling Rep to inspect lake during fishing L Managers for erosion and debris season Angling ‘pegs’ to be flush with L Awaiting delivery / installation ground

Trail of ‘peg’ areas agreed Angling Rep to monitor and report findings to L Nov/Dec Park Manager Routine assistance with L (Angling Programme implemented 2015) maintenance by Angling Reps

ANSA - A COMPANY OWNED BY CHESHIRE EAST COUNCIL

RISK ASSESSMENT Name of Assessor Signature Date Directorate: ANSA Section: Parks & Rec Grounds

Elaine Webster April 2018 Assessment of risk for: Queens Park Lake Users

Risk Additional Controls Required No. Potential Hazard Groups of People at Risk Existing Control Measures Priority to Minimise Risk Inappropriate Angling methods Visitors – participants, Introduction of Code of Conduct Issue of Day / Annual permits with Code 26 L - Queens Park only - employees for users. printed Signage erected at Main Entrance and

TipKinder Entrance Angling Representatives to patrol lake at regular intervals and report finding to Park

Dev Manager. None permit users requested to exit grounds Support and communication with local Angling

Clubs. Angling Training sessions

introduced 2015

No unauthorised out-of-hours fishing

ANSA - A COMPANY OWNED BY CHESHIRE EAST COUNCIL

RISK ASSESSMENT Name of Assessor Signature Date Directorate: ANSA Section: Parks & Rec Grounds

Elaine Webster April 2018 Assessment of risk for: Queens Park Lake Users

Risk Additional Controls Required No. Potential Hazard Groups of People at Risk Existing Control Measures Priority to Minimise Risk Liability following any Visitors – participants, Insurance established for ‘Friends’ incl ANTs, 27 approved Friends Volunteer CEC Public Liability Insurance L employees Conservation and Angling activities works

Friends / ANTS / Conservation

activities – see dedicated RA Introduced 2013 28 sheets

Queens Park Only - Boating by the operator – see 29 Deep Beat, Introduced April 2017 dedicated RA sheets

Queens Park Only - Inflatable 30 /Train – M Lockett – see Introduced April 2015

dedicated RA sheet

Role Emergency Telephone No’s

Police 01270 500222 999 Police – NON EMERGENCY 101 CCTV Radio Link 01270 371471 ALPHA OMEGA 01270 258881 Parks Manager – Elaine Webster 01270 686708 Mobile 07825 351808 HOME private – 669204 Business Manager – Matt Smith 01270 686845 Mob 07980 977773 Parks Manager Assist – Ruth Morgan 01270 683673 Mob 07814 616140 CEC 24 hr CALL OUT 0300 123 5025 Property East 24 hr 01270 686888 Assets Officer – Dave Thurwell 686113 Mobile 07766 367541 Assets Officer – Ian King 686149 Mobile 07827957128 Business Unit Manager - Charlie Griffies 07971 575509 Team Leader Grounds North - Graham 07809 586125 Burgess Senior Team Leader – Dougie Christie 07730 624879 Team Leader – Steve Wilkinson 07795 400431 Team leader Waste – Caroline Griffies 07970 745812 CEC Client Officer – George Broughton / Ralph 01606 271807 (office hrs) 07766280943 / 07789271280 Kemp Community Wardens 537814 (office hrs) or contact CCTV at Westfields 529599 who will know who is on rota and contact accordingly Louis Dixon, Lakeside Pav 07887781382 OWN / HOME No’s Strictly Emergency Only – not to be given out Latest 3.10.18 E-mail: Health & Safety Officer / Parks Officers / Team Leaders

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APPENDIX 3: HARD LANDSCAPE FEATURE MAINTENANCE

The following sections describe the grounds maintenance procedures that are in place. The appropriate PPE equipment must be worn by all staff at all times when undertaking maintenance.

All equipment, methods and materials used in pursuance of maintenance and repairs should be recorded to ensure the continuity of future repairs.

Pathway Maintenance:

Pathways were 99% fully reconstructed in 2015. The remaining area, adj to the dept, will be re-layed following works to the Depot fence line and the creation of screening planted border 2018-19 is now completed.

Drains will be regularly visually inspected and will be cleaned yearly during October/November with additional works as required.

Entrance Features

Signage shall be kept in a clean, graffiti free condition. Notice boards shall be regularly updated and kept in a readable condition. Graffiti will be removed within 12hrs of being reported if offensive.

Furniture

Park furniture will be maintained as follows;

• The boundary fences and gates will be inspected twice annually and required maintenance will be undertaken. • Furniture will be inspected on a regular basis with repairs made as required. • When painting is instructed for an item the metal components must be treated in the following manner:

1. Wire brush or rub down all areas to be painted to remove loose paint, rust, grease or soil. 2. Treat all areas of bare metal or rust with a rust preventative sealant. 3. Paint all areas treated with a rust preventative sealant with a primer

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4. Paint all areas with undercoat of colours suited to final colour as specified. 5. Paint sufficient number of final coats to give a uniform, quality finish, using the approved RAL colours for the park only, (I.e. black 9005 bollards, benches and Play Area fence).

Painting staff must take steps to ensure that the surrounding surfaces remain free of paint spillage or drips and that the public are advised of the presence of wet paint by use of prominent notices and barriers. All debris produced during the painting operations must be removed before the painting operatives leave the site.

• Litterbins: must be kept clean and free of graffiti and other materials. Any damage to litter bins must be immediately reported to the park Manager. Litterbins are to be emptied weekly or at a frequency deemed necessary by site staff e.g. more often in the summer, or during events.

• Signs: are to be kept clean and free of graffiti using an approved remover in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. All signs should be clearly visible at all times with vegetation pruned in advance of them growing over signs.

• Benches: during the course of their work if any staff note vandalism, or damage to a bench they must take immediate steps to make the bench safe or must remove it to Cheshire East Council's Depot as directed by the park manager.

A programme of bench refurbishment / replacement is ongoing.

APPENDIX 4: SOFT LANDSCAPE FEATURE MAINTENANCE

Tree Management

A survey of the tree stock within Queens Park was undertaken in 2005. A wide range of tree management recommendations were included in the report. The conclusions of this report demonstrate a wide range of arboriculture works requirements. A review and revision of the initial report should now be undertaken in highlighting the works delivered to date and a schedule of outstanding works should be drawn up into a 5 year remedial management plan, with annual work plans, to bring the site tree management up to date. This will provide an outline of maintenance work required and costs for the first five years. This plan will be reviewed to take stock of tree conditions as they vary. Since this time ANSA have employed a tree officer who works alongside the park manager and the friends of the park to programme appropriately works and advice accordingly.

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Deadwood arisings from tree management works will be stacked into habitat piles in the wildlife belt along the eastern boundary, so to encourage suitable habitat for indigenous mammals and invertebrates. Management will always consider ecological and other environmental benefits.

Trained arboriculture contractors will undertake tree works ensuring quality work is undertaken.

New Tree Planting

When required, trees will be felled in accordance with the arboriculture report and replanted with native stock in line with the county BAP, (biodiversity action plan), with a minimum tree size of 14/16 extra heavy standard grown locally where available. Trees will be double staked and guarded around the base with guards to avoid damage by mowers and strimmer’s.

Opportunities will be sought for supplementary planting within the existing mature woodland areas to ensure there is sufficient stock to replace the currently mature trees. These will be native, appropriate to the parkland setting and species choices will aim to extend the existing arboriculture biodiversity of the park.

Shrub Bed Maintenance

Bark Mulch: Mulched beds will be topped up annually to ensure a minimum depth of 75mm is maintained, with care given to ensure the correct pH for the relevant shrubs is maintained.

Edging: Bed edges will be maintained in a neat and tidy condition. Edges of beds abutting grassed areas must be edged once per year between November and March with an edging iron or other suitable equipment to ensure a vertical edge. All arisings must be collected and removed to the site composting area at the end of each day’s work. Fertiliser: Slow release fertiliser will be applied between March and April only on semi-mature shrub beds. Fertilisers are to be evenly distributed by hand and forked into the top of the soil. All chemicals are to be applied in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

Grass Edging: The grass edge must be trimmed throughout the year when the grass overhang reaches 30mm using long handled shears or other appropriate equipment.

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Irrigation: Irrigation is to be carried out at the discretion of the gardeners at the time of shrub bed planting. A fine rose or sprinkler will be used to avoid soil erosion and sufficient time should be allowed for the whole of the soil around the root to become saturated with water. Only in exceptional droughts will beds require watering.

Pruning: The park’s Gardeners will use good horticultural practices in the decision to prune shrubs and in the actual work. It is noted that methods and pruning times will differ between species of shrub. Shrubs will be allowed to develop a natural shape and be able to merge together to form an aesthetically pleasing cover.

All pruning must be carried out using clean sharp secateurs, loppers or pruning saw. Care must be taken to ensure that all cuts are clean, leaving no tearing, slithers, bruising or snags. Pruning shall only be carried out in order to maintain a good shape to the shrub by thinning and trimming as necessary to encourage flower and fruit and to remove any encroaching branches. All suckers and weak growth must be cut out at the time of pruning. All arisings are to be removed from the shrub beds and surrounds and taken to the site compost area.

Herbaceous Maintenance

The flowerbeds containing perennials or a mixture of perennials and annuals are to be maintained as follows:

General: Gaps are to be replanted as and when they occur in accordance with good practice. The old flower stems of herbaceous perennials will be cut down during the autumn and the border will be cleaned through, removing all arisings to the site composting area. The soil will be forked over, taking care not to cause undue disturbance to the plants and compost and/or fertiliser will be applied.

All beds will be free from fallen autumn leaves by removal on occasions in November/December and once in January. Fertiliser: Slow release fertilizer will be applied evenly by hand between March and April. Application must be in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines.

Irrigation: Irrigation is to be carried out at the discretion of the parks’ gardeners. A fine rose or sprinkler should be used to avoid soil erosion and sufficient time should be allowed for the whole of the soil around the root to become saturated with water to field capacity.

Herbicide: Contact herbicides are limited to the use of Glyphosate based herbicides only. The herbicide must be suitable for application to both grass and broad-leaved weeds in areas free from planting, or as spot treatments in planted areas during periods of active growth. All herbicides must be applied in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and by pesticide certified staff. Where possible herbicide use will be replaced with bark mulching.

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Hedge/Boundary Maintenance

Cutting: Hedge edges are to be cut using hand shears, mechanical hand held reciprocating cutter bar, or parrot bill secateurs. Any hedges not of Hawthorn will be cut on three occasions per year in May, July and September. The severity of cut shall be such that all growth is removed to point of the previous cut or year’s growth.

On completion of work the hedges must be shaped to its previous existing profile, unless otherwise previously agreed by either a supervisor or the park manager. All clippings lodging in the top or sides of hedges must be removed by hand as required.

At the end of each day’s cutting all arisings must be cleared to the site compost area.

During the cutting operation all litter and debris must be cleared from the hedge and its base and taken to the park gardener’s tip.

When using hand held engine driven equipment the operator must adopt safe working practices and procedures.

Base of Hedge: The bases of all hedges must be kept weed and litter free to a width of 45 cms on each side of the hedge. The ANSA Management Team must approve the chemicals used and the park’s gardeners must take care to ensure no chemical damage occurs to the hedge. Any chemicals used must be applied and stored in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions and all appropriate government regulations and guidelines.

Grass Maintenance

Inspection of Site: Prior to each cut the gardeners must inspect all areas to be mown and must remove all items, obstructions and litter which might cause damage or injury or detract from the appearance of the site. This includes bricks, stones, plastics, bottles, tins, paper and any other individual item discarded on site.

Machinery: The park’s Gardeners shall use approved machines appropriate in size, shape and method of cutting for the type of work involved. On areas, which allow the use of large cutting machinery, inaccessible parts of these areas shall be cut with smaller hand machines ideally on the same day, but within 2 days of the use of the large machines and to the same standard as the large area.

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Standard of Cutting: Mowing must be undertaken in such a manner as to cut the whole area. At no time must grass be of a lesser or greater length than is required within these specifications unless otherwise agreed in writing by either a supervisor or the park manager.

Mowing must be carried out as close as possible to fixed obstructions. Removable obstructions shall be removed by the park’s gardeners to facilitate cutting and be replaced before they leave that part of the park. Edging off will occur yearly or more frequently if required. Mowing around obstructions and in the proximity of margins must be undertaken to the same standard and frequency as that applied to the main area, using methods, tools and machines as appropriate. This work will be carried out within 2 days of cutting of the main area. In instances where the area is “box mown” this operation will be carried out on the same day.

The park’s gardeners shall be instructed of the vulnerability of young trees to damage caused by the careless use of grass cutting machinery. As such new trees will be equipped with guards and the immediate area around the tree will be kept grass free up to 0.5m around the base and edged off.

Maintenance of Machinery: The park’s gardeners must ensure that all machines engaged in grass cutting operations are sharp and properly set so as to produce a true and even cut.

Safety: The park’s gardeners must at all times ensure that machines are fitted with approved safety guards and maintained to prevent danger to the public or property. It is the duty of the park’s Management and Maintenance Team to comply with all present and future health and safety legislation.

Weather Conditions: The park Manager or works supervisor reserves the right to instruct the park gardeners to cease the cutting of grass, should weather conditions, in their opinion, result in cessation of grass growth or during periods when ground conditions are so wet, preventing grass cutting occurring without causing damage to the surface or levels of the ground, or producing divots. In the event of such an instruction being given, grass-cutting operations will re-commence upon the receipt of a further instruction from either a supervisor or the park manager. The park gardeners shall cease grass-cutting operations, notifying either a supervisor or the park manager immediately, if they are unable to continue without causing damage to the ground.

Marking of Sports Facilities: The timing of all grass-cutting operations must be such that the cutting precedes the marking of any sports facility where the markings could be disturbed by the passage of the mowers.

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Naturalised Bulbs: In areas where flowering bulbs have been planted or have become naturalised the park gardeners must not cut the grass until a minimum period of 6 weeks has elapsed after the completion of flowering. The park gardeners must then cut such areas to the appropriate specification. All arisings must be removed to the site compost area.

Height of Cut: The height of grass above ground level must be maintained at not more than 30mm and not less than 15mm unless otherwise instructed by either a supervisor or the park manager.

Obstacles and Grass Perimeters: Grass against walls, along fences, around trees, lamp columns and other furniture is to be maintained by mechanical means. Chemical control will not be allowed.

Maintaining Grass Edge: Grass edge must be trimmed when grass overhang reaches 30mm using long handled shears or other appropriate equipment, following each mowing operation. All arisings will be removed to the site compost area.

Application of selective Herbicide: When instructed by the authorised officer a selective herbicide is to be applied to ornamental grass areas. The application rate is to be in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations of the product used at the time. The product is not specified within this section as chemicals change frequently.

Amenity Grass

Height of Cut: The height of grass above ground level must be maintained at not more than 75mm and no less than 30mm unless otherwise instructed by either a supervisor or the park manager.

Grass Clippings: Clippings falling on the central grassed area must be spread out evenly to prevent damage to the grass beneath and this will only take place on the central field within the park. Grass clippings must not be allowed to lie on metalled or other hard surfaces. They must be swept up and scattered evenly on adjoining grass areas or removed from site immediately.

Obstacles and Grass Perimeters: Grass along footpaths, paving, against walls and fences, around trees and other street furniture and in corners inaccessible to mowers must be maintained to the same standard as the main area i.e. less than 75mm high and not less than 30mm high. This can be carried out by using hand or mechanical equipment, but not by spraying.

Edging: Along paths and around features within amenity areas grass must be edged once per year between 1st November and 28th February. This work must be done with an edging iron or other suitable equipment to ensure a neat and tidy appearance. All arisings must be collected

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and removed to the site compost area, and the kerbs, path, road or other surface swept clean at the conclusion of each day’s work. Grass must be edged to within 30mm of the back of the edging kerb.

Grass Edge: Grass edge must be trimmed when grass overhang exceeds 50mm using long handled shears or other appropriate equipment.

Bowling greens

General: A safe, pest and weed free surface must be maintained at all times, with damage to the green being avoided. Any damage to the surface of the green must be repaired by the maintenance team as soon as possible upon discovery.

Machinery must not be allowed to remain stationary upon the green. Fuel tanks, pesticide sprayers and fertilizer spreaders must be filled off the green in order to prevent possible damage by spillage.

Mowing: The green will be mowed three times a week on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday, except on bank holiday weeks where mowing will be on a Tuesday and Thursday. The height of the grass is to be between 5mm and 8mm and must be cut before 10am. During the playing season the green will be edged weekly via long handled sheers or similar mechanical means with arising being removed.

Dew dispersal/drag brushing/switching: On every working day the green will be brushed in order to disperse dew. Alternatively the green may be switched using a suitable nylon rod, with the operation complete before 10am.

Pesticide and Herbicide Usage: All applications to the Bowling green will be undertaken following direction by the area supervisor or the park manager. All applications should be made when weather conditions are suitable, avoiding drought and wet periods.

Nutrition: Nutrition will be added to the green as required during spring and summer using a fine turf fertilizer with a 12:6:6 N:P:K ratio. Applications must take place during gaps within the fixture programme. Following the addition of nutrition mowing shall not take place for three days. Top dressing will be applied during the closed season as required.

Scarification: The green shall be scarified at the close of the season using suitable equipment and set for heavy thatch removal to a depth no more than 9mm. Displaced thatch shall be removed from the green and composted.

Chemical Control

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Pesticide Control: A ‘pesticide’ will mean any agent exerting biological control over any living organism, and as such will include herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, algaecides, moss killers and all such similar products. All pesticides to be use in the undertaking of the works will be approved by the Area Supervisor or park Manager and no other materials shall be used. Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 and the Pesticides Legislation 1986

All materials to be used and all procedures shall be in accordance with the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 and subsequent legislation or any statutory amendments or re-enactment thereof or any Order or Regulations made there under i.e. COSHH Regulations and hereinafter referred to as “The Act". As a result the use of pesticides will be reduced wherever possible.

COSHH Assessment: The park gardeners must comply with the Regulations covering the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (1988) ensuring all necessary control measures are taken. The park Gardeners must supply either a supervisor or the park manager with a copy of his COSHH Assessments. These assessments must be reviewed as required and either a supervisor or the park manager provided with all up-to- date information.

Certification of Operatives: All operatives engaged in the application of any pesticide as defined within the terms of The Act must be over 18 years of age and must hold a certificate from a training establishment recognised by the appropriate Government Minister as being an approved assessment centre under the terms of The Act. The park gardeners must present to either a supervisor or the park manager proof that the employees to be engaged in such work are suitably qualified and assessed and shall ensure that only those operatives are engaged in the application of such materials. Operatives must carry their licence with them at all times and must produce this on demand by either a supervisor or the park manager. All Training/certification must be reviewed and updated as required.

Protective Clothing: Cheshire East Council will provide all protective clothing appropriate to the materials being applied at any one time and shall give their staff access to necessary washing and cleaning facilities as required. The park management must ensure that staff, whilst engaged in application of pesticides, wear suitable protective clothing and that they observe all safety precautions.

Storage and Transport of Chemicals: The park gardeners must ensure that all materials are properly stored and transported, providing secure licensed storage as required under the legislation.

Methods of Application: The park gardeners must ensure that the method of application and the undertaking of such works proceeds in such a manner as to cause no damage or injury to any person, desirable plant, animal, machine or item of equipment or other property. Any such damage will be held to be the responsibility of the park Gardeners and he will be required to make good any damage and will be responsible

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for any claims for compensation arising from his actions or omissions. In carrying out mixing of chemicals the operatives must ensure that no spillage of chemical takes place so that no damage results to vegetation, surfaces, plants or equipment and any such damage will similarly be held to be the responsibility of the park Gardeners.

Timing of Works: The timing of works must be such that no spraying takes place during inclement weather, or when rainfall is expected in a time period which is less than that specified by the manufacturer of the chemical being used, or during periods of drought or in windy conditions.

Pollution of Water Courses: The park staff must ensure that the method of application and the undertaking of works do not lead to the pollution of any watercourse or water supply. Any such pollution will be held to be the responsibility of the park staff and he will be required to make good any damage and will be held to be responsible for any claims arising from his actions or omissions.

Disposal of Waste Containers and Chemicals: The park gardeners must ensure that all waste containers and chemicals are correctly disposed of making use of appropriately licensed tips or incinerators as necessary.

Work Programme: Prior to carrying out any application of material the park Gardeners must notify the park Manager of the working programme giving at least two working days’ notice and thereafter keeping them informed at regular intervals.

Notification of Spraying: Site operatives must by methods approved under the terms of The Act, notify the park Manager, the public and the users of facilities of the fact that spraying operations are to be undertaken.

Litter and Leaf Collection

Removal of Litter: On each working day, or as required, the park Gardeners must collect litter from all areas on the site, including where necessary, sweeping hard surface areas. All arisings, including glass debris shall be removed to the Authority’s Authorised Disposal Point leaving the site in a clean and tidy condition. Bins will be emptied at least once a week and as required.

Litter shall be controlled in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act 1990 Part 4 Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions Revised Code of Practice on Litter and Refuse 1999 and the Cleaner Neighbourhoods Act.

Leaf Collection: During the months of October to November the park Gardeners must once a week clear all fallen leaves from all beds and the ornamental areas. Leaves may be collected by mechanical means but the park Gardeners will ensure that no damage is caused to turfed areas.

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Any damaged areas must be reinstated to the park Manager's instructions at the expense of the park Gardeners. All arisings must be removed to the site compost area leaving the site in a neat and tidy condition.

APPENDIX 5: EDUCATION STRATEGY

Queens Park can provide a range of education activities, both formal and informal. There is significant opportunity to create a wide-ranging educational programme. As part of this, consideration needs to be given to how this will be developed and marketed.

Schools/Community Groups • Local schools and groups will be contacted yearly to highlight the park as an educational resource. This will include the types of activities, which could be undertaken within the park. For example a tree trail, invertebrate discovery workshops and pond dipping events. • Activities tailored to specific age groups will be created. • Outreach work to schools will take place for consultation work regarding developments within the park. They will consist of educationally high quality content, with specialist, age relative information tailored to the key stage point of the National Curriculum.

On Site Education • Interpretation boards have been designed and installed with education information, notably on the Burma Star Island and in the Coronation Valley. • Notice boards will contain information on informal and organised educational activities available throughout the park. • Downloadable guides and educational opportunities leaflets will be created for visitors to use and follow as they walk round the park.  Creation of Friends Education Packs.  Nature activities ie Bug Hotel, Bees, Bird boxes, Pond dipping……

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APPENDIX 6 BIODIVERSITY CONSIDERATIONS

How the location is used and User perceptions improved Habitat Description How to enhance biodiversity. what people think by Woodland Woodland / Visually attractive as Improved management There is an over emphasis of veteran and moribund tree large shrub perimeter backdrop and for especially to trees with limbs stock within the area that requires a strategic management belt around walking through leaf litter to overhanging footpaths. policy developing within the arboriculture management the perimeter footpaths in autumn and Encouraging nectar plan. This must deliver a regenerative planting strategy of of the park. winter a perceived issue. producing species. mainly native stock and should include currently Important for recreation and a Maintaining clear paths. unrepresented, regionally appropriate native species. visual asset. Incidental Scattered Strong visual / landscape Carefully choosing new trees Assess the regionally appropriate native tree species landscape large mature impact. Planted with native and placing them into the currently not planted and incorporate these species into the trees & over mature and exotic trees, which landscape at visual focal gapping up programme. trees across increase the habitat value of points. Leaf colour and tree the park. the parkland. size / shape need to be carefully considered. Wetland Lake and The views of the lake area Maintenance, enhanced Maintain oxygenation by pumps and through planting. Areas Coronation major attraction within the planting schemes at the Control angling and the excessive & inappropriate feeding Valley are park. The sound of flowing margins of the water bodies. of wildfowl. both artificial water through the Coronation Implementation of 20 year Ecologist recommendations. water bodies Valley is another major management plan. but both have attraction for visitors. ecological value. Hedges Shrubs and Require constant maintenance Ensure hedges are Reduce frequency of cutting of hedges away from formal trees provide within the park, and can maintained along paths. areas to twice a year. a division and appear untidy between Formal locations to be cut as Replant gaps with native species not currently found in the delineate cutting. Important landscape a priority, hedgerows. boundaries. features. Important for increasing biodiversity.

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How the location is used and User perceptions improved Habitat Description How to enhance biodiversity. what people think by Shrub Dense Traditional aspect of the park Ensure shrubs are cut back Reduce intensive trimming planting planting, and visually important. Can be away from paths. Replace cultivated, mulched soils with wildflowers mainly of seen as untidy when seen Coppice/prune severely to regenerate over mature shrubs. ornamental between cuts. Use flowering and fruiting shrubs to provide food for species. animals. Short grass Regularly Traditional feature of the park Ensure grass is maintained Consider the feasibility of creating rough meadow style mown swathes of grassland incorporating native species seeding, amenity grass Suitable for all types of Ensure cutting is regular and particularly in wetter areas. in the recreation and events. of a good quality Create a range of habitat piles and hibernacula from arisings Central field from woodland management. Establish shade tolerant wildflower colonies through native plug and bulb planting. Flower beds Highly Seen as a traditional formal Increase the range of colours Avoid using double-flowered and hybridising varieties maintained area of the park, with high used and the combination with winter visual importance and summer bedding. Herbaceous Planting of Highly attractive all year round Maximise the flowering Increase the diversity of plants used and the structural beds perennial feature, with good structure. season with dead heading diversity herbaceous Use long and late flowering Increase winter food value by cutting back in early spring species species. Incorporate fruiting species and those known to encourage invertebrate species diversity.

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APPENDIX 7 – MAJOR RE-FURBISHMENT WORKS COMPLETED - OUTSTANDING

Ref Item Eligible Additio Phase 1 Capital Comm. Ongoing Complete . Works nal Complete Works Funded Mainten d Works d Works ance

£ £ £ £ £ £ A1 West Lodge £212,600.00 £3,000.0 Garden Frontage 0 £10,000.0 2014 Dry Rot 0 A2 East Lodge including A1 £4,500.0 2014 Garden frontage 0 A3 Clock Tower £24,345.07 £5,000.0 2014-15 Refurbish all / new Clock 0 mechanism A4 Boer War £18,179.10 £6,000.0 2016-17 Clean / Refurb Memorial 0 £2,500.00 2016-17 Repair lower walls, infill former plant beds £3,000 2017 Replace chains to lower walls A5/ Bridge (CW - including A6 2013-14 1 Lake) A5/ Bridge (BS including A6 £10,000.0 2013-14 Approach protection incl B/W 2 Island North) 0 bridge A5/ Bridge (BS including A6 2013-14 3 Island South) A5/ Bridge (Inlet) including A6 2013-14 4 A6 Broadwalk £1,850,353.9 £15,000. 2013-14 Initial H&S works and Protective Bridge 0 00 handrail extensions A7 Traditional £157,540.40 £1,000.0 Complete Power supply only Bandstand 0 d OUTSTANDING

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£1,000.0 On-going Formative tree pruning 0 A8 Timber £23,111.18 £500.00 2013 Memorial plaque Shelter

A9/ Bowls including £1,000.00 2014 Segregate of pavilion from 1 Pavilion additional Dianna memorial space (Exist works upgrade/repl ace) £1,500.0 Access for all to Bowling green 0 A1 Gulf War £800 2016 New Plaque - Planting 0 Memorial (Community Project) A1 Existing £120.00 2010 2 Jubilee Pavilion A1 Lakeside £0.00 £15,000. 2010 Refurbish toilet block 2/2 Pavillion 00 (New Jubilee Facility) £18,000 2017 Replace Veranda & exterior electrics incl step lights A1 Landing £10,000. Resurface 3 Stage 00 £300 2016 Kiosk Painted by PJ A1 Burma Star £12- £5000 2016-17 Mixed Funding 5 Island £15,000 A1 Lake £337,600.87 £20,000. 2016-21 Specialist marginal & aquatic 6 00 planting £25,000. 2014 Aeration 00 £3000 2018 Disabled Fishing stations

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A1 Boundary £376,912.98 7 Railings £30,000 2018- Painting to be phased 2020 A1 Main £4,000.00 2014 Refurbish main gates & 8 Entrance - stonework North/Lodge Entrance £1,000.00 2014 Refurb curved railings A1 Other including A17 9/1 Entrances – E, S, W A2 Children’s £209,924.15 £7,500.0 Seating, litter bins & associated 0 Play Area 0 soft landscape works £6000 2018 Wheelchair Friendly Swing

A2 Coronation £130,000 Cheshire East Council / WREN 1 Walk Valley + funded £50,000 A2 Fell and clear £71,385.13 3/1 trees A2 Replant £754.85 3/2 original wooded areas A2 Replant £4,250.00 3/3 formal avenue A2 Prune trees £18,967.65 3/4 and replant 150 new A2 Recreate bog £30,000 Tree removals/remedial works, 3/5 gardens & wildflower grassland, bulb replant in CW Valley

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A2 Plant tree and shrub planting, bog & 3/6 herbaceous water gardens borders Lake aquatics £15,000. 2016-21 Lake aquatics 00 General Soft £150,000 General Landscaping .00 A2 Earthworks 4 A2 Lighting £5,000.0 Formal Avenue lighting 5 0 £15,000. Broadwalk lighting 00 £5,000.0 Listed structures lighting 0 A2 park £2,198.00 £10,000. 2016 Seats / Bins 6 Furniture 00

A2 Ex-Toilet £5,500.00 2018-19 Exterior painting and Planting 7/1 Block/Rose Terrace A2 Depot £17,884.70 £15,000.0 2015-17 Demolish existing Depot Building 7/2 0 A2 Play Area £17,338.81 2010-11 7/3 A2 Lake bridges 7/4 A2 ALL £500K 2016-17 7/7 footpaths Surveys £39,950.32 Consultation £5,000 2016-17 s (budget etc. include in fees) A3 Collapsed 2010

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4 culvert Eligible £138,43 Works Stage 6.50 A - D Design fees Additional £2,787. drawings, 50 schedules etc. A2 Drainage £81,564 2010 8 .60 A2 Services/Utili 9 ties A3 Play Area £29,360 2011 1 shelter .87 A3 DRE Shelter £769.00 2 A3 New car £21,045 2011 3 park/pedestr ian crossing A3 Main culvert 2010 5 A3 Inlet - outlet £10,000. 2009-10 Access improvements to inlet 6 00 mechanism £10,000. Safety works to outlet valve 00 A3 Lodges - £177,20 2010 7 internal fit 0 out A3 Depot £5,000.0 2018 Footpath screening 8 0 £35,000. 2017-18 Surfacing / Demolish 00 £10,000. 2017-18 Gate 00

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£7,500.0 tbc Emergency exit turnstile 0 A5 park/project £211,119.33 1 manager Consultants £766,077.40 Fees

PM Overview £17,098 01 management .80 PM PM meeting £20,054 03 .00 PM Design team £3,950. 06 management 00 PM Cost control £7,645. 07 00 PM Contract £2,943. 09 administratio 00 n PM CNBC liaison £18,844 10 .00

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APPENDIX 8: QUEENS PARK KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

The bulk of the significant park improvements were completed in 2014. As a result, monitoring of the following KPI's should be undertaken in the following years and recorded in annual updates of the management plan.

NO INDICATOR 15/16 16/17 17/18 18/19 19/20 1. Number of events, (Public and Private) 40 43 47 47 47 held within the park 2. Number of development plan targets Extensive end of 2 4 6 7 achieved project works - Paths, Gulf Depot, Depot Planting, Lions Rockery, See HLF detail War Coronation Works to Pump Wildflower Valley, Coro Valley, Planting Scheme, Burma Star, Fish Pond Clear, Tree Memorial Disabled Swing, Replacements, Chains Planting, Painting Lodges Imps to car park E&W, surface, Café new heating system, Clock Tower mechnasim repair,

3. Number of school visits to the park 4 4 4 4 4

4. User satisfaction (satisfied) percentage. Dissatisfaction See User 97% Complete bi- Due [total percentage of satisfied and very with Pathways Survey Satisfaction annually satisfied] and Café toilets Minus 2% re Café 5. Number of visitors on the summer 360K 380K Heading for Ditto Ditto count 400K to end Mch 18

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6. Green Flag award outcome Yes Yes Yes na 7. Heritage Application Accreditation na na Yes Yes 8. Updating of MMP    Rewritten Updated 9. Number of Friends meetings 10 11 11 11 11 10. Nat Parks Forum Event 1

APPENDIX 9: FRIENDS OF QUEENS PARK

Membership: The Friends of Queens Park is a community group formally established in 2009, with open meetings programmed during the HLF project. It has a constitution, bank account and a Management Committee comprising Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary, Events Officer, Wildlife Off, ANT’s Off, Bowling Off, Angling Off, plus eight community representatives. The Committee meets eleven times a year, all meetings are ‘open’ meetings. Volunteers: Volunteers meet monthly and undertake a variety of tasks to support the enhancement and appearance of the park. They also carry out marshal duties at events such as the Party in the park, Family Fit Day, Bonfire and the Play Days for Children organised by the community.

Partners in the park: In addition to our own volunteers, other volunteers in the park have included School Projects, Crewe & Nantwich Lions Club, Scouts, local Air Corp, Probation Services and Town Council

Tasks and projects: The above all undertaking low level maintenance works i.e. painting of benches, collection of leaves and litter following eventing. All tasks are carried out in consultation with Cheshire East Council and ANSA.

Awards: Queens Park is a Grade 2* LISTED Heritage park. Green Flag Award in 2016, 2017, 2018. Green Heritage Park Award 2017, 2018. APSE Employee of the Year Award – Elaine Webster, ANSA Parks Manager 2018

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APPENDIX 10: LAKE MANAGEMENT PLAN 17 December 2014 Queens Park Lake, Crewe Ecological Management Plan Report Number: 2316_R01a_SH_SMC Author: Simon Holden MCIEEM Checked: John Moorcroft MCIEEM CEnv

Contents Section 1: Introduction Section 2: Site Summary Section 3: Management Objectives Section 4: Management Constraints Section 5: Management Prescriptions Appendices Appendix 1 – Water Quality Sampling Results Appendix 2 – Information on the use of Barley Straw to control Algae Appendix 3 – Examples of Habitat Creation (Salix) Appendix 4 – Photographs Plans Plan 1: Habitat Features Plan 2316/P01 December 2014 SH/LD Plan 2: Habitat Management Plan 2316/P02 December 2014 SH/LD

Section 1: Introduction 1.1. This Ecological Management Plan (EcMP) has been prepared by Tyler Grange (TG) LLP on behalf of Cheshire East Council.

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1.2. The EcMP is primarily concerned with improving water quality within Queens Park Lake, Crewe. This plan provides details of proposed works which are designed to improve water quality and to enhance the overall ecology of the lake and its immediate environs.

1.3. Management proposals take account of use of the lake by anglers and more informal enjoyment of the lake surroundings by public using the park for informal recreation. The need for the continuation of these activities is recognised but, where necessary, measures to mitigate adverse effects on the ecology of the lake which might arise from them are also included.

1.4. The area that the EcMP covers is shown on Plan 2316/P01 and is hereafter termed ‘the lake’.

1.5. This EcMP is set out as follows:

Section 2 describes the site context and ecological resources within and around the lake that will be managed under this EcMP. Results from a water quality survey undertaken by APEM Ltd are also interpreted;

Section 3 sets out management objectives for the EcMP; Section 4 describes constraints that may influence management prescriptions; Section 5 describes the management prescriptions to achieve objectives set out in Section 3 as well as setting out monitoring and possible remedial action, where necessary.

Section 2: Site Summary 2.1. This section of the EcMP summarises the existing ecological resources present within and surrounding the lake, together with the findings from water quality sampling undertaken by APEM on 30 September 2014.

Site Location 2.2. The lake is centred on Ordnance Survey (OS) grid reference SJ 687 555, is approximately 1.73 ha in area and is located within Queens Park, Crewe. Surrounding land use comprises formal parkland for public recreational use consisting of extensive areas of close mown amenity grassland together with areas of both native and ornamental tree and shrub planting.

Site Area 2.3. This EcMP covers the land shown within the blue-line boundary, shown on the Habitat Features Plan 2316/P01.

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Land Tenure 2.4. The land is within the ownership and control of Cheshire East Council and they will be the responsible for implementation of the EcMP.

Site Description and Ecological Resources 2.5. A Phase 1 habitat survey and water quality sampling survey were undertaken in September 2014 to inform proposals for management of the lake and its immediate environs. The distribution of habitats described is shown on the Habitat Features Plan 2316/P01.

Site Habitats Standing water 2.6. The lake is engineered to be connected to Valley Brook via a sluice mechanism at the eastern end. Valley Brook flows through a culvert beneath the lake. The water in the lake was turbid during the survey but where the substrate was visible in shallow areas it comprised a mixture of silt and cobbles. The water depth is unknown. The banks of the lake are reinforced with laid stone around much of the perimeter. In some areas the bank is earth. Coir rolls have been installed to establish marginal vegetation in places. However it appears this has failed as no marginal vegetation is present and the earth banks are eroding in places. 2.7. There are three islands on the lake; these all have banks of laid stone and are planted with small trees. A footbridge spans the centre of the lake, crossing one of the islands.

Scattered trees 2.8. Occasional trees are present on the banks of the lake, although most of the trees around the lake are several meters from the water’s edge. Species include pedunculate oak Quercus robur, silver birch Betula pendula, larch Larix sp., willow Salix sp., Scots pine Pinus sylvestris, holly Ilex aquifolium and yew Taxus baccata.

Amenity grassland 2.9. Amenity grassland is present surrounding the lake. Small areas of soft rush Juncus effusus are present on the northwest bank indicating impeded drainage.

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Fauna Fish 2.10. Following health checking, a proportion of the fish removed prior to restoration were returned to the park lake in 2012. No carp species were returned but some appear to have been introduced illegally.

Birds 2.11. A large number of birds were present on and around the lake during the survey. Species comprised mallard Anas platyrhynchos, mute swan Cygnus olor, Canada goose Branter canadensis, coot Fulica atra, black-headed gull Larus ridibundus. Individual great crested grebe Podiceps cristatus and mandarin Aix galericulata were also recorded. The trees and shrubs surrounding the lake and on the islands offer suitable habitat for a range of waterfowl and common woodland bird species. Other wildlife Bats 2.12. Bats were found within the Bandstand structure prior to restoration. A licence was secured to restore the Bandstand and provision was made to support bat re-colonisation after the restoration was completed. Other buildings within the park (and potentially mature trees) and the culvert beneath the lake offer further roosting opportunities and the lake and surrounding vegetation offer suitable foraging habitats for bats.

Water Quality Sampling - Data and Analysis

2.13. Full results of the water quality sampling undertaken by APEM Ltd are provided in Appendix 1. A summary analysis of results is provided below. 2.14. Whilst the sampling results only represent a ‘snapshot’ of the current situation in relation to water quality, the results indicate that dissolved oxygen (DO) levels are relatively high and are unlikely to result in stress to fish. 2.15. DO levels need to be generally above 3mg/L for adult non-salmonid (coarse) fish survival and above 5mg/L to avoid physiological stress and higher than this for the survival of fish fry1. DO 1 M J Stiff, N G Cartwright and R I Crane (1992) Environmental Quality Standards for Dissolved Oxygen – National Rivers Authority. levels recorded within the lake ranged from 4.96mg/l to 7.11mg/l; well above the levels which would

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cause stress in coarse fish. However, DO at Points 1 and 3 was notably lower. 2.16. Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) levels were relatively high at all sample points. This suggests either organic matter or algae in the lake. BOD was highest at Sample Point 3, corresponding with the area where ducks are fed by the public. 2.17. Suspended solids were also high at all sample points. Readings exceeded the Freshwater Fisheries Directive (FFD) standard (<25mg/l) at most points. High suspended solids correspond with algal blooms. Uneaten feed and bird faeces may also be contributory factors. 2.18. Chlorophyll and total phosphate readings were high, indicating hypertrophic conditions and high levels of algae. Algal levels are influenced by organic nutrients which may result from bird faeces and uneaten feed. High algal levels result in turbidity which reduces light required by macrophytes. Dense algal blooms can lead to fluctuations in DO which may lead to fish kills. 2.19. Ammonia is most detrimental to fish when it is in the un-ionised form. This is calculated from the ammonia, temperature and pH data. The FFD standard is 0.025mg/l. Un-ionised ammonia levels recorded in the lake ranged from 0.003-0.007mg/l, indicating that ammonia is not a problem. Section 3: Management Objectives

3.1. In considering options for habitat creation and management the following factors were considered: • Water quality problems and a history of fish kills; • The multiple user groups using the lake (general public, anglers, model boat club); • Opportunities to contribute towards Cheshire Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) targets; and • The sustainability of habitats to be created taking into account natural processes (such as succession) and management inputs required to maintain them.

Objective 1 – Improve water quality and reduce likelihood of fish kills 3.2. The lake was de-silted in 2012 and a build-up of organic sediment is therefore unlikely to be the cause of water quality problems. 3.3. The Management and Maintenance Plan 2011-2020 states that drainage which had been contaminating the lake was repaired. This work should be reviewed to ensure that the problem has not reoccurred. 3.4. The lake currently supports large population of resident and transitory wildfowl. This can contribute to water quality problems due to the faeces from the birds and the bread which people feed to them. In addition, ducks and other fowl tend to eat macrophytes and this can exacerbate water quality problems. One option to address this problem is ‘egg pricking’ to reduce recruitment (this

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must be done under licence from Natural England) but this is not practical for birds which nest outside of the park. Educating the public through signage encouraging people not to feed the ducks is also important. Another option may be to create a separate pond just for feeding ducks on, or to encourage feeding in one particular area. However, this would not reduce problems from bird faeces. 3.5. Floating vegetated islands should be installed. These would help to improve water quality by providing habitat for beneficial bacteria as well as creating valuable habitats for invertebrates and fish. Examples of floating vegetated islands are provided at Appendix 2. 3.6. Algal levels should be managed by installing barley straw nets/sausages within the lake. As it rots down, barley straw releases chemicals which inhibit algal growth. It will be necessary to replace the nets/sausages three times a year and to monitor the effects. Further details on the use of barley straw are provided at Appendix 1. 3.7. Two aerators have been installed in the lake. These should be maintained and kept in operation, especially during periods of warm weather or algal blooms as they will reduce the chances of a fish kill due to low DO.

Objective - 2 Create habitats to increase the biodiversity of the lake 3.8. This objective includes the creation of habitats to support a more diverse fauna, namely invertebrates and fish. 3.9. Marginal vegetation is absent from the lake at present. Marginal vegetation provides important habitats for invertebrates and juvenile fish, and will also provide a foraging resource for birds and bats. Marginal vegetation would also greatly increase the aesthetic value of the lake. A mix of rushes, sedges and herbs such as marsh marigold, yellow flag and purple loosestrife should be established around approximately 50% of the lake’s perimeter using pre-established coir rolls. The benefits of this method are that it provides a means of establishing vegetation where water bodies have reinforced banks. It also speeds up the process as the rolls can be bought with young plants already growing. This approach has been attempted previously but it appears that no measures were included to prevent waterfowl from eating the young plants. It may be possible to use the existing stakes to secure new coir rolls. Examples of pre-established coir rolls are provided at Appendix 2. It is recommended that a specialist contractor is appointed to either install the coir rolls or to supervise the installation. 3.10. Artificial floating islands should be installed to provide cover and foraging and spawning habitat for fish. These are also readily used for nesting by birds such as coot and moorhen. These features

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are anchored to keep them in place and can also help to maintain water quality by providing a substrate for beneficial bacteria. Examples of artificial floating islands are provided at Appendix 2. 3.11. Bat and bird boxes could be installed on selected trees around the lake and on the Jubilee Pavillion café. These should be installed under the supervision of a suitably experienced ecologist. Schwegler boxes are recommended as they are made of woodcrete, which is longer lasting than traditional wooden boxes and has better thermal properties. This would improve opportunities for bats and birds within the site.

Objective 3 – Manage recreational activities 3.12. The lake is used by the public, who enjoy walking around, or sitting by the lake, or feeding the ducks (see above). Realistically it is impossible to prevent people from feeding the ducks, but every effort should be made to reduce this activity as this is likely to be the principal cause of water quality problems. Measures should include signage around the lake but a publicity campaign in the local media is also recommended. Regular patrolling by parks staff would help to reinforce the message. Anglers could also be encouraged to speak to people they see feeding birds. An information leaflet could be produced which parks staff, anglers and Friends Group members could hand out. 3.13. A model boating club also uses the lake, launching from an area of hardstanding at the northeast of the lake. No potential conflicts are identified associated with this activity. 3.14. An angling club was established in 2014 attached to the Friends of Queens Park. An Angling Action Plan has been prepared and is being slowly implemented. A strict code of conduct has been adopted and is enforced by club bailiffs. 3.15. Following the de-silting a proportion of the fish removed prior to restoration were returned to the park lake in 2012, further fish were provided by the Environment Agency in November 2014. If needed, further stocking should only be undertaken once the water quality problems have been addressed and habitat creation has been undertaken. Stock levels should not exceed 400lb/acre and should avoid carp, which tend to lead to waters becoming turbid due to their feeding habit. A mix of species such as roach Rutilus rutilus, rudd Scardinius erythropthalmus, bream Abramis abramis, tench Tinca, crucian carp Carassius, perch Perca fluviatilis and pike Esox Lucius should be stocked to ensure the development of an ecologically well balanced fishery.

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Objective 4 – Manage the lake to retain the value of created habitats 3.16. Once the water quality has been improved and new habitats have been created as per Objectives 1 and 2, management of the lake will be required to maintain the biodiversity of the lake. 3.17. Regular monitoring of the lake should be undertaken to identify any problems as soon as they occur. Monitoring should include a visual inspection and recording of the turbidity and colour of the water and any evidence of fish mortality (although dead fish often sink so may not be readily visible). Ideally monitoring should be undertaken frequently (2 week intervals) and a record maintained. It may be possible to get the angling club/Friends Group to perform this function. 3.18. Marginal vegetation should be monitored to ensure the netting/caging is intact and is preventing grazing by wildfowl. There is a risk of birds and small mammals becoming entangled in netting/mesh and regular checks should be made to identify if this is a problem and to allow any trapped animals to be freed. Marginal vegetation should only require minimal management to check the spread of any tree saplings which may otherwise begin to establish in the margins. These can be pulled out by hand. 3.19. Floating artificial islands should not require any maintenance.

Objective 5 – Increase the interpretive value of the lake 3.20. Signage should be provided to inform the public about the habitat creation undertaken; to provide information on the species in and around the lake and also to discourage people from feeding the ducks.

Objective 6 – Wildlife monitoring 3.21. A fishery survey should be undertaken 2-3 years after the stocking to establish how the fish population has responded. This would identify any potential problems with recruitment (e.g. insufficient spawning or juvenile habitat). Fishery surveys would need to be undertaken by a specialist contractor and would likely use seine netting to sample the fish population. The results of the fishery survey would inform future management such as fish removal or further habitat enhancements. 3.22. Surveys for other species, in particular breeding and wintering birds and bats would also be undertaken to inform management objectives for the site. Section 4: Management Constraints 4.1. Management cannot be undertaken which compromises the survival or success of the fauna described in Section 2.

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4.2. All British birds are legally protected while actively nesting (generally acknowledged to occur between March and August inclusive). As such, management of scrub and trees will be timed to avoid the bird nesting season. 4.3. Any fish stocking should be undertaken during the winter months when water temperatures are low and there will be less stress placed on the fish.

Section 5: Management Prescriptions 5.1. The management prescriptions, including timings and responsibilities, are set out in table form over the page. The EcMP will be implemented in stages as indicated in the timings column of the tables. The prescriptions are cross referenced to Plan 2316/P02 which shows the habitat creation and management areas and their proposed development over time. 5.2. It will be the responsibility of the landowner (or their appointed agent) to employ a suitably qualified ecologist to undertake all monitoring for the remaining duration of the EcMP.

Objective 1 – Improve water quality and reduce likelihood of fish kills (see Plan 2316/P02)

Prescription Rationale for Habitat Creation / Management Tasks Timing

 Check the drainage repairs.  A drainage problem was previously identified as  causing contamination to the lake.  Appoint contractor to check repairs.

Year 1  Implement measures to reduce impact of Waterfowl. Large numbers of wildfowl contribute to increased BOD from faeces. Feeding birds contributes greatly to water quality problems as bird faeces and uneaten feed increases BOD and reduces DO. This results in a negative impact on the ecology of the lake and can lead to fish kills.  Install signage around the lake and produce an information leaflet for Friends Group/anglers to hand out.  Initiate a publicity campaign in the local  media.  Explore feasibility of egg-pricking. Consult  Natural England.

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 Consider creating a new pond specifically for feeding birds on.  Install six floating artificial vegetated islands. Islands will provide habitat for invertebrates and birds, and cover and spawning habitat for fish. They provide a substrate for beneficial bacteria which will help maintain water quality. Consult specialist provider to install floating artificial islands.

Spring – year 1  Install barley straw nets/sausages. Barley straw will help reduce and control levels of algae in the lake. This will in turn reduce water quality problems such as fluctuating DO and increased BOD. Make up barley straw nets/sausages (see Appendix 1) or appoint specialist contractor. Install nets/sausages. Replace every 3-4 months.

 Maintain aerators. The aerators will reduce the likelihood of fish kills due to low DO. Ensure aerators are maintained appropriately. Ensure aerators are running, especially during periods of warm weather and algal blooms. On-going

Objective - 2 Habitat creation to increase biodiversity of the lake (see Plan 2316/P02)

Prescription Rationale for Habitat Creation/ Management Tasks Timing

 Install pre-established coir rolls around the lake perimeters.  Marginal vegetation will provide habitat for invertebrates and juvenile fish, and will increase the aesthetic value of the lake.  Marginal vegetation is susceptible to being eaten by waterfowl. It will be necessary to install netting/mesh to prevent this. This carries a risk of  birds becoming entangled unless a very fine mesh is used.  Install pre-established coir rolls (approximately 50% of the lake perimeter).  Use of a specialist contractor is recommended.  Install netting/mesh to protect vegetation from water fowl.  Monitor effectiveness of netting/mesh – risk of birds becoming trapped.

Year 1

Install six floating artificial vegetated islands (as per Objective 1). Islands will provide habitat for invertebrates and

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birds, and cover and spawning habitat for fish. They provide a substrate for beneficial bacteria which will help maintain water quality. Consult specialist provider to install floating artificial islands.

Spring – year 1

 Install bat and bird boxes in suitable trees around the lake and on the Jubilee Pavillion Café.  Habitat boxes will improve opportunities for roosting bats and nesting birds.  Consult a suitably experienced ecologist to advise on the type and location of the habitat boxes. Any time.

Objective 3 – Manage Recreational Activities

Prescription Rationale for Habitat Creation/ Management Management Tasks Timing

 Implement measures to reduce impact of waterfowl (see Objective 1). Large numbers of wildfowl contribute to increased BOD from faeces. Feeding birds contributes greatly to water quality problems as bird faeces and uneaten feed increases BOD and reduces DO. This results in a negative impact on the ecology of the lake and can lead to fish kills.  Install signage around the lake and produce an information leaflet for Friends Group/anglers to hand out.  Initiate a publicity campaign in the local media.  Explore feasibility of egg-pricking.  Consult Natural England.  Consider creating a new pond specifically for feeding birds on.

Year 1

 Implement Angling Action Plan, as included in Management and maintenance Plan 2011-2020.  Managing angling on the lake will avoid potential conflicts with other users and will help with monitoring water quality.  Encouraging youth participation in angling is one of the objectives of the park Management and Maintenance Plan.  Implement Action Plan (liaise with local angling clubs).

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 If the lake has not been re-stocked, undertake stocking at a maximum density of 400lb/acre. Mixed coarse species, avoiding carp. Ensure EA consent prior to stocking. Winter following habitat enhancements, assuming water quality problems are addressed.

Objective 4 – Manage the lake to retain the value of created habitats

Prescription Rationale for Habitat Creation/ Management Management Tasks Timing

 Monitor water quality Algal blooms can occur quickly resulting in low DO and fish kills. Effectiveness of measures such as barley straw should be monitored to inform any changes in management.  Early detection and reporting of potential problems may avoid fish kills.  Carry out a visual inspection of the lake and record colour and turbidity levels (could use a Secchi disc). Maintain a record of results. Report any sudden changes to parks manager.  Explore feasibility of getting angling club or Friends Group to undertaken monitoring. Ongoing - ideally at 2 week intervals.  Monitor newly installed marginal vegetation. It is vital to ensure that the newly installed pre-planted coir rolls are not grazed by wildfowl as this will destroy the young plants. Visual inspection of marginal vegetation and protective netting/mesh. Explore feasibility of getting Angling Club/Friend group to undertake monitoring. Free any birds/small mammals if any are discovered to be entrapped. Report any problems to parks manager immediately to allow repairs to be made. Ongoing - weekly Objective 5 – Increase the interpretive value of the lake

Signage Prescription Rationale for Habitat Creation/ Management Management Tasks Timing

 Install signage Inform the public about the habitat creation and management undertaken at the lake.  Provide information about the wildlife present in and around the lake, and the problems that feeding birds can cause.  Provide information about angling at the lake.  Commission design of signage.  Install signage.  Monitor for vandalism.

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Objective 6 – Wildlife Monitoring

Monitor key habitats and species Prescription Rationale for Monitoring Management Tasks Timing

 Habitat monitoring To monitor the progress of habitat creation and enhancement, to monitor changes in condition to inform future management.  Keep an annual photographic record of the main habitat areas within the site. Photos should be taken from fixed points (identified by a peg or post) each season. Annually Spring, Summer Autumn and Winter.  Fishery survey To establish how the fish stock is developing and inform future management e.g. fish removal or further habitat creation. Determine species present, age class composition and biomass.  Liaise with Environment Agency Fisheries Team and Reaseheath College Fishery Department to determine whether they are able to provide a survey.  Consult fishery management consultancies for quotes.  Undertake fishery survey.  Winter Year 3 following stocking  Wildfowl monitoring Monitor the numbers of wildfowl using the lake to determine whether numbers are increasing and to inform potential management. Count peak numbers of wildfowl in late spring and winter. Count number of broods of wildfowl Annually: late spring and winter  Species monitoring Local wildlife groups should be encouraged to record the variety of different species occurring within the site.  Site manager to work with local recorders to encourage them to collect species records for the site. These will be provided to record the local biological records centre. Season dependent depending on species.

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Friends Wildlife Monitoring – Bird Count 2014-2017

Count Date Time Time Canada Mute Mallard/ Barnacle Crested Greylag Black Headed

Gooseander Lesser Black Backed

No. Start End Mallard Goose Coot Moorhen Swans Aylesbury Goose Grebe Heron Mandarin Goose Gull (Small) Widgeon

1 07-Sep-14 12.55 13.15 176 81 3 4 6 2 1 1 2 12-Oct-14 09.30 09.45 119 14 6 9 6 2 3 09-Nov-14 11.15 11.35 120 34 3 5 6 2 1 1 4 07-Dec-14 15.10 15.25 170 39 4 5 6 2 1 5 18-Jan-15 11.00 11.20 145 30 5 3 3 2 1 4 4 6 08-Feb-15 10.45 11.00 126 91 4 2 3 2 1 1 3 7 08-Mar-15 10.40 10.55 90 46 2 2 3 2 1 30 1 8 19-Apr-15 10.00 10.15 65 55 1 2 2 2 1 1 9 17-May-15 10.10 10.25 83 52 4 2 2 1 1 1 10 14-Jun-15 10.05 10.20 93 104 6 2 2 1 4 11 19-Jul-15 10.00 10.15 118 91 2 2 2 1 4 12 16-Aug-15 10.05 10.20 159 37 5 2 2 1 13 13-Sep-15 10.00 10.25 139 211 2 7 2 2 1 2 14 18-Oct-15 10.50 11.10 142 57 2 7 2 2 1 15 15-Nov-15 10.50 11.05 109 48 2 6 2 2 1 1 16 13-Dec-15 11.00 11.25 157 13 2 5 2 1 16 17 17-Jan-16 11.00 11.25 178 61 3 5 2 1 1 4 18 21-Feb-16 11.00 11.25 126 73 3 7 2 1 1 2 19 13-Mar-16 11.00 11.20 122 56 2 1 2 1 1 3 20 10-Apr-16 11.00 11.20 87 47 3 1 2 1 1 1 21 08-May-16 11.40 12.10 89 60 3 6 2 1 2 22 05-Jun-16 11.00 11.20 108 81 4 6 2 1 1 23 24-Jul-16 11.00 11.20 163 84 1 7 2 1 1 24 21-Aug-16 11.00 11.20 169 84 1 9 1 1 5 25 18-Sep-16 11.00 11.20 152 84 1 8 1 1 1 2 26 16-Oct-16 10.55 11.10 124 34 3 7 2 3 27 13-Nov-16 11.00 11.20 142 47 3 12 1 1 3 1 28 18-Dec-16 11.05 11.25 141 73 4 10 2 3 4 29 15-Jan-17 11.05 11.25 138 60 5 9 2 1 6 4 30 12-Feb-17 11.00 11.20 132 63 3 2 2 1 2 4 31 12-Mar-17 11.00 11.20 120 73 2 2 3 1 4 32 09-Apr-17 11.00 11.20 104 76 4 2 3 1 1 33 14-May-17 11.00 11.20 86 61 3 2 2 2 34 11-Jun-17 11.05 11.25 104 146 2 10 8 1 4 35 23-Jul-17 11.05 11.25 204 118 2 2 8 1 4 36 13-Aug-17 11.00 11.25 186 103 3 4 8 1 4 37 10-Sep-17 11.00 11.25 155 14 3 10 8 38 08-Oct-17 11.05 11.25 155 68 6 4 7 31 39 19-Nov-17 11.05 11.30 122 157 7 7 7 1 32 56 5 40 10-Dec-17 11.20 11.45 83 89 6 7 7 1 13 165 6

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Water Quality Sampling Results

Site 1 NGR: SJ 68784 55468 Temp DO (%) DO (mg/L) SpC (ms/cm) pH Sal (ppt) 16 50.3 4.96 0.582 7.93 0.28

Site 2 NGR: SJ 68919 55551 Temp DO (%) DO (mg/L) SpC (ms/cm) pH Sal (ppt) 16.5 64.7 6.3 0.582 8.12 0.28

Site 3 NGR: SJ 68743 55536 Temp DO (%) DO (mg/L) SpC (ms/cm) pH Sal (ppt) 16.2 48.2 4.73 0.581 8.04 0.28

Site 4 NGR: SJ 68597 55530 Temp DO (%) DO (mg/L)

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SpC (ms/cm) pH Sal (ppt) 16 72.2 7.11 0.58 8.36 0.28

Site 5 NGR: SJ 68664 55492 Temp DO (%) DO (mg/L) SpC (ms/cm) pH Sal (ppt) 16.2 71.4 7.01 0.578 8.34 0.28

Analyte Units Site 1 Site 2 Site 3 Site 4 Site 5 BOD 5 Day ATU mg/l 4.8 6.07 6.8 5.96 5.81 Nitrogen : Total as N mg/l 1.91 1.98 2.23 2.38 1.77 Phosphorus : Total as P mg/l 0.153 0.152 0.222 0.233 0.129 Alkalinity to pH 4.5 as CaCO3 mg/l 165 170 170 162 164 Ammoniacal Nitrogen as N mg/l 0.091 0.08 0.106 0.094 0.063 Nitrite as N mg/l <0.004 <0.004 <0.004 <0.004 <0.004 Nitrogen : Total Oxidised as N mg/l <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 Orthophosphate, reactive as P mg/l <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 Chlorophyll, Acetone Extract ug/l 39.8 44.6 36.5 46.7 39.4 Solids, Suspended at 105 C mg/l 28.5 22.6 121 20.5 14.9 Nitrate as N mg/l <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2

Information on the use of Barley Straw to control Algae

Centre for Aquatic Plant Management INFORMATION SHEET 1: CONTROL OF ALGAE WITH BARLEY STRAW

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Algae cause a number of problems in water. They impede flow in drainage systems; block pumps and sluices; interfere with navigation, fishing and other forms of recreation; cause taint and odour problems in potable waters; block filters and; in some instances, create a health hazard to humans, livestock and wildlife. These problems are increasing because nutrient concentrations in water are rising as a result of human activity and natural processes. There is simultaneous and growing demand world-wide for improvements in water quality. The need to control algae, therefore, is increasing for environmental, recreational and public health reasons. Because of their small size and rapid growth rates, unicellular algae are difficult to control by methods used for other aquatic plants. Cutting and other forms of mechanical control can help to reduce problems with filamentous algae but are of very limited use. Algae are susceptible to herbicides, but this approach is unpopular in some waters on environmental or public health grounds. Furthermore, herbicides which control algae also kill higher plants so that, although the water is cleared temporarily of all plants, once the herbicide has gone from the water, the regrowth of algae is not restricted by competition from the higher plants and the problem may worsen in subsequent years. The Centre for Aquatic Plant Management has developed a novel method of controlling algae, which overcomes many of these problems. The application of barley straw to water and has been tested in a wide range of situations and in many countries throughout the world and has proved to be very successful in most situations with no known undesirable side-effects. It offers a cheap, environmentally acceptable way of controlling algae in water bodies ranging in size from garden ponds to large reservoirs, streams, rivers and lakes. Despite the simplicity of the idea, experience has shown that there are a number of basic rules that must be followed to ensure that the straw works successfully. The purpose of this Information Sheet is to provide practical advice on the optimum ways of using straw. HOW STRAW WORKS In order to use straw effectively, it is necessary to understand something of how the process works. When barley straw is put into water, it starts to decompose and during this process chemicals are released which inhibit the growth of algae. Rotting is a microbial process and is temperature dependent, being faster in summer than in winter. It may take 6-8 weeks for straw to become active when water temperatures are below 10oC but only 1-2 weeks when the water is above 20oC. During this period, algal growth will continue unchecked. Once the straw has started to release the chemical it will remain active until it has almost completely decomposed. The duration of this period varies with the temperature and the form in which the straw is applied and this will be discussed in more detail

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later. The straw should remain active for between four and six months, after which its activity decreases rapidly. The details of the exact mechanism by which straw controls algae has not been fully investigated, but it is generally accepted that the process may occur as set out below. Only a few of the compounds released from straw have been identified, the majority are known to be non-toxic while some may have slight toxic effects at the concentrations detected. It is likely that a combination of factors results in the anti-algal activity generated from decomposing straw. When straw is first placed in water, the soluble components of the straw are washed out, causing water to turn a brown colour. These compounds have not been identified, but they are likely to be a mixture of carbohydrates and hemicelluloses. Bacteria are the most dominant micro-organism at this stage. After about two weeks the dominant micro-flora change to fungi. This is when decomposition of lignin and other cell wall components starts to occur. When straw rots, the cell wall components decompose at different rates. Lignin is very persistent and is likely to remain and be released into the water as the other components decay. Decomposition of lignin leads to the production of a form of soluble lignin and other decomposition products. These decomposition products are likely to be transformed by bacterial and fungal enzyme activity before being released in to the surrounding water. This mixture of compounds is transformed into fulvic and humic acids. These humic substances are more easily referred to as Dissolved Organic Carbon or DOC. DOC is a natural component of many freshwater and marine ecosystems. When light shines onto water which contains humic substances, in the presence of dissolved oxygen, hydrogen peroxide is eventually formed. High molecular weight DOC absorbs sunlight energy and can pass this energy to dissolved oxygen molecules. The dissolved oxygen becomes unstable and decomposes into two singlet oxygen radicals. These are very short lived, of the order of 1 micro-second, but extremely reactive molecules. The singlet oxygen radicals form superoxide radicals and these from hydrogen peroxide in water. The hydrogen peroxide is slightly more stable and persists for approximately 2 days in freshwater. The presence of a continuous supply of the right form of DOC creates conditions whereby hydrogen peroxide and the other oxidising agents can be continuously produced. Concentration of hydrogen peroxide of only 2 ppm peroxide have been demonstrated to inhibit the growth of algae. Experiments have shown that sustained low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide can have a very similar effect on algae to that of straw..

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There are various factors which affect the performance of straw and which support this hypothesis. It is important to take these factors into account to ensure successful treatment of algal problems with straw. TYPES OF STRAW Barley straw works more effectively and for longer periods than wheat or other straws and should always be used in preference to other straws. If barley is unavailable, other straws, including wheat, linseed, oil seed rape, lavender stalks and maize can be used as a substitute. The information in this leaflet describes the use of barley straw. If other straws are used, it is likely that the quantities applied and frequency of application may have to be increased. A wide range of barley straw varieties have been tested, including some grown organically and they all produced similar levels of anti-algal activity. Hay and green plant materials should not be used because they can release nutrients which may increase algal growth. Also they rot very rapidly and may cause deoxygenation of the water. SPEED OF EFFECT Once the straw has become active, the time taken for control to become effective varies with the type of alga. Small, unicellular species which make the water appear green and turbid, usually disappear within 6-8 weeks of straw application. The larger filamentous algae, often known as blanket weeds, can survive for longer periods and may not be controlled adequately in the first season if the straw is added too late in the growing season when algal growth is dense. It is, therefore, preferable to add the straw very early in the spring before algal growth starts. PRODUCTION OF ANTI-ALGAL ACTIVITY Activity is only produced if the straw is rotting in well aerated conditions. Usually, there is adequate dissolved oxygen in water to ensure that the right decomposition products are produced by straw. However, if the straw is applied in large compact masses such as bales, or to very sheltered and isolated areas of water, there will be insufficient water movement through the straw, which will progressively become anaerobic (without oxygen). Under these conditions, only the surface layers of the straw will produce the chemical and so the majority of the straw will have no useful effect. In addition, anaerobic decomposition can produce chemicals which actually stimulate the growth of algae because the algae can use them as a source of carbon. ABSORPTION AND INACTIVATION OF THE CHEMICAL Products released from decomposing straw are very quickly absorbed by algae and are probably inactivated by mud. Therefore, in waters which have high algal populations and are turbid with suspended mud, it is necessary to add at least double the recommended quantities of straw than in clear waters. SELECTIVE EFFECT ON ALGAE

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Decomposing straw does not have any effect on higher plants. In our experiments, we have seen that the suppression of dense algal growth has allowed flowering plants (macrophytes) to recolonise waters which were previously dominated by algae. In several shallow lakes where straw was used, algae were replaced by higher plants which suppressed the subsequent growth of algae, so eliminating the need for further straw treatments. EFFECTS ON INVERTEBRATE ANIMALS AND FISH There are no reports of harmful effects on invertebrates or fish except in a few instances where excessive amounts of straw were applied to small ponds and the water became deoxygenated. These excessive doses were at least 100 times the doses recommended in this leaflet. In most instances, invertebrate populations increase substantially around the straw so providing a useful food source for fish. There is anecdotal evidence that, in fish farms and fisheries, straw treatments may be associated with improved gill function and fish health and vigour. HOW MUCH STRAW DO I NEED? In ponds, lakes and other still water bodies. We have found that the most important measurement in calculating the quantity of straw required is the surface area of the water. Surprisingly, the volume of the water does not appear to affect the performance of the straw as might be expected. This is because the majority of algal growth takes place in the surface layers of the water and so it is not necessary to measure the depth of the water or volume of the lake when calculating the quantity of straw required. In still waters, the initial dose rate of straw should be between 25 and 50 grams straw per square metre of water surface (gm-2). The next dose rate should be about half the initial rate, or about 25 gm- 2. Once the algal problem has been reduced, further additions of straw should be made to prevent a recurrence of the problem. At this stage the dose can be reduced to the maintenance dose rate of 10 gm-2. On a hectare basis the dose rates are: initial 500 kg ha-1; subsequent 250 kg ha-1 and maintenance 100 kg ha-1. Conversion factors - 50 gm-2 is equivalent to 2 ounces per square yard 25 gm-2 is equivalent to about 1 ounce per square yard 10 gm-2 is equivalent to half an ounce per square yard 100 kg ha-1 is equivalent to 90 lbs per acre In turbid or muddy waters, it will always be necessary to add more straw than in clear, mud-free waters. It is clear from numerous trials in different types of water body that the quantity of straw needed can vary considerably and it is better to apply too much initially and then to reduce the

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quantity gradually each time straw is added until the dose has been reduced to 10g m-2 or until algal growth starts to increase again when the dose should be increased to a previously effective level. There is a dose rate level at which straw could cause problems by deoxygenating the water. This is caused by absorption of oxygen from the water by respiration of micro-organisms colonising the straw and by the chemical oxygen demand of the rotting process. However, barley straw decomposes slowly and the oxygen demand of micro-organisms is unlikely to cause any problems unless excessive amounts of straw (more than 500 gm-2) are applied. Deoxygenation can occur as the result of natural processes especially in prolonged hot weather when the solubility of oxygen in water is reduced and biological oxygen demand increased. This deoxygenation is often caused by algal blooms and so the presence of straw, which prevents the formation of these blooms, can reduce the risk of deoxygenation. However, straw should not be applied during prolonged periods of hot weather to waters containing dense algal blooms as the combined oxygen demand from the algal bloom and the straw could temporarily increase the risk of deoxygenation which may lead to loss of some fish. The spacing of nets does not need to be exact. Practical considerations may influence the number of nets and their local placement. For example, it may be necessary to leave a wider corridor between some sets of nets to allow for adequate boat passage or angling purposes. Where possible any enlarged gaps between straw nets should be compensated for by decreasing the gaps between adjacent nets. If there are any inflowing streams, it is advisable to increase the number of nets near the inlet so that water flows through the straw and distributes the chemical into the lake. It is possible to compensate for this local concentration of straw nets near the inlet by reducing the numbers of nets near any outlet as the chemical released from these may be washed out of the lake. In an irregularly shaped water body, the preferred place for some of the nets is opposite any promontories or points where the nets will be exposed to maximum wind and wave action. The remainder should be spaced between these, using the method of calculating the gaps shown above.

In flowing waters such as streams and rivers. We do not yet have sufficient information on the properties of straw to express a quantity of straw required in relation to the surface area or volume of water flowing down the stream. However, straw has been used effectively in these situations by placing quantities of straw at intervals along either bank of the river. The distance between straw masses has usually been between 30-50m and the size of each straw mass was chosen, for convenience, as about one bale (20kg). Another technique has been used to increase flow, scouring out the bottom of the river creating fish

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feeding zones and controlling algae downstream. Gabions (wire mesh cages) are secured to the river bank and bottom and straw is placed in the gabions. This technique can be seen in the River Pang in the picture above. There is evidence of algal control from the upstream end of the gabions, this effect lasted for about 50 m downstream of the gabion. The risk of causing deoxygenation in flowing waters is very small as the continuous supply of fresh oxygenated water will prevent any local deoxygenation around the straw. HOW TO APPLY STRAW The best way of applying straw varies with the size and type of water body. Suggestions as to the most appropriate methods for different types of water body are given below.

Fast flowing rivers and streams. Straw can be applied in the form of bales because the flow of water will keep oxygen levels high enough to prevent the straw from becoming anaerobic. Only small bales (approximately 20kg) should be used. Bales can break up under the forces produced by fast flowing water and they should normally be wrapped with netting or chicken wire and securely anchored to the bank or posts driven into the river bed. Another way of applying straw which has worked effectively in flowing water is to place the straw in gabions (see above). These are wire mesh boxes (usually filled with stone for bank protection) but they work equally effectively as cages for straw. They have the additional advantage that they can be refilled as the straw rots away. Nets and loose woven sacks (e.g. vegetable storage sacks) filled with straw can also be used. In all instances, it is essential to ensure that the straw container is well anchored to the bank or to stakes in the bottom which will hold it in place during periods of high flow. Slow flowing rivers. Straw should be applied in a loose form, either in gabions or as straw sausages. This increases the diffusion of oxygen to the site of decomposition and speeds up the process in this type of environment. Garden Ponds: In still or very slow flowing water, bales should not normally be used as they are too tightly packed and do not allow adequate water movement through the straw. It is preferable to apply the straw in a loose form retained in some form of netting or cage. In small garden ponds where only a few grams of straw are needed, the straw can be put into a net bag, nylon

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stocking or simply tied into a bundle with string. This can be attached to an anchor made of a stone or brick and dropped into the pond. However, as the straw becomes waterlogged, the net will gradually sink to the bottom. In this position, it will not work as effectively as it does near the surface and it is advisable to include some form of float in the net. Floats can be made of corks, polystyrene or small plastic bottles with well-fitting screw tops. Once the straw has rotted, the net, complete with float and anchor can be removed and used again. Some garden centres supply small packets of straw for use in ponds. They will work best if anchored and attached to a float as described above. See list of manufacturers at end of the document. Large ponds, lakes and reservoirs: where larger quantities of straw are needed, bales should be broken up on the bank and the loose straw wrapped in some form of netting or wire. One of the simpler ways of wrapping large quantities of loose straw is to use one of the various forms of tubular netting normally sold for wrapping Christmas trees, constructing onion sacks and for other agricultural purposes. When used in conjunction with a tree wrapping machine they can be used to construct straw sausages which can be made up to about 20m long and contain some 50kg of straw. The length and size of each sausage is determined by the size and shape of the water body (described later). It is advisable to incorporate some floats within the netting to keep the straw near the surface when it becomes waterlogged. When first constructed, these sausages float well and can be towed behind a boat to the required position and anchored by rope to concrete blocks or sacks of gravel. It is preferable to anchor these straw sausages at only one end so that they can swing round to offer minimum resistance to wind or currents. Straw sausages can interfere with angling and boat traffic and their positioning needs to be carefully considered so as to have the minimum adverse effect on water users. Floats or buoys can be attached as markers to warn boat traffic or anglers of the position of the straw.

WHERE TO APPLY STRAW It is always preferable to apply several small quantities of straw to a water body rather than one large one. This improves the distribution of the active factors throughout the water body. Straw works best if it is held near to the surface where water movement is greatest. This keeps the straw well oxygenated and helps to distribute the anti-algal chemical. In addition this ensures that the chemical is produced close to where the majority of the algae are growing and away from the bottom mud which

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will inactivate the chemical. The following aspects should be considered when deciding where to place the straw within a water body. Small ponds In small ponds where only a single net of straw is required, this should be placed in the centre of the pond. However, if there is an incoming flow of water, either as a stream or fountain, the straw net should be placed where there is a continuous flow of water over and through the straw. This will help to keep the straw oxygenated and spread the chemical throughout the pond. Lakes and Reservoirs In any body of still water, it can be assumed that the anti-algal chemical will diffuse outwards in all directions from each net of straw gradually being absorbed by algae and inactivated by mud until the concentration becomes too low to be effective. Beyond this distance, algal growth will continue unchecked and these algae will gradually drift back into the treated areas giving the impression that the straw is not working. In order to ensure that there are no areas within the water body unaffected by the straw, it is necessary to calculate how much straw is needed, how many nets should be employed and how far apart each net should be. Nets or sausages of straw should then be placed so that each net is roughly equidistant from its neighbours and from the bank. The steps involved in this calculation are explained overleaf with an example. In rivers and streams From the point of view of getting maximum benefit from straw, it would be preferable to place the straw as a barrier across the flow of water. However, this is seldom possible because the force of the water would tend to wash the straw away and the straw would impede water movement and boat traffic. Therefore, bales, straw nets or gabions should either be placed opposite each other in pairs or alternately along both banks. In fast flowing streams where there is little mud to absorb the chemical, the space between straw nets can be as much as 100 m (50 m if placed alternately) but in slow-flowing muddy watercourses, this space should be reduced to no more than 30 m. In very narrow streams, it may be necessary to place the straw close to the bank so as not to impede flow but in larger watercourses the straw should be as far out from the bank as possible. This makes it less subject to vandalism and damage from livestock and ensures that there is a good flow of water around and through the straw. Always ensure that the straw is well secured to the bank or to stakes in the bottom so that it does not get washed away during floods. It is usually

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necessary to consult the local water authority before applying straw to flowing water because they have the responsibility of ensuring that there is no danger to water supplies or other riparian users caused by partial obstruction to the flow Marine situations There has been very little research with straw in seawater and any treatments in these conditions should be regarded as experimental. Results from a very limited number of trials in salt water lagoons and artificial pools suggest that straw can work in salt as well as fresh water. However, it is very unlikely that it would have any effect on the large marine algae normally found on rocky shores or on kelp beds in the seas because of the problems of short persistence time and exposure. It is also unlikely that sufficient straw could be placed and held for long periods in the open sea. WHEN TO APPLY STRAW Although straw can be applied at any time of year, it is much more effective if applied before algal growth begins. This is because the anti-algal agents released by the straw are more effective in preventing algal growth than in killing algae already present. Therefore, straw is best applied in the spring and autumn, when water temperatures are low. The straw will become active within a month and will continue to inhibit algal growth for about 6 months. However, rapid algal growth can take place once the straw has rotted away and so further applications should be made every 4 to 6 months. Table 1. Method for estimating amount of straw required. Decision Step Calculated example Estimate the surface area of the lake 1.5ha (15,000 m2) Decide on the dose rate of straw required. 25 g/m2 Multiply the area of the lake (in m2) by the quantity of straw required per m2 15,000 x 25 = 375,000 g

To obtain the number of bales needed, divide the total weight of straw by the weight of bales Weights of bales should be checked.

Decide on the weight of straw to be placed in each net. Nets should normally contain between 1kg (in small ponds and lakes) to 40kg (in very large lakes).

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25 kg Calculate the number of nets which will have to be constructed. Divide the total quantity of straw required by the weight in each net.

Calculate the area which will be treated by each net at the dose rate 25kg @ 25g/m2 = 1,000 m2 Calculate the radius of a circle with an area of the size

r = 17.85 m The diameter of a circle of 1,000 m2 is r x 2 diameter = 35.7 m Decide on the most appropriate placement of the nets of straw in the lake so that each one is approximately 35m from its neighbour and 17m from the bank. Usually a regular square grid pattern with centres at 35 m It is important to note that the rate at which straw rots varies considerably and regular observations should be kept on the straw so that fresh straw can be added before the end of the 6 month period if necessary. It is not always possible to predict that an algal problem will occur and so it is sometimes necessary to treat an algal problem which has already developed. Some algae, mainly the small unicellular species and the cyanobacteria (blue-green algae), can be controlled by adding straw to existing blooms. The time taken for the algae to be controlled depends on a number of factors, of which water temperature is probably the most important. At water temperatures above 20oC straw has been effective in controlling algal blooms within 4-5 weeks, sometimes even faster. Avoid applying straw during prolonged periods of hot weather as the combined effect of the dying algae and the rotting straw may increase the risk of deoxygenation. At lower temperatures, the process is slower and it may take 8 - 10 weeks to control the algae but the risk of deoxygenation is then minimal. An advantage of lower temperatures is that the straw lasts longer too. In the north of Scotland straw has given good control for between 8 and 10 months, whereas in the south of England control usually lasts no longer

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than 6 months. This may also be related to the different nutrient concentrations in these two environments, with much higher dissolved nutrients being more often found in southern England. When filamentous algae are the main problem, straw applied to dense floating mats will have very little useful effect unless combined with other treatments which will be described later. After the initial straw treatment, further additions will be required to prevent the return of the algae. Although a period of 6 months is suggested as the likely interval between straw applications, more frequent treatments may be necessary. It is inadvisable to wait until all the straw has rotted before making a second application as there will then be an interval when no chemical is being produced and rapid algal growth can take place. For the same reason, the old straw should not be removed for at least one month after the addition of the new straw. This allows time for the new straw to become active. INTEGRATED AQUATIC WEED CONTROL Filamentous algae are not easily controlled by straw once they have formed floating mats. However, they can be controlled by other methods. In some situations, filamentous algae can be raked out. However, many fragments will remain in the water and rapid regrowth is likely. To prevent this straw should be added about one month before the alga is raked out. In other situations, herbicides (diquat or terbutryn) have been used in combination with straw. The herbicides control the algae but their effects may not persist for long once the herbicide has decayed or been otherwise dissipated from the water. By adding straw at the same time, or soon after the herbicide has been applied and maintaining a straw treatment regime as outlined above, the straw helps to prevent the return of the algae. OTHER EFFECTS OF STRAW During the numerous field trials in which straw has been applied in a number of forms and in a range of water bodies, various effects in additional to the control of algae have been noted. While these have not been investigated in any detail, they have occurred sufficiently frequently to be worth noting as possible consequences of using straw. Effects on other aquatic plants. No direct effect of straw on aquatic vascular plants has been found in either laboratory or field experiments. However, in several trials where straw has successfully controlled algae, there has been a noticeable increase in the growth of submerged vascular plants. It is likely that this is a result of the loss of competition from the algae, which has allowed the vascular plants to recolonise water in which previously they were unable to compete with the algae. In some instances, the recovery of the vascular plants has been so marked that they, in turn, caused problems to water users and required some form of management. However, they are generally easier to control and less troublesome than the algae and so are more acceptable in most waters. In some instances,

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the recovery of the vascular plants has been so strong that they replaced the algal growth as the dominant plant form so that subsequent treatment with straw was no longer needed. Effects on invertebrates It has been observed frequently that loose masses of well oxygenated straw provide a good habitat for aquatic invertebrates such as the Water Shrimp (Gammarus spp.). These invertebrates, mostly detrital feeders, breed and grow rapidly in the safe environment created by the straw and their numbers can increase by several orders of magnitude within a few months. As the straw gradually rots away and the numbers of invertebrates increases, individuals leave the safety of the straw and become prey to fish and waterfowl. Invertebrates are beneficial to water bodies as they help to decompose organic matter in the bottom; some of them graze on algae and aquatic plants and they form an important part of the food chain. Effects on fish and waterfowl There have been a number of observations of improved growth, vigour and health of fish in waters treated by straw. One reason for this is likely to be the increased food supply in the form of invertebrate animals. Fish may also find it easier to find food in water that is not densely colonised by unicellular or filamentous algae. However, another possible explanation is that, by controlling the algae, the straw allows better light penetration to occur to deeper levels in the water so that photosynthesis can occur in a greater volume of the water body and so provide an improved environment for the fish. The Game Conservancy has also noted that young ducklings require a diet that consists mainly of invertebrate animals. They found that adding straw to gravel pits significantly increased the survival of young ducklings. In a number of water bodies, ducks and other waterfowl have been observed to nest and roost on floating masses of straw. This has been particularly beneficial to these birds in waters subject to high levels of human interference and terrestrial predators as the floating straw masses are usually inaccessible from the bank. There have been a number of anecdotal reports that incidents of some fish diseases and parasites appear to have been reduced in fisheries and fish farms in which straw has been used. Effects of straw in flowing waters When straw has been applied in flowing waters, either in the form of bales or in gabions, it has been noted that water is deflected around the straw and the accelerated flow caused silt and fine gravel to be washed away from the vicinity of the straw. In a small stream which had a very uniform depth, pairs of gabions containing straw were placed opposite each other and angled downstream so as to create a rapid flow between them. This caused the gravelly bed of the stream to wash out and so scour holes were formed. These were immediately colonised by trout which were the dominant fish species. The overall effect created by three pairs of gabions placed at approximately 100 m intervals was to create a pool and riffle environment which is

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usually considered to be preferable to a uniform channel for fish and aquatic life generally. In small streams, it is likely that careful placement of straw bales or gabions could be used to manipulate the location of silt deposits ensuring that an open channel is maintained and that silt beds are allowed to develop only in acceptable locations. SUMMARY When algal problems occur in water bodies ranging from garden ponds to large reservoirs, lakes and rivers, barley straw offers an environmentally acceptable and cost-effective form of control. Straw should be applied twice each year, preferably in early spring before algal growth starts and in autumn. Particularly in static waters, the straw should be loose, through which water can pass easily and should be held in nets, cages or bags. The minimum effective quantity of barley straw in still or very slow flowing water is about 10 gm-2 but higher doses of up to 50 g m-2 should be used initially in densely infested waters and muddy waters. Doses should be reduced to 25 then 10 gm-2. In rivers, masses of straw (bales or nets) should be spaced along the sides at intervals not more than 100m apart. Straw should be supported by floats so that it does not sink to more than one metre below the surface, even when waterlogged. If the straw starts to smell then it is not working and should be removed. This is caused by too much straw in too little water. Be patient, this is a natural process which takes time to work! LIST OF SUPPLIERS Christmas Tree Wrapping Machines Contimex Ltd PO Box 94, Uckfield, East Sussex, TN22 5YZ Tel: 01825 766135. Fax: 01825 760144 Netlon UK Ltd Unit 3, Falconer Road, Haverhill, Suffolk, CB9 7XU Tel: 01440 702394 L34 Loader Plastic Mesh Tubing and Plastic Floats Waterland Management Ltd 14 Buxton Avenue, Caversham, Reading, RG4 7BU

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Tel: 0118 9482782, 07889 903203, www.water-land.co.uk Straw Pads Green Ways Upper Norton Farm, Sutton Scotney, Nr Winchester, Hants SO21 3QF Tel: 01962 761600 Fax: 01962 761696 E-mail [email protected] www.green-ways.co.uk

LIST OF CHEMICALS PRODUCED BY DECOMPOSING STRAW Acetic acid 3-Methylbutanoic acid 2-Methylbutanoic acid Hexanoic acid Heptanoic acid Octanoic acid Nonanoic acid Decanoic acid Dodecanoic acid Tetradecanoic acid Hexadecanoic acid 1-Methylnaphthalene 2-(1,1-Dimethylethyl phenol) (1,1-Dimethylethyl)-4-methoxyphenol 2,6-Dimethoxy-4-(2-propenyl) phenol 2,3-Dihydrobenzofuron 5,6,7,7A-Tetrahydro-4,4,7A-trimethyl-2 (4H) benzofuranone 1,1,4,4-Tetramethyl-2,6-bis(methylene) cyclohexone 1-Hexacosene 11 unidentified From : Everall, N.C and Lees, D.R. (1997). Water Research, 31(3):614-620

REFERENCES ON ALGAE AND STRAW 1. Barrett, PRF, Curnow, J & Littlejohn, J (1994) The control of diatom and cyanobacterial blooms in reservoirs

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using barley straw. Proceedings of Conference - Water 94. Elmia AB, P0 Box 6066, 550 06, Jönköping. 2. Barrett,PRF, Curnow, J & Littlejohn, (1995) The control of diatom and cyanobacterial blooms in reservoirs using barley straw. Proceedings of EWRS Conference, 1994 Dublin. Hydrobiologia, 340:307-311. 3. Barrett,PRF, Curnow, J & Littlejohn, (1994) Potential uses of barley straw for control of algae and other nuisance organisms in water. Proceedings of Conference - Water 94. Elmia AB, P0 Box 6066, 550 06, Jönköping 4. Barrett,PRF (1994) Monograph No. 59: Comparing glasshouse and field pesticide performance pp. 191-200. Field and laboratory experiments on the effects of barley straw on algae. British Crop Protection Council. 5. Barrett,PRF & Newman, JR (1993) The Control of Algae with Barley Straw. Paper 41,PIRA Conference proceedings, Straw – A valuable raw material. 20-22 April, 1993. PIRA International, Randalls Road, Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 7RU. 6. Barrett, PRF & Newman, JR (1992) Algal growth inhibition by rotting barley straw. British Phycological Journal, 27: 83-84 7. Caffrey, J. M. and Monahan, C. (1999) Filamentous algal control using barley straw. Hydrobiologia 415, 315-318. 8. Everall, NC & Lees, DR (1996) The use of barley straw to control general and blue-green algal growth in a Derbyshire Reservoir. Water Research, 30:269-276. 9. Everall, NC & Lees, DR (1997) The identification and significance of chemicals released from decomposing barley straw during reservoir algal control. Water Research, 31:614-620 10. Gibson, MT. Welch, I, Barrett, PRF & Ridge, 1 (1990). Barley straw as an inhibitor of algal growth: Laboratory studies. Journal of Applied Phycology 2: 241-248. 11. James, H (1992) Investigations into the use of straw to control blue-green algal growth. Foundation for Water Research, Allen House, The Listons, Liston Road, Marlow, Bucks. 5L7 lFD, UK 12. Martin D. & Ridge I. (1999) The relative sensitivity of algae to decomposing barley straw. Journal of Applied Phycology 11, 285-291. 13. Newman, JR, Barrett, PRF (1993) Control of Microcystis aeruginosa by decomposing barley straw. Journal of Aquatic Plant Management, 31: 203-206 14. Newman, JR (1994) Report on the control of growth of Microcystis aeruginosa by decomposing barley straw and the development of a bankside straw digester. LACR-Aquatic Weeds Research Unit, Broadmoor Lane, Sonning-on-Thames, Reading RG4 6TH, UK. 15. Newman, JR. Barrett, PRF, Cave, G (1993) The use of Barley Straw to control Algal Growth in Drainage Ditches: An Ecological Survey. Loughborough Conference Paper. 16. Pillinger, JM, Cooper, IA, Ridge, I, & Barrett, PRE (1992) Barley straw as an inhibitor of algal growth III: the

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role of fungal decomposition. Journal of Applied Phycology 4: 353-355 17. Pillinger, JM, Gilmour, I & Ridge, 1(1993) Control of algal growth by lignocellulosic material. FEMS Symposium on Lignin Biodegradation and transformation. Biotechnical Applications, Lisbon. April 18-21. pp. 57-58 18. Pillinger J.M., Cooper J.A., & Ridge I. (1994) Role of phenolic compounds in the antialgal activity of barley straw. Journal of Chemical Ecology 20, 1557-1569. 19. Pillinger J.M., Cooper J.A., & Harding C.J. (1996) Stable free radicals from plant litter decomposing in water. Journal of Chemical Ecology 22, 1001-1011. 20. Ridge, I & Barrett, PRF (1992) Algal control with barley straw. Aspects of Applied Biology 29. 457-462 21. Welch, I, Barrett, PRF, Gibson, MT & Ridge, 1 (1990) Barley straw as an inhibitor of algal growth I: studies in the Chesterfield Canal. Journal of Applied Phycology 2: 231-239

Appendix 11 – Examples of Habitat Creation

(Salix) Flexible Floating Islands from Salix Modular Construction Lightweight or heavy duty Flexible to with waves Additional growing medium and buoyancy can be added Numerous species available Waterfowl fencing available Wave baffles can be built in

Plans Plan 1: Habitat Features Plan 2316/P01 December 2014 SH/SP Plan 2: Habitat Management Plan 2316/P02 December 2014 SH/SP © Crown copyright and database rights 2014 Ordnance Survey 0100031673 Tyler Grange LLP Habitat Features Plan SH/SP 2316/P01 December 2014 Scale As Shown (Approximate) Queens Park Lake, Crewe

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Reinforced Banks Site Boundary KEY: Eroded Banks Scattered Mature Trees Standing Water Amenity Grassland Aerator Hard Standing Running Water Ladyfield House, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 1BB T: 01625 525731 E: [email protected] W: www.tylergrange.co.uk Buildings 0 50m © Crown copyright and database rights 2014 Ordnance Survey 0100031673 Tyler Grange LLP Project Drawing No. Date Drawing Title Checked Habitat Management Plan SH/SP 2316/P02 December 2014 Scale As Shown (Approximate) Queens Park Lake, Crewe Reinforced Banks Site Boundary KEY: Eroded Banks Scattered Mature Trees Standing Water

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Amenity Grassland Aerator Hard Standing Running Water Buildings Vegetated Floating Islands Pre-established Coir rolls and Protective mesh Barley Straw “Sausages”

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APPENDIX 12: QUEENS PARK CUSTOMER SATISFACTION SURVEY 2017/18 Summary of Market Research x 21 Mar-16 2013 x 61 2017 x 26 Higher satisfaction levels recorded i.e. Good/V Good 2% 95% satisfaction levels 99% 2013 dissatisf Comparison action Visits mainly Adults & Families Visits mainly by Adults and Families Transport mainly by Car Transport mainly by Car Mainly visitors from local catchment (6 X Stoke) Mainly visitors from local catchment (1 X Stockport) Preferred Media - Chronicle / Signal Radio / Cat radio Preferred Media - Chronicle / Signal Radio Highest Concern – Dogs & Duck mess Highest Concern - Cleanliness of Café toilets Cycle route interest Cycle route interest

Most desired: 75% 2017 10=highest 2013 satisfaction Return of Wardens 4=highest Comparison previously More Events 4 Boats 1 More Play Equip 3 Grds Tidy 2 2017 Café open longer 3 Scented Garden 3 Dogs on leads 10 Cleaner Toilets 2 park Keeper 4 Duck Mess 9 Pets Corner returned 2 More toilets 5 Free Activities 8 Dogs all on leads 2 Finished 6 More playground equipment 7 No duck mess 1 Bands Back 7 park Keeper 6 Carnival as before 1 Animals / Stream 8 More Eventing 4 To be finished 1 Sunshine 9 Pets corner 2 Nature Trails 1 Animals / Stream 8 Carnival to return 1 Sunshine 9 Nature Trails 1

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Most Popular Wanted Event: Free Stuff To Do 10 2017 Live Music 1=highest Band Concert 1 Fireworks 2 Wildlife 3 Children's Entertainer 6 Live Music Theatre/Dance 4 Keep Fit 7 Fireworks Most Popular Wanted Activity: 5 Hobbies 8 Concerts Skatepark Educational 9 Carnival Better Zip Wire More Eventing Playground Guest Speaker 10 More Activities Zip Wire Running Events Most Visits promoted by - Eventing

2017 – most wanted – Dog Control /No duck mess.

Av visit 2hrs+

Next Survey Programmed 2019-20

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APPENDIX 13: FEES AND CHARGES 2018-2019

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