Park User Survey Beckenham Place Park
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Park User Survey Beckenham Place Park Conducted by: The Friends of Beckenham Place Park Survey taken during Autumn 2015 Draft issued December 2015 Final results published February 2016 Contents: Introduction and Method page 3 Conclusions page 4 Survey form page 5 Supporting Data pages 6-15 Contact: The Secretary, FBPP [email protected] 0208 325 8781 1 2 Introduction There is significant feeling of lack of consultation with many park users and local people. Because of the changes L.B.Lewisham have in mind for the Park and the required consultation process to secure funding, the Friends of Beckenham Place Park thought it relevant to conduct a survey of Park users. The Friends are a park user group which was formed in 1996 for the conservation, heritage and environment of the park. The initial purpose of carrying out the survey was to inform people of the proposals submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund, to find out why people visit the park, obtain their opinion on the proposed changes and ascertain the ways in which they would like to see the park improved. The the HLF bid process started with the issue of keeping or doing away with the public pay-as- you-play golf course under the premise of restoring a heritage landscape and there is a separate campaign to save the golf course. The idea of this survey was to broaden the discussion for people to consider all aspects of the park. It was therefore decided to include open questions to enable people to express their own opinions as well as the usual scheme of tick box response. The aim throughout has been to create an opportunity for people to have their say and to widen participation to aid the decision making process. By contributing in this way it is hoped that Lewisham’s public consultation process will benefit from animated debate and will ensure that the eventual outcome will create a park which people enjoy visiting. The Heritage Lottery Funding will be for the amount of £4.9m if Lewisham Council’s bid is successful. Method Volunteers conducted random surveys over an almost three month period in September, October and November 2015. This was mainly at weekends but also some during week days. There were quite a number of first time visitors, often Green Chain and Capital Ring walkers, who did not feel qualified to complete the survey. The aim of the survey was to reach all age groups. Under 18’s were generally in groups or with their families so generally one spokesperson gave the group response. Each survey took approximately a quarter of an hour as conversations ensued, questions answered and views expressed. The roaming volunteers carried laminated copies of the proposals to show people. Golfers were not targeted due to their own campaign, although a small number did participate. There was an on-line survey via the Friends’ website and a printed version was sent out with the Friends Newsletter. The design proposals were also displayed in the Mansion Visitors Centre, where survey forms were available. A copy of the survey form is on page 5. PARK USERS SURVEYED SEPTEMBER TO NOVEMBER 2015 TOTAL NUMBER BOROUGH OF RESIDENCE OF SURVEYS Lewisham Bromley Other Unanswered 431 121 255 48 7 AGE GROUP MALE FEMALE Under 18 19 -35 36 - 65 Over 65 Unanswered 166 238 8 74 229 102 18 No answer 27 3 Conclusions Supporting data on following pages 6-15. Almost half of park users visit on a weekly basis (Q 1) Most people cited walking, nature and relaxing as reasons for visiting the park (Q 2) Question 3 covered multiple elements of the HLF bid measuring approval or disapproval of the elements. Significant results were broad approval for the renovation of all the historic buildings, such as a new Education and Visitors Centre with café and toilets and refurbishment of the Garden Cottage (Q3 Restoration of historic buildings). There were many questions asked as to why The Mansion is not included in the redevelopment scheme, it is considered the heart of the Park as well being a potential resource to generate income. There was equal opinion for and against cycle tracks, the main considerations being the safety issue of having shared usage in some places with walkers and the protection of wildlife habitats. The majority of people (62%) do not want large events taking away the country calm (Q3 Relandscaping of park and purpose). Many would prefer occasional small recreational activities, such as farmers markets or classical music concerts, which are in tune with the countryside ethos and which could already be situated in many of the Park areas (Q5 Activities you would appreciate) The majority of people (59%) strongly disapprove of losing the golf course and only 13% approve of its loss (Q3 Relandscaping of park and purpose). Only about 10% of those surveyed came to watch or play golf. The general opinion is that the golf course gives a scenic, rolling and green woodland landscape setting, which is very harmonious. The other arguments in favour of keeping the golf course are that it creates security for walkers and visitors, it is the only facility in Inner London for local people and either with or without the golf course, costs have to be met to mow grass and maintain the landscape. There was no strong feeling in favour of restoring a lake, some comments about safety, cost and maintenance. The unique countryside feel of Beckenham Place Park gives peace and tranquillity away from the everyday stresses of city life, walking and relaxing being the most popular pursuits (Q2 Reasons for visiting and Q4 Preserving the landscape). There is great potential to develop nature trails, outdoor gym trails and many other education and sporting activities. The natural resources provide the opportunity for children´s creative and imaginary play which is not available in many parks. The removal and relocation of amenities motivated a varied response (Q3 Indicate the extent to which you approve or disapprove of the proposals). There was a neutral feeling, or confusion, regarding the Bromley Road changing rooms and nursery due mainly to being sited in an area unfamiliar to some park users. The response to the proposed relocation of the car park and tennis courts erring toward disapproval indicates concern about losing green space and building cost, as well as easy access to the facilities for the elderly and disabled. There is general agreement that the Park has great potential as it is now, but has a neglected feel, mainly due to the decaying buildings. People point out that Lewisham does not adequately promote or maintain the Park and in their response to the survey showed great interest and enthusiasm about discussing ways to encourage more visitors and generate income (Q4 Changes to the park you´d like to see). 4 (To insert survey form) 5 Q1. How often do you visit the park? 47% visit weekly 20% visit monthly 18% visit less often WEEKLY 47% 14% visit daily (1% didn´t answer the question) MONTHLY Q2. Your reasons for visiting the park? DAILY LESS OFTEN % OF PEOPLE 84% 82% 70.5% 53% 50% 35% 29.5% 26% 13% 12.5% 10% REASONS Other GIVEN Walking Relaxing The café Socializing Dog walking Through route Enjoying nature Sports & Games Children´s play area The Mansion & Formal gardens SPORTS & GAMES specified in reasons given OTHER reasons specified % OF THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO GIVE % OF THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO SPORT AND GAMES AS A REASON GIVE OTHER AS A REASON 2% PHYSICAL WORKOUT– SKATEBOARDING VARIOUS: Foxgrove pub 7% 5% TENNIS & BADMINGTON REMEMBRANCE Green Chain Walk History Live in park 10% GAMES & EXERCISE FOR CHILDREN 9% NOT SPECIFIED Next to nursery Reading 10% FOOTBALL – FOOTBALL WITH CHILDREN Visitors Centre 9% PAINTING 13% RUNNING – JOGGING DRAWING – SKETCHING 16.5% CYCLING – CYCLING WITH CHILDREN 18% VARIOUS REPRESENTING LESS THAN 5% FOR EACH 25% NOT SPECIFIED THE COUNTRYSIDE – WIDE OPEN 30% GOLF – WATCHING GOLF – FOOTBALL GOLF 40% SPACES – GARDENS – RIVER – WOODS FRESH AIR – PEACE & TRANQUILITY 6 Q3. Indicate the extent to which you approve or disapprove of each of these proposals to make changes to the park. APPROVE DISAPPROVE NEITHER NO ANSWER A LOT A LITTLE A LITTLE A LOT Restoration of historic buildings % OF PEOPLE 100 100 100 90 90 90 79% 80 80 80 71% 70 70 70 60 60 60 57% 50 50 50 40 40 40 30 30 30 20 20 20 10 10 10 0 0 0 Restore the Stables for an Restore the Garden Cottage Restore the Southend Lodge education and visitors centre as a base for a Volunteer and (Gateway in Beckenham Hill with a café, function room Events Co-ordinator, as well Road) as a base for and accessible toilets. as a meeting and socialising maintenance staff. point for volunteers involved in park activities. Removal: toilet block, changing rooms and nursery % OF Cycle tracks PEOPLE % OF 100 100 PEOPLE 90 90 100 80 80 90 70 70 80 60 60 70 47% 50% 50 50 60 40 40 50 30 30 40 20 20 30 28% 26% 10 10 20 0 0 10 Remove the toilet block Remove the changing adjacent to the Mansion. rooms and early years 0 building near the Building cycle tracks Bromley Road entrance. throughout the park. 7 Q3. Indicate the extent to which you approve or disapprove of each of these proposals to make changes to the park. APPROVE DISAPPROVE NEITHER NO ANSWER A LOT A LITTLE A LITTLE A LOT Relandscaping of park and purpose Children´s % OF PEOPLE play areas 100 100 90 90 % OF 80 80 PEOPLE 70 70 59% 62% 100 60 60 90 50 50 80 40 40 70 30 30 60 51% 20 20 50 10 10 40 0 0 30 Replacing the century old Giving priority to organized 20 public pay-and-play golf events and activities, course to relandscape the rather than maintain a 10 park and install an artificial peaceful environment in 0 lake.