SOUTH HILL PARK, BRACKNELL
TEN YEAR MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE PLAN 2012 – 2021
November 2012 Last updated January 2019
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South Hill Park: Management and Maintenance Plan 2012 – 2021. V6 January 2019
SOUTH HILL PARK, BRACKNELL TEN YEAR MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE PLAN 2012 - 2021
November 2012
Contents: Page
1 Context 6
2 Introduction 10
2.1 South Hill Park – A Brief History 10
3 Policy Context 12
3.1 Planning Status and Designations 12
3.2 BFC Parks and Open Spaces Strategy 13
3.3 Bracknell Forest Sustainable Community Strategy 15
3.4 Biodiversity Action Plan 16
4 Key Site Information 18
4.1 Site Location and Park Boundaries 18
4.2 Ownership and Leases 20
4.3 Character Areas 23
4.4 Geology and Topography 26
4.5 Hydrology 26
4.6 Water Bodies 27
4.7 Ecology 30
4.8 Formal Planting 34
4.9 Trees 34
4.10 Rhododendrons 36
4.11 The Arts Centre 36
5 Site Description and Green Flag Analysis 38
5.1 A Welcoming Place 38
5.2 Healthy, Safe and Secure 46
5.3 Well Maintained and Clean 53
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5.4 Environmental Management 59
5.5 Biodiversity, Landscape and Heritage 64
5.6 Community Involvement 70
5.7 Marketing and Communication 83
5.8 Management 87
6 Vision 88
6.1 Vision Statement 88
6.2 South Hill Park Arts Centre Mission Statement 88
6.3 Aims and Objectives 89
7 Management of South Hill Park 92
7.1 Management Structure 92
8 Site Maintenance 100
8.1.1 North Wood 100
8.1.2 East Park 101
8.1.3 West Park 102
8.1.4 North Lake 103
8.1.5 Balancing Pond 104
8.1.6 Arts Centre 105
8.1.7 South Lawn 109
8.1.8 Birch Hill Banks 110
8.1.9 South Lake 110
8.1.10 Shrubbery 112
8.1.11 Birch Hill Woodland 113
8.1.12 Ice House 115
8.2 Annual Work Plan 116
9 Financial Plan 124
10 Monitoring and Review 125
11 Appendices (separate document) 126
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Figures: Page
Figure 1 South Hill Park location map 18
Figure 2 South Hill Park boundaries 19
Figure 3 Land ownership and leases 21
Figure 4 Map of land ownership and leases 22
Figure 5 Landscape character areas 23
Figure 6 South Lake de-silting works 27
Figure 7 Floating island installation in the North Lake 29
Figure 8 View across wildflower meadow 32
Figure 9 Rhododendron ponticum in Birch Hill Woods 33
Figure 10 Heritage tree survey 35
Figure 11 Cycle route network through South Hill Park 39
Figure 12 Main entrance sign 41
Figure 13 Visitor map of South Hill Park 42
Figure 14 Waymarkers for walking trails 43
Figure 15 Main gates in front courtyard 43
Figure 16 Front courtyard planting and sculpture 44
Figure 17 Four walking trails around South Hill Park 47
Figure 18 Park facilities 50
Figure 19 Community litter picking event at South Hill Park 54
Figure 20 Boardwalk over the Balancing Pond 61
Figure 21 Bench in Birch Hill Woodland character area 61
Figure 22 Decayed monolith 62
Figure 23 Construction plan of no-dig path 65
Figure 24 No-dig path through the woodland 65
Figure 25 Bat boxes in the woodland 66
Figure 26 Terrace piers overlooking South Lawn 68
Figure 27 Ripple Wall by William Pye, South Lake 69
Figure 28 Park notice board 85
Figure 29 South Hill Park management structure 93
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Figure 30 Maintenance plan – Bracknell Forest Council 94
Figure 31 Maintenance plan – Bracknell Town Council 96
Figure 32 Maintenance plan – South Hill Park Trust 98
Figure 33 Maintenance plan – Continental Landscapes Ltd 99
Tables: Page
Table 1 Clay/acid meadow wildflower mix 31
Table 2 Outdoor events at South Hill Park 2018 77
Table 3 Proposed outdoor events at South Hill Park 2019 79
Management and maintenance plan aims and Table 4 89 objectives
Table 5 South Hill Park 10 year revenue budget 124
Appendices (see separate document) Page Preliminary report on rhododendrons at South Hill Appendix 1 126 Park by Michael Lear Associates Appendix 2 Site inspection proforma 137
Appendix 3 BFC quality assessment criteria 141
Appendix 4 Park user survey 2009 summary results 143
Appendix 5 Comparison of visitor survey results 2009, 2018 144
Appendix 6 Visitor count sheet and map 147
Appendix 7 Audience Development Plan 149
Appendix 8 Volunteer Action Plan 165
Appendix 9 Training Plan 172
Appendix 10 Commemorative Trees and Benches 178
Appendix 11 Conservation management plan policies 181 Joint management committee (grounds group) terms Appendix 12 184 of reference
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1. Context
In 2004, Bracknell Forest Council secured a Project Planning Grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) under the Public Parks Initiative. This grant funded the production of a Conservation Management Plan (CMP) and an Audience Development and Access Plan (ADP). A major review was carried out as part of the preliminary stages of plan preparation, including extensive consultation with a wide range of interested bodies, groups and individuals. The South Hill Park Conservation Management Plan, Audience Development Plan and Access Plan were subsequently published in November 2005.
The resulting vision statement was:
“To revitalise the park as a thriving, vibrant, varied open space which builds on the special qualities of its historic landscape, its natural beauty and its art activities, as a safe and attractive oasis in Bracknell town which benefits the whole community.”
Following on from publication of the Conservation Management Plan, a business plan was produced setting out how this vision would be realised. This formed the basis of an application for funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Big Lottery Fund Parks for People programme.
Project actions centred on objectives relating to: • Understanding and protecting the significance of the site • Natural features: Geology, Topography, Hydrology and Nature Conservation • Designed features: Archaeology, Landscape and Setting, Buildings, Structures • Social features: Past, Present and Future
Works were grouped around three key themes: A. Audience Access Improvements Interpretation Furniture Design and Provision
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B. Heritage Conserving Structures and Stonework
C. Landscape Garden Restoration & Biodiversity New Planting Lake Conservation Woodland Management
The total project cost was approximately £4.4m including, development, implementation and ten year management and maintenance.
Projects of this scale have to be delivered through a two-stage process. A Stage One application was made to the Heritage Lottery Fund / Big Lottery Fund Parks for People programme in September 2007.
This application was successful and a Stage One pass was awarded in April 2008 which funded detailed design and costing work. A sum of £298,832 was allocated as the Stage One costs and a grant of 70% (£209,900) was provided.
Stage One was successfully completed in March 2009. The detailed scheme was submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund / Big Lottery Fund as a Stage Two application on 31st March 2009.
The Stage Two Grant award of £2.3m was confirmed on 20 July 2009. This provided funding to implement landscape restoration works at South Hill Park, together with access improvements and conservation of heritage features
Objectives and associated actions included making the park welcoming and attractive to people of all ages and backgrounds; making it accessible regardless of physical ability; increasing understanding and enjoyment; making more people aware of the park; making it a safe place; managing it as a resource for both the local community and Bracknell as a whole; and increasing arts-related activity and involvement in the park.
Related activities included implementation of an Audience Development Plan, Volunteers Plan, and Training Plan. This has supported initiatives such as
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appointing artists (Fred Baier Associates) to work with local community representatives to create a new trails network; the forming of a Friends of South Hill Park Grounds, photographic recording by Bracknell Camera Club; conservation volunteering through Bracknell Conservation Volunteers; and the Partners in Youth project led by the local Neighbourhood Action Group (encouraging young people to enjoy the park and participate in looking after the site).
An outline Ten Year Management and Maintenance Plan (MMP) was first produced in July 2007 as part of the above referenced business plan and Stage One application.
This was then refined for the Stage Two submission and prepared in March 2009 in accordance with the Heritage Lottery Fund guidance set out in ‘Parks for People: Ten Year Management and Maintenance Plan Guidance’ (HLF January 2009).
The Stage Two version of this Ten Year Management and Maintenance Plan (MMP) was prepared by a Working Group comprising: • Richard Scrivener, Project Officer, South Hill Park, Bracknell Forest Council • Richard Walton, Head of Parks and Countryside, Bracknell Forest Council • Graham Pockett, Development Officer (Parks and Countryside), Bracknell Forest Council • Allan Moffat, Recreational Facilities Manager, Bracknell Town Council • Ron McAllister, Chief Executive, South Hill Park Trust • Mike Aslin, Operations Manager, South Hill Park Trust • David Withycombe, Land Management Services Ltd • Jon Collins, Land Management Services Ltd
This updated version of the Ten Year Management and Maintenance Plan for South Hill Park has been produced to reflect the completed project. It was prepared in November 2012 by: • Kath Moss, South Hill Park Manager, Bracknell Forest Council
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• Richard Walton, Head of Parks and Countryside, Bracknell Forest Council • Graham Pockett, Parks & Countryside Development Officer, Bracknell Forest Council • Rose Wicks, Parks & Countryside Projects Officer, Bracknell Forest Council • Allan Moffat, Recreational Facilities Manager, Bracknell Town Council • Mike Aslin, Operations Manager, South Hill Park Trust
This plan has also been produced with reference to the following: • South Hill Park Conservation Management Plan (2005) • ‘A Guide to Producing Park and Green Space Management Plans’ (CABE Space, 2004) • ‘The Green Flag Award Guidance Manual’ (2009) • ‘Management and Maintenance Planning’ (Heritage Lottery Fund, 2008)
This MMP is set out as follows: • Context • Introduction • Policy Context • Key Site Information • Site Description and Green Flag Analysis • Vision, Aims and Objectives • Management of South Hill Park • Site Maintenance • Financial Plan • Monitoring and Review • Appendices
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2. Introduction
2.1 South Hill Park: A Brief History Information in this section is drawn from Section three (Evolution of the Site) of the Conservation Management Plan produced in November 2005.
South Hill Park lies two km to the south of Bracknell town centre, in the Borough of Bracknell Forest. The park extends to an area of approximately 23ha (56 acres) as shown on the site plan. The park is located at the heart of the Birch Hill residential area, which is typical of the new town development associated with Bracknell. It is divided in two by Ringmead, a road constructed in the 1970s when adjacent housing areas were under development.
The site originated as part of Windsor Forest, which was a heathy, partly wooded royal hunting forest. The park was enclosed sometime in the mid 17th century, probably illegally, as many parks were in this area. By 1679 there was a Mansion called South Hill, in a park of about 100 acres, with fields, orchards, woods and a pond or ponds.
During the C18, the park developed many of the features typical of landscape parks of the period: the stream was dammed to form a series of serpentine lakes winding through parkland, which was planted with clumps of trees and enclosed by a belt of woodland. The kitchen garden was moved out of sight of the house in the south of the park. During the first half of the C19, the estate was enlarged by the Earl of Limerick from 148 to 346 acres (60 to 140 ha) and the pleasure grounds south of the house began to be developed. Sir William Hayter created new geometric gardens, terrace, shrubberies and serpentine walks in the mid century and remodeled the house in the Italianate style. In the later C19, the house and terraced gardens, with steps and balustrades and forecourt, took on their current form, to the designs of the prominent architect Temple Moore.
In the 1940s, South Hill Park housed several institutions, but the C17 enclosed park, the gardens, lakes, carriage drives and productive kitchen
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garden were all maintained until the development of the new town, which had the greatest impact on the park in its history.
In 1963 South Hill Park was acquired by Bracknell Development Corporation and in 1973 the house became an arts centre with 15 acres (6 ha) opened as a public park. The lakes were reduced, Ringmead constructed, car parks were added, and the new housing areas were built over approximately two thirds of the area of the original enclosed park and inside the walled garden. The remaining central third of the park flowed into the surrounding area of the new town via numerous paths; it was adapted to its new function, the lakes were adapted again and over the years the planted garden areas were reduced.
Bracknell Development Corporation was dissolved in 1982, passing housing to Bracknell District Council which, in 1988, became Bracknell Forest Council. However some remaining assets, including land at South Hill Park, were passed to the Commission for the New Towns, which became the regeneration agency, English Partnerships, in 1999. Eight years later, in 2007, English Partnerships became the Homes and Community Agency.
Ownership of North Park (excluding the North Lake and Balancing Pond) was transferred over from the Homes and Community Agency to Bracknell Forest Council in 2010.
The national historic importance of the park was recognised through the listing on the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest (Grade II) in 1987.
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3. Policy Context
3.1 Planning Status and Designations The Core Strategy to the Local Development Framework (LDF) was adopted by Bracknell Forest Council in February 2008. Key relevant policies in the LDF and designations covering the park are summarised below:
3.1.1 Designations: Heritage The CMP provides a comprehensive assessment of the heritage significance of the park. The principal heritage listings and designations covering features in the park are given below:
Register of Parks and Gardens The park is listed on the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest Grade II. This inclusion requires that the Garden History Society be consulted on any proposed developments.
Listed buildings There are two listed buildings/structures in the park: • South Hill Park Mansion is Grade II listed. • The garden walls, steps, gate piers and gates adjoining the south eastern edges of the park are also Grade II listed.
Policy CS1 of the Core Strategy states that the Council will continue to protect its listed buildings, conservation areas, and historic parks and gardens. Development will be permitted if it protects and enhances the historic and cultural features of acknowledged importance.
3.1.2 Designations: Parks and Open Spaces In the Bracknell Forest Local Plan (adopted 2002), South Hill Park was classified as a District Park, but with the potential to perform the role of a Borough Park.
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Policy CS8 of the Core Strategy states that development will be permitted which retains, improves and maintains existing recreational facilities (including parks and open space) and provides and maintains new facilities.
3.2 BFC Parks and Open Spaces Strategy The Council’s current Parks and Open Spaces Strategy was approved by the Executive Member for Culture Corporate Services and Public Protection on 25 October 2012.
Key objectives are: A. Provision: Protect and establish public open space for recreation, play, sport, health, biodiversity, heritage and climate change mitigation and adaption that is appropriate to need; strategically located; and adaptable to future requirements.
B. Maintenance: Provide safe and welcoming public open space; attain and improve quality standards.
C. Use and Enjoyment: Make sure public open space supports well-being; encourages participation; and facilitates social inclusion.
Of greatest importance is sustaining and raising quality standards for parks and open spaces, together with the provision of facilities that are of a sufficient size to meet the recreational demands of a growing residential population. This needs to be achieved in the context of increasing pressure to reduce public expenditure, alongside encouraging greater community ownership and involvement.
Core priorities over the next five years include: (this list is not definitive and will be kept under review)
1. Monitor and assess quality standards across parks and open spaces. Manage sites to a high standard; carry out improvement works to
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sustain and improve quality in line with the Bracknell Forest Council ‘Plus One Principle’ and relevant national guidance. 2. Maintain Green Flag status for existing award winning parks and attain additional Green Flag Awards for suitable sites. 3. Encourage the provision of new parks and opens spaces to support achievement of sustainable development. Create links between existing parks and open spaces to extend green infrastructure networks. 4. Implement planned improvement works to sites designated as Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspaces (SANGs) to encourage residents to visit recreational areas outside of the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area. Identify opportunities to extend the provision of SANGs. 5. Manage the restored historic parks of South Hill Park and Lily Hill Park to a high standard in line with approved management and maintenance plans. 6. Enhance the natural qualities of parks and open spaces. Protect and enhance biodiversity. Positively manage trees and woodlands, to include new planting to provide for future generations. 7. Identify opportunities to increase the positive role that parks and open spaces can contribute to climate change mitigation (e.g. tree planting as part of carbon sequestration). Implement appropriate measures in support of climate change adaption (e.g. ponds and scrapes). 8. Enhance outdoor sport and play provision (including ancillary facilities). 9. Collate data and target actions to meet the needs of new and existing audiences; to include improving opportunities for potentially under represented or excluded groups. 10. Support volunteering opportunities within parks and open spaces. 11. Encourage greater community involvement and additional partnership working between agencies, groups and organisations. 12. Explore commercial opportunities (where compatible with the other priorities) to provide revenue to support management and maintenance.
Of particular significance to South Hill Park are: 2. submitting an application for Green Flag Award status 5. managing and maintaining the park to a high standard in accordance with this plan
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6. managing and enhancing the natural qualities of South Hill Park, including established habitats and new planting 7. positive management and maintenance of site features which contribute to climate change mitigation and adaption 8. maximising play value; both in terms of dedicated equipment and natural features 9. delivering audience development plan priorities (including carrying out regular visitor surveys) 10 & 11.working jointly with Bracknell Town Council and South Hill Park Arts Centre and actively involving local people in the management and maintenance of the park; including through mechanisms such as ‘Friends’, Bracknell Conservation Volunteers, Bracknell Camera Club and Bracknell Forest Natural History Society 12. working closely with South Hill Park Arts Centre to generate revenue to support management and maintenance; including by increasing customers to the Atrium (café and bar), bringing in new audiences to arts productions and utilising the historic parkland for events
3.3 Bracknell Forest Sustainable Community Strategy 2008-2014 The vision is that: “Bracknell Forest will have a reputation for its distinguished green landscape and contemporary, vibrant town centre. Contributing to this unique identity will be many neighbourhoods offering accessible facilities to meet individuals’ needs. Local communities will be strengthened with people feeling safe and getting on well together. Ensuring everyone has similar opportunities and is included in public life will enhance confidence in public services. Preserving our green heritage will be key to the future development of the area, integrating environmental concerns into all activities. The Borough will have a prosperous and diverse economy, offering local jobs, personalised public services and a range of ways to spend leisure time. This is a bold vision for all of us which will be achieved through nurturing future and existing generations. A supportive and welcoming borough will help everybody to live happy, independent and successful lives”.
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The strategy is split into a list of key priorities: A thriving population: • Opportunities for everyone • Nurturing the next generation • Supporting the older generation • People who require additional support
A desirable place: • Sustainable development • Protecting the environment • Travelling around the borough
Cohesive communities: • Engaged and empowered communities • Enjoying life • Being and feeling safer • Sustaining a vibrant economy
3.4 Biodiversity Action Plan 2018-2023 The BAP has the following aims and objectives:
Aims: To conserve and enhance biodiversity within Bracknell Forest Borough
Objectives: • Comprehensive Monitoring: of priority species and habitats to inform decisions • Proactive Policies: to ensure important sites are protected and get the best result for biodiversity in development • Positive Management: to maintain, restore and create key habitats for wildlife • Effective Communication: between partners, landowners and the public to raise awareness, influence actions, encourage partnership, and inform decisions
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The BAP sets out six Habitat Action Plans (including associated key species) encompassing grassland; woodland; wetland; heathland; farmland and urban areas.
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4. Key Site Information
4.1 Site Location and Park Boundaries South Hill Park is located in the Birch Hill area of Bracknell (Figures 1 and 2).
Figure 1: South Hill Park location map
Reproduced from Ordnance Survey Map Explorer 160, scale 1:25000, by permission of Ordnance Survey® on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office © Crown copyright 2000. All rights reserved. Licence no. AL 100034212.
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Woodland Grass
Figure 2: South Hill Park boundaries (Source 2005 Conservation Management Plan)
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4.2 Ownership and Leases Figures 3 and 4 summarise current ownership and leasing arrangements for South Hill Park.
The majority of the land in the South Park (including the house) but excluding the lakes and the Wilde Theatre is owned by Bracknell Forest Council. South Hill Park Trust (SHPT) is responsible for the management of the house, car parks and South Lawns under a leasing arrangement. The Wilde theatre is owned and managed by the SHPT.
The North Park (excluding the lake and balancing pond) is owned by Bracknell Forest Council and managed under a sub lease arrangement by Bracknell Town Council.
The North and South Lakes, Balancing Pond and part of the car park are owned by Thames Water. This land is leased to BFC under a 99 year agreement signed in 2009.
A Joint Management Agreement between BFC, BTC and SHPT was signed in 2009. This formalised arrangements under which the three organisations now manage the grounds as a single entity.
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Figure 3: Land ownership and leases
Thames Water South Hill Park Trust
North Lake, South Lake, Wilde Theatre and Balancing Pond
lease
Bracknell Forest Council
South Hill Park and Arts Centre building
lease lease
Bracknell Town Council South Hill Park Trust
North Park (North Wood, Arts Centre surrounds, Car West Park, part of East Park, Park, Terraces, South Lawn North Lake, Balancing Pond)
and Birch Hill Banks in South Park
lease licence
Bracknell Herons Fishing North Lakes Estate Club Management
North Lake fishing rights Part of East Park
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Figure 4: Map of land ownership and leases
N ISHP Land Ownership and Leases Iw +e s
Land Ownership and Leases:
Thames Water owned, leased to BFC
BFC owned, leased toto BTC
BFC owned SHPT owned SHPT owned BFC owned, leased to BFCSHPT owned, leased to SHPT 0 50 100 200 Meiers
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4.3 Character Areas The 2005 Conservation Management Plan identified 12 landscape character areas (see Figure 5). These form the basis for the Management Prescriptions set out later in this MMP.
Figure 5: Landscape character areas (Source 2005 Conservation Management Plan)
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The park is broadly divided into a northern and southern section by Ringmead, a local road.
4.3.1 North Park (Character Areas A-E) The northern section of the park combines large areas of open grassland, the north lake and balancing pond and the woodland, referred to in the CMP as North Wood. The main area of grassland forming the West Park Character area is close mown with relatively few mature trees. An avenue of semi mature ash trees follows the line of the former main access road to the house. There is a small informal car park on Ringmead.
The North Wood is an area of mature, secondary woodland, with oak, sweet chestnut, beech, birch and sycamore. Woodland management in recent years has focused on controlling invasive rhododendron which was swamping natural regeneration and ground flora. As a result the wood has a fairly open character. There is a play area located on the southern edges of the wood which includes provision for teenagers.
The North Lake is predominantly open water with small areas of marginal vegetation, mainly concentrated at the southern end of the lake. There are a number of self sown alder, poplar and ash around the lake. The lake is fished by the Bracknell Herons Angling Club and there are a number of fishing platforms around the lake itself.
The North Lake drains via an artificial dam into the Balancing Pond which supports rich swamp/wetland and marshland plant communities, with tall reed beds and a scrub on the pond edges.
The East Park area combines areas of open grassland with groups of trees, including the magnificent mature cedar on the higher slopes overlooking the lake. This is one of a number of cedars which historically encircled the parkland.
Many areas of grassland in this Character Area are managed as meadow grassland, which was a recommendation of the CMP.
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The eastern most areas are managed as close mown grass with ornamental planting.
4.3.2 South Park (Character Areas F-L) The main ‘entrance’ to the park is from Ringmead to the large car park which serves the Arts Centre and Theatre. The tarmac car park has capacity for around 200 cars. There is some ornamental planting within the car park and around the southern areas of the park.
The Arts Centre provides café and toilet facilities in addition to the many exhibitions and other events held in the building and the theatre.
The formal terraces and Italian Gardens are located to the south and east of the Arts Centre and there are remnants of the former formal gardens extending from the Arts Centre towards the South Lake. There is a toddlers play garden located immediately south east of the Arts Centre. The formal lawns are maintained as close mown grass and extend south towards the South Lake.
The land to the east rises gently to the higher ground of Birch Hill Wood. The wood has a canopy of mature trees including oak, sweet chestnut and beech, with a dense understorey of rhododendron, bramble and bamboo in many areas. The central section of the wood around the site of the open air amphitheatre is more open in character.
The Shrubbery and Birch Hill Wood formed part of the C19 Pleasure Grounds as described in the CMP. There are a number of magnificent parkland trees identified as being of significant heritage value in the CMP, both within the areas of woodland and extending into the immediate surrounding areas.
The South Lake is bordered to the west by a dense shrubbery of rhododendron, bamboo and holly with a range of mature native and exotic tree species including oak, sweet chestnut, lime, yew, false acacia and copper beech. The eastern bank is more open with some marginal and edge vegetation and areas of scrub and rough grassland. The lake itself is fed from the culvert at its southern end.
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The western edges of the park are defined by a series of broad grassy mounds. Within this area there a number of magnificent trees including a rare evergreen lucombe oak and atlantic cedar. There is a young childrens play area adjacent to the path which runs from the park to the Birch Hill shopping area.
The main paths through the park are tarmac and a number are lit. Other informal routes through the woodland and around the lakes are not surfaced. The former ice house is located to the east of Birch Hill Wood on one of the many routes into the park.
The park is bounded by residential development on all sides. To the west is the centre of Birch Hill, with shopping, health centre, community centre, schools, car parking and toilets.
There a number of entrance points into the park and all are open. A number take the form of broad corridors with paths, grassland and trees designed to flow into the surrounding residential areas.
4.4 Geology and Topography The lower western parts of the park lie on Bagshot (sand) beds; the land rises to the north and east of the site on Brecklesham (loam) beds. The land rises by some ten metres between the house and the hill to the south east, with a similar rise from the north park to the hill in the north east. Areas surrounding the lakes are near level. There is recent mounding on the boundary of the current park south west of the house associated with the development of the new town.
4.5 Hydrology The north and south lakes were established on the line of Glorimor Brook, a stream which emanates from the broad shallow valley enclosed by Pudding Hill and Caesars Camp, in Bracknell Forest to the south. The line of the brook is now largely set in a culvert (part underground). A number of surface water drains feed into this local system (some flow directly into the lakes) and these form the principal source of water feeding into the lakes.
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The South Lake is linked to the North Lake via an underground culvert, which runs beneath the existing car park and Ringmead.
Water flows via an artificial dam and sluice at the northern end of the north lake into the balancing pond and then via an underground culvert beneath South Hill Road. The line of the current stream broadly follows that of the original Brook westwards and flows into Mill Pond on the western edge of Bracknell.
4.6 Water Bodies A management review of all the water bodies at South Hill Park was undertaken in October 2012 by John Wenman (Ecological Consultancy) and Brian Clews (County Ornithological Services).
4.6.1 South Lake (ornamental lake) Following on from the recommendations of the 2005 and 2008 ecology surveys (summarised in Section 4.7), the landscape restoration work included de-silting the southern section of the South Lake to enhance its ecological value. This was completed in November 2010 as part of the Capital Works programme with the use of specialist equipment (see Figure 6).
Figure 6: South Lake de-silting works
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In order to restore the historic views of the house, a key aspect of the restoration programme, the artificial island in the South Lake was removed in early 2013. This island was of concrete construction and supported only commonly occurring and widespread plant species, especially young willow which are “of no special ecological importance” (John Wenman & Brian Clews, 2012). The island had very limited biodiversity value within the lake ecosystem.
A new artificial floating island was installed in March 2013, supporting native, emergent vegetation. It was positioned in open water and away from the historic view to the house.
A new floating fountain was installed in South Lake in March 2013 as part of the SHP restoration project. This mirrors, as closely as possible, the original fountain which was in place, with a six metre high single jet of water.
4.6.2 North Lake (fishing lake) The programme of restoration works also included removing waste material (predominantly tyres and scaffold poles) which formed an island in the North Lake. This was removed in November 2010. In its place, two artificial, floating islands were installed in April 2011 and July 2012 respectively, to enhance the ecological value of the lake.
The islands, supplied by Aquascience, consist of a floating bed which sits to approximately 50mm below the surface of the water. They have been planted up with the following species:
Caltha palustris Marsh Marigold Carex acutiformis Lesser Pond Sedge Iris pseudacorus Yellow Flag Iris Lythrum salicaria Purple Loosestrife Mentha aquatica Water Mint Phalaris arundinacea Reed Canary Grass
They have anti-grazing protection in the form of weldmesh cages fitted to the top to help limit the grazing impact of geese and coots (see Figure 7).
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Figure 7: Floating island installation in the North Lake
A fish refuge structure, made of 75mm mesh, also sits beneath the island to reduce the impact of fish losses to bird predation.
Recommendations from the 2012 Management Review to be taken forward as part of this MMP are: • Install pre-planted coir rolls and pallets planted with native emergent vegetation along Lake margins to help reduce erosion. • Install tree mounted bat boxes on mature trees bordering the lake.
4.6.3 Balancing Pond Initial works to the Balancing Pond area have included scrub clearance, coppicing and the establishment of a new boardwalk across the marsh.
In February 2013, Aquatic Solutions were brought in to establish an area of open water in the reed marsh. This was created with the use of a Truxor, (similar specialist equipment to that used in the de-silting works). Open water creates a valuable habitat which will be protected and maintained away from the boardwalk. This area was further extended in January 2017.
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Recommendations from the 2012 Management Review to be taken forward as part of this MMP are: • Rotational coppicing and selective removal of willow growth within the centre of the Balancing Pond. • Retain taller and denser tree cover around pond margins to reduce likelihood of visitors/dogs entering the area. Selective rotational coppicing also to be carried out in this area.
4.7 Ecology Phase 1 Habitat Surveys of the park were undertaken in 2005 (Land Management Services) and 2008 (John Wenman Ecological Consultancy).
The 2005 and 2008 surveys were consistent in their findings with regard to the value of the site and opportunities to enhance ecological interest through management. Both surveys confirmed the status of South Hill Park as being of predominantly local ecological interest. The main ecological value of the park lies in the varied range of habitats across the park (woodland, grassland, wetland and open water).
The recommendations of the surveys informed the preparation of the Stage 2 Masterplan and a number have already been adopted in the management and maintenance of the park.
The ecological interest of the park is summarised in the July 2005 survey as follows:
“The park consists mainly of improved grassland and secondary woodland of local ecological value.
There are two habitats of some ecological significance within the park these are the swamp filled balancing pond and a small fragment of short acidic grassland (located on the lawns to the south of the Arts Centre).
The park is likely to support a range of protected species. These include: • populations of amphibians especially near the balancing pond,
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• small numbers of reptiles in rough, open vegetation, • numerous species of common birds (protected during the nesting season).”
The 2005 survey also notes that the old culverts within the car park may provide suitable hibernation sites for bats and that the habitats across the park will provide “good feeding grounds for many common species of bats”.
Management and maintenance practices aim to increase the range of habitats and wildlife interest wherever possible. Examples of this are given below with the grassland, wildflower meadow and woodland habitats.
Grassland and Wildflower Meadow The frequency of mowing grassland in the East Park Character Area has been much reduced, with late summer cuts carried out. This regime was introduced following the 2005 Ecology Survey. Both the 2005 and 2008 surveys also recommend that less frequent mowing is adopted on all woodland edges.
In Autumn 2011, a wildflower meadow was established in the East Park area. The grass on the hill slope was cut and removed and then power harrowed to prepare the ground. It was then sown with a Clay/Acid Meadows Wildflower mix consisting of the species listed in Table 1 below.
Table 1: Clay/acid meadow wildflower mix
% Mix Name Common Name
10 Galium verum Lady’s Bedstraw
10 Prunella vulgaris Self Heal
9 Centaurea nigra Lesser Knapweed
8 Plantago lanceolata Ribwort Plantain
7 Rhinanthus minor Yellow Rattle
7 Vicia sativa Common Vetch
6 Leucanthemum vulgare Oxeye Daisy
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6 Rumex acetosa Sorrel
5 Malva moschata Musk Mallow
5 Ranunculus acris Meadow Buttercup
2 Achillea millefolium Yarrow
1 Geranium pratense Meadow Cranesbill
1 Lathyrus pratensis Meadow Vetchling
1 Lychnis flos-cuculi Ragged Robin
1 Stachys officinalis Betony
(Source: Charles Flower Wildflowers www.charlesflower-wildflowers.co.uk)
This area is cut only once a year (in autumn), to provide maximum opportunity for species biodiversity in this area (see Figure 8). Yellow rattle can reduce the vigour of grasses, giving wildflower species a better chance to compete for space and light.
Figure 8: View south across wildflower meadow, just after annual cut
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Woodland Management to control rhododendron and coppice understorey is carried out in the woodland areas on a regular basis.
Figure 9: Rhododendron ponticum in Birch Hill Wood, much reduced after controlled management.
The 2005 CMP highlights the heritage significance of Birch Hill Wood and the Shrubbery Character areas as part of the C19 Pleasure Grounds. The recommendations to extend the cyclical management of the woodlands, have been adapted from those set out in the 2005 MMP to place greater emphasis on achieving a balance between heritage and biodiversity in Birch Hill Wood and the Shrubbery: • Further Rhododendron surveys of the Birch Hill Wood and Shrubbery Character Areas will inform future management (see Section 4.10). It is important to identify desirable species and hybrids as distinct from Rhododendron ponticum which is invasive. • Understorey management principally to control the spread of Rhododendron ponticum and bamboo and to maintain key views, with all areas treated on a minimum five year cycle.
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• Selective felling to create natural glades or clearings within the woodlands to encourage natural regeneration. • Programme for the replacement of important historic/veteran trees lost to storm damage or disease (mainly Birch Hill Wood and Shrubbery). • Management of woodland and path edge vegetation to create more open character – retention of denser areas of understorey vegetation within selected areas of the woods. • Retention of standing and fallen dead timber (where this is safe) as a habitat for invertebrates, birds and fungi. • Cyclical management of selected areas of understorey vegetation e.g. area of hazel coppice. • Put forward the South Hill Park woodlands as a Local Nature Reserve in order to contribute to the Borough Woodland and Scrub Habitat Action Plan Target to establish seven woodland LNRs.
4.8 Formal Planting The restoration work has included a series of beds designed with formal planting, mainly sited in the high profile areas of the park, around the Arts Centre building. These include the Italian Gardens, Secret Garden, Rose Courtyard, Yew Walk, Play Area, Western Entrance, Terrace Beds, Mansion Beds, Front Courtyard and the Car Park area.
4.9 Trees A heritage tree survey was carried out as part of the 2005 CMP (see Figure 10). The survey identified approximately 100 significant trees within the park, of which 27% were thought to have been planted before 1800 and a further 32% planted between 1800 and 1850. Parkland trees are a significant feature of the site and extend into the surrounding residential areas.
The 2005 Heritage Tree Survey highlights the predominance of significant trees in the South Park. This has informed the prescriptions for the management of woodlands (principally Character Areas A, K and J) described in the Sections below.
A full Tree Condition Survey was completed in December 2008 by CBA Trees. This examined 128 individual trees and several smaller groups, with
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Figure 10: Heritage tree survey, showing reference to character areas (Source 2005 Conservation Management Plan)
SOUTH HILL PARK: SHP/S/05 TREE SURVEY See tree schedule SHP/T/03 for details Q Tree shown on 1871 Ordnance Survey Q Tree shown in 1871 which may date from late C18 scale 1 :4000 at A3
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comments on their structural condition and recommendations for management.
A more detailed Tree Survey was carried out in February 2012 by Simon Holmes of Tree Surveys (Reading, Berkshire). This looked at a very small number of mature trees which were showing signs of decay, and as a result of the survey, most of these have since been felled.
A further full Tree Condition Survey was completed in June/July 2014 by Simon Holmes of Tree Surveys (Reading, Berkshire) which covered 145 individual trees and 24 groups of trees across north and south sides of the park. This survey sets out further recommendations for the protection, care and management of the tree stock in the park.
4.10 Rhododendrons A preliminary walkover survey of the park was undertaken by Michael Lear of Lear Associates in early 2009 (Appendix 1). This noted that the majority of the rhododendrons in the park are R. ponticum, although there was some evidence of hybridity with R. maximum and R. catawbiense.
Further research should to be undertaken to establish if there is any further historical significance of the Rhododendrons in the park. These findings will inform the long term management of the Birch Hill Woods and Shrubbery Character Areas in the park.
4.11 The Arts Centre South Hill Park Arts Centre is an exciting and vibrant, multi-purpose arts centre. The annual programme of performing arts offers a huge variety of theatrical, dance, drama, opera, comedy and music performances by leading local, national and international professional artists and talented amateur groups. Patrons of South Hill Park Arts Centre include Sir Kenneth Branagh, Sir Andrew Motion and Kate Winslet.
It is home to two theatres, a cinema, seven gallery spaces, the Café Atrium, three bars, six art studios, dance studio, digital media centre, recital room and a creative control recording studio.
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A key part of the Arts Centre remit is to support and commission new work across the arts, from both established and emerging artists.
South Hill Park also offers a rich and varied programme of creative courses and workshops across art, music, drama, dance, digital media and literature. These include workshops for all ages and abilities, from taster sessions to master classes.
The galleries host many exhibitions a year across the seven spaces, showing the work of local, national and international contemporary artists in a wide range of media. All gallery spaces are free for the public to look around at any time.
The Arts Centre also offers free parking, reception, café and toilet facilities for the visiting public, and provides office space for the Heritage Parks Manager and Gardeners on site.
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5. Site Description and Green Flag Analysis
5.1 A Welcoming Place The overall impression for someone approaching and entering the site should be positive and inviting. Features of particular importance are: good and safe access effective signage to and in the park the principle of ‘something for everyone’ equal access for all
5.1.1 Access South Hill Park is accessible by a variety of different transport methods. Bracknell is well served by both train and bus links from London Waterloo, Reading and several towns in the surrounding area.
A local bus service stops at the edge of the park at the nearby supermarkets - Birch Hill Aldi and Birch Hill Sainsbury’s and near the northern play area. This has an estimated travelling time of ten minutes from Bracknell bus and train stations in the centre of town.
South Hill Park has free parking available for 224 cars, and provides an additional ten disabled car parking spaces very close to the main entrance of the park and Arts Centre building (with café, toilet and information facilities). The park is very well signposted from the town centre and all major road access points.
South Hill Park also has provision for bicycle parking. Designated cycle routes run directly up to and through the park itself (see Figure 11), again clearly signposted to South Hill Park.
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South Hill Park: Management and Maintenance Plan South2012 – 2021 Hill. ParkV6 - JanuaryCycleways 2019
Cycleways 2003 -- Purpose Built Cyclew ay -- Shared Footpath/Cyc leway
This Map is reproduced from Ord nance Survey Material with 1:6,500 the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the 0 62.5 125 250 375 500 Controll er of Her Majesty' s Stationary Office © Crown Copyright. Meters Unauthori sed reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may N.B. South Hill Park shown lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. with black boundary line Bracknell Forest Borough Counci l LA100019488. + -- 39
Figure 11: Cycle route network through South Hill Park South Hill Park: Management and Maintenance Plan 2012 – 2021. V6 January 2019
Pedestrian access is available at a wide variety of points throughout the park, as shown on the map in Figure 18.
Main access points are accessible by wheelchair and careful consideration has been given to this throughout the park’s restoration work. Secondary pedestrian entrances to the park are marked by specially designed ‘welcome’ signs.
The main entrance area is well lit at night and streetlights line the smaller pedestrian entrances which border the neighbouring housing developments.
A key element of the restoration work was to increase the pedestrian flow between the northern and southern sections of the park. Significant highway improvements have been made to reduce the speed of local traffic and to create a central, safe crossing point for pedestrians; coloured road resurfacing to show drivers they are entering and leaving the park environment; and the creation of the stone gateway features which help to give identify to the park and increase the unity across north and south areas.
The Western entrance is a significant access point as it is a key route into the park from the main car park. The restoration work has opened this up and upgraded the entrance with a new path network and ornamental planting.
Several new paths have been installed around both north and south sides of the park which have greatly increased disabled access around the park. This includes new ramped access to the terrace behind the Arts Centre, giving direct access to the café, toilets and formal planting in this area. A further small path was installed in the Birch Hill Woods area in February 2013 to enable even greater access for mobility scooters in this area. Handrails have been fitted along stepped pedestrian entrances. South Hill Park also features on the Disabled Go website with a full access guide for disabled visitors.
The Arts Centre is open Monday - Saturday 9am - 11pm, Sunday and Bank Holidays 11-10.30pm. The park is open 24 hours a day and has free access to all.
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5.1.2 Signage A new main entrance sign has been installed to clearly identify and welcome people to the park (Figure 12).
Exhibitions
Figure 12: Main entrance sign
Another important signage feature included in the restoration work was the creation of a new map of the park. This was then reproduced in the form of a glass sculpture by a prominent artist (Lucy Strachan), and installed in a high profile part of the park - the Rose Garden (see Figure 13). This is close to the café, toddler’s play garden, western entrance and the Arts Centre building itself, and is well positioned to show visitors their current location, the extent of the park, and the starting point for the four new walking trails which have been created.
Fitzpatrick Woolmer completed work on a directional signage strategy for South Hill Park in 2013 with the aim of providing a holistic approach to site identity. New signs were installed in September 2013 throughout the car park to improve pedestrian and vehicular flow. The white lining in the car park was updated in November 2018 to further assist with vehicular flow.
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Figure 13: Visitor map of South Hill Park
Five notice boards were also installed across north and south sides of the site to help ensure key messages are regularly passed on to the visiting public. They display ‘What’s On’ information, introduction to the park, how it is managed, upcoming events, volunteer information, website details, contact details for emergency assistance etc.
The welcome signs and waymarkers for the walking trails were an artist-led project, designed by Lucy Strachan and Fred Baier, working closely with local residents and park users. These were installed in 2012 (see Figure 14).
Welcome signs were installed at the main pedestrian access points throughout the north and south sides of the park. These serve an important purpose of helping to establish the identity of the park at its boundaries, where it lies adjacent to residential housing and incidental land.
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The waymarkers are similar in design, and help to guide visitors around the four walking trails which cover both north and south sides of the park.
Figure 14: Waymarkers for walking trails
5.1.3 Overall Design and Impression - ‘Something for Everyone’ The main park entrance on Ringmead was upgraded with the restoration work that took place 2010-2012. It is an inviting space, with interesting sculpture and restored historic features, such as the main gates (see Figures 15 and 16).
Figure 15: Main gates in front courtyard
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Careful consideration has been given to planting in the main entrance area, with new shrubs, herbaceous plants and many new trees. These work together to soften the hard landscaping and create a very welcoming environment for visitors both to the park and Arts Centre.
Figure 16: Front courtyard planting and sculpture
Children are well catered for within the park with three separate play areas across the site, each aimed at a different age group, from toddlers right through to teenagers.
Elderly people are also well catered for, with several benches strategically placed around the park offering both quiet contemplation and an opportunity for rest.
Dogs are welcome on site, although encouraged to be kept on a lead around the terrace/café area and around the lakes.
Storage and operational areas are screened from view with beech hedging.
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5.1.4 A Welcoming Place – Key Action Points • Maintenance of shrub borders at entrances near the residential areas - shrubs are to be kept well pruned back to allow good visibility and access to the park and do not obscure street lighting. • Extend ornamental planting to other pedestrian entrances to create a more welcoming feel to the park. • Ensure signage and interpretation is kept well maintained, clean and clearly visible at all times. • Ensure paths are kept well maintained, clean and free of any potential trip hazards.
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5.2 Healthy, Safe and Secure The park or green space must be a healthy, safe and secure place for all members of the community to use. Relevant issues must be addressed in management plans and implemented on the ground. New concerns which arise must be addressed promptly and appropriately. Particularly important are the: • appropriate provision of quality facilities and activities which are safe for all to use • the park must be a safe and secure place for all members of the community to use • control of dogs and dog fouling • health and safety policies should be in place, in practice and reviewed • toilets, drinking water, first aid, public telephones and emergency equipment where relevant (e.g. lifebelts by water) should be available on or near the site and clearly signposted
5.2.1 Health and Well Being The four new walking trails around the park have proved very popular with the public and also help with promoting healthy living (Figure 17).
Ranger guided walks, three different play areas for children, and cycle trail links also help to encourage regular activity.
The park is also often used for sporting activities by local groups, such as football, personal fitness instructors and Tai Chi.
Two of the children’s play areas have recently been upgraded and receive very regular use by the public. The equipment is imaginative and interesting, for example the sound cushions in the toddler’s play area have proved to be particularly popular.
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map and key
Wilde Wander 1.1 Km ~ -•-Unsurfaced path &., Haversham Hike 1.1 Km <:C? &., Temple Trail 0.6 Km a '-"'lau-'>lvl I J
0 Rose Garden (Start/finish) 6 f) YewWalk 9 Toddler's play area G Sculpture " Bull at the Gate" 9 Arts centre e Sculpture "Totem " @ Italian Garden C, HolmOak 8 Wellingtonia Seat G Sculpture "Gravity XII" Q> Sculpture " Ripple Wall" 48 Footbridge -- Play area and skate park I> Car Park 48 Sculpture " Rings of Pachamama" «;Ash Avenue • Wetland boardwalk e Northern play area
Figure 17: Four walking trails around South Hill Park (Source: Walking Trails Leaflet, 2014)
5.2.2 Safety and Security Care and consideration is always given to the Health & Safety at Work Act (1974) for all people on site including staff, volunteers, contractors and of course, members of the public.
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Bracknell Forest Council has a Health and Safety Policy Statement which guides normal work procedures.
Records of any health and safety incidents are kept both electronically and in paper form (in a locked cabinet) and reported through to relevant advisors within Bracknell Forest Council on a regular basis.
Staff are present out in the grounds at South Hill Park almost every day during the week, and the Arts Centre building is staffed seven days a week including Bank Holidays.
Parks staff are readily identifiable in Bracknell Forest Council - Parks and Countryside uniform and always have mobile telephone contact with other members of staff. Garden staff have a very positive relationship with many regular park users, including dog walkers. All park grounds staff have an enhanced CRB check and are trained in safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.
CCTV covers key, high profile areas, including the car park to help ensure public safety.
Trees and shrubs along pathways, especially at the park entrances, are carefully monitored and pruned back, to open up views and help to create a safer environment.
Entrances are well lit and local Police Community Support Officers (PCSO’s) regularly patrol the park, and have a very good and informative relationship with all park staff.
5.2.3 Facilities Regular audits and six monthly site inspections are made for all equipment and facilities to ensure they are safe and secure e.g. children’s play area
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equipment, life buoys for the lakes (Appendix 2). Any structure deemed unsafe should be cordoned off to prevent public access.
Toilets and fresh drinking water are available in the Arts Centre building (see Figure 18). Additional toilets are available at the nearby Birch Hill neighbourhood centre.
First Aid is available at the Arts Centre reception, and garden staff are First Aid trained and always have a First Aid kit in the vehicle used on site.
5.2.4 Dogs Dogs are welcomed at South Hill Park and the area is very popular with many local dog walkers.
Bracknell Forest Council takes a proactive approach to responsible dog ownership and in 2013 produced a leaflet especially for dog owners/dog walkers, detailing a code of conduct. This is also available on the Bracknell Forest Council website and promoted by all members of staff.
Certain areas of the park are designated dog-free zones - including the toddler’s play area on the South Lawn, the play area in the Birch Hill Banks area, both North and South Lake, and the reed marsh. Dogs are encouraged to be on-lead on the terrace at the back of the Arts Centre and near the café at all times.
Bracknell Town Council adopted Dog Control Orders in June 2014 to help promote responsible dog ownership. These require dogs to be on lead around the North Lake and reed marsh, and prohibit dogs from entering either body of water.
In 2018 Bracknell Town Council are implemented a ‘traffic light’ system of coloured paw prints on the main paths to indicate areas where dogs should be on or off lead. This has been well received by members of the public and the local dog walking community.
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South Hill Park Facilities North Side
Site access points
Pall> network
Art's Centre toilets. cafe . reception
Play area
Car park
Ringmead road
Areas of tree cover
Water
0 50 100 200 Meters
,e e,__ ...., ___.., _ ..""'
lOO~• !w- IOXl1114lo6
Figure 18a: Park facilities
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South Hill Park Facilities South Side
Path network Art's Centre toillets, cafe , reception Pl!ay area
Car park
Rin gmead road
Areas of tree cover
water
0 70 140 Meter,; CnMT1 mp-Jf1'1tt an:1 4.at!bas~ ~ ~12 Cfltl ~ I\~ 1CW IMOO • Site access po'ints
Figure 18b: Park facilities
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5.2.5 Healthy, Safe and Secure – Key Action Points • Continue to promote walks and physical activities within the park, encouraging members of the public to lead a healthy lifestyle. • Continue regular audit and monitoring of site equipment and facilities, and feed any resulting issues into work programme. • Continue regular monitoring and safety checks of children’s play areas. • Maintain record of any incident reports and ensure regular review. • Ensure emergency assistance continues to be available to members of the public (through Arts Centre reception, and grounds staff on site), and contact details are also distributed via the website and notice boards on site.
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5.3 Well Maintained and Clean For aesthetic as well as health and safety reasons issues of cleanliness and maintenance must be addressed, in particular: litter and other waste management issues must be adequately dealt with grounds, buildings, equipment and other features must be well maintained a policy on litter, vandalism and maintenance should be in place, in practice and regularly reviewed
5.3.1 Litter and Waste Management Combined litter and dog waste bins have been strategically placed around both north and south sides of the park. They are emptied approximately three times a week (or as required) by Bracknell Forest Council, Bracknell Town Council and Arts Centre staff. During the summer months, the most used bins are emptied on a daily basis.
Litter from the grounds is taken off site as quickly as possible by Bracknell Town Council and the BFC contractor, Ringway (in accordance with relevant regulations). Any litter generated by the Arts Centre/café is skipped on site and removed by contractors as often as necessary. This storage area is easily accessible from the main car park, and the area has been screened off with beech hedging, to help ensure it remains out of sight.
Additional mobile bins are brought out for major festivals and events, when large crowds are expected. The local Scout group, a small group of local residents and other volunteers have all been involved with litter collection across the site, either post large events or on an ad-hoc basis (see Figure 19).
Horticultural waste is composted off site, alongside the gardener’s storage area, located at Birch Hill Recreation Ground. Root areas of mature trees are mulched using chippings to help alleviate compaction.
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Figure 19: Community litter picking event at South Hill Park
5.3.2 Maintenance of Facilities Path surfaces are divided into three main categories – hard surfaces, such as yorkstone and spray and chip, are used for the most accessible and highest profiles path networks. A new network of Cedec paths (self-binding gravel) have been installed throughout the site for the intermediate access areas, and more informal paths are used through the woodland areas. These will be maintained according to the annual work plan, as detailed in Section 8.2 of this management and maintenance plan.
All infrastructure and facilities on site are regularly monitored and audited in the six monthly site inspections (Appendix 2). Any remedial work required is then programmed in to a regular cycle of maintenance. Urgent issues are dealt with immediately.
The children’s play areas are monitored on a weekly basis and also inspected by independent specialists annually, with biannual inspections for the toddler’s play garden.
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5.3.3 Maintenance of the Grounds High horticultural standards are expected at all times and care is taken to ensure that the park is kept well maintained and looking its best throughout the year.
This management and maintenance plan sets out a clear annual work plan, with specific tasks programmed in season by season, to ensure that the highest horticultural standards are maintained (see Section 8.2).
5.3.4 Maintenance of Machinery and Equipment Horticultural equipment and machinery is only used by trained personnel, with appropriate PPE used at all times.
Vehicles and machinery are serviced regularly and stored in a secure container.
Risk assessments are kept up-to-date and available at all times for all users in the office at South Hill Park (and electronically).
5.3.5 Site Cleanliness Several policies within Bracknell Forest Council describe monitoring procedures and key standards required for cleanliness within the borough’s Parks and Open Spaces. These include: • Cleaner Borough Group Action Plan • Community Safety Partnership Plan • Parks and Open Spaces Strategy
Cleaner Borough Group Action Plan Bracknell Forest Council has developed a Cleaner Borough Group Action Plan which has set priorities and actions for “Protecting and enhancing our environment” and “Creating a Borough where people are, and feel safe”.
This plan sets out guidance for dealing with Environmental Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) such as abandoned vehicles, fly tipping, litter, dog fouling, graffiti, flyposting etc. Any such issues are reported through CADIS (Community Nuisance and Disorder Information System), a council database
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which is used to record and monitor these statistics. Appropriate enforcement action is taken in all cases where proper evidence is obtained.
Community Safety Partnership Plan Bracknell Forest Council also has a Community Safety Partnership Plan which publishes a three year plan, updated annually, setting out ways to make the community a safer environment in which to live. Priority ten within this plan covers Environmental Anti-Social Behaviour and aims to “reduce Environmental ASB generally, as well as give particular attention to the key ASB categories as identified by CADIS”.
Parks and Open Spaces Strategy The Bracknell Forest Council Parks and Open Spaces Strategy (2012) sets guidance for grades of cleanliness, using those defined in the Code of Practice on Litter and Refuse issued under section 89(7) of the Environmental Protection Act (1990) as published by DEFRA. The aspirational target for Parks and Open Spaces is Grade A – No litter or refuse, with the specified minimum requirement for BFC being Grade B – Predominantly free of litter and refuse apart from some small items.
Within the Parks and Open Spaces Strategy, Bracknell Forest Council also set out Quality Assessment Criteria (Appendix 3). These core quality criteria are routinely covered in the six monthly site inspections, and much more frequently as part of the regular visual inspections which take place on site.
The incidence of graffiti at South Hill Park has noticeably reduced since the restoration work, which is a very positive result. Any graffiti found on site is removed immediately by park staff where possible, or alternatively through Ringway (the BFC street cleansing contractor) or other specialist contractors (e.g. Community Clean) for graffiti on historic/listed buildings.
Fly posting has occasionally occurred at the park, but is only a minor issue and any notices found are removed immediately by staff on site.
Dog walkers are generally very responsible about picking up and disposing of dog mess.
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The Bracknell Forest Council leaflet, detailing the dog walkers code of conduct, also encourages all dog walkers to clean up after their dogs.
Bracknell Forest Council also organise a regular event, Paws in the Park, which is held to promote responsible dog ownership and provide educational material about dog fouling and control. The event has proved very popular in the past with high attendance rates. Local dog related businesses and charities hold stalls on site, along with displays from search and rescue dog charities and obstacle courses for agility competitions. This event has been held at South Hill Park for the last 4 years, and as a result of its success is due to be held at South Hill Park again in August 2019.
Staff presence on site also has a positive impact on the incidence of dog fouling, litter and graffiti etc. and it is important that this is maintained along with regular inspections and monitoring.
Two Environment Wardens, employed by Bracknell Town Council complete regular inspections of the site. They also work closely with local schools to provide ongoing education and information to younger members of the community.
5.3.6 Key Action Points • Organise further litter picks at South Hill Park involving the local community, volunteers, youth groups etc. • Use chippings to mulch trees whenever possible. • Continue regular audits and monitoring of all equipment and facilities within the park, and feed this into work programming. • Continue to report any incidents and ensure regular review. • Regular monitoring of staff training to ensure up to date and fully trained on all equipment using on site. • Regular maintenance and servicing of vehicles and machinery. Records kept on file and review dates in place. • Ensure all risk assessments are up to date and regularly reviewed. Next review dates are in place.
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• Ensure educational information is available to the public via notice boards and websites e.g. trails leaflet, dog owners code of conduct, barbeques within the park etc. • Monitor and report major incidents to CADIS database. • Promote Paws in the Park Event to South Hill Park visitors.
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5.4 Environmental Management Methods used in maintaining the green space and its facilities should be environmentally sound, relying on best practice according to current knowledge. Park managers should be aware of the range of techniques available to them, and demonstrate that informed choices have been made and are regularly reviewed. Specifically: an environmental policy or charter and management strategy should be in place, in practice, and regularly reviewed pesticide use should be minimised and justified horticultural peat use should be eliminated waste plant material generated in the park should be recycled high horticultural and arboricultural standards should be demonstrated energy conservation, pollution reduction, waste recycling and resource conservation measures should be used
5.4.1 Environmental Management Bracknell Forest Council has developed a Carbon Management Plan (2009) and a Climate Change Action Plan (2016). The main contribution parks and open spaces make within these plans are mitigation and adaptation. These include the following: • Reduce the risk of surface flooding. • Encourage the public to have environmentally friendly gardens which reduce the need for water usage. • Improve water supply and retention to trees, to reduce the impact of warmer summers and droughts. • Adapt horticultural maintenance programmes e.g. greater use of mulch, and soil improvement techniques. • Plan for the impact of climate change with species selection, habitat conservation and migration in mind. • Plant trees to provide shade.
5.4.2 Chemical Use Mechanical methods of weeding, such as hand weeding and hoeing, are by far the most preferred method of controlling weeds and used whenever possible. Contact herbicides are used only when absolutely necessary,
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particularly on persistent, perennial weeds such as Japanese Knotweed, bamboo and Rhododendron ponticum.
The first priority for pest and disease control at South Hill Park is the use of best horticultural practice - using cultural techniques of plant hygiene, soil maintenance and purchasing good quality plants. Pesticides are only used in exceptional circumstances.
5.4.3 Materials Peat based products are not used at South Hill Park and every effort is made to ensure all third parties, such as contractors working on site, work to this standard as well. Contractors involved in the restoration work gave specific agreement that peat based products would not be used.
5.4.4 Resource Conservation and Waste Management Bracknell Forest Council has published a Sustainable Procurement Guide (2011) which sets out guidance for resource conservation and waste management.
This encourages rethinking the need for the goods in the first instance, reducing the need, recycling where possible, energy recovery and end of life management options.
Locally sourced products are used whenever feasible. Most of the wood used in the restoration project was sourced from the UK and a large amount was also sourced within the local Bracknell Forest area. The boardwalk over the Balancing Pond Character Area (see Figure 20) included wood from nearby Lily Hill Park. The benches in the Birch Hill Wood Character Area (see Figure 21) were created from wood sourced from South Hill Park.
5.4.5 Recycling South Hill Park Arts Centre has a good programme of recycling in place - providing facilities for recycling paper, cardboard, glass, cans from the café, terrace and Arts Centre offices. A new recycling bin has also been installed in the grounds to encourage the public to recycle any waste generated from their visit to the park.
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Figure 20: Boardwalk over the Balancing Pond
Figure 21: Bench in the Birch Hill Woodland character area
Horticultural waste is recycled so that compost can be made on site. Leaf litter is also planned for collection in small areas to generate leaf mould for use on site.
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5.4.6 Horticultural Management Every effort is made to ensure newly planted trees thrive on site, especially in their early, most vulnerable years. The importance of this is built into the annual work plan (see Section 8.2), which ensures regular checks are made on tree ties and stakes, removal of competitive weed growth, irrigation and mulch.
Wherever it is safe to do so, dead wood is left standing in the woodland areas on both the north and south sides of the park. Monoliths and logs piles are favoured as an excellent habitat for invertebrates and other wildlife and are actively encouraged (see Figure 22, and Sections 8.1.1 and 8.1.11).
Figure 22: Decayed monolith cut and left for habitat development
5.4.7 Pollution Reduction Chemicals are stored in a secure, waterproof, fire-proof, chemical container. Data sheets on all chemicals stored are maintained in the same container for staff access at all times. All site based South Hill Park grounds staff are fully trained in the use of chemicals with PA1 & PA6 certification.
5.4.8 Water Efficiency Where possible planting schemes are deliberately designed around the use of drought tolerant plants. This helps to ensure irrigation requirements are kept
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to a minimum. Turf areas are not watered at South Hill Park, unless a new lawn is being established or seed has been put down.
5.4.9 Energy Efficiency Vehicles and machinery are programmed into a regular cycle of maintenance and are regularly serviced to ensure they are working at optimum efficiency (see Section 8.2). Machinery is always turned off whenever not in use.
5.4.10 Key Action Points • Research into possible schemes for recycling litter collected from the grounds, especially after large events. • Develop interpretation around water conservation and the use of drought tolerant plants etc. which the public can implement in their gardens at home. • Establish the use of TreeGators (or similar) to improve irrigation supply to young trees. • Develop interpretation around the role of dead standing wood, monoliths and wildlife habitats in key areas of the woodland.
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5.5 Biodiversity, landscape and heritage Particular attention should be paid to the conservation and appropriate management of: natural features, wildlife and flora landscape features buildings and structural features These features should serve their function well without placing undue pressure on the surrounding environment.
A Conservation Management Plan was published for South Hill Park in November 2005 by Bracknell Forest Council and Land Management Services in preparation for the Heritage Lottery Fund restoration application.
5.5.1 Natural Features, Wildlife and Flora An ecological survey of the park was completed in June 2005, as part of the preparation of the Conservation Management Plan. The park is predominantly of local ecological interest with its main value lying in the range of habitats across the park (woodland, specimen trees, grassland, wetland and open water). The two habitats of greatest ecological significance are the balancing pond in the north of the park, and a small area of short acidic grassland on the fringes of the lawn to the south (see Sections 4.6 to 4.9).
This management and maintenance plan sets out proposals for ensuring all habitats are maintained and managed to conserve their unique value. See annual management and maintenance plan in Section 8.2 and the long term aims for the Character Areas set out in Sections 8.1.
Contractors completing the restoration work operated in accordance with an agreed Wildlife Protection Plan which set out appropriate timings for work to be complete in sensitive areas such as the lakes, balancing pond and woodland in order to avoid key nesting and hibernation periods.
The paths installed in Birch Hill Woods are of no-dig construction (see Figures 23 and 24) which are installed above ground level to ensure there is minimal disturbance to tree roots by the works. This surfacing also allows for water
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infiltration and gaseous diffusion to take place, which will assist tree growth and prevent excess water runoff or erosion.
~------Timber board - see drawing 50016601 -401/ Detail 06 '/"_,,T'i71,"'..,'"}"",;,,"'"ii"'.,,"" .,,~,;; ,;;.,_r----50mm CEDEC Gold Footpath Gravel, 6-0mm , , graded
·bd&,,d/;.~~#---- 100 mm free draining, non-compactable granular material - excluding limestone 1-- --1-- _,______Geogrid 2-dimensional load spreader
Sealed Gravel Footpath - NO-DIG construction Scale: 1:10@A1
Figure 23: Construction plan of no-dig path
Figure 24: No-dig path through the woodland
A bat survey was completed on site in August 2007 by John Wenman Ecological Consultancy.
Common pipistrelle bats were recorded regularly foraging around the trees in the survey area (Birch Hill Wood – Character Area K). The survey also notes that “the woodland areas in the grounds of South Hill Park and the two large lakes, North and South Lake, provide significant potential foraging habitat for bats”.
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A number of bat boxes have been installed on site (see Figure 25), and this provision of secure breeding spaces should help to ensure their continued survival in the area.
Figure 25: Bat boxes in the woodland
5.5.2 Landscape Features The Conservation Management Plan (2005) gives considerable detail on the historic cultural landscape at South Hill Park. It identifies several surviving historic landscape features throughout the park including: • Parts of the original C17 park boundary • Woodland dating from C17-18 • Tree clumps and belts largely from C18 • Ornamental ‘pleasure ground’ from early C19
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• Mixed shrubbery from early C19 • North embankment of South Lake from early C19 • Carriage drives from mid C19 • Terrace gardens from late C19 • Site of waterfalls on South Lake from late C19
Conservation and management of these areas is described in Sections 8.1 and 8.2.
Several of the key historic vistas are also identified in the CMP and the management programme across the site will ensure these are retained.
5.5.3 Buildings and Structural Features The South Hill Park Mansion (Arts Centre building) is a listed building Grade II. The park itself is designated Grade II under the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest. The garden walls, steps, gate piers and gates adjoining South Hill Park on the east (see Figure 26) are also listed Grade II.
The restoration work has been sympathetic to the 18th Century historical features and careful consideration has been given to all historic features (e.g. paint colour palette), path materials, facilities and planting.
Section 8.2 gives detail on the maintenance schedule in place to manage the built environment, including the new path network, gate piers, walls, steps, park furniture etc.
There are several sculptures throughout the grounds at South Hill Park –
• ‘Gravity XII’ by Barry Mason (1980) • ‘Ripple Wall’ by William Pye (1982) • ‘Untitled’ by John Clarke (1982)
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Figure 26: Terrace piers overlooking South Lawn
• ‘Totem’ by Robert Carruthers (c.1986-88) • ‘Bull’ by Marcel Baettig (1995) • ‘Rings of Pachamama’ by Lucy Strachan (2012)
and these have also been included in the restoration work plan.
William Pye’s ‘Ripple Wall’ in the South Lake was restored in September 2012 (see Figure 27), and ‘Gravity XII’ and ‘Totem’ were restored during 2013.
On health and safety grounds, the ‘Untitled’ sculpture by John Clarke (positioned near the South Lake) was removed in June 2015.
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Figure 27: Ripple Wall by William Pye, South Lake
5.5.4 Key Action Points • Water bodies to be managed and maintained in accordance with the recommendations set out in the Management Review by John Wenman Ecological Consultancy (see Sections 8.1.4, 8.1.5 and 8.1.9) • Install further bat and owl boxes in appropriate locations on site. • Install hibernation niches for hedgehogs and amphibians, link to education pack/local schools involvement. • Conduct further wildlife surveys (e.g. wildflowers, birds, mammals, amphibians etc.) in conjunction with local community and/or special interest groups, to identify species on site and to create or develop optimum habitats where practical. • Continue maintenance and conservation of historic features as already outlined in the above Section 5.5.
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5.6 Community involvement Park management authorities should actively pursue the involvement of members of the community, with representation of as many park user groups as possible. Management should be able to demonstrate: knowledge of the user community and levels and pattern of use evidence of community involvement in park management and/or development and results achieved that there are appropriate levels of provision of recreational facilities for all sectors of the community
5.6.1 Patterns of Use A park users survey was carried out in 2005 in order to provide audience information for the Audience Development and Access Plan. A repeat survey was performed in January 2009 with the aim of highlighting any fundamental changes to the make up and views of park users. The survey followed a similar format to aid the analysis of results.
The 2009 survey showed that there was no significant change in audience since the previous survey in 2005. Over three quarters of visitors live within one mile of the site, and the most popular reasons for visiting the park are walking/strolling/‘fresh air’, walking the dog, and visiting the arts centre and/or café.
Both the 2005 and 2009 audience surveys found that the biggest dislike among park users is litter, particularly bottles and broken glass in the summer, and rubbish thrown or blown into the lakes. However, both surveys also found that many people did not have anything negative to say about the park. Most of the changes suggested by interviewees related to improvements to litter picking and cleanliness, although there were also calls for more benches and picnic tables, improvements to path network and accessibility, and restoration of the fountain.
Since this time, two garden staff have been recruited to maintain the park full time which has greatly helped to address the issues with litter.
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Since 2009, the path network has been substantially developed across the site through the restoration project, and many members of the public have offered very positive feedback on the improved access. New seating has also been introduced, and a floating fountain was installed in the South Lake in March 2013.
Visitor survey data was also historically collected via the GreenSTAT website, however in March 2013 GreenSpace (the organisation responsible for GreenSTAT) lost core funding from the government and had to fold. As a consequence, this survey facility was also lost. In late 2014 Bracknell Forest Council created a similar questionnaire, available both online and in paper form, that is now available for members of the public.
Further park user surveys have been carried out on a regular basis since 2013. Comparison of the 2009 and more recent data provides very useful feedback pre- and post- restoration (Appendix 5).
The positive impact of the restoration work is clearly evident, with satisfaction ratings markedly improved. These include perceptions of:
• design and appearance of the park • the standard of cleanliness and maintenance • mobility and access around the park • the range of visitor facilities available • horticultural standards and maintenance • care and protection of nature and wildlife
The overall impression of the park regularly achieves very high satisfaction ratings. In 2018 overall satisfaction ratings were once again 100%, with 61% rating that they were ‘very satisfied’ and a further 39% indicating they were ‘satisfied’.
A record of Visitor Counts was started in September 2013, based on proposals set out by Land Management Services (Appendix 6). Visitor numbers are recorded by ‘Steady State Counts’, a method developed and successfully used by the Royal Parks. Surveyors walk a pre-arranged route
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around the park following a timed start, counting all people observed, and noting their use of the park (e.g. exercising, school group, dog walking etc.) Counts take place across a variety of times of day, days of the week and months of the year in order to calculate an annual average which is then used as baseline survey information to inform future decision making. These results also provide valuable information which will identify target audiences and sectors of the population which are currently underrepresented at the park. 2018 results indicate an average of 423,500 visits to the park a year, compared with estimates of 80,000 prior to the restoration project.
Vehicle counters were installed in both car parks in November 2014 to provide further detail on visitor numbers.
5.6.2 Community Involvement in Management and Development An Audience Development Plan (ADP) for South Hill Park is in place (Appendix 7) which has set out plans to work closely with the local community, volunteers, Friends Group and local schools to increase community involvement with South Hill Park.
A Volunteer Action Plan (VAP) is in place (Appendix 8) which describes plans to increase opportunities for volunteers at South Hill Park. This aims to increase the number and range of volunteers and offer training in new skills to extend their knowledge base.
A Training Plan (TP) has also been developed (Appendix 9) to define and deliver a programme of training across the whole range of groups involved with the park (including members of staff, partnership organisations, volunteers and the local community).
Friends of South Hill Park Grounds The Friends of South Hill Park Grounds was established in November 2008 at the start of the restoration project to ensure the needs and interests of the local community were represented in the development of the park (Appendix 10). The group have been actively involved in park management with representatives sitting on the Steering Group and Joint Management Committee over a period of 10 years.
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In 2018 the group decided that many their objectives had been met and in light of this decided to allow the very active Gardening Groups to continue the close community involvement in their place.
Bracknell Herons The Bracknell Herons Angling Club hold an annual licence for fishing in North Lake. They have approximately 200 members, combined with around 3,300 day permits this accounts for an estimated 10,000 fishing visits per year, including occasional matches (Audience Development and Access Plan Nov 2005).
Local User Groups South Hill Park is also used by many local groups such as the Bracknell Forest Natural History Society, dog walking clubs, fitness training groups, buggy fit, personal exercise instructors and football etc.
The Bracknell Camera Club has also been closely involved with the restoration of the park, and members have photographed the project work throughout its progress. In 2012 they published a book “South Hill Park: Restoration of Grounds Project – A Photographic Record” documenting this work.
Volunteers Volunteer Groups are active throughout the borough and some key groups work regularly across the local area and have undertaken tasks at South Hill Park, in association with grounds staff and the Parks and Countryside Rangers Team.
The principal groups are: • Boeringer Ingleheim (annual volunteering day) • Bracknell Conservation Volunteers • Ravenswood Volunteers
On occasion, the following groups have also been involved: • Windsor and Maidenhead Conservation Volunteers • Bracknell and District Urban Wildlife Group
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As part of the restoration project, volunteers greatly assisted with clearance work of the Birch Hill Woods understorey, in preparation for the ornamental planting in the lower parts of the woodland and surrounds of the South Lawn.
A number of individual volunteers have also been involved in practical horticultural work around the park. A regular Gardening Group was established in March 2015. This has now reached a core membership of approximately 15-20 who attend on a weekly basis.
Corporate Volunteer Groups The rangers are also involved with supervising corporate ‘team building’ exercises in the park, together with tasks associated with the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, school days and other hands on training days as and when they are requested.
5.6.3 Recreational Facilities Facilities within South Hill Park include free car parking, play areas for toddlers to teenagers, dog walking areas, dog-free areas, seating and quiet areas, lakes and water features, fishing, sculpture, woodlands and perennial and shrub planting. The Arts Centre on site also offers a café and toilets, workshops, courses, events, a cinema and theatre (see Section 4.11). This means the park is used by a wide variety of individuals across the community.
Public Art South Hill Park has a number of site-specific, commissioned art works both inside and outside the Arts Centre building (see Section 5.5.3). These draw significant public interest and are designed to be a source of curiosity and inspiration, and encourage members of the public to consider the surrounding landscape.
Orienteering A new orienteering course was set up around the grounds of South Hill Park in February 2016. The course extends through both north and south sides of the park to help promote seamless partnership working.
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Nature Trail A new nature trail was established in March 2017 comprising a series of nature related sculptures around north and south sides of the park. A leaflet has been designed alongside this to encourage families and individual members of the community to explore the park and learn more about nature and their local environment.
Balance Beam A new balance beam was installed in January 2017 to provide a play facility for children whilst learning about nature in the park. The balance beam is the same length as the height of the tallest tree in the park (30m) and is interspersed with fun facts about trees which children can learn as they walk the length of the balance beam.
Events The park benefits from a rich and varied events programme. A full list of the events programme for 2018 and proposed events for 2019 are given in Tables 2 and 3.
The events programme combines outdoor sports and arts events with corporate hire.
A number of major events are held in the park on an annual basis. The principal events are: • ‘Party in the Park’ held in June/July of each year combines music, arts and family activities and in 2015 this event attracted an estimated 6- 8,000 people. • ’Shakespeare in the Park’ is an annual event hosted by the Arts Centre and performed on the terraces and outdoor amphitheatre in Birch Hill Woods. This is also sometimes performed by Shakespeare’s Globe when they are on tour. • Two funfairs are held in the North Park (Spring and Autumn) and administered by Bracknell Town Council, both of which run for approximately two weeks. • The park and house have been part of the national Civic Trust/English Heritage Open Days programme since 2007. Guided tours of the
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House and Grounds are conducted over the four days of the event normally held in late summer. • The Bracknell Half Marathon, which celebrated its 25th Anniversary in 2009, starts and finishes in the park. The event attracts up to 1,000 entrants each year. • Occasional use takes place for informal sports and football training so as to relieve the pressure on pitches elsewhere in the Borough.
Other events in the past few years have included Hope Bracknell 2008, a major community, volunteer-based, clean up initiative concluding with Hope in the Park, a family fun day staged at South Hill Park.
The park has also been host to a number of circuses, including the Chinese State Circus in 2006 and the Moscow State Circus in 2008.
A very popular highlight of the 2012 event calendar included the fireworks celebration in October. This was a joint venture, organised by combined representatives from Bracknell Town Council, the Arts Centre and Bracknell Forest Council to celebrate the Queens Jubilee, the 2012 Olympics and the completion of the restoration works in the park. Approximately 5,000 people attended this event, making it the largest event of the year. This event also had the very positive impact of reaching new audiences, with many visitors living locally and visiting South Hill Park for the first time.
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Table 2: Outdoor events at South Hill Park 2018
Estimated Date Event Location Organiser attendance
7 Feb Winter walk All areas BFC 15
6 Mar Nature Trail walk All areas BFC 12
4 Apr Easter Treasure Hunt South side BFC 449
17 Apr Community litter pick All areas BFC 4
2-16 Apr Fun Fair North side Town Council 2,000
9 May Spring walk All areas BFC 3
30 May Minibeast Safari South side BFC 67
2-3 Jun Food Festival South side Arts Centre 2,500
12 Jun Community Litter Pick All areas BFC 16
7 Jul Stroke Association Walk All areas Arts Centre 250
9-13 Jul Missed Out week South side Arts Centre 150
27 Jul Young Explorers Day South side BFC 30
13 Aug Community Litter Pick All areas BFC 2
18 Aug Paws in the Park North side BFC 2,500
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29 Aug Summer of Fun North side Town Council 2,000
6 Sep Heritage Open Day tours All areas BFC 21
17 Sep Fun Fair North side Town Council 2,000
4 Oct Public Service Show North side Town Council 500
21 Oct Wedding Fair South side Arts Centre 500
23 Oct Orienteering Open Event All areas BFC 9
11 Nov WW1 Centenary Event South side Town Council 7,500
16 Nov Schools Cross Country North side BFC 1,850
15 Dec Christmas Treasure Hunt South side BFC 348
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Table 3: Proposed outdoor events at South Hill Park 2019
Date Event Location Organiser
23 Jan Community Litter PIck All areas BFC
19 Feb Nature Quest South side BFC
9 Apr Easter Treasure Hunt South side BFC
Apr/May Fun Fair North side BTC
19 May Bracknell Walk Together All areas Arts Centre
21 May Much Ado About Nothing Amphitheatre Arts Centre
31 May Nature Quest South side BFC
4 Jun The Tempest Amphitheatre Arts Centre
8-9 Jun Food & Music Festival South side Arts Centre
11 Jun Community Litter Pick All areas BFC
28 Jun Old Herbaceous Amphitheatre Arts Centre
8-12 Jul Missed Out week South side Arts Centre
8-21 Jul Arts Festival South side Arts Centre
26 Jul Minibeast Safari All areas BFC
17 Aug Paws in the Park North side BFC
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Aug Summer of Fun North side Town Council
Sep Fun Fair North side BTC
17 Sep Heritage Open Days All areas BFC
20 Oct Wedding Fair South side Arts Centre
28 Oct Autumn Treasure Hunt South side BFC
Nov Schools Cross Country event North side BFC
16-17 Nov Craft Fair South side Arts Centre
Dec Christmas Treasure Hunt All areas BFC
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The Arts Centre remains a major focus for cultural events in the borough and draws around 100,000 people each year to paid events and performances, many of which extend to the park itself.
The popularity of major events such as Party in the Park, Fun Fair and Circus do have the potential to damage the historic fabric of the park. All events operated by the Arts Centre are subject to booking agreements and associated terms and conditions regarding the management of events. A bond held by the Arts Centre in respect of major events by third parties can be used to fund re-instatement of damage to the park.
Events are subject to controls in the form of protective fencing to restrict public access, marshalling, controls on vehicle movements (including the use of temporary roads) and requirements to re-instate damage. The principal areas liable to damage are the lawns. These are inspected after events and measures to re-instate damaged or rutted areas and alleviate compaction are carried out by the Borough and Town Council maintenance teams.
5.6.4 Educational Facilities Walks and Tours Grounds staff also organise an ongoing programme of walks, tours and events including gardening volunteer days, community litter picks, as well as many family orientated events which aim to engage young people in nature.
Education - Partnership and Youth During the summer of 2010, the local Neighbourhood Action Group, in conjunction with the restoration project and BFC Parks and Countryside Ranger Service, organised a very successful Partnership and Youth initiative. This involved orienteering and tree trails for young people in the park, and also encouraged their friends and family to attend and assist. This initiative was made possible by police funding and provided an excellent example of cooperation and collaboration at all levels.
Education - Forest School Since 2012 a Forest School initiative has regularly run at South Hill Park with children from two local primary schools – Fox Hill and The Pines.
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Forest School works to teach children through play, about the natural environment, problem solving and cooperating with others. It has proved to be a very popular and successful education initiative, and is a programme that will be encouraged to run on an ongoing basis at South Hill Park.
Further education initiatives for both adults within the local community, and children at local schools, are planned as part of the Audience Development Plan. These initiatives will be developed further during 2019 with a view to increasing awareness of South Hill Park and the educational opportunities it can help to facilitate.
5.6.5 Commemorative Trees and Benches A procedure on Commemorative Trees and Benches was developed in August 2014, in conjunction with Bracknell Town Council, to address the demand for this within the park (Appendix 11). This has proved a popular initiative with much interest generated over the last four years.
5.6.6 Key Action Points • Continue visitor surveys to ensure public satisfaction is improving. • Continue to work with, consult and involve Friends of South Hill Park Grounds, attend regular meetings, and support their involvement in park maintenance, management and events. • Implement objectives outlined in Audience Development Plan • Develop and build on volunteer support and involvement in the park. • Develop and enhance events and educational opportunities within the park, to engage all sectors of the local community. • Continue to work closely with Bracknell Town Council and South Hill Park Trust to develop and expand the events programme on site.
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5.7 Marketing and communication Is there: a marketing strategy in place? Is it in practice and regularly reviewed? good provision of information to users e.g. about management strategies, activities, features, ways to get involved? effective promotion of the park as a community resource?
5.7.1 Marketing Strategy The marketing strategy for South Hill Park is formed within the Audience Development Plan (Appendix 7). This sets out clear guidance on how the three main partner organisations (Bracknell Forest Council, Bracknell Town Council and South Hill Park Trust) can work together most efficiently to promote South Hill Park to as wide a number of people as possible within the local community.
Elements of this plan include: • coordinating existing marketing strategies across the partner organisations • developing orientation and interpretation panels within the park • maintaining and regularly updating all partner websites with event news and information on the park • developing and building on events and activities which combine the resources of all partner organisations, to reach the widest possible audience • developing educational activities targeted at schools and young people • developing activities and initiatives which will attract less well represented or minority population groups
5.7.2 Information Provision and Interpretation A walking trails leaflet for South Hill Park was produced in 2012 (and updated in 2015), which was researched and drafted by the Friends Group. The guide details four waymarked trails around both north and south sections of the park and also provides information on the park’s history. It is available free of
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charge to all visitors at the Arts Centre reception and is also available to download from the Bracknell Forest Council Parks and Countryside website.
An orienteering leaflet was produced in May 2016 to launch the new orienteering course at South Hill Park. This is also available to download from the Council website and hard copies are available at reception.
A sculpture trail leaflet was produced in June 2016 to guide visitors around the sculptures found both in the grounds and within the Arts Centre itself. This has proved to be very popoular, and has also helped to promote South Hill Park as a seamless unit to members of the public.
An educational nature trail leaflet was produced in March 2018 to support the nature trail sculpture installed within the grounds.
Future interpretation will include a Tree Trail leaflet aimed at both families with young children and adults alike.
A Children’s Explorer Pack was developed and introduced in May 2014 and is designed to encourage families to explore nature in the park. It contains children’s binoculars, insect collecting pot (with magnifying lid), coloured pencils, plant and insect identification sheets and lots of nature-related puzzles and games. The Explorer Packs are available to hire free of charge, to ensure they are available to all members of the community.
5.7.3 Effective Promotion South Hill Park has been very well promoted throughout the restoration project in local press and various forms of media.
Newsletters were printed at intervals during the restoration works with updates on progress. These were available from the Arts Centre and Bracknell Town Council’s office in the town centre.
The park is also well promoted on the Parks and Countryside Events section of the Bracknell Forest Council website.
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Events at South Hill Park are promoted on the websites of the Arts Centre, Town and Parish Councils, along with a hard copy leaflet which is distributed on site, in community centres and local libraries every 6 months.
Volunteer events are advertised on the Take Pride website and newsletter, also available online.
Notices and events are advertised within the Arts Centre on the notice board near the café and five external notice boards installed around the grounds in September 2013 (see Figure 28).
The notice boards show contact details for park staff, should members of the public have any issues or concerns they wish to discuss directly with them. A specific email address ([email protected]) has also been set up to allow the public to contact park staff.
Figure 28: Park notice board
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Newsletters are distributed to local residents prior to major events at South Hill Park (e.g. Paws in the Park) to ensure members of the local community are aware of potential disruptions – such as increase in local traffic and noise.
Park staff are easily identifiable, wearing Bracknell Forest Council - Parks and Countryside uniform. They are well informed and always willing and able to answer questions from the public.
5.7.4 Key Action Points • Implement objectives in the Audience Development Plan • Review the ADP on a regular basis to monitor progress and amend or set further objectives as necessary. • Promote and develop volunteering opportunities at South Hill Park. • Develop Tree Trail leaflet • Label historic trees. • Continue to promote South Hill Park in local press and media.
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5.8 Management A Green Flag site must have a management plan. It must set out the balance between all the priorities, policies and partners that apply to a particular green space. It should establish a time scale for putting the objectives into practice. It should also identify the contribution the site is making towards an area’s wider strategic aims. It must be actively implemented and regularly reviewed.
Financially sound management of the site must also be demonstrated.
This is a ten year Management and Maintenance Plan 2012-2021 – detailing plans for the park’s forward development and growth, aims and objectives, and a clear programme for action.
Section six gives detail of the vision, aims and objectives for South Hill Park, which then filters in to the long term aims and management for the different Character Areas (Section eight).
Section seven shows the management structure operating within the park and the relationship between the various organisations involved.
Section ten gives detail on the monitoring and review process in place which will take place on an annual basis.
Financial management is covered in Section nine.
5.8.1 Key Action Points • Annual review of this MMP to ensure its implementation
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6. Vision
6.1 Vision Statement The following Vision Statement was prepared by South Hill Park partners and endorsed through public consultation as part of the preparation of the 2005 CMP:
“To revitalise the park as a thriving, vibrant, varied open space which builds on the special qualities of its historic landscape, its natural beauty and its art activities, as a safe, attractive oasis in Bracknell Town which benefits the whole community”.
6.2 South Hill Park Arts Centre Mission Statement The Arts Centre has the following Mission Statement:
“South Hill Park Arts Centre exists to improve the quality of life for all those who come into contact with the work that we produce and support both in our own region and on tour. We will expand people’s horizons by providing a world of innovative, challenging, professional and community arts in a welcoming, high quality and accessible environment.”
Their aims and objectives are: • To produce and present work which surprises, delights, stimulates and challenges everyone who visits South Hill Park or comes into contact with our work. • To create a unique dynamic between observation, education and participation and promote critical debate within the arts. • To explore mutually beneficial partnerships with artists, cultural producers, businesses, education, and the public sector. • To continue to operate as global players, seeking out and embracing links with artists, cultural producers and arts complexes worldwide. • To work with emerging companies and artists in developing sustainable and inclusive audience development initiatives.
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• To develop our role as a nationally recognised centre of excellence for the arts and entertainment both at South Hill Park and on tour with our associate companies. • To take a leadership role in developing national strategies for touring mid-scale theatre in the UK. • To contribute to the coordination of the South East’s regional strategy for international collaboration.
6.3 Aims and Objectives The CMP (2005) defines 25 policies for the park (Appendix 12). All have relevance for the ongoing management and maintenance of the park and have informed the preparation of this MMP. Of these, seven key aims have been identified for the aims and objectives of this MMP (see Table 4).
Table 4: Management and maintenance plan aims and objectives
Management and Maintenance Plan Aims and Objectives
CMP No. Aim Objective Policy Ref.
1 Site Based Team • Establish, develop and support a well 2; 3, 23, trained and knowledgeable site based 25 team to lead on day to day management and maintenance of the grounds; to include co-ordinating the related work carried out by Bracknell Forest Council, Bracknell Town Council and South Hill Park Trust.
2 Co-ordinated • Bracknell Forest Council, Bracknell 3; 5; Management and Town Council and South Hill Park Trust Maintenance to work jointly to deliver co-ordinated
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management and maintenance of the grounds in accordance with the MMP. This will be guided through the Grounds Group (Joint Management Committee)
3 Heritage, • Carry out and maintain planting using 4; 9; 10; Landscape, species which are sympathetic to the 11; 12; Biodiversity and historic landscape; resilient to future 17 Sustainability climatic conditions and low intensity in terms of use of natural resources. • Ensure materials used across the site and the methodologies applied reflect the nationally important heritage value. • Implement management and maintenance activities to protect and enhance biodiversity. • Implement management and maintenance activities in accordance with good practice for sustainability.
4 Interpretation, • Carry out marketing, interpretation and 16; 21; Events and educational activities to raise 24 Education awareness of the grounds at SHP; integrating this alongside promotion and use of the Arts Centre. • Encourage public access across all user groups; targeting measures to attract potentially under-represented groups such as young people, people with disabilities and ethnic minorities (in accordance with the ADP). • Ensure key features such as signage promote a consistent and positive visitor
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experience
5 Community • Actively encourage public participation 22 Involvement by liaising and working with local residents and interest groups; including supporting the Friends of South Hill Park Grounds. • Provide regular voluntary opportunities, enabling people to positively contribute to management and maintenance
6 Quality Standards • Maintain the grounds to a high quality 13 standard, in accordance with current national and local standards. • Submit an annual application to the Green Flag Award scheme
7 Monitoring and • Regularly carry out visitor surveys to 6; 7; 14 Review assess visitor satisfaction and help identify future improvements. • Carry out visitor counts to calculate annual visitor numbers. • Review the MMP on an annual basis.
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7. Management of South Hill Park
7.1 Management Structure Management of the grounds of South Hill Park is co-ordinated by Bracknell Forest Council. There are four site based staff: the Heritage Parks Manager, and the three Heritage Parks Gardeners who work across the two key historic parks in Bracknell (South Hill Park and Lily Hill Park).
These staff work jointly with the Bracknell Town Council Facilities Manager and the South Hill Park Trust Operations Manager.
Routine grounds maintenance is contracted out to Bracknell Town Council (grass cutting and general turf maintenance), and Continental Landscape Ltd (bedding displays, mulching and hedge cutting).
The Heritage Parks Manager reports to a Joint Management Committee (JMC), also known as the Grounds Group, which is comprised of representatives from Bracknell Forest Council and Bracknell Town Council, South Hill Park Trust and North Lakes Estate Management (see Figure 29).
The JMC oversees the management of the park and acts as the coordinating body for all partners involved (Appendix 13 for Terms of Reference).
The three organisations work jointly as land managers with defined geographic responsibilities (see Figures 30-33). Joint management helps to achieve a consistent approach across the whole park, and operations are organised so that – to the visiting public – South Hill Park grounds are managed and maintained as a whole. Joint management also allows for work to build on the strengths of the various partners involved.
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Figure 29: South Hill Park management structure
Bracknell Bracknell South Hill North Lakes Forest Council Town Council Park Trust Estate Management
Joint Management Committee (Grounds Group)
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Recreational Facilities Heritage Parks Manager Operations Manager South Hill Park Trust Manager Bracknell Forest Council Bracknell Town Council
,
Day to day maintenance of South Hill Park
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' ' .. ., . 1J'-" . ~" -.-w,c-c- •••- • ' . -~- C· "l ~ :c_t1~• · ;, .. · .. ·.•• , ~, • , ' , . . ... ~., , "' • ,•· ' - ' ~'.';~.-,-~ ~: . , . --20":/~ •,•.• ~ • . ~- -~ .. ~ • -; Fo, - ~~ C - ,:. • . . ' , . , -1;'-_· , \ \ ll , '·. . -- :~- ✓ ' e , . , , 11 95 South Hill Park: Management and Maintenance Plan 2012 – 2021. V6 January 2019 Figure 31: Maintenance plan – Bracknell Town Council (North) •·' ' • , ,.;,.. ,, . .. ·• ., •• , ,, .. l1 ' , ,. 1 ,, •. ,,, ; .,, 1: ., . -~- _,l · .,,. ,._ , ,, . ' .-" ·,~-- ~- ~. ---.••, -r ,I • ~,. · -; '/ ... •. ' ' • ,. ,,...- • ,r ✓ '~-\. ·' ~ ' ' ; i .;.:,.,,_.._ ~·- -~ - u C ~ 8 C J {! .; , ...... C C :i\ ' " ~ ; ' ., u I. : ,:.• "' C) .,I! -'; • ~ 96 South Hill Park: Management and Maintenance Plan 2012 – 2021. V6 January 2019 Figure 31: Maintenance plan – Bracknell Town Council (South) 97 South Hill Park: Management and Maintenance Plan 2012 – 2021. V6 January 2019 Figure 32: Maintenance plan – South Hill Park Trust 0 I ~ :.0 'cii C 0 c. (/) Q) 0::: ~ C rn C Q) ,!;- rn :i: ::c =::, /l--.. 0 / ,,:;-,,...,_--i_ ~ --,,. (/) .( ;,... -~ 98 South Hill Park: Management and Maintenance Plan 2012 – 2021. V6 January 2019 Figure 33: Maintenance plan – Continental Landscapes Ltd • 'B ...J "~ g_ u~ " t. s::: ~ .. Q § J ,' ~ ,~ ...... \ :i 2' a g g .,, C i f 5 5 C ~ " t ~ i • .. (- j !I l l ' .. \ -0 Z;- ._J- -::0- c.Q) -(/)- rn C (/)O c. 0 -0 (/) C Q) rn l!l:'. ._J - ~ \\. j!! C --· ' C 99 South Hill Park: Management and Maintenance Plan 2012 – 2021. V6 January 2019 8. Site Maintenance The management prescriptions detailed below follow the structure of Character Areas set out in the Conservation Management Plan (2005). The Character Areas are as follows: A: North Wood B: East Park C: West Park D: North Lake E: Balancing Pond F: Arts Centre G: Lawn H: Birch Hill Banks I: South Lake J: Shrubbery K: Birch Hill Wood L: Ice House Please see Figure 5 for reference. 8.1.1 North Wood (A): Long term aims To retain the generally open character of the woodland and promote natural regeneration of the canopy and understorey species so that the woodland is functioning as a natural and dynamic system. The woodland will have plenty of seedlings and gaps in the canopy created by wind throw or as trees die, to allow seedlings to flourish long term. The habitat and population should be sustainable in the long term. Seedlings should be transplanted within the woodland if necessary to supplement natural regeneration, and ideally locally sourced seed should be collected of native trees and shrubs. The woodland should have a canopy and shrub layer that includes locally 100 South Hill Park: Management and Maintenance Plan 2012 – 2021. V6 January 2019 native trees of all ages and an abundance of standing and fallen dead wood to provide habitat for fungi, invertebrates and other woodland species. Piles of dead wood should be created for stag beetle habitats. Material from tree pruning should be chipped and recycled on site for compost, mulch or path surfacing. To ensure the canopy and understorey retain their native species character (principally Fagus sylvatica, Quercus robur, Betula pendula, Castanea sativa) selective felling of certain species may be required. Diseased and damaged trees should be regularly monitored and monoliths created wherever possible. Invasive species such as Rhododendron ponticum, Prunus laurocerasus and bamboo should be reduced to a maximum of five percent of woodland species. Significant, historic and veteran trees should be retained wherever possible (with due regard to public safety) and managed with a sensitive approach. Trees identified as having a limited lifespan should feed into a successional tree planting programme to ensure the new trees become well established before the existing tree has to be felled. Where the woodland borders the play area, a more open structure will be maintained through regular pruning where required. The play area will be retained as an adventurous area for children’s learning and recreation. The timber construction will be maintained to be in keeping with the area, with a natural look and sustainable products used wherever possible. 8.1.2 East Park (B): Long term aims To re-establish the less formal parkland character over much of the area and reinforce parkland planting using species in keeping with the history of the site (e.g. Cedrus and Quercus species). Significant, historic and veteran trees should be retained wherever possible (with due regard to public safety) and managed with a sensitive approach. 101 South Hill Park: Management and Maintenance Plan 2012 – 2021. V6 January 2019 Trees identified as having a limited lifespan should feed into a successional tree planting programme to ensure the new trees become well established before the existing tree has to be felled. Maintain open views across the lake and key vistas and ensure intrusive views are screened. The Wildflower Meadow area will be sensitively conserved and cut once a year only (in Autumn), to allow invertebrates to hibernate in the hollow stems and maximum opportunity for the area to support other small mammals, amphibians, insects, birds etc. Careful monitoring will be undertaken in its first few years and replanting/re-seeding undertaken where necessary (see Table 1 for relevant species and seed mix). 8.1.3 West Park (C): Long term aims To retain the open, informal character of the West Park for recreation and events, whilst also reinforcing its original parkland character by tree planting and management to maintain key views. To maintain high horticultural standards of turf maintenance at all times. The lawn area will be carefully monitored during and after large events to help prevent any damage. A bond will be taken in respect of any major events to ensure funding is available to reinstate the lawns if necessary. The avenue of Ash trees may be susceptible to the fungal disease, Ash dieback (Chalara fraxinea) in forthcoming years, which is spreading rapidly throughout the UK. There are 50 trees in the avenue and although some resistance may be found, it is unlikely that all the trees will remain unaffected. A second successional avenue should therefore be planted alongside the Ash, with a species which will produce an attractive display for this high profile area (e.g. Prunus or Pyrus). Significant, historic and veteran trees should be retained wherever possible (with due regard to public safety) and managed with a sensitive approach. Trees identified as having a limited lifespan should feed into a successional 102 South Hill Park: Management and Maintenance Plan 2012 – 2021. V6 January 2019 tree planting programme to ensure the new trees become well established before the existing tree has to be felled. The sculpture by Lucy Strachan ‘Rings of Pachamama’ is designed to draw people to this part of the park, to provoke questions and encourage people to think about the landscape. It is intended to be an interactive piece which invites visitors to sit and observe or interact with it. The sculpture will be maintained with this in mind, and is identified as a focal point in the West Park area. 8.1.4 North Lake (D): Long term aims To maintain and enhance the landscape, recreational and biodiversity value of the lake and lake edges, its setting within the landscape and to encourage safe access for all. The two floating islands will be carefully monitored and managed to ensure their continued positive impact on the lake’s ecology and their value retained for nesting wildfowl, fish and invertebrates. Bankside erosion (particularly on the western edge) will be monitored. A planting programme will be initiated to establish native, aquatic and marginal, emergent vegetation on the lake margins. Ecological advice suggests the use of pre-planted coir rolls for this purpose. This will help to provide cover and breeding opportunities for invertebrates, amphibians and fish, and help to reduce further bankside erosion. Geese proof fencing should be used to protect new planting. The lake and its margins will be monitored for invasive species, such as Ragwort, which will be managed and controlled wherever necessary. The area between the bank and the vegetated island at the southern end of the lake is used by swans for nesting. To minimise disturbance by visitors (and dogs, foxes etc.) the water channel should be retained at a width of at least 1.5m. 103 South Hill Park: Management and Maintenance Plan 2012 – 2021. V6 January 2019 Significant, historic and veteran trees should be retained wherever possible (with due regard to public safety) and managed with a sensitive approach. Trees identified as having a limited lifespan should feed into a successional tree planting programme to ensure the new trees become well established before the existing tree has to be felled. Care will be taken to ensure open views across the lake and key vistas are retained. The trees around the North Lake margins have also been identified as a good area for tree-mounted bat boxes, to provide additional opportunities for bat roosts. Fishing platforms are managed and maintained by the Bracknell Herons Fishing Club. The Bracknell Herons have the licence on North Lake for the year 2018-19. Licence arrangements will be reviewed annually. The rat population at North Lake will continue to be monitored and controlled. Although rats form a part of the ecology of the lake, the numbers are kept artificially high through the presence of food scraps left by fishermen and park users feeding the wildfowl. Food scraps (especially bread) pose significant risk to the lake’s ecology (e.g. botulism, and increased water nutrient levels) which in turn reduce both the local flora and fauna. To address these issues, a programme of education and interpretation will be implemented to help inform all park users. Ad-hoc wildfowl feeding areas will be allowed where absolutely necessary, rather than allowing a designated feeding area at the lake which is likely to negatively reinforce the issue. 8.1.5 Balancing Pond (E): Long term aims To manage the Balancing Pond in order to maintain and enhance its biodiversity value, whilst continuing to function as part of the flood alleviation scheme. The principal habitats are currently a dry/pond marsh and occasionally damp 104 South Hill Park: Management and Maintenance Plan 2012 – 2021. V6 January 2019 areas at the pond margins. A permanently wet marsh area will be maintained by removing selected areas of reedmace to create small areas of open water within the marsh. These should be formed well away from the boardwalk and bank edges to prevent access by visitors and dogs. Open water areas will help to increase diversity of amphibian, invertebrate and plant species. Willow in the centre of the marsh area will be selectively coppiced, with a minimum of 30% of this coppicing removed on an annual basis to ensure the marsh does not dry out. Taller vegetation will be retained on the marsh edges to create a range of habitat types especially for bird species. Willow will be coppiced on a three to five year rotational cycle to ensure a range of tree and shrub heights and densities are present. Margins will be carefully managed to reduce the likelihood of visitors or dogs entering the marsh area. Interpretation panels will be incorporated into the long term signage strategy to explain more about the wetland habitat and its wildlife value. 8.1.6 Arts Centre (F): Long term aims To retain the formal character and quality of the gardens around the Arts Centre and manage them to the highest horticultural standards. The bedding, in both the Italian and Secret Gardens, will be changed twice a year for all year round interest. It will be kept vibrant, colourful and interesting to reflect its nature as a high profile area. (The Italian Garden is a favourite spot for wedding photographs.) 105 South Hill Park: Management and Maintenance Plan 2012 – 2021. V6 January 2019 The feature in the Secret Garden will be carefully monitored with due regard to public safety, and maintained as an ornamental and historic feature. Any touch up/paint work required will be colour matched (e.g. Dulux Showdown PG2D9). It is important to ensure that views to the feature from the Arts Centre Terrace and South Lawn are preserved. The entrance to the Secret Garden from the woodland would benefit from further planting to formalise this area and attract visitor’s attention to the waymarked trail. The two mature Taxus against the wall leading to the Secret Garden have lost their original form and long term will be replaced with either the same or a similar evergreen species which can be regularly trimmed to shape and maintained at a more appropriate size for the area. The Taxus and Buxus hedging throughout the area will be monitored regularly to maintain appropriate height and density. Planting within the parterre will also be trimmed to height and shape. The grassed areas on the Arts Centre terrace will be reseeded with a higher quality seed mix to create a denser, finer sward demonstrating high horticultural standards in turf care. These are high profile lawns and regularly in use, and a careful balance is required between aesthetics and robustness. The two large Magnolia grandiflora trees on the terrace will be managed and ideally retained as they are well established, historically significant, ornamental features. However, they may need to be reduced or removed in future if shown to be impacting on the structure of the mansion. The climbers and vines will be regularly pruned and maintained to retain their form. The Rosa species will be carefully pruned and trained to establish the framework over the rose arches in their initial years. They will be managed to ensure a long flowering season is maintained, and a well established framework is developed over the rose arches. 106 South Hill Park: Management and Maintenance Plan 2012 – 2021. V6 January 2019 The new formal planted beds established as part of the restoration project have lifted the area significantly. These will be further enhanced in the future with additional planting using a wide variety of interesting species which provide all year round interest. The less formally managed area at the southern end of Yew Walk will be incorporated into programme of more regular maintenance. Invasive species will be removed and large shrubs regularly pruned back to keep the area visually secure. Long term, this area will be opened up and planted with more low maintenance, ornamental, flowering species. The Western Entrance is a high profile area, being one of the main entrances to the park from the car park. The large shrubs will be regularly monitored to keep the area open, visually secure and provide a welcoming entrance. Specimen trees could also be added here to mirror the northern side of this entrance. The car park will be regularly monitored to maintain it as a clean and welcoming environment. It will be kept free of litter, leaves and debris. Lighting will be maintained and checked to ensure provision is safe and adequate. Directional signage installed in 2013 has helped to facilitate the flow of both vehicles and pedestrians. Trees will be regularly maintained to ensure they do not obscure lighting or CCTV cameras. The storage compound and bin/recycling area has been screened from view with a Fagus hedge, which was planted in 2013. Single specimen trees in the car park area will be underplanted with low maintenance ground cover species or bulbs. This will provide additional colour and interest at all times of the year, reduce maintenance required and increase the welcoming feeling as visitors enter the park by car. The Fagus hedging in the car park area will be carefully managed to maintain a maximum height of 1.2m (lower in designated areas along the north-south pathway) and to retain its form. 107 South Hill Park: Management and Maintenance Plan 2012 – 2021. V6 January 2019 Significant, historic and veteran trees should be retained wherever possible (with due regard to public safety) and managed with a sensitive approach. Trees identified as having a limited lifespan should feed into a successional tree planting programme to ensure the new trees become well established before the existing tree has to be felled. It is very important to retain the vistas between the front of the Arts Centre building and the northern side of the park. The small area of wildflowers in front of the historic, brick-arched headwall (to the front of the Arts Centre building) is retained as a low maintenance area. Given its high profile and prominent visibility, it could be considered for additional planting to increase interest (e.g. Fritillaria bulbs which would do well in the damp conditions). The sculpture by Marcel Baettig ‘The Board Frog (Bull)’ in the front courtyard will be monitored and regularly maintained with care to the planting surrounding it (e.g. Hedera climbing the wall). The historic stonework including steps, piers, urns, balustrades, paving and brickwork will be kept clean, and regularly maintained to a high standard. Any repairs or future replacement will be in keeping with the high standards achieved throughout the restoration project, and completed with due regard to the specialist conservation techniques required for historic features. Cleaning will be completed periodically with a low-pressure hose and brush, and early intervention will be taken to make good any damage from significant spills etc. The historic metalwork including the ornamental gates and railings, will be kept clean and bright, and regularly maintained to a high standard. They will be annually reviewed and any repainting or touch ups required will make due reference to the current colour scheme in place: • Pale green (RAL 6021) to emphasise decorative and ornamental elements and metalwork of historic value e.g. ornamental gates. • Telegrey 2 (RAL 7046) for functional features, intended to make them more regressive in the landscape e.g. railings, bins, handrails. 108 South Hill Park: Management and Maintenance Plan 2012 – 2021. V6 January 2019 This will be guided by further details and information set out in the Operations and Maintenance Manual provided by the contractors involved with the restoration work. Path surfaces throughout the site will be regularly checked and monitored to ensure they are kept clean, free of leaves, debris, snow/ice as required. Any repair or maintenance work (e.g. surface damage or trip hazards) will be completed with reference to the Operations and Maintenance Manual. 8.1.7 South Lawn (G): Long term aims To retain the South Lawns as an area for informal recreation and events, and provide for a less marked transition with the surrounding woodland. To maintain high horticultural standards of turf maintenance at all times. The lawn area should be carefully monitored during and after large events to help prevent any damage. A bond should be taken in respect of any major events to ensure funding is available to reinstate the lawns if necessary. Long term, invasive species such as Rhododendron ponticum and Prunus laurocerasus will be removed to allow specimen trees and shrubs to flourish on the shrub mound. It is important to retain some height in this planting as it currently screens the main area of the park from the car park. Significant, historic and veteran trees should be retained wherever possible (with due regard to public safety) and managed with a sensitive approach. Trees identified as having a limited lifespan should feed into a successional tree planting programme to ensure the new trees become well established before the existing tree has to be felled. The turf in the toddlers play garden area takes a lot of wear and long term the possibility of replacing this with artificial grass to reduce maintenance should be examined. Additional ornamental, resilient species could be added to enhance the play area further. The sand areas will be annually monitored to ensure they are topped up to sufficient levels. 109 South Hill Park: Management and Maintenance Plan 2012 – 2021. V6 January 2019 Sculptures in this area include the following: • ‘Totem’ by Robert Carruthers • ‘Gravity XII’ by Barry Mason • ‘Untitled’ by John Clarke These sculptures were all created in the early 1980s and are of wood construction. Restoration work is needed to renovate (and in some cases to rebuild) these sculptures. It may still be possible to complete this work within the HLF restoration project. If not, this will be undertaken as part of the grounds maintenance work. 8.1.8 Birch Hill Banks (H): Long term aims The Birch Hill Banks area will be preserved as a buffer zone between the park and the surrounding housing areas. Long term plans for Birch Hill Banks include planting up or seeding with wildflower or long grass species to create a meadow area on the steep banks. This will increase the biodiversity of the area and create further wildlife habitats for invertebrates, insects and small mammals. Significant, historic and veteran trees should be retained wherever possible (with due regard to public safety) and managed with a sensitive approach. Trees identified as having a limited lifespan should feed into a successional tree planting programme to ensure the new trees become well established before the existing tree has to be felled. The children’s play area will be kept clean, free of litter etc. and maintained to a high standard. The equipment will be regularly monitored to ensure it provides a safe and enjoyable environment for children to utilise. Play equipment will be replaced and/or upgraded if this proves necessary over the next ten years. 8.1.9 South Lake (I): Long term aims To maintain and enhance the landscape, recreational and biodiversity value of 110 South Hill Park: Management and Maintenance Plan 2012 – 2021. V6 January 2019 the lake and lake edges and restore its relationship to the landscape as a whole. The concrete island was removed from the South Lake in February 2013 and a new floating island installed in March 2013. The floating islands provide additional undisturbed vegetation cover for nesting wildfowl and are planted up with native, emergent vegetation. The island is located in open water, away from potential access by visitors or dogs. A new floating fountain was installed in the South Lake in March 2013. Regular maintenance will be required to clean the filter and remove debris and litter from the lake surface. The ‘Ripple Wall’ sculpture by William Pye was restored in 2012. It will be regularly reviewed and monitored to ensure it is maintained to the high standards completed within the restoration work. Should any further work be necessary, the sculptor will be contacted for technical or specialist advice required. Bankside erosion will be carefully monitored and controlled. A planting programme will be initiated to establish native, aquatic and marginal, emergent vegetation on the lake margins. Ecological advice suggests the use of pre-planted coir rolls for this purpose. This will help to provide cover and breeding opportunities for invertebrates, amphibians and fish, and help to reduce further bankside erosion. Geese proof fencing should be used to protect new planting. The lake and its margins will be carefully monitored for invasive species such as bamboo, Rhododendron ponticum and Prunus laurocerasus, which will be managed and controlled wherever necessary. Overhanging trees and shrubs shading the water surface will be carefully monitored and pruned back where necessary. It is important to retain the key vista from the lake to the house. Significant, historic and veteran trees should be retained wherever possible 111 South Hill Park: Management and Maintenance Plan 2012 – 2021. V6 January 2019 (with due regard to public safety) and managed with a sensitive approach. Trees identified as having a limited lifespan should feed into a successional tree planting programme to ensure the new trees become well established before the existing tree has to be felled. Native specimen trees should also be programmed in for successional planting in the shrub area to the west of the lake. 8.1.10 Shrubbery (J): Long term aims To extend the Yew Walk and enhance the character of the path forming a transition for the formal gardens to the shrub and woodland areas to the west of the South Lake. The Shrubbery will be retained with a generally open character to promote natural regeneration within the canopy and understorey species. Seedlings will be transplanted where necessary, to supplement natural regeneration, and ideally locally sourced seed should be collected of native trees and shrubs. Standing and fallen dead wood will be encouraged, to provide habitats for fungi, invertebrates and other woodland species. Material from tree pruning should be chipped and recycled on site for compost, mulch or path surfacing. Invasive species such as Rhododendron ponticum, Prunus laurocerasus and bamboo will be progressively removed from the area. Significant, historic and veteran trees should be retained wherever possible (with due regard to public safety) and managed with a sensitive approach. Trees identified as having a limited lifespan should feed into a successional tree planting programme to ensure the new trees become well established before the existing tree has to be felled. The shrubs bordering lake will be carefully managed to retain views towards the house. For safety and security, good visibility will be maintained throughout the area by cyclical reduction of dense understorey growth as required. 112 South Hill Park: Management and Maintenance Plan 2012 – 2021. V6 January 2019 8.1.11 Birch Hill Woodland (K): Long term aims To retain the generally open character of the woodland and promote natural regeneration of the canopy and understorey species so that the woodland is functioning as a natural and dynamic system. The woodland will have plenty of seedlings and gaps in the canopy created by wind throw or as trees die, to allow seedlings to flourish long term. The habitat and population should be sustainable in the long term. Seedlings will be transplanted within the woodland if necessary to supplement natural regeneration, and ideally locally sourced seed should be collected of native trees and shrubs. The woodland should have a canopy and shrub layer that includes locally native trees of all ages and an abundance of standing and fallen dead wood to provide habitat for fungi, invertebrates and other woodland species. Piles of dead wood will be created for stag beetle habitats. Material from tree pruning will be chipped and recycled on site for compost, mulch or path surfacing. To ensure the canopy and understorey retain their native species character (principally Fagus sylvatica, Quercus robur, Betula pendula, Castanea sativa) selective felling of certain species may be required. Diseased and damaged trees will be regularly monitored and monoliths created wherever possible. Invasive species such as Rhododendron ponticum, Prunus laurocerasus and bamboo should be reduced to a maximum of five percent of woodland species. Significant, historic and veteran trees should be retained wherever possible (with due regard to public safety) and managed with a sensitive approach. Trees identified as having a limited lifespan should feed into a successional tree planting programme to ensure the new trees become well established before the existing tree has to be felled. 113 South Hill Park: Management and Maintenance Plan 2012 – 2021. V6 January 2019 Significant, veteran and historic trees (e.g. the Gladstone tree, a Quercus ilex) will be labelled with both latin and common names. Quieter areas for contemplation will be retained within the woodland e.g. small glades with seating areas. Fallen monoliths will be used to create seats or benches where practical, building on the use of sustainable materials on site. The amphitheatre will be managed and maintained to a high standard as it is frequently used as a setting for theatrical performances by the Arts Centre. Height will be maintained at the rear of the amphitheatre, to create a secluded effect, without impacting on safety and security of the area. The borders of the amphitheatre will be planted with additional species to add horticultural value to the area and more all year round colour and interest. As part of the restoration project, some ornamental and native planting was established in the woodland understorey areas bordering the South Lawn. Long term, additional planting of native species will be added to wider areas within Birch Hill Woods. A programme of progressive planting of native herbs and edibles will be put in place in the woodland understorey. This will be designed to encourage public participation in the form of workshops and events, demonstrating wild foraging and the many uses of our native flora. Further ornamental planting will also be established at the entrances to the park from the surrounding residential areas. This will help to make the entrance areas feel more welcoming, and to establish the identity of the park at its boundaries. The area of bulbs at the southern end of Birch Hill Woods will be retained particularly for its value of native bluebells, Hyacinthoides non- scripta. The hazel coppice in Birch Hill Wood will be re-established in a programme of active, cyclical coppice management. This will also be an opportunity for interpretation and act as an educational feature for visitors. The resulting coppiced material could also be used for brushwood staking on site. All paths throughout the Birch Hill Woods have been designed with no-dig construction and any future path networks should retain this philosophy to 114 South Hill Park: Management and Maintenance Plan 2012 – 2021. V6 January 2019 protect the tree root network. Paths should will be no more than one metre wide to reduce compaction and human impact on the habitat. Overhanging planting along the paths and boundaries will be pruned back up to three metres on either side to retain good visibility for safety and security throughout the area. The paths will be regularly monitored for any surface damage, trip hazards or washout (especially on the CEDEC surfaces) and repaired with reference to the Operations and Maintenance Manual, as required. 8.1.12 Ice House (L): Long term aims The Ice House is located outside boundary of the area now identified as South Hill Park. It is estimated to originate from the 18th or 19th century where winter ice would be stored to cool drinks and desserts and later to store food. The ice house was a domed brick structure built into a hillside, however the CMP (2005) notes that it appears to have been filled in and covered over when the housing was built in this area in the 1970s. It stands in a small courtyard off a pathway, overgrown with trees and shrubs, and only a small section of the brick arch is now visible. Long term, it would be an interesting historic feature to highlight by providing interpretation and educational information for members of the public. 115 South Hill Park: Management and Maintenance Plan 2012 – 2021. 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V6 January 2019 BFC BFC BFC BFC BFC BTC BFC BTC BFC BFC CLL CLL Whoby etc gns i s , artwork , Feb) - bins es use shrubs mes l fly lim li tter re of li l" l (Dec , let on on s gs squ es es l l ll ooth s trees tree rc rc r ng ng i i oid i ri i grooth v c c a benches Winter ed a c c g , i i t on/remova ee ee ti prun prun r r to anted an t t l l nspections nsoections i i ound p p r ch l box tree tree a ng i reduc u epicom, epicom, edge edge tree tree weeds v.oeeds v.,,eeds 25-75mm m ng i owl ve & & new~ new~ ng ng i i i ar ar l l to plant planting ch ch ch ch mm ect l l l l i l ee ee u Str Se M Mu Mu Mu Moo Remove Formative Empty Formative Reou Remove Reou Woodv Weed Weed Tr Tr Control Control Control etc signs 5yrs , - 3 ) w o ery ng rr v i art'NOrk r , ha s e s s l l"'l owe l b f y shrubs l (dlaf'I f tter i of l after (Se!M'lov) et l perennia , l edges pture l base ties ties es es 75mm ngs l l fication i awn ri c c l so.i s vel r r to ri c c to and and a petiolaris benches sca , gra Autumn cut es es n l ound i herbaceous k k tree tree r a and sta sta de 75mm ppings i around s • li reduction/remova iv l" definlion eed eed c annua g edge edge f f wn d weeds weeds weeds weeds 25 l"'l n tree tree l l l l & & i Hydrangea a n off to k k epa Hedera ro L ta m r aeration t e and f'l k m ri Selective Strimm Mow Prune Meadoo Ma Lift Ra Autumn Autu Weed Weed Turf T Turf Contro Contro Con Contro Chec Chec South etc gns i s flush , a/"Mlork second , for bins s l r a i e une-Aug) fly t ng it J l heioht ri ( et , l edges 5m base o...... e . perenn l l es es red f l l 1 i trees trees awn r , sings l rc rc i i e ri l c c to a benches equ ed afte r , grave ir f Summer i anted anted n ree ree l l profi i us t t tbn i p p nspections nspections i i n ound requ i r herbaceous cera eds a i as def tree edge edge tree weeds weeds v.oeeds -we 25-75mm square ne'My ng ne'My n r i & & i Lon a ar to Rosmarin to nta mm i i gate gate m m gation eed i i a oo ri rri rri Str Control Control Control Control Prune Regu l Regu l Deadhead M M Irr I I W Weed T Tr etc sions , t i ng i ~ n) i hab art-Nork , dra hab flower May) ngs - i rti bins oht i er (ve f~ shav compact e (Mar before litt he r Heuchera ng n et be be on , i l l i compact edges ri ti lil n 5m i base gs nta . wood i l As As 1 rl ificat from eaves lowe awn & l des r , s nta l f scuptu i rdes of of l ma i ir ri c c to o a benches t sca um soi age ma , grave i i after ee owth in prone to es es fo l l r tion tr tree a i i and nus g growth with around a rc rc i ri i i c c around s on Epimed old old ti ir defin dead box ahon edge edge weeds weeds weeds "Needs square 25-75mm no ree feed feed feed i l l l l & & Deuzt M t tree to to Rosma Hedera o'M repa aera bad< back bad< ng ng ng ch ntain i i i ch i l l m a u u ri Strimm Spr Spr Spr Contro Cut Contro Cut Contro Cut Contro M Remove Prune Moo M M Prune Une Weed Weed Trim T Trim Turf Turf ) s ull (B n area a s o e rog ss es F ar x dging beds hrub gra bo urtyard e e s ard r wer rk ty co o h h h re Bo pa Vbat nt eni und tu e ulptu ildft o a ar rees sc Ow C mo Fr Beec M Am W Th T Trees 119 South Hill Park: Management and Maintenance Plan 2012 – 2021. V6 January 2019 es C m FC TC BFC BFC BFC BFC B BTC BTC BFC BF BFC B BFC ghways Water Tha H i Whoby on ti Fab) cond · es y m fl li s and i e t e (Dac l age age ak age on age l r m m m m e gs t safety i'l ons ons da da da da ns r owth from ti ti s trees i r ng r i fo tO sand nd a Win ter and and a eaves/debr and ed c g l , ec i t it l up p nspec prun nspec of i i an l ns mm des todng i ris, i r p ty top afety ee conn i ow safety s safety safety ci l ~ tr ng eb rf ti d ep rron tree scie sa'efy for for for for and 25,75 an r r r r tree nev. y ove l o ar ar l l t ative pl tor to to to to r i i i i i ch m l ee ea u on on on ow on on l r M M M M M M For Remove Regu Remove Regu M Weekly Weed Week T C 3-5yrs ery on v iti on ments s e s l ti re i cond nes ti ennia nspec requ fly s r and ng i Qe ri ri ge (Sap.Nov) et e pe l t ake age age l ety si f s ma m m es t chan r moo ti anting sa ngs om , s e da da da ons damage on i t i i es/deb pl fr k s itt v l nd ri for sand re oa oc er ect a fl ea and and and and baceous l p , Autumn s a cl itt r l ng up for and s e m ri es ns nspect of l i i k he y s, s i i to ll a i r a r rc w ndependen top i dean i st safety safety safety o safety de c 75m i y s • l r r r r r e me rfl i' debr debr ti o o mon anks fo f fo f 25 safety div safety and and re le i r t annua t tree f B ~ ove a l to or or or or Qe k k epa Lake k t tor t r r i i i it it month and ill h rf x t ean ea on on on on ow on l l i ift H S Chan Chec Chec C C lmpec M L M M Remove M Regu M Remove M Wee Weed Week~ Tu ch Sou Bir ush fl on iti second r fo cond s l a y i une-Aug) fl s and ng i i t J ke ( e a l age l m m ower perenn l ees safety damage da damage damage ro tr r f r isings Ons r f r r for t sand ed a t and and and and afte pections leaves/debr tte , uk::h i ng s l up i Summar aceous an m m , n nspections of i i s or rb pl fety m nspec des nus i ri it n< r a top ri y ow s safety safety safety ci l he ba wl ee rf deb r mon tr safety safefy for for for for and ee 25-75 ne tr r r r r r y y ove ar ar l l e l l to Rosma t to to ove to to to r i i i i i k m ga ea i on on on ow on on l r rri C M M M M M Deadhead Regu Remove Regu For M I Week Weed Week T k ea r b ud b ng i ) on iti ore f yr.. ower bn yr.. l t be May f 9 3 r - cond nes i ery e nspec f~ v s and i ng e i every i (Mar cobu before e k et ty te a l specton age age l red i si On Jl m m t t chanQ m gs moor r ' stem safe e da damage da ons damage i'l ons te eaves 8' it r l requ fro ti ti t s 1 s li f spection ri fo i sand oat, l nter o es a i nspec i'l f eaves/debr and and and and i um l , i cbcks wi l ng itter spec spec up y i and m t a r t m , ed of ed r ll ii u a as il dependen ean or r l is fo spec cles l it w a r m h fy top ty i rl t c t s c br o safe safety safety safety ci l p y l r mer ati gene de rs Ly E dependent i i debris de or or or or e mon t r r safe safe ee f t and 25-75m and ll l r r f r f r f r tr e Cotoneaster l fi y y overf a l l aqu Camu l to epa Lavandu tor to to to to k r eyo r t i i i i i back back month n m x a on on on on ow on emove l urv i ri Stoo l S S Surveyo M Prune M M M M P M Remove R Regu Inspect Annua Wee Weed Week T Turf ChanQ Cut Clean Cut Clea s n o area Garden ulpture sc ss culpture tallati s ulpture land s ulpture Play s all i fountain gra in sc XII W sc for area s 3) lnlet/ouUet 201 Gravijy (due unmed Play Bridge Lake Ripple Fk>ating Fk>ating Amenity Toddlers Totem Tree 120 South Hill Park: Management and Maintenance Plan 2012 – 2021. V6 January 2019 6TC BFC BFC BFC BFC BFC BTC BFC BFC BFC BFC BFC BFC CLL Whoby etc etc bamboo gns s gns i i s s th bamboo , , , l pa 3.m frost aure cvde ion l rtvwork rtvwork ~ ponticum, from to ) ided a a s red , , i first ov up 3m ron, 3-Svr pr cond bins bins requ erosion bamboo) on ng f y i i removal leboru . fl fly before paths and tter tter r g de i t t bulbs li li i . 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Remove Regular edges areas s s planting ees tree tr rns rey g grass boxe torey planting s sto coppice margins s ive OwVbat Ornamental LWebuoys Lake Nat Under Under Hazel Amenity Amenity Woodland Woodland Tree 121 South Hill Park: Management and Maintenance Plan 2012 – 2021. V6 January 2019 BTC BTC BTC now) BTC BFC BFC BFC BFC BFC BFC BFC BFC BFC BFC BFC BFC BFC s SHPT & & &BTC & &BFC ( &SHPT &SHPT Whoby y l etc on gns i s , ower ) p is is is r r r red ow i l art'NOrk deb deb deb plough , on , , , requ ns i damage damage damage damage damage damage damage damage b as wer r snow y damage e fl eaves eaves eaves or and l l l o and and and and and and and blo t litt et (Dec-Feb) , l and leaf ed week gs • ir safety safety safety safety safety safety safety safety bfanches branches branches ll r r r remove remove remove s access qu i fo fo fo for for for for for ng ng ng safety e i i i to to r to ar benches Winter other , s debris ng ng ng ng ng ng ng ng for i i i i i i i i BTC , ( t a t or tor tor tor tor tOf tOf n i it i i i i i ound paths paths paths r every 75mm a overhang overhang eaves overhang ow ow CM' l l l I monitor mon mon mon mon mon mon mon 25- iJhting ng r r r surfaces l i reatme snow/ice grass t to l r ck back back bad< mm im i e ea l Sv,,,eep!l:> S1Neep!l:> Sweep!l:> Str Str Mow Regular Regula Regular Regular Regula Regula Remove Regular Regular Aba Cut Cut C Check Ch Cut c t ) e only gns i s ) , pressure power surface s s ed ri ri n i ow ir l artworrt 50bar pressure debris deb deb res , 1 on , , , s requ < fl gh damage damage damage damage damage damage damage damage i b rom h as f y l k eaves eaves eaves f ter or l l l and and and and and and and and blower water (no lit (Se!H'lov) et , l par ety ety ety ety ety eaf f f f f f ed ove l ed ir week 200mm • (cokl ir m safety sa safety safety sa sa sa sa car ngs i s remove re remove s qu Of ed ri requ f fOf for for for for for for bri e r to to east to r ean l a l benches other s , Autumn s c de r as ng at hs , a e ri t equ to s r i rk toring toring toring to r s i i i i paths paths pa if e every ng 75mm p ti around s brush - nce r leaves g monitoring monitoring monitoring monitoring mon mon mon mon a ee gns gh l 25 i n r r r r r r li bins paths wayma s eaves l a a a and a grass treatment to epa r l feature mm rf ean ean ean ear ean ga l l l l l trim tri l S'vVeep/blow S S S-...veep/blow SVv'eep/blow C C C Check C C Regula Mow Regul Regula Regul Regular Regul Remove Ensure Hose Regular Regul Road&N A Tu y l etc Generic on gns i s ) , k power s s ri ri ris Oa red ow i l artwork pressure deb deb deb , on , , , requ Lght ns i gh damage damage damage damage damage damage damage damage i een) c i b r h as ss (g red damage i eaves eaves fly eaves or a and and and and and and and l l l and blower itter (no l ed e et Cl , l equ ir and r n ed leaf i ed i' week • ir safety safety safety safety safety safety safety safety equ as bfanches branches branches s r r remove remov remove sings qu ri i equ nt i fo for for for for for for for r ng ng ng safety e Sadol i i i to to to as r ar benches r other h , s deb ng ng ng ng ng ng ng ng t as fo i i i i i i i i epa Summer(June-Aug) up , a r w , tOf tor tOf tor tor tor tor tor nt i i i i i i i i paths paths paths e every ng 75mm around ti brush rust faces m touch t eaves overhang overhang overhang r ow ow ow l r l l l mon mon mon mon mon mon mon mon / a 25- iJh r r su ! fo e r a a ar ar ar ar ar ar nt and grass annually t l l l l l l l l i to l back back bad< m mming i i ow S-.veep!l:> S..veep!l:> S1Neep!l:> Str Check Check Check Str Cut Cut Cut Regu M Regu Regu Regu Regu Regu Repa Remove Hose Regu Regu Aba Treat ) y l etc on r gns i s ) , pressure powe r surface red ow i l art-Nork 50ba pressure resin , debris debris debfis 1 on , , , requ < damage damage damage damage damage damage damage damage bins as high from d er fty or leaves leaves leaves and and and an and and and and blO'lv'er (Mar-May) itt water (no l f k et e , d par1< l l lea red ed i 200mm -.vee gs • (co ir safety safety safety safety safety safety safety safety car red i ll remove remov remove ris ed equ for for for for for for for for r o o equ ir t t to ean r least aris benches l g other requ , s c deb ng ng ng ng ng ng ng ng as fl if i i i i i i i i at , a ers to requ s i rk if paths paths paths every mark around s brush eaves ow ow ow l ir l l l monitor monitor monitor monitOf monitor monitOf monitor monitor ghting ance ne 25-75mm ass l ng CEDEC r r li li sgns paths bins wayma a ar ar ar ar ar and ar ar treatment l l l l l l l l k k epa mi to r l up an m m g i i ga le l SVv'eep!l:> SVv'eep!l:> S'vVeep!l:> Str Str C Clean Clean Clean Chec Chec Regu Mow Regu Regu Regu Regu Regu Ensure Regu Regu Roads-...veeper Remove Hose A Turf Top s s s he area c n paths paths s benches igns signs ss s be paving benche roads steps gra chip path boxes nal rn o bound o land bins park in and s EDEC Amenity Waymarker Yorkstone Wood Wooden Tar Ornamental C Car Litter Directi Hawth Re Electric Ampitheatre 122 South Hill Park: Management and Maintenance Plan 2012 – 2021. V6 January 2019 T P C H BFC BF BFC &S Whoby ance n (Dec-Feb) ntenance nte i i a ma m Winter and and ng ng i i cing i lean c clean serv r r a gul e Regula R Annual (Se~ov) enance int maintenance ma d n and a Autumn eaning l cleaning c r drains ar la l ean l C Regu Regu /grey) green ( ed (June-Aug) r ntenance ntenance i i equi r ma ma as and and Summer up touch cleaning cleaning I ar ar l l int a Rep Regu Regu (Mar-May) ntenance ntenance i i ma ma and and aJls cleaning cleaning r d ar ar l l an le C Regu Regu s/ es railing and tructur nt e and es c s l s s c te tori hi is Ve equipm Ga h Drain 123 South Hill Park: Management and Maintenance Plan 2012 – 2021. V6 January 2019 10 2 140 000 000 500 010 960 760 720 470 250 240 260 ,3 , , , , , , , , , , , , 2 / 3 3 6 1 14 11 15 15 16 17 15 32 49 28 2 2 0 2 0 9 110 670 060 1 680 650 0 850 080 020 740 , , , , , , , , , 6 3 3 /2 14,640 14,630 15 17 14 10,960 28 31 48 0 209, 2 0 2 290 960 550 340 990 460 660 , , , , , , , 0 2 3,990 5 3,580 14,280 14,270 15 10,700 16 14 27 30,910 47 9/2 20 01 2 0 0 160 0 810 670 080 390 940 920 9 , , , , , , est r 1 2 5, 3,490 16,250 15 13 99, 26 30 46 8/ Fo 01 2 nell k 0 1 Council 2 1 260 590 020 660 710 850 850 , , , , , , , , £) ( 4 2 5 Brac 14 13 10,190 10,440 15 9 29,420 26 45 7/18 T Town 1 the 01 2 nell COS k and & ; 160 260 520 350 390 700 780 460 , , , , , , , k 2 5, Brac 14 13 15 13,250 13,580 13,920 28 25 89,390 44 6/17 1 Des YEAR the 01 ront F from 000 940 000 080 390 080 770 710 6 2 ,770 , , , , , , , 1 2 5, 4 14 12 15 28 24 and 43 8 5/ 01 support 0 1 170 260 320 030 710 660 620 640 5 2 , , , , , , , 1 Managers 2 officer 5, 9,460 9,700 9,940 / 12,610 12,930 13 14 12 12,610 12,930 13,260 13,590 13,930 27 24 80,25 42 1 014 plus Duty 2 , 130 650 000 580 570 330 350 310 , , , , , , , , 14 2 5 5,830 13 14 12 12,300 12,300 26 23 41 3/ 17 Manager, Gardener 01 0 and 0 000 000 500 000 000 000 ,5 , , , , , , 3 2 1 2 3,000 3,080 3,160 3,240 3,320 3,400 9,000 9,230 5 Facilities 13 12,000 14 12,000 26 12,000 40 23,000 2/ k 171 01 Manager 2 Par k Hill Par / and the ing k South ; and for Stone Pic g Leaf Utilities in Beds costs Litter et / k of Manager r a Toilets/ Surfacing/ M ance Bins (1) n training Cuttino e t /Strimming/ Path Facilities ces/ Mulching i Litter Public / quipment Publicity ain Costs v f Repairs E r f M of o Hedqe : South Hill Park 10 year Revenue Budget Budget Revenue 10 year Park : Hill South Financial Plan and includes Se and Disposal Cutting Accomodation Staf r and ng nds Manager Works o u ffi it This TAL o s r i O 1) Borders/ Park Planting Events Recreational 9. 5 Table V T Sta Servicing Grass G Other Office Clearance Servicing Gardener ( Materials Metalwork Waste Tools Tree 124 South Hill Park: Management and Maintenance Plan 2012 – 2021. V6 January 2019 10. Monitoring and Review The implementation of this MMP will be administered and monitored by the Park Grounds Group (Joint Management Committee). Day to day implementation of prescriptions set out in the plan will be co-ordinated by the South Hill Park Manager. This MMP is subject to annual review and full update after ten years (in 2021). The MMP forms the core document as part of an overall Park Maintenance Manual. This will comprise the following documents: • Conservation Management Plan • Ten Year Management and Maintenance Plan • Audience Development Plan • Volunteer Action Plan • Training Plan • Park Surveys: 1. Tree Surveys 2. Ecology Surveys 3. Rhododendron Surveys 4. Visitor Surveys 5. Structural Condition Surveys • As Built Drawings • Operations and Maintenance Manuals Monitoring procedures in place and to be enhanced through the implementation of this MMP are as follows: • Visitor Surveys as described in the ADP • Ongoing contract/in house team monitoring in accordance with current procedures and safety inspections • Five year arboricultural surveys and annual inspections • Ecological surveys and monitoring • Structural and other condition surveys • Quality audit in accordance with Greenspace Audit 2012 report, carried out on a 4-5 year cycle. 125 11. Appendices Appendix 1: Report on historic Rhododendrons at South Hill Park by Michael Lear Associates on historic Rhododendrons at South Hill Park, Bracknell, Berkshire Plant 6 Rhododendron pouticum x catawbieuse Commissioned by Bracknell Forest Borough Council 4th March 201 3 LEAR ASSOCIATES new landscapes, arboreta and historic gardens 126 Introduction A visit to inspect the Rhododendrons currently growing at South Hill Park was made at the request of Richard Scrivener on 19"' Jan 2009. The purpose of this visit was to assess the possibilny that their historical significance had been overlooked in the preparation of the Conservation Plan (Couch et al 2005). Preliminary findings indicated that the Rhododendrons at South Hill Park are in the main part close to R. ponticum but with evidence of some hybridity with R. maximum and R. catawbiense suggested by the variety in leaf form observed. Recent work at Highclere Castle (Hanis). W illey Court (Worcs) and Townley Park (Lanes) has revealed that these hybrid types are such are characteristic of early 19"' century garden design. Contemporaneous accounts in horticultural journals acclaimed the reflection in lakes (notably at Highclere) and there is evidence that Rhododendrons fom1ed a picturesque element in the ornamentation of woodlands at Townley. The Rhododendron seen at South Hill Park are similar in fom1 and habn to those found in these gardens/parks. The South Hill Park Historical Report (Ballard 2004) and Conservation Plan (Couch 2005) indicate that the estate was enlarged by the Earl of Limerick who owned South Hill between 1810 and 1847. Around this time, the pleasure grounds south of the house began to be developed, and the 1843 Tnhe Map shows the pleasure grounds with 'a wooded pleasure ground and continuous shrubbery west of 2 southern lakes' (Couch 2005:3.4.2). Neither report attributes much significance to this phase in the history, instead focusing on the later changes made (1 853-1891) during the ownership of Sir William Hayter and his son. Nonetheless it would appear that the wooded pleasure ground and dense lakeside shrubberies were not much changed during this period. No survey of Rhododendrons was carried out during the preparation of the Conservation Plan and only a partial tree survey completed. Tree date estimates (Couch 2005:4.3.1) indicate that 32% of the surviving trees were planted between 1800-1850 thereby suggesting that the landscape as created by the Earl of Limerick remains at least in part intact although this has been overlooked in the statement of significance (2005:5.00). It is entirely probable that Rhododendrons fom1 part of the historic fabric of South Hill Park. It is of particular interest to note that there appears to have been little or no subsequent development of Rhododendron planting in the park and indeed, the absence of hardy hybrid and 20th century varieties adds to the significance of South Hill Parle (These later types are a feature of Lily Hill Park, Bracknell). It was recommended that follow up visits were made to inspect the rhododendrons in flower - this report is record of this work. 1.2 Lear Associates Lear Associates I is a landscape consultancy specialising in the heritage sector and known for work in identification and ageing of exotic trees and shrubs. They have worked on rhododendron collections throughout the UK including the world famous rhododendron gardens belong to the de Rothschilds at Exbury, near Southampton; landscape gardens such as Stourhead, Wiltshire for the National Trust; Willey Court, Worcestershire, Chiswick and Kenwood, London for English Heritage. Historic parks such those at Wentworth Castle, Yorkshire; Langley Park, Slough; Townley Park, Lanes; Stamford Park, Tam eside; Danbury Park, Essex which are all owned by local authomies and hav e undergone substantial restoration . Locally, Lear Associates worked on the HLF restoration of Starch Copse for Bracknell Forest Borough Council. Michael Lear and Beverley Lear are members of the Register of Support Services to the HLF and Michael is a member of the National Trust's Gardens and Parks Panel. 2. Summary of Findings A series of visits were made in 2009 and 2010 to assess the historic Rhododendrons at South Hill Park. Appendix 1 sets out the field work findings and the locations are in Appendix 2. Probably between 50 and 100 plants were seen in flower, however only 16 were noted for more detailed study. The 16 plants described cover the range of historic plantings at the property, Rhododendrons can only identified when in flower but it is not considered that there plants in flower before the end of April. The plants surveyed are typically in flower from May to middle June. 1 Lear Associates. 8 East Street. Oxford. OX2 DAU. EmaiJ: [email protected]. Tel: 0 1865 725046: Mobile: 07711 668382 127 he range of flower colour is very slight with the majority of shades of mauve arnd mauve pink. When the flowers are in bud they are darker but this fades as the flowers expand. The darkest are plants 15 and 16 the palest is plant 14. A good indication of 'improved' or 'selected' fom1s is a larger corolla and the tighter, more rounded truss (a collection of flowers on a common stalk), the best trusses are plants 1 & 6 and this is due to the influence of R.catawbiense. Foliage characters are also indicators of hybridity and selection. Plants 1, 4 & 6 have the most 'selected' foliage, which appears broader and flatter and sets off the truss more effectively. Again this is the influence of R.cafawbiense on R.ponticum. If a single plant had to be propagated to perpetuate all these good features, it would be plant 6 which is in the side tarmac path on the east of the p roperty. Gallery of So uth Hill Park Rhododend rons 01 R catawb,ense x pont,cum 01 R catawbiense x pont,cum This form has large individual corolla (flower) This form has large individual corolla (flower) 03 R.ponticum (80%) 03 R.ponticum (80%) 128 4 R.ponticum (90%) x catawbiense 05 R.ponticum This is one of the tallest plants surveyed (approx 6.Sm) 129 06 R pont,cum x catawbiense 06 R.ponticum x catawbiense. This 1s the best form su,veyed, with well rounded trusses This is the best form su,veyed, with well rounded trusses and handsome foha e and handsome folia e 07 R.ponticum x 130 131 14 R.ponticum x maximum Probabl the alest of flowers surve d In summary, whilst many of the plants can be classified as R.ponticum, there were also a significant number of early ponticum x catawbiense and ponticum x maximum hybrids. It is not possible to attribute cultivar (trade) names to these very early hybrids. These hybrid plants were found only along the path margins and might be assumed to be part of an early 19th century infom1al planting scheme. Since R. catawbiense was not introduced until 1809, this points to a planting date of no earlier than 181 5. Limited self-seeding of R. ponticum was observed. This is significant, since it is probable that the plants that remain also date from the original scheme and have spread out largely by means of layering. J. Statem ent of Importance As individual plants, none of the Rhododendrons are exceptionally important: yet, the relative lack of diversity and absence of later nineteenth century hybrids make the South Hill Park plantings significant precisely because they represent the very earliest types of hybrids dating from the beginning of the nineteenth century to around the 1840s and represent general landscaping stock which would have been cheaply and readily available. It is likely that the Rhododendrons accompanied the major exotic tree planting'. To understand South Hill Park it is impor1ant to recognise what is not present. For example the palette is very different to that found at Starch Copse which is typified by planting of the late 19'" century & early 20m century Hardy Hybrids. 4. Contextual History of Rhododend rons in Gardens Rhododendron maximum was introduced to Britain from America in 1736, and this was to be become one of the 5 'foundation' species which fom1ed the first rhododendron hybrids. The first hybrids or 'crosses' were made around 1775-1780, following the important introduction of R. ponticum from Gibraltar in 1763. R.ponticum itself became commercially available in the 1780s, and even then it was not widely distributed and treated as a horticultural speciality supplied by only a few London nurseries3 . The introduction of R. caucasicum, in 1803 and R. catawbiense in 1809 completed the initial quartet. It is assumed that fonns of R. ponticum and early hybrids were selected on the basis of flower colour, size and density of the truss and quality of foliage, since these are key features which distinguish between ordinary ponticum and the plants used in prominent positions. It is thought that the first rhododendron hybrids were raised around 1811 at Knap Hill, Surrey, although initially these may have been chance seedlings arising because the core species were growing together in the nursery. What resulted was a range of late flowering (June) hybrids in various shades of mauve and light pink. However, it was not 1 Cedar of Lebanon (On east o f garden) near Frobisher . felled in May 20 10 . ring oounted to indicate pla nting year o f c t849. The tree had a basal girth of 665cm. 3 W .J.Bean 7 reea and Shrubs Hardy in the British lcles' ( 1976:742-3) 132 l 1825 when red flowered R. arboreum ' , the 5"' foundation species was introduced to the blood-lines that hybridisation work began in earnest. It is significant that none of these early arboreum hybrids have been noted at South Hill Park. By 1829 it was noted that R.ponticum freely self seeded in the woods at Fonthill, Wiltshire5 and by the 1840's R.ponticum had become popular as a woodland species planted for game cover. In 184 1, the head gardener at Dropmore advocated broad-casting R. ponticum seed in woodlands, further noting that R. catawbiense and its varieties were more beautiful than ponticum and should be planted near walks and at the margins of woods6 . In 1855 it is noted that Standish and Noble were grafting selected hybrids onto rootstocks of R. ponticum'. By the 1860's 1he popularity of ponticum for anything other than utility planting in woodlands had began to wane. By the 1860's the breeding of hardy rhododendrons was in full flood". Hardy Hybrid' is a tem1 developed by the nursery trade to describe 2' 0 and 3"' generation hybrids of R. ponticum, R.catawbiense, R. caucasicum, R. maximum, and R. arboreum raised from mid to late 19"' century. 4 the first hybrid was 'AltacJerense' bred in 1826 at Highclere C astle, Berks. s A lso ;1 garden in the 'piauresque style'. 6 Gardeners' Chronicle (1841) p. 85 quoted by Elliott { 1986: 162-3) 'Rhododendron:; in Britfoh Gardens: a chorl hktory' in C . P ostan (ed) The R hododendron Slory: 200 years of Plant Hunting a nd Garden C ultivation'. 7 Bean 1976:8 19 e Bean 1976:8 19 133 ix 1 Historic Rhododendrons recorded at South Hill Park Lear Associates Ref no. location Rhododendron ident Flower colour Notes F 1 in bud, F4 fuD out F6 going ave< Near lime c.atawbiense x ponticum V pale lilac, r G (20/G/2009),r :i 2009101 (21/5/2010) broad 20/612009 leaf, 4 stems. No calyx, very long lvs 9 (to 170mm), pendulous. Tall plant 6.5m tall. and F3 (21/5/2010) 24 flowers per truss, broad leaves, Near Lime ponticum Very pale lilac 200910 2 F6 (20/6/2009). Not that old. 20/612009 broad leaves, Near collapsed ponticum (80%) lilac mauve buds, Long leaves, 2009103 beech (M6) stellate corolla 20/612009 Beech area ponticum (90%) x Pale mauve from Good foliage, 201010 4 catawbiense violet (M4) buds good size truss, 20/612009 calyx lobes 2.5mm long. Good fom, Near Beech 402 ponticum (100%) Cobalt violet. M6 200910 5 No calyx, very long lvs 9 (to 20/612009 170mm), pendulous. Tall plant 6.5m tall. and F3 (21/5/2010) 24 flowers per truss, broad leaves Perimeter path ponticum x catawbiense Very pale lilac 2009106 F6 (20/6/2009) south of lamp and F3 20/612009 post (21/5/2010) 24 flowers per truss, broad leaves. Good fom1 Perimeter path ponticum x lilac mauve (M3) . 110mm x 45mm, 2009107 poor flowers, 20/612009 neat foliage, very broad, Lane to 61-88 ponticum (90%) x maximum Narrow foliage 2010108 Hillbury (10%) 145x32 mm, calyx 20/612009 lobes 0.5mm long Woodland, Ponticum Pinkest at Ordinary, Max 2009109 tangle north property seen girth 64cm@ 20/612009 end. 0.2m ponticum (100%) Pale mauve (M3) 2009110 Outer edge Small 20/612009 orange/yellow flare Roadside? ponticum F6, Good foliage 2010111 20/612009 134 201 011 2 Roadside ponticum (100%) 20/612009 ponticum 201011 3 By collapsed Girth 59cm@ Beech 0.1m, 120 rings 20/612009 counted 201011 4 At back of bed, ponticum x maximum Whitish/ v. Pale FS/6, calyx 3- triangle of path mauve 4mm, 21 in truss, 20/612009 near houses broad lvs, dense form. Girth 75cm 201011 5 Path, to north of ponticum x maximum x Cobalt violet F3, small calyx, 6 catawbiense 21 in truss, broad 2 1/512010 lvs, 2010116 Lampstand 12 ponticum x maximum Purple F2 2 1/512010 135 2 ....~ _ +- -~ -. ' ·- ... . ' :: . . ' • 0 -' .. ~-· -. 1"'--· .. ~-1 - . ''. ·--,,. ., 0 ,.., ...- -'" ... ,- .. ·B '' ~ \ ~ . :. ·, -- ' '©6 @ ,: I'\"'@ .' .:, -.. \.V ( . ~ :: , . ., . ., .. \ -- ' - ·"'- ' . ,. ·\~i -.;: ' - ' .- ...... :-r..:, ,· - .. - .. _ ·- I-.· __.... ~~ Location of Rhododendrons 0.,-__,.,.,.. ___ I-·.-··_ -- 136 Appendix 2: Site Inspection Sheet PARKS & COUNTRYSIDE 6 MONTHLY SITE INSPECTIONS PROFORMA Site Name: Location: Grid Reference (Main Entrance): Inspection by: Date: SUMMARY OF FINDINGS (in reference to site map / plan) 137 Priority Target By Complete Priority Actions Date Whom (date) R ranger C contractor V volunteers O other 138 PARKS & COUNTRYSIDE 6 MONTHLY SITE INPSECTIONS PROMPT SHEET ENTRANCES PATHS (Including approach to site) o Surface condition o Gateways o Drainage o Access Points o Vegetation o Gradients o Gradients o Vehicular o Steps o Pedestrian/horse & cycle o Vehicular access o Erosion o Cycle Ways o Height barriers o Bridle Paths o Sight Lines o Public Rights of Way o Informal paths / Desire lines BOUNDARIES o Fencing NATURAL AND HERITAGE FEATURES o Hedging o Trees o Ditches o Planting / shrubs / lawns o Vegetation o Hedgerows o Trees o Biodiversity / Habitat management o Land Encroachment o Archaeology o Informal Access Points GROUNDS MAINTENANCE SIGNAGE o Specification o Site name o Delivery o Notice board(s) o Advisory Information STREAM/LAKE/POND EMBANKMENTS o Directional / Waymarking & ISLANDS o Interpretation o Erosion o Bylaws o Water Quality o Vegetation FURNITURE / STUCTURES o Levels o Gates o Flow / Channels o Stiles o Lifebuoys o Seating o Litter / Dog Waste bins SPORT & PLAY o Fountains o Pitches o Water Troughs o Courts o Bridges o Fishing o Boardwalks o Play Areas o Shelters o Skate Parks o Piers and Platforms o Wheeled Sports o Dams o Other equipment (e.g. goal posts) o Vehicle Barriers o Camps o Bollards o Walls ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR o Sculptures o Litter o Graffiti CAR PARKS o Dog Fouling o Surface Condition o Fly Tipping o Markings o Garden Waste o Security o Vandalism o Illegal Motorcycles / vehicle use o Drugs / alcohol 139 Site map to show summary of findings 140 Appendix 3: BFC Quality Assessment Criteria Parks and Open Spaces Summary of Basic Quality Criteria: All Parks & Countryside sites should have a well defined entrance with good visibility into the site. Features such as gates should be easy to use and well maintained. The site name should be shown, to include management contact details. Access within the site should be readily identifiable with good sight lines. Paths should be easy to use, well drained and clear of overhanging vegetation. Where applicable, notice boards should be well located, clean, with any information up to date. Other furniture such as litter bins and seating should be easy to use, in good condition and appropriately located. Site feature Key element Rating (max 5) Entrances: • Tidy • Well-signed • Obvious • Unobstructed • Welcoming • Ease of Use (disabled access, inclusive design) Signage: • Consistent • Provision of basic information to include site name; who manages the site; relevant contact details • Erected at a consistent and appropriate height • Positioned so clearly visible Boundaries: (e.g. • Defined hedges, fences, • Well maintained ditches) • Good state of repair • Appropriate design and materials Access: • Defined paths • Surface condition • Good drainage • Clear of vegetation Soft Landscaping / • Areas defined Planting / Grass / • Formal planting well maintained Meadows: • Natural planting managed positively for wildlife • Management of invasive scrub • Appropriate grass/hay/meadow cutting regime Trees: • Good condition (no deadwood overhanging entrances, paths, boundaries) • Under-storey management • Trees managed positively for wildlife • New planting well maintained Furniture: (e.g. seats, • Consistent styles in keeping with site use i.e. formal benches, bins, notice or informal boards) • Well maintained • Well located • Easy to use • Information up to date 141 Cleanliness: • Little or no litter • Minimal dog fouling • Graffiti free – no offensive graffiti • Vandalism not evident Safe and secure: • Does the site feel safe • Good lines of sight to entrances and exits 142 Appendix 4: User Survey summary results Summary Results of Park Users Survey, Jan 2009 Profile: Of 116 respondents, 38% were between 35-54 years old, 38% had dependent children between 0-4 years old, 42% were socio-economic groups 2-4, 96% were white/British The majority (75%) live within 1 mile of the park and walked to the park, most (78%) visited the park either daily or several times a week, most (71%) stayed less than an hour during their visit. The majority (91%) visited either alone or with one other adult. Use of park: The majority (93%) used the park for walking a dog, to get fresh air or go for a walk. Over the previous year, the use was much more widespread, but most popular activities included the above (walking, walking the dog), as well as visting the Arts Centre/Café, cycling, feeding the ducks, enjoying wildlife and attending fair/events. Most people (59%) visited the café on an occasional basis. Other comments: Dislikes were most commonly about litter, vandalism and dog fouling. Other comments raised included shortage of seating, poor signage and untidy appearance of the park. Changes the respondants were keen to see included an increase in litter picking, enhancing the wildlife value of the lakes, more benches, more tables for picnicking, improved path network and access, restore the fountain, more warden/security presence in the park, and improvements to the play areas. 143 Appendix 5: Comparison of visitor survey results 2009 and 2018 Profile: In 2009 there were 7 respondants, all of whom were between 30-59 years old, majority (75%) were female, no disability (100%), white British (100%), resident locally (100%). In 2018 there were 99 respondants, ages ranging from under 18 – 80+, the majority (30% were 35-49 years old), most (55%) were female, 3% considered themselves to have a disability, most were white British (88%), and 98% were resident locally within the borough. Use of the park: 1. How often do you visit the park? 2009: Most (82%) visit more than once a week in winter, and all (100%) visit more than once a week in summer 2018: Most (51%) visit more than once a week in winter, and most (53%) visit more than once a week in summer 2. How long do you normally stay? 2009: In winter most (33%) stay 1-2 hours In summer most (40%) stay less than 30 minutes 2018 : In winter most (56%) stay less than 1 hour In summer most (58%) stay 30 mins - 2 hours 3. Where do you travel from? 2009: All (100%) travelled from home 2018: Most (74%) travelled from home, others came from the shops (17%) and school or work (9%) 4. How do you travel to the park? 2009: All (100%) travelled on foot 2018: Most (51%) travelled by car, 44% on foot 5. How long does your journey take? 2009: Most journeys (80%) took less than 10 minutes, 40% less than 5 minutes 144 2018: Most journeys (76%) took less than 10 minutes, 27% less than 5 minutes 6. Who do you visit the park with? 2009: 40% visited in a group, 40% visited either in a group or alone 2018: 60% visited in a group, 36% visited alone, 4% visited either alone or in a group. 7. Who are the group members? 2009: Most (66%) visit with their partners 2018: Most visiting with children (21%), then quite an even split between friends (16%) and partner (17%). 8. What do you do when you visit the park? 2009: Most popular activities were to relax/think, for peace and quiet, see birds/wildlife, go for a walk 2018: Most popular activities were to go for a walk, get some fresh air, to eat/drink and to meet friends 9. How do you rate the design and appearance of the park? 2009: Most (83%) rated it ‘good’ (this is one below ‘very good’, the best option) 2018: Most (75%) rated it ‘very good’, 25% rated it ‘good’ 10. How do you rate the standard of cleanliness and maintenance of the park? 2009: Equal split (40:40%) between ‘good’ and ‘fair’ 2018: Most (49%) rated it ‘good’, with a further 46% rating it ‘very good’ 11. How easy is it for you to get around the park? 2009: Equal split (50:50%) between ‘very good’ and ‘good’ 2015-16: Most (52%) rated it ‘very good’, with a further 48% rating it ‘good’ 12. What do you think about the range of visitor facilities available? 2009: Equal split (50:50%) between ‘good’ and ‘fair’ 145 2018: Most (60%) rated it ‘good’, with a further 31% rating it ‘very good’ 13. How do you rate the standard and maintenance of trees/plants/grass? 2009: All (100%) rated it ‘good’ 2018: Most (71%) rated it ‘very good’, with a further 29% rating it ‘good’ 14. How do you rate the management of nature and wildlife? 2009: Most (75%) rated it ‘good’ 2018: Most (63%) rated it ‘good’, with a further 37% rating it ‘very good’ 15. How do you rate the facilities available for children and their parents? 2009: Equal split (33:33:33%) between ‘very good’, ‘good’ and ‘poor’ 2018: Most (34%) rated it ‘good’, with a further 12% rating it ‘very good’, (50% rated this ‘not applicable’) 16. What is your overall impression of the park? 2009: Equal split (33:33:33%) between ‘very satisfied’, ‘satisified’ and ‘dissatisified’ 2018: Most (61%) were ‘very satisfied’, with a further 39% ‘satisfied’ 146 Appendix 6: Visitor count sheet Overall Park and Open Space Information Park or Open Space: Date and Time: Location: Weather: Instructions: Tick boxes Name of surveyor: Fill in comments if required Identify no. of dogs within comments Individual Visitor Information ADULT CHILD (under 16) COMMENTS PEDESTRIAN CHILD IN PUSHCHAIR CYCLIST FISHING No. of dogs DOG WALKER EXERCISING (e.g. jogger) INFORMAL SPORT (e.g. football, keep fit) WHEELCHAIR / MOBILITY SCOOTER OTHER (eg picnicking) 147 Visitor count map .south Hill Park 0 t: 1737 noos5 . k Land Management Services 1:5ooo@A4 e: [email protected] 148 Appendix 7: Audience Development Plan Management Activity Detail Target Responsibility Timetable Resources Outcome Measure of Success Progress Audience Establish new Establish a Joint All BFC, BTC, Spring Maintenanc Body in place, fit Defined A Joint Management Agreement has park Management South Hill Park 2009 e budget for purpose and responsibilities/roles; been signed by BFC, BTC and management Committee and Trust active improved value for money; SHPAC and Terms of Reference are body Officers higher standards of in place. Steering Group maintenance; Visitor to co-ordinate survey: increase in Park The JMC (Grounds Group) is management usage; decrease in established and meeting three times a and management/maintenance year. maintenance of complaints the park BTC now implementing grass cutting regime across the park Park Manager appointed July 2012. Visitor surveys ongoing using expertise of Friends Group. Future monitoring required re visitor usage. Key contact Sarah Moore Project Full time staff All Steering Group April 2009 Capital Improved visitor Visitor surveys: Park Manager appointed Manager/Park member works experience, continuous improvement Manager dedicated to budget, increased visitor noted over Years 1 and 2; Gardener in post and working with park; available maintenanc confidence, reduction in negative community, visitors and police. for public e budget improved comments; reduction in contact on communication complaints to site staff and Ranger service provides additional regular monthly between public police - 50% in Year 1, support. basis; increased and BFC staff; 10% year on year visible presence reduction in thereafter; reduction in Enhanced contact with community of staff within vandalism and perception of and actual police. Marked decrease in park at key anti social anti social behaviour; incidences of anti social behaviour. times behaviour reduction in reported Legitimate users responding to any Rangers and Ranger service All BFC, Steering 2010 BFC Ranger service incidence incidences positively. Further CPSOs and CPSOs to Group, Police maintenanc and CPSOs enhancement of liaison with PCSOs. provide e budget, providing additional Police support across support park activities and management Users actively Volunteers - see All BFC Project Immediate BFC Active 100% increase in Volunteer numbers increased involved in Specialist Officer and and Maintenanc involvement of volunteer involvement in Management Interest Groups Park Manager continuous e budget volunteers in year 1; increase by min Participation monitored and regularly 149 Management Activity Detail Target Responsibility Timetable Resources Outcome Measure of Success Progress Audience and Volunteers Park 10% year on year recorded. management thereafter to Year 5. Local business encouraged to volunteer through community initiatives Volunteer involvement increased significantly with active Gardening Group (active group of 15-20 members attending every week) Local businesses actively engaged in volunteer work. E.g. Boehringer Ingelheim – litter picking – 20 personnel on site. Future programme to embrace local businesses and community. Key contact via Ranger service. Set up Youth Young BFC Project Immediate BFC Forum Youth volunteer group set Park Manager and gardener liaising Forum to people Officer and and Maintenanc established up in year 1; increase with youth groups. involve young and all Park Manager continuous e budget numbers by min 10% year people in park other park on year thereafter to Year Partners in Youth project held (run by management; users 5, Reduction in complaints the Neighbourhood Action Group with junior ranger re antisocial behaviour in funding support from the Police) service visitor surveys for Years 1 to 3 July 2012 – Youth Volunteer Group being organised by local community group. Key contact Pat Kennewell, Birch Hill Community Group. Security Management of All Park Ongoing BFC Increased Visitor surveys: reduction Ongoing under-storey management. the woodlands maintenance Maintenanc internal visibility; in complaints re anti social Much improvement completed with and main paths teams e budget reduction in behaviour increased visibility eg. woodland area to reduce undergrowth opposite Birch Hill Primary school. security Key contact Park Manager. concerns 150 Management Activity Detail Target Responsibility Timetable Resources Outcome Measure of Success Progress Audience Staff training Identify All Officers' March BFC Training 3 staff and 3 volunteers All appropriate training undertaken by training Steering Group 2010 and Maintenance programme undergoing training each garden staff on site. needs and continuous and training established and year set up budget in use Liaising with volunteers to identify needs training and select appropriate trainees. programme for staff and volunteers (see also Specialist Interest groups and Volunteers and Volunteer Plan) South Lake Removal of All Park Continuous BFC Litter picking/fly 50% reduction in Pond de-silted as part of capital works litter and fly maintenance Maintenance tipping removed negative comments tipping from teams budget weekly or as about the lakes in Year Daily litter picking by staff water body required 1 (visitor survey); year on year reduction in Volunteer litter picking – including links negative comments to to ‘Take Pride’ initiative. threshold of < 10% of Reduction in negative comments. visitors polled Reversal of comments to positive. Uniformed presence on site enhancing the position. Key contact – Gardener. Reduction in Increased Dog Park Continuous BFC Increase in use 50% reduction in Permanent staff presence is reducing dog fouling visits from owners maintenance Maintenance of dog bins; negative comments in incidents of fouling. dog wardens; and all teams; BFC budget decrease in dog Year 1 (visitor survey); education of users dog wardens fouling year on year reduction in Borough wide code of conduct being dog owners negative comments to drafted linked to ‘Paws in the Park’ threshold of < 10% of events visitors polled Key contact Ranger service. Ongoing. Maintain tree Establish and All BFC Feb/June BFC Data base Data base used as Tree surveys carried out 2014. Further data base maintain tree 2010 Maintenance established and management tool for work and inspections ongoing. data base to budget ongoing tree works; data base cover updated annually Garden staff to attend aboricultural 151 Management Activity Detail Target Responsibility Timetable Resources Outcome Measure of Success Progress Audience arboricultural, assessment course. historic and visual Tree surveys regularly assessed and significance updated. Key contact BFC tree team. Improve views Reopen All Capital works 2010 and Capital Views re- Visitor survey: increased Views restored as part of Stage 2 works historic and programme continuous works established; visitor satisfaction significant and BFC budget, improved visitor Under-storey management ongoing. views; maintenance maintenance experience Views continue to be restored. Island maintain budget removed from South Lake as part of views phase 2 of restoration project. 152 Marketing, Information and Events Target Measure of Activity Detail Responsibility Timetable Resources Outcome Progress Audience Success Community Community arts project All Project Partners Throughout Capital works Community Visitor survey: Public artist designed Arts project to develop a stronger, Steering Group, 2010 budget involvement; increased Park and supplied artwork in re artefact more coherent identity Arts Centre design usage; Borough conjunction with local design, for the park and to raise established; wide survey: schools and Friends image and its profile; artist to work logo image increased Group. identity with community group(s) established awareness; and create designs for image/logo in use Trails and waymarkers Arts Centre sign on throughout also in place. Design of Ringmead, entrance waymarkers to be re- markers, signage and assessed. Key contact – logo/image to be used Baier Associates. throughout Park and on promotional, interpretive and educational material Marketing Co-ordination and All BFC/Arts Centre Throughout BFC Audience Strategies in Increase in visitor Capital works included extension of existing 2010 Development Place numbers and range specific actions to marketing strategies budget of visitors improve opportunities for (including educational outdoor events. marketing and access considerations) New and improved power supplies to the grounds installed. Amphitheatre now in use. New power system has increased access to the main lawn. Maintenance of main lawn to be further enhanced. Key contact Allan Moffat, BTC. Park Establish Park All Project Partners April 2009 Capital works Arts Centre No. queries Information point Information Information Point at Arts Steering budget staff trained responded to; no. established in house. Point Centre Reception Group/Arts and of leaflets given out Centre equipped to Leaflets available from 153 Marketing, Information and Events Target Measure of Activity Detail Responsibility Timetable Resources Outcome Progress Audience Success provide park arts centre and information; noticeboard relating to log of grounds established queries kept inside the Arts Centre building. Key contact – arts centre reception. Orientation Install 5 All BFC and Friends May 2010 Capital works Signs Visitor survey Directional signage and orientation/interpretation budget installed; indicates increased panels installed and signage panels - one in the main visitor awareness completed. car park, one in north experience of/satisfaction in Park, two in south Park, improved Park Monitor requirement for one in Arts Centre maintenance of all information panels. Key contact – gardener. Install way markers at All BFC May 2010 Capital works Signs Visitor survey Waymarking for walking key locations to reinforce budget installed shows: increased trails installed and links between the north satisfaction with completed. and south sites, and on Park; increased main pedestrian and visitor access to access routes. both north and south Park Access Publicise accessibility Elderly and Project Manager May 2010 BFC Audience Details 10% increase in Access improvements information details within Park and special Development publicised; disabled usage in undertaken as part of the access details to Park in needs; budget guide Year 1; 10% restoration works – appropriate media, at families with prepared increase in visitors specifically including Park information point young accessing Park by ramped access to the and on orientation/ children foot/bicycle terrace and path information panels; surfacing. prepare easy access South Hill Park included guide on Disable Go website. Estimated 10% increase in disabled use. Also likewise with parent and toddlers. Pathway 154 Marketing, Information and Events Target Measure of Activity Detail Responsibility Timetable Resources Outcome Progress Audience Success system has increased foot and cycle access. South Hill Update South Hill Park All BFC and Project Ongoing BFC Audience Website Minimum 300 hits Dedicated South Hill Park Park website Manager Development regularly per month by end section included within Website budget updated of Year 1 the BFC website with a specific page for the restoration project. The Arts Centre website includes downloadable information on site history. Website regularly updated. Key contact – Rose Wicks. BFC website has recently been improved. Bracknell South Hill Park page All, schools BFC and Project 2011 BFC Audience Page in 10% increase in per Heritage website no Forest developed for website manager Development place annum hits year on longer operational. Heritage budget year for 5 years Information included Website within relevant areas on the BFC website Bring the Park Arts Centre Capital works Jan 2010 Capital works Board in Increase in visitors Notice board located Park into information/interpretation users; Park and budget Arts Centre using or having within the arts centre the House board in Arts Centre users continuous awareness of both (outside The Atrium) and the (see Interpretation) the Park and the House into Arts Centre the Park Develop Arts Centre Arts Centre Arts Centre, BFC Ongoing Arts Centre, Increase in Minimum 2 no new Restoration project programme and new and Arts & Heritage BFC Arts Centre Park based includes infrastructure marketing which exploits potential Officer programmes event/programme improvements to facilitate Park users using Park in Year 1. Minimum greater use of the 4 new Park based grounds (e.g. access events/programmes improvements and power in Years 2 to 5 supply) Close liaison between 155 Marketing, Information and Events Target Measure of Activity Detail Responsibility Timetable Resources Outcome Progress Audience Success grounds management and arts centre for events. Activities and events organised on a regular basis. Include house and Arts All Park BFC and others Continuous BFC Audience Events and Increase in visitor Close liaison between Centre in park based users involved in and Development other numbers using all Park Manager and SHP activities (see also Events ongoing budget programmes three elements of Communications officer. Interpretation and programming treat north Park House and grounds Education) Park, south included in combined Park and events (e.g. Heritage mansion as Open Day) an integrated whole Exhibition on Park in the All Park and Arts Centre 1st Arts Centre Exhibition Information on Successful exhibition mansion centre users exhibition retained and exhibition available held in community complete visited by in Park; 10% of gallery. Park users park users visit exhibition Events Extend Park specific All BFC Spring BFC budget Events See below See below programme events strategy/ 2010 strategy/ programme (see also programme Interpretation and in place Education) Active/fitness/sporting; All, elderly, BFC Immediate BFC budget Regular and Minimum 6 Buggy walks, Boot camp, build on current events children, Rangers/Friends/ and varied additional and Tai Chi all list (see Appendix 4) parent and specialist continuous activity fitness/activity prospering. options include memory young child, volunteers/local programme events per annum; Drama and arts groups walks and general walks dog walkers, clubs in place and at least one event beginning to spill out onto for the elderly, adult and audiences suitably during winter; the grounds as a product baby buggy walks/runs, who use park advertised minimum four of the project. walking for health, cross at different additional audience Walkactive initiative country events, fitness times of groups involved per being organised. events and classes (day day/week, annum; minimum of All the above are 156 Marketing, Information and Events Target Measure of Activity Detail Responsibility Timetable Resources Outcome Progress Audience Success and evening, Pilates in current non 200 participants flourishing. Missed Out the Park, Tai Chi etc), Park users, involved per annum group also utilising the orienteering, children local (excluding cross grounds for events on an activity events, sport sports/activity country annual basis. taster days clubs and run/marathon Key contact Mark groups participants) Hooper, SHP. Launch event All and key BFC On BFC revenue Event held Raised awareness Arrangements organised stakeholders completion budget across Borough; for an event in spring of capital minimum 40 2012; themed around a works attending Victorian Fair and Victorian games (involving local schools and linking to the Olympics). July 2012 – due to adverse weather conditions Fayre cancelled and due to be re-scheduled. Annual shows/events eg All, families BFC, BTC, Arts Immediate BFC Regular Maintain current As above. funfair, green fair, fetes, Centre, Friends, and revenue/partner show/event level of events; new users, corporate local clubs/ continuous organisation programme reduction in events etc; build on organisations budgets plus continues complaints re current events list (see revenue and events Appendix 4); programme generation reviewed reviewed re actual, annually re potential or perceived impact on negative impact on Park Park and and/or other users other users 157 Interpretation and Education Activity Detail Target Responsibility Timetable Resources Outcome Measure of Progress Audience Success Marketing See Marketing, Information and All BFC/Arts centre Continuous BFC Strategy in Increase in July 2012 – Events Audience Place education education Development related visitor pack being budget numbers assessed by local schools. Feedback awaited from Birch Hill School and Holly Springs. Interpretative Prepare nature, history, tree and All/special BFC and Friends Jan 2011 Capital works Trails marked Increase in Trails trails arts trails to include route and interest groups budget and visitor identified as interpretation material and local clubs interpretation numbers; part of the (combination of leaflet, audio, material in 20% of Artist web based material) place visitors using commission. at least one Waymarkers trail per designed and annum locations agreed. Site trails map designed. July 2012 – waymarkers installed. Leaflets approved by Community Groups and printed. Distribution via libraries, community centres etc. Education Establish education related All BFC March Maintenance Events See below See below 158 Interpretation and Education Activity Detail Target Responsibility Timetable Resources Outcome Measure of Progress Audience Success Events events strategy/ programme (see 2010 budget strategy/ programme Events and Marketing) programme in place Guided walks programme during All, specialist BFC, contractor, Throughout Capital works Regular walks Minimum 4 Walks restoration works: topics to interest groups, consultant, Friends, capital budget programme in no guided organised include restoration of terrace and local community Arts Centre works place and walks per throughout the stone works, lake dredging, new organisations, suitably annum; project to planting, vegetation children, youth, advertised minimum 100 inform management, children's walks current non visitors on residents and during school holidays youth Park users guided walks visitors on the walks etc per annum; restoration minimum 20 work. children on Ongoing guided walks programme of per annum park walks. Future incentives from Park Manager. Guided walks programme All, specialist Project Manager/BFC Continuous Capital Regular and Minimum 4 Walks (general and ongoing, day interest groups, Rangers/Friends/ Works/ BFC varied walks no guided organised as evening and weekend): topics local clubs and specialist volunteers, budget, programme in walks per part of the could include community Arts Centre revenue place and annum; Parks & history/heritage/archaeology/ groups, budget suitably minimum 100 Countryside architecture of Park and children, advertised visitors on events buildings, ghosts, trees (history, audiences who guided walks programme. unusual species etc), natural use the Park at per annum; Attendance is history (e.g. birds, plants, different times minimum 20 high and invertebrates, aquatic life etc), of day/week, children on feedback arts in the Park (in association current non guided walks positive. with Arts Centre), children's Park users per annum activity walks 159 Interpretation and Education Activity Detail Target Responsibility Timetable Resources Outcome Measure of Progress Audience Success Schools Develop primary school support Primary schools Project Manager/BFC/ Sept 2009 Capital works Schools Programme Gardener to programme: and education programme; work Rangers/Schools/Arts budget programme in place, two develop Primary with Birch Hill Primary School to centre/ Specialist established local primary further links Schools develop schools programme; education charities with short and schools with local topics could include orienteering, medium term actively schools. mapping, arts, objectives, involved Activities so history/maths/geography trails, detailed work far include a team building, fitness; to include programme, time capsule wet weather provision and offsite some project (buried 'access' materials in within place and a restored funding terrace steps) programme and orienteering July 2012 – to be combined with education pack. Primary schools programme Primary schools Project Manager/ 2010 and BFC Primary Two local As above. ongoing BFC/Rangers/ school ongoing Audience schools primary staff Development programme schools using As above. budget operating Park in year Local primary 2; five local schools primary continue to schools using visit park on a park by Year regular basis 5 and informally. Schools Work with The Brackenhale Secondary Easthampstead Park Sept 2010 BFC Schools One local To be Programme: School and other local secondary Schools School/The Audience programme secondary established. Secondary schools to develop educational Brackenhale School Development established school Schools support programme budget with short and actively July 2012 – medium term involved with community objectives, programme leader Pat 160 Interpretation and Education Activity Detail Target Responsibility Timetable Resources Outcome Measure of Progress Audience Success detailed work Kennewell is and funding approaching programme Birch Hill School. Funding to be decided. Secondary schools programme Secondary BFC Project Manager/ 2011 and BFC revenue Secondary One local As above. ongoing schools Rangers/school staff ongoing budget schools secondary programme school using operating Park in year 2; two secondary schools using park by Year 5 Education Employ Heritage Officer to All schools BFC In place BFC revenue Officer Positive Heritage worker service schools budget continues in feedback Officer post place from target no longer in audience place Box scheme Create South Hill Park box as All schools BFC, Reading Jan 2010 BFC revenue Box in place Box loaned Under review. part of existing local museum box Museum budget to minimum scheme of 6 local schools per annum Participation, Special Interest Groups and Volunteers Activity Detail Target Responsibility Timetable Resources Outcome Measure of Success Progress Audience Volunteer Increase role All, specialist Volunteers, Ongoing BFC Volunteer Volunteer recruitment Volunteer Gardening Group Gardening and activity of interest BFC maintenance group 'fit for to 20 per week. flourishing. Group Gardening groups, as budget purpose' and Volunteer retention Future events are being discussed. Group; provide required representative maintained. Involved Key contact – Park Manager support for of needs and in minimum four 161 Participation, Special Interest Groups and Volunteers Activity Detail Target Responsibility Timetable Resources Outcome Measure of Success Progress Audience volunteering interests projects per annum; and special special interest interest groups set up as sections as required required, e.g. for natural history, youth and/or education, etc; see also Management Arts Continue to Arts Centre Arts Centre, Continuous Arts Centre/ Co-ordinated Increased Arts Centre Project Manager worked with SHP Centre build on visitors, Park BFC, Friends BFC approach visitors using Park; Communications officers to promote relationship visitors between increase in Arts project completion. between the organisations Centre usage of Park Increase use of park by house visitors. Arts Centre and July 2012 – project completed and Park celebrated with HRS Earl of Wessex event. Increase in arts centre usage. Arts centre staff Management Arts Centre, Ongoing BFC/Arts Arts Centre Arts Centre Arts Centre staff represented on the represented on staff BFC Centre actively appropriately JMC (Grounds Group), Project management involved in represented at every Steering Group and Works Team board park Board meeting Meetings. management July 2012 – JMC and steering group meetings continue with arts centre reps. Arts Centre All Arts BFC, Arts Continuous BFC/Arts Arts Centre Regular and frequent Park Manager and Gardener in regular staff in regular Centre staff, Centre Centre integrated into meetings and liaison liaison with SHP staff. liaison with as all levels of between Arts Centre Collaboration to be further enhanced other Park appropriate Park and site staff by Park Manager. related staff management Co-ordination All BFC/Arts Jan 2012 BFC/Arts Both ADPs Increase in visitor Project included in Arts Centre between Arts Centre Centre exploit numbers using Park information flow. 162 Participation, Special Interest Groups and Volunteers Activity Detail Target Responsibility Timetable Resources Outcome Measure of Success Progress Audience Centre and relationship and Arts Centre July 2012 – project information park ADPs; between Arts included in arts centre information. ensure park Centre and features in Arts Park and are Centre ADP co-ordinated and vice versa Anglers Continue and Anglers and BFC, Bracknell Ongoing BFC, Anglers Reduced complaints Angling club more proactive in bailiffing expand active other Park Herons Bracknell retained as re angling; increase in North lake. involvement of users Herons key anglers using the Key contact – BTC. anglers and stakeholder in Park; increase in Bracknell the Park young anglers Herons in management of the Park Youth Develop youth Young BFC Youth Continuous BFC Youth Continuous Minimum of 30 young Successful NAG youth initiative held. involvement in people Workers, budget, engagement people regularly July 2012 – NAG to be approached at Park to include: Project Officer sponsors of young involved in the Park next AGM in September. Key contact youth people in chair of NAG Birch Hill. member(s) on Park management forum and Friends, youth volunteers (as separate group and/or part of Volunteer programme), Park as location for youth activity programme, youth bus etc Climate Climate change All BFC, Project Ongoing BFC Management Climate change Balancing ponds managed as integral Change action plan Partners revenue embrace the targets met part of the park. involvement Steering budget climate New tree planting. 163 Participation, Special Interest Groups and Volunteers Activity Detail Target Responsibility Timetable Resources Outcome Measure of Success Progress Audience Group, change Maintenance of balancing pond to be Officers' initiative re-assessed. Steering group Further new tree planting undertaken in winter 2012 & 2013. Others Includes All Project Continuous BFC Increased use Involvement of all Clubs and organisations utilising the Probation Manager, Park revenue of Arts Centre existing users can grounds more extensively e.g. fitness Service, work Manager budget, and Park as a continue to existing or groups (such as buggy classes for experience, Special venue for higher standard; mothers) sheltered Interest local minimum of 3 no. Bracknell Camera Club recorded the housing group, Groups specialist additional special restoration works and have published Bracknell groups interest groups a photo book to commemorate the Camera Club, involved by Year 3 restoration. Further copies are other local available. clubs and Key contact – Jeff Lawrence, Bracknell groups Camera Club. Training See Training Plan Volunteers See Volunteer Action Plan 164 Appendix 8: Volunteer Action Plan South Hill Park Volunteer Action Plan Our Vision Statement “To help more people to take an active part in and make decisions about their environment and heritage.” 1. Introduction BFC is committed to volunteering as a way of increasing community participation in Bracknell’s environment and future. Volunteering gives a wide variety of people the opportunity to develop skills and gain experience while caring for and maintaining places. Community participation also helps people take an active part in a project and provides an environment where individuals can make decisions about their shared heritage and achieve a greater sense of community ownership. At South Hill Park, volunteering will play a key role in the restoration, management and interpretation of the park. Volunteering will help us to contribute to HLF’s learning aim: “help people to learn about their own and other people’s heritage” and participation aim “help more people, and a wider range of people, to take an active part in and make decisions about heritage” 2. The Current Situation Volunteers have been involved with Bracknell Forest Council’s Parks and Countryside Department, which includes South Hill Park, for over 20 years. Volunteer involvement in South Hill Park has included the following groups: • Bracknell Forest Natural History Society • Bracknell Conservation Volunteers • Berkshire Conservation Volunteers • Windsor and Maidenhead Volunteers • Bracknell Urban Wildlife Group • Hedgerows & Woodland Conservationists In December 2008, The Friends of South Hill Park Grounds Group was initiated, and is comprised of people who are enthusiastic about South Hill Park and its future. This group is flourishing and benefits greatly from its inaugural Chair, who used to be the Regional Manager of GreenSpace. Under this leadership the group is working to develop a membership structure and appropriate form of governance, to work with the South Hill Park’s site management plan, and to develop practical work programmes as dictated by the park’s needs and the Friends’ interests and abilities. 165 3. Key Issues 3.1 Increasing Numbers and Range of Volunteers The community that embraces South Hill Park is diverse and vibrant, including several schools, churches, sheltered housing, skilled professionals, unemployed people and those with special needs. We wish to reflect that diversity and offer opportunities for a far wider range of local residents and for others from further afield to become involved in the park. We will also aim to remove any barriers to volunteering such as physical access, financial and time constraints, poor perception of opportunities etc. We intend to change the way we communicate about volunteering with the local community and special interest groups. We will: • Continue the use of leaflets • Advertise in Volunteer News • Use project newsletters and site notice boards • Provide information in the Arts Centre, • BFC web site and • Local press • Communicate through the Friends Group and special interest groups within the Friends • Involve local interest groups and local clubs • Use the events programme • Involve the Arts Centre • Work with the schools programme and • The Youth Programme 3.2 Training Volunteers in New Skills Volunteers will be supported by training to increase their skills and extend their knowledge base. We will aim to offer training in areas such as • Heritage research • Education and interpretation • Visitor welcome • Community development skills • Youth leadership and support • Landscape management and maintenance • Survey skills (heritage, nature conservation etc) • Tree skills 3.3 Meeting Volunteer Needs and Motivation Recognising volunteer needs, aspirations and motivation is key to the ongoing development of South Hill Park. Volunteers must feel valued, useful and appreciated. They must be able to fulfil their own aspirations, feel stimulated and be able to participate within their own constraints (eg time, ability, interest) and achieve their own personal goals. 166 Providing a wide range of opportunities will be key to successful volunteering and the programme will look at aspects such as: • Both regular and one off volunteering opportunities • Range of times for volunteering eg different times of day, day of week, season of year etc • Range of physical or intellectual demands • Opportunities for different ages or for people at different stages of their life (e.g. families with young children, working adults, retired people etc) • Opportunities to learn new skills • Opportunities to pass skills on to others • Opportunities to enjoy different activities, meet new people etc 3.4 Management Volunteers will be overseen and directed by the South Hill Park Gardener in conjunction with the Park Manager. These members of staff will be trained and experienced in the management of volunteers. Volunteers will: • Have a description of their volunteering role and what is expected of them • Be given appropriate training • Be provided with Personal Protective Equipment • Be supported in their volunteering • Be made as safe as possible in their volunteering capacity • Have any concerns or questions dealt with promptly • Stop and change their volunteering placement at any time • Have personal information kept in a secure manner 167 4 Detailed Volunteer Plan Task Detail Target Nos: Recruitment Management Training and development Budget Evaluation of Existing/New Achievement Volunteers (N/E) Taster Volunteering taster session 3 events at 20 per Park Manager Park Manager, As per event BFC budget No. of attendees sessions event Gardener volunteering in other roles N 10 events x 3 Stewarding Arts Centre events stewards Arts Centre Arts Centre Health & Safety Arts Centre Increase in range and no. at events budget of events programme Ongoing First aid E and N No. of volunteers involved Stewarding for new park Minimum 6 events x Park Manager, Park Manager, Health and Safety BFC budget No. of stewards increasing events 2 stewards in 2010 Friends Group Gardener year on year for 5 years Visitor welcome N No. of events increases in First aid line with ADP Other according to nature of event Visitor Volunteers available in park 4 volunteers per day Park Manager Park Manager, Interpersonal skills BFC budget Improved visitor experience welcome at peak times to help with in school holidays Gardener orientation, information etc Knowledge of park and its Increase in visitor numbers N history Wardening Volunteer Rangers 12 per annum Park Manager BFC Ranger Leadership skills/ people BFC budget High retention of volunteer Service skills wardens 6 N, 6 E First aid Increase in visitor satisfaction Knowledge of park and its heritage Visitor Annual 10 per survey Via volunteers Park Manager Training in survey BFC budget Surveys carried out surveys techniques N and E 168 Task Detail Target Nos: Recruitment Management Training and development Budget Evaluation of Existing/New Achievement Volunteers (N/E) Access audits Reviewing park access 5 per audit Park Manager Park Manager Training in audit BFC budget Audit complete audit requirements, access N issues Start in 2012, repeat every 3 years 6 (minimum 2 Park Manager Creating park Design route of park trails; volunteers per trail) Park Manager Initial use of volunteers with BFC budget Trails complete and way trails write and design Special Interest specialist knowledge, marked interpretation material N and E Groups followed by training of volunteers in trail topics and Interpretation material in Volunteers production of interpretation place material Trails in regular use Further specialist volunteers trained Heritage Continuing research into 3 in Year 1 Volunteers Park Manager Basic research techniques BFC budget Volunteers trained in survey research park’s heritage and sources techniques 6 in year 2 Specialist interest Ongoing Groups Continuing expansion in N knowledge of park heritage Interpretation Involvement of volunteers 4 Volunteers SHPT Computer skills BFC budget Volunteers involved in in all interpretation projects production & distribution of including production and N Special interest Production skills interpretive material distribution groups SHPT Leading Volunteers leading some 2 in 2010 Park Manager Park Manager Training in public speaking BFC budget Number of walks led by walks themed walks volunteers 4 in 2011 Rangers First aid Increase in range of walk N Friends Group topics Specialist Interest Groups Arts projects Development of park based 2 SHPT SHPT Outreach SHPT Volunteers involved in community arts projects budget event development N and E Specialist Interest Leadership skills Groups Projects successfully formulated 169 Task Detail Target Nos: Recruitment Management Training and development Budget Evaluation of Existing/New Achievement Volunteers (N/E) Leading/facilitating projects 6 in Year 1 SHPT SHPT Leadership skills SHPT Volunteers involved in – 3 projects per annum budget every project 12 in Year 2 Arts techniques BFC budget Range of events increasing/ changing year on year Events Developing park based 4 in 2010 All key partners All key partners Outreach Existing Volunteers involved in community events budgets event development 6 in 2011 Leadership skills Projects successfully N formulated Leading/facilitating/ 6 in Year 1 All key partners All keys partners Leadership skills Existing Volunteers involved in administrating community budgets leading/facilitating/ events 12 in Year 2 Specialist Interest Specialist techniques (eg administration of events Groups play, sport, drama etc) Range of events increasing year on year for 5 years Play Play schemes based in 8 Year 1 BFC BFC Play skills via Summer of BFC/BTC 4 schemes run in 2010 schemes park Fun event budget 12 Year 2 BTC BTC 6 in 2011 and following years N Website Development 2 BFC Park Manager Digital Media Suite Course BFC budget Website extended and improved N Management 2 BFC Park Manager Digital Media Suite Course BFC budget Website regularly updated N Land and Nature conservation and 8 in Year 1 Bracknell Forest Bracknell Forest Health and Safety BFC budget Number of conservation structure biodiversity Natural History Natural History tasks undertaken management 12 in Year 2 Society Society Using tools; chain saw training Number of volunteers E and N involved Conservation techniques Range of skills developed Leadership Range of training First aid undertaken Number of tasks undertaken 170 Task Detail Target Nos: Recruitment Management Training and development Budget Evaluation of Existing/New Achievement Volunteers (N/E) Land and Historic horticulture 12 Park Manager and Park Manager Health and Safety BFC budget Number of volunteers structure Gardener involved management E Using tools Range of skills developed cont. Historic planting and horticulture Range of training undertaken First aid Number of tasks undertaken Land and Heritage management 4 Bracknell Forest Park Manager Park heritage BFC budget Numbers of volunteers structure Society management N Management techniques eg Range of skills learnt cont. Specialist Interest maintenance of stonework Groups (via Reading Museum of Rural Life) First aid Youth work Developing and facilitation 12 ‘Missed Out’ Group Youth Service Leadership skills BFC budget Number of of park based youth volunteers/young people schemes E and N Friends SHPT Working with young people SHPT involved budget Park Manager Specialist skills according to Range of projects type of project undertaken First aid Schools work Leading school groups 30 Park Manager Park Manager Leadership/ teaching skills/ School Number of volunteers national curriculum budget involved Preparing school packs N (incl teachers and Teachers parents) Specialist knowledge BFC budget Number of school visits Parents according to topic Number of schools First aid Fundraising Fundraising sub group 3 Friends Group Friends Group Funding raising skills Friends’ Monies raised budget N and E 171 Appendix 9: Training Plan South Hill Park Training Plan 1 Introduction 1.1 Training is a key mechanism to build and develop the capacity of people. This can be at an individual level through to collective activity. 1.2 With regards to South Hill Park, there is both need and opportunity to develop and deliver a programme of training, targeting the full spectrum of groups actively involved in the site including South Hill Park Grounds staff, other members of the BFC Parks and Countryside team, partnership organisations, consultants, contractors, Friends Group, volunteers and local community groups). This cuts across a wide range of interests and skills pertinent to the cultural importance of South Hill Park and requires engagement of a broad audience. 1.3 Training needs to encompass activities as diverse as customer care and visitor welcome, through to stone masonry and arboriculture. 2 Training Needs Analysis 2.1 An initial analysis of the existing skill base and the training needs identified as a result of this analysis, are presented in the following tables. 2.2 Existing Skills are shown in the tables below: Table 1 – Existing Partner Organisation Skills Staff Member Role in Park Skill base Bracknell Forest Land management and Site management and Council (BFC) maintenance maintenance, arboriculture, biodiversity, marketing and promotion, play area inspection, community and volunteer liaison Bracknell Town Supporting management and Land management and Council (BTC) maintenance maintenance, marketing and promotion, play area inspection South Hill Park Arts based activities, provision of Arts, community engagement, Trust (SHPT) office base, supporting education, events management, management and maintenance marketing and promotion 172 Table 2 – Existing Volunteer Skills Volunteer role/group Role in Park Skill base Volunteer Gardening Group Supporting site maintenance Community engagement Visitor counts and surveys Developmental skills Organising events Bracknell Conservation Supporting site maintenance Community engagement Volunteers Practical conservation Horticultural care Individuals Supporting site maintenance Practical conservation Horticultural care Corporate groups Supporting site maintenance Horticultural care Ravenswood Village Supporting site maintenance Horticultural care Community pay back Supporting site maintenance Horticultural care 2.3 The skills required in management and maintenance of South Hill Park: Table 3 – Management and Maintenance Skills Requirements Skill Role Availability/source Training Requirements Landscape Long term management and Site Manager Training in heritage maintenance and maintenance of park management / management Gardener with support from: maintenance (e.g. Parks & Countryside Service horticulture/ historic structure maintenance); BTC grounds maintenance team training in wildlife conservation skills Continetal Landscapes Ltd Conservation volunteer Volunteers training (e.g. tools. H&S, ecology, etc); Training in ranger support/event stewarding/H&S/First Aid Arboriculture Long term management and Site Manager Annual appraisal, CPD maintenance of trees Gardener Selection of appropriate specialists with in house BFC Tree team training strategies / Specialist contractors policies Volunteers Preparing and maintaining tree data base 173 Heritage research Further and more detailed Special interest groups Training in research and research into park history archive skills Volunteers Volunteer Long term park management/ Site Manager Upgrading/developing involvement volunteer involvement/community relevant skills e.g. involvement/audience Gardener supervisory, coaching, development Ranger team work planning Education and Learning Specialist education officer Upgrading/developing Interpretation heritage and community Audience development/volunteer Site Manager related skills in education involvement/community Gardener officer/ranger team (to involvement include work with schools Long term park management Existing BFC posts – Parks & and community, trail Countryside, Communications development, materials for web site, interpretation Volunteers and presentation skills) Specialist Contractors Volunteer training – see Volunteer Action Plan Events and Audience development/community Site Manager Upgrading/developing Marketing involvement/volunteer involvement marketing skills Gardener Development of events Existing BFC posts – Parks & management skills Countryside, Communications, Marketing, Rangers Volunteers Visitor Welcome Long term park management Site Manager Upgrading/developing /volunteer involvement/community relevant skills site staff involvement/audience Gardener development Training for Arts Centre Ranger team Staff Arts Centre Staff Volunteer training Volunteers Community Long term park management/ Site Manager Upgrading/developing development community involvement/audience park and heritage related development Gardener skills in BFC staff (e.g. to Ranger team support involvement of existing community BFC community support staff groups, develop new initiatives) and use of Arts Centre staff landscape related skills in Volunteers Arts Centre staff Volunteer training – see Volunteer Plan Youth Involvement Long term park management/ Site Manager Developing skills in BFC community involvement/audience staff (e.g. working with development Gardener young people) Ranger team Volunteer training e.g. BFC youth staff youth support volunteers; youth volunteer training Volunteers e.g. arts, conservation etc, leadership Youth volunteers/youth forum members 174 2.4 In considering the above summary analysis, alongside visitor feedback through consultation, the priorities for training needs can be summarised as follows: • Land Management and Maintenance – skills sharing between partner organisations to build on the expertise to raise and maintain site quality; including retaining Green Flag Award status. Target groups for training are local community volunteers, Park Manager, Gardener, Lily Hill Park staff, Parks & Countryside Rangers, contractors and Bracknell Town Council grounds maintenance operatives, Friends Group and Volunteers. • Education, Interpretation and Audience Development – building the capacity and resources to develop and deliver targeted programmes; to include engaging non-users and increasing participation from under represented groups. This will include activities such as oral history, heritage research and on site events; providing contact points for the public to be able to access information about the park and to provide feedback on site management; involving local residents and staff from partner organisations. South Hill Park Arts Centre provides an excellent base for this to flourish. Key target groups for training are Arts Centre Reception staff, café staff, Site Manager, Gardener, Lily Hill Park staff, Parks & Countryside Rangers, local community volunteers and Friends Group. 3 Training Opportunities Arising from the Project 3.1 Continuing Professional Development: deliver options to support CPD for staff in Bracknell Forest Council, Bracknell Town Council, South Hill Park Trust, contractors, consultants, green space management specialists, conservation specialists and the local community. 3.2 Mentoring/peer support: provide opportunities for capacity building at an individual and organisational level. 3.3 Skill Sharing: deliver options to provide skill sharing in developing a number of the proposals e.g. between youth workers and Arts Centre personnel, education staff and historians (Reading Museum), environmentalists (e.g. Rangers), community workers and site staff, rangers/historians/artists etc. 3.4 Work Placements: provide participatory opportunities for gaining countryside/ park management skills. Develop links with providers such as Berkshire College of Agriculture (BCA) and landscape/horticulture/ environment degree course at Reading University and elsewhere. 175 3.5 Work Experience: provision of Key Stage 3 and 4 work experience for students from the local secondary schools e.g. park management/gardening/ rangering/Arts centre. Also work experience/temporary employment for BCA or Reading University landscape students. 3.6 Apprenticeships/graduate apprenticeships: identify opportunities for the provision and/or support of apprenticeships. This could include partner led activities such as horticulture and events management and/or link to contracted works such as stone masonry. 3.7 Community Events: provide conservation and heritage taster days and involve professional organisations in projects with local community groups, e.g. local history group with professional archaeology/heritage organisations. 3.8 Volunteer Development: volunteer development is an important aspect of park development. The Volunteer Gardening Group is flourishing and it is intended to re-establish a conservation group (linked to other existing local organisations such as Bracknell Conservation Volunteers) based at the park. As detailed in the South Hill Park Volunteer Action Plan, there are many opportunities for involving volunteers, including continuing historical research into the park, leading guided walks and walking for health, working with local schools, youth, the Arts Centre and a range of community groups. 4 Delivering Training 4.3 Delivery of training will be through a combination of methods; to include in house provision (BFC) and utilisation of specialist external providers (such as BCV and LANTRA). 4.4 A particular focus will be placed on working with and through the Arts Centre, with training opportunities providing opportunity to further strengthen the inter- action between the indoor and outdoor environs of South Hill Park. 176 Table 4 – Training Action Plan Category Training Number trained BFC Staff Leadership, financial training (Park Manager, Gardener, 3 finance support) Volunteer development (Park Manager, Gardener) 2 Education, interpretation (Park Manager, Gardener, Lily 4 Hill Park staff) Events and marketing (Park Manager, Gardener, Lily Hill 4 Park staff) Youth team 1 Maintenance of historic park (Park Manager, Gardener, 4 Lily Hill Park staff) Arboriculture (Tree team, Park Manager, Gardener) 4 CPD – heritage, park management etc 4 Partner Park maintenance 3 organisations: Education and interpretation (front desk staff) 10 BTC, SHPT Volunteers Park maintenance 10 Surveys 5 Heritage research 2 Visitor welcome 5 Education and interpretation 3 Youth involvement 2 School students Schools programme pilot programme 60 College/School Work experience, taster days 10 Students University/ Placements, taster days 2 College Students Contractors/ CPD, heritage conservation training, taster days 3 Consultants Community Heritage, taster days, nature conservation, arts 50 Events Mentoring and Development work Peer Support 177 Appendix 10: Commemorative Trees and Benches Commemorative Trees and Benches at South Hill Park The grounds of South Hill Park are jointly managed on a day to day basis by Bracknell Forest Council (BFC), Bracknell Town Council (BTC) and South Hill Park Arts Centre. We recognise that memorial trees and benches are a popular way for people to remember loved ones and reflect on happy memories. We are happy to discuss requests for memorial trees and benches, however it is important to remember that South Hill Park is used by a wide range of visitors, and we will ensure the addition of any new commemorative trees or benches is managed to the mutual benefit of all. Memorial Trees 1. Site Manger responsibilities 1.1 Any news trees planted on site must be done in accordance with the 10 year Management and Maintenance Plan. For this reason, and in order to maintain appropriate control over the development of the grounds, the actual species of tree and its final location will be at the discretion of the site managers. 1.2 The site managers will organise procurement of the tree from a reliable supplier, and ensure its quality on arrival. 1.3 The horticultural management of the tree will be undertaken by the site managers. 1.4 Technical knowledge and assistance to plant the tree will be provided by site managers. 1.5 The site managers cannot be held responsible for any tree which has been damaged, vandalised or stolen after it has been planted. 2. Individual responsibilities 2.1 In order to maintain the atmosphere of the park, no plaques, flowers, photographs, ornaments or other expressions of remembrance may be left at or near the site of the tree. 2.2 In the rare event that a tree has been lost due to disease, vandalism or similar, it will be the individual’s responsibility to decide whether or not to replace it at their own expense. Replacement will be in line with section 1 above. 178 2.3 Individuals are advised to keep the site managers informed of any change of address during the period the memorial tree is on site, to ensure records are kept up to date. Application process 3.1 Please contact the South Hill Park Grounds Manager either by telephone on 01344 416235 or email on [email protected] to request an application form and discuss your requirements. 3.2 If your request can be met, you will be invited to the park to discuss your requirements further. 3.3 An invoice will then be sent to you. Please note no applications can be processed until payment is received in full. Memorial tree prices start at £250 (excl VAT) 3.3 Please note tree planting will only be undertaken during the winter months of Nov-Feb, which is the optimum time. 3.4 Once the tree has been planted you will be notified in writing. Memorial Benches 3. Site Manger Responsibilities 3.1 In order to ensure the park’s primary recreational purpose is not compromised, the number of memorial benches available at South Hill Park at any one time is limited to a maximum of 12 (this includes north and south sides of the park). Please contact the Park Manager to check for availability. 3.2 Any new benches placed on site must be done in accordance with the 10 year Management and Maintenance Plan. For this reason, and in order to maintain appropriate standards over the development of the grounds, the size and style of bench, and its final location, will be at the discretion of the site managers. 3.3 The site managers will organise procurement of the bench and, if agreed, a dedication plaque from a reliable supplier, and ensure its quality on arrival. Every effort will be made to ensure the bench is responsibly sourced and made from sustainable materials. 3.4 The site managers will install the bench on site and be responsible for it’s upkeep and maintenance. 3.5 Benches will be retained on site for their lifespan, up to a maximum period of 10 years. After this time, the site managers will contact the individual with a 179 reminder that the plaque will be removed and is available for collection. If the individual does not respond, the plaque will be removed from the bench and retained for one year. 3.6 The site managers cannot be held responsible for any bench which has been damaged, vandalised or stolen after it has been installed. 3.7 If the need arises to move or remove a bench for any reason, the site managers will notify the applicant of the new location. 4. Individual Responsibilities 4.1 The individual will be able to request wording on a plaque to be installed on the bench. Please note the site managers reserve the right to refuse a plaque or edit any unsuitable wording. Dedications can only be made to individuals, the site managers will not approve memorials made to any pets. 4.2 In order to maintain the atmosphere of the park, no flowers, photographs, ornaments or other expressions of remembrance may be left at or near the site of the bench. 4.3 In the rare event that a bench has been lost due to vandalism or similar, it will be the individual’s responsibility to decide whether or not to replace it at their own expense. Replacement will be in line with section 3 above. 4.4 Individuals are advised to keep the site managers informed of any change of address during the period the memorial bench is on site, to ensure records are kept up to date. Application process 5.1 Please contact the South Hill Park Grounds Manager either by telephone on 01344 416235 or email on [email protected] to request an application form and discuss your requirements. 5.2 If your request has been successful, you will be invited to the park to discuss your requirements further. 5.3 An invoice will then be sent to you. Please note no applications can be processed until payment is received in full. Memorial bench £650 (excl VAT) Memorial bench, including plaque £800 (excl VAT) 5.4 Delivery and installation of benches can take up to 12 weeks following application. 5.5 Once the bench has been installed you will be notified in writing. 180 Appendix 12: Conservation management plan policies General Policies: Policy 1 Adopt Conservation Plan: Plan to be adopted by all partners to ensure that all those making decisions which might affect the site do so with reference to the adopted policies, with the aim of conserving the site’s significance. Policy 2 Staff development: Identify need for, and provide training in, specialist skills or knowledge, including use of CMP and heritage impact assessment. Policy 3 Management: Develop a co-ordinated structure of management and maintenance for the whole site based on the CMP led by a park management co- ordinator, reporting to a joint organisation or steering group, to allow partners to work together. Policy 4 Future management of the site should be based on an understanding of the site’s significance as an historic landscape and seek to conserve the historic fabric (with special attention to ancient trees, replacement planting and management of woodland, grassland and water bodies), while acknowledging modern needs. Policy 5 Management Plan: Develop a long term plan and implement a 10 year management and maintenance plan for the whole site, to be implemented and reviewed by a joint organisation or steering group comprising all partners, to ensure a longer term, controlled management process. Policy 6 Assessment: Set up a system of assessment against the conservation plan and review of the plan. Assess any new work against the conservation plan, using a heritage impact assessment. Policy 7 Recording: Keep accurate records of all works affecting built and landscape features and make records available. Policy 8 Funding: Secure funding to implement conservation and enhancement of the park. 181 Policy 9 Materials: Use historically accurate materials and techniques for restoration and repair work, unless there is evidence of past failure of such techniques or designs. Policy 10 Natural landscape: Have regard to the wider impact of change on the landscape as a whole, both from within and from outside the site. Policy 11 Nature conservation: Adopt management techniques which will conserve and enhance the range and diversity of habitats, respecting the design intentions of the historic landscape features. Prioritise areas where there is known continuity of habitat and therefore significance: for example, ancient trees, water bodies and pasture. Contribute to targets within the Bracknell Forest Biodiversity Action Plan and those of partner organisations. Policy 12 Sustainability: Adopt environmentally friendly management practices in accordance with best practice and other Borough wide strategies and plans, notably the Community Plan and the Environmental Partnership or other appropriate organisations. Policy 13 Green Flag: Seek to attain Green Flag status or Green Heritage Site status. Policy 14 Archaeology: Develop a programme of investigation and recording and interpretation. Any essential excavation should be monitored, recorded and reported under an archaeological watching brief in accordance with PPG16. Field archaeology should be recorded before any heavy equipment is brought in. Any investigation should be undertaken to a properly considered and properly set out programme, carried out under relevant expertise. Policy 15 Promote and enhance the supporting planning policy framework: extend protection of elements of the designed landscape including the ice house, kitchen garden walls and ancient trees. Consider providing Supplementary Planning Guidance relating to the park and areas of the former park and /or designating areas of high archaeological potential. Policy 16 Interpretation: develop and implement an interpretation and education strategy and develop resources and activities for families, school, youth and special 182 interest groups and the general public. Support study, particularly the humanities curriculum. Include site on BBC Heritage Tree trail. Policy 17 Views and the wider landscape: the future management of the site should respect key views within the park and wider landscape, maintain, protect and replace trees and woodland which derive from the former designed park and which provide the sense of enclosure of the remaining part of the park. Policy 18 Take steps to mitigate the impact of Ringmead and of car parking. Policy 19 Gardens: Develop and adopt a strategy to repair and enhance the pleasure grounds and gardens and to facilitate sensitive use. Policy 20 New design: seek opportunities to involve artists and the community in the design of new elements of hard and soft landscaping such as areas adjoining the Arts Centre, to complement and interpret historic features. Policy 21 Site style: develop a joint style for signage, posters and other information to present a unified image throughout the park and Arts Centre, with the Arts Centre as a point of reference. Policy 22 Set up a Friends Group and support community and youth involvement in the development and implementation of plans for the site. Policy 23 Safety strategy: adopt management regimes, activities and designs to enhance the safety of all park users. Policy 24 Events: develop and implement a co-ordinated events programme to appeal to all sections of the community, with an emphasis on the arts and heritage. Policy 25 Management Base: provide a stronger management base within the park providing a focus for visitor enquiries and park maintenance. 183 Appendix 13: Joint Management Committee (Grounds Group) Terms of Reference SOUTH HILL PARK JOINT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE: Terms of Reference (v4) Introduction The South Hill Park Joint Management Committee” (hereafter called “the Grounds Group”) has been set up as an advisory body to the land managing organisations in respect of the entirety of the site, excluding the Mansion / Arts Centre buildings. All parties will work together to ensure an integrated and effective approach is taken to the management and maintenance of this historic parkland. High quality management is required to restore and safeguard a nationally designated landscape and secure investment for restoration from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and Big Lottery Fund (BIG). The Grounds Group has been set up in accordance with a Joint Management Agreement dated 27 March 2009; as entered into by Bracknell Forest Borough Council (BFC), Bracknell Town Council (BTC), South Hill Park Trust Limited (SHPT). The Grounds Group will also include representation from North Lake Estate Management (NLEM). Membership The Grounds Group shall consist of nine members appointed by their respective organisation; four of whom will form a Quorum, provided there shall be present at least one representative from BFC, BTC and SHPT in attendance: • two persons being elected members appointed by BFC • two persons being elected members appointed by the BTC • two persons being trustees of SHP appointed by SHPT • one person appointed by NLEM The Grounds Group shall be co-ordinated by the Heritage Parks Manager. Meetings will be supported by other appropriate staff / officers from the parties who will be senior officers with the ability to speak on behalf of their organisation. Such officers will be non-voting members of the Group. 184 The Group will have the ability of co-opt non-voting members as and when considered appropriate. Meetings The Grounds Group shall meet not less than three times in each year of which one meeting shall be the Annual Meeting. Where practicable, dates for 2 of the meetings will be set to coincide with the financial year and budget cycles (March and September), The 3rd meeting will be arranged to coincide with the end of the calendar year (December). Additional meetings will be arranged as considered necessary to meet work priorities. At the Annual Meeting the Grounds Group will appoint from amongst its members a Chairman and a Vice-Chairman for the ensuing year and the Chairman will have the casting vote. Purpose The function of the Grounds Group is to: 1. Provide an integrated approach to operating, maintaining and improving the grounds of South Hill Park to create a park that strongly supports the primary objectives of the parties in connection with the South Hill Park Conservation Management Plan 2. Co-ordinate implementation of the South Hill Park Management and Maintenance Plan (MMP), the Audience Development Plan (ADP), Volunteers Plan (VP) and Training Plan (TP) to ensure compliance with the conditions of the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grant 3. Recommend the revenue budget and other resources for the forthcoming financial year in line with the MMP. 4. Recommend work targets for the forthcoming year in line with the MMP, ADP, VP and TP. 5. Provide a mechanism to monitor delivery of the MMP, ADP, VP and TP. 6. Recommend any variances to the joint arrangements for implementing the MMP in compliance with the grant from the HLF. 7. Support annual review of the MMP. Where necessary, recommendations impacting on policy or resources of the representative parties will need to be ratified prior to adoption and / or implementation. Should there be issues of dispute between the parties, these will be referred back to the appropriate Council / Trustees / Friends meeting for Decision. 185