LONDON BOROUGH OF HAVERING – PARKS AND OPEN SPACES CONTENTS Introduction 4 1. Site Overview 1.1 Havering 5 1.2 Strategic Framework 6 1.3 Site Description 6 1.4 History 7 1.5 Location and Transport Links 15 2. A Welcoming Place 2.1 Entrance Points 19 2.2 Entrance Signs 23 2.3 Equal Access 25 3. Heathy, Safe and Secure 3.1 Health and Safety Systems 26 3.2 Parks Protection Service 28 3.3 Parks Locking 30 3.4 Infrastructure 31 3.5 Parks Monitoring 32 4. Maintenance of Equipment, Buildings and Landscape 4.1 Grounds Maintenance 33 4.2 Arboricultural Maintenance 42 4.3 Vehicles and Plant Maintenance 44 4.4 Parks Furniture 44 4.5 Parks Buildings 45 4.6 Hard surfaces 50 4.7 Play area 51 5. Litter, Cleanliness and Vandalism 5.1 Litter Management 54 5.2 Sweeping 54 5.3 Graffiti 54 5.4 Flytipping 55 5.5 Reporting 55 5.6 Dog Fouling 55 6. Environmental Management 6.1 Environmental Impact 57 6.2 Peat Use 58 6.3 Waste Minimisation 58 6.4 Pesticide Use 60 2 LONDON BOROUGH OF HAVERING – PARKS AND OPEN SPACES 7. Biodiversity, Landscape and Heritage 7.1 Historic Park 61 7.2 Management of natural features, wild fauna and flora 61 7.3 Conservation of Landscape features 64 7.4 Conservation of Buildings and structures 66 7.5 Biodiversity Action Plan 69 7.6 Havering Local Plan 69 7.7 Natural Ambitions Booklet 70 8. Community Involvement 8.1 Council Surveys 72 8.2 User Groups 73 9. Marketing and Promotions 9.1 Parks Brochure 80 9.2 Social Media 80 9.3 Website 80 9.4 Interpretation Boards 81 9.5 Events 83 10. Management 10.1 Management structure 89 10.2 Financial Management 91 10.3 Computerised Management System 91 10.4 Accreditation 92 10.5 Action Plan 93 10.6 Parks Contact Details 99 Appendices 1. Policy Context 2. History 3. Pesticide Reduction Strategy 4. Risk Assessments 5. Pleasure Ground Byelaws 6. Parks Fitter’s Instruction Form 7. Parks Monitoring Form 8. Grounds Maintenance Specification Contents 9. Vehicle Check Form 10. Parkour Design 11. Play Area Visual Inspection Form 12. Play Area Operational Inspection Form 13. Peat Use Policy 14. ‘Your Council Your Say’ Survey 15. Parkrun Webpage 16. Marketing 17. Event Application Form 18. SWOT Analysis 19. Improvement Plan 3 LONDON BOROUGH OF HAVERING – PARKS AND OPEN SPACES Introduction The Raphael Park Management Plan has been prepared by the London Borough of Havering Public Realm (Parks and Open Spaces) department and represents a five year plan for the Park. The plan was completed in 2017 and will be revised annually until a full update in 2022. It was recognised that the park given its importance locally and borough wide required improvements to facilities and standards. This was primarily achieved in 2013 following a HLF ‘Parks for People’ restoration project. As part of this process the plan was produced to reflect these improvements and how the park is managed. The format of this plan follows the Green Flag Award criteria as this is recognised as the nationally accepted standard of excellence for parks and open spaces. The criteria also reflect a comprehensive and logical breakdown on the complements of how a park is managed. The plan also includes an action plan which is achievable within the remit of current budgets. The plan has been produced to give the reader a ‘virtual’ tour of the park and a practical management guide. The key information is in the main body of the plan with more detailed information including policies and examples in the appendix. It is intended for a broad audience interested in the development of the park namely: • Public Ream staff - Parks and Open Spaces Officers, Grounds Maintenance • Other services and departments within the London Borough of Havering • Elected members, ward councillors and portfolio holders • The community and its representative organisations The official re-opening of the park event 4 LONDON BOROUGH OF HAVERING – PARKS AND OPEN SPACES 1.0 SITE OVERVIEW 1.1 Havering The London Borough of Havering is London’s third largest borough. The north and east boundaries border the rolling Essex countryside and the south covers three miles of River Thames frontage. To the west Havering is bordered by the boroughs of Redbridge and Barking and Dagenham. The name ‘Havering’ originates from the Royal Liberty of Havering, to which Edward IV granted a charter in 1465. The area’s history stretches back to Roman times with early settlements at Rainham and Collier Row. The London Borough of Havering was created in 1965 by the merger of Romford and Hornchurch Urban District Councils. The name of Havering was finally agreed as a combination of the town names was not allowed. The idea of blending the two names was never a serious consideration.Armorial bearings were granted at the time of the formation. The motto ‘liberty’ represents the present free and democratic way of life but is inspired by the fact that Havering was mostly a part of the royal liberty of Havering – Atte – Bower from 1465 – 1892. Fig 1 – London Borough of Havering Location Plan Many of Havering’s open spaces and public parks have a long and rich history. Some are former private estates with historical and heritage importance including Bedford’s Park, Clockhouse Gardens, Parklands Park and Langton’s Gardens. Well known landscape architects such as Humphrey Repton designed some open spaces within Havering e.g. Langton’s Gardens and many parks were developed in the twentieth century e.g. Upminster, Rise and Lawns Parks. 5 LONDON BOROUGH OF HAVERING – PARKS AND OPEN SPACES There is a large amount of countryside, especially in the north of the borough, with a good Public Rights of Way network and 4 country parks. There are also a wide variety of urban spaces from ornamental gardens to large municipal parks. 1.2 The Strategic Framework Information how this Management Plan for sits within the national, regional and local context for parks and open spaces can be found in Appendix 1. 1.3 Site Description At 17.8 ha, Raphael Park is one of the larger flagship parks within the Borough. It offers a range of facilities and features in a lakeside location for formal and informal recreation, including sports pitches, tennis courts, ornamental gardens, an ornamental lake, mature trees a café/restaurant and a kiosk with public toilets next to the children’s play area. The main entrance to the Park is located on Main Road, Romford and there are a number of other entrances at Gidea Close, Parkway, Meadway, Reed Pond Walk, Brook Road and Parkland Avenue. The park was restored during 2013 with funding from The Heritage Lottery Fund, Veolia North Thames Trust and Havering Council. 6 LONDON BOROUGH OF HAVERING – PARKS AND OPEN SPACES 1.4 History of Raphael Park 7 LONDON BOROUGH OF HAVERING – PARKS AND OPEN SPACES 8 LONDON BOROUGH OF HAVERING – PARKS AND OPEN SPACES 9 LONDON BOROUGH OF HAVERING – PARKS AND OPEN SPACES 10 LONDON BOROUGH OF HAVERING – PARKS AND OPEN SPACES Historical plan of Raphael Park from OS 1895 11 LONDON BOROUGH OF HAVERING – PARKS AND OPEN SPACES Historical plan of Raphael Park from OS 1920 12 LONDON BOROUGH OF HAVERING – PARKS AND OPEN SPACES Historical plan of Raphael Park from OS 1951 13 LONDON BOROUGH OF HAVERING – PARKS AND OPEN SPACES The Opening of the park on June 2nd 1904 by Sir Herbert and Mrs Raphael The park 1917 A more detailed history can be found in appendix 2. 14 LONDON BOROUGH OF HAVERING – PARKS AND OPEN SPACES 1.5 Location and Transport Links Location map 15 LONDON BOROUGH OF HAVERING – PARKS AND OPEN SPACES Raphael Park Aerial Photo 16 LONDON BOROUGH OF HAVERING – PARKS AND OPEN SPACES Site map including entrance locations 17 LONDON BOROUGH OF HAVERING – PARKS AND OPEN SPACES 1.5.1 Address Raphael Park Main Road, Romford RM2 5EB 1.5.2 Bus A TFL bus station is located outside the Main entrance on Main Road. Buses include; 174 347 498 686 N86 Note- the 174, 347, 498 and the N86 all stop at Romford Rail station. 1.5.3 By car There is a public pay and display car park in Lodge Farm Park in Main Road opposite the park. There is also street parking bordering the park on surrounding streets. 1.5.4 By train 1.5miles from Romford Rail station (7min walk to station through Romford Market and Town Centre). Romford Rail station is in zone 6 and runs a TFL rail service to London Liverpool Street Rail Station and Shenfield Rail Station. In addition there is also a push-pull train (a London Overground Service) to Upminster that runs every 30 minutes. 18 LONDON BOROUGH OF HAVERING – PARKS AND OPEN SPACES 2. A Welcoming place 2.1 Entrance Points Raphael Park has 7 entrances; some are primarily for pedestrians whilst others are a combination of both pedestrian and vehicular access. Vehicular access gates remain closed, or partially closed, unless in use. This ensures the safety of park users is maintained and no unauthorised vehicles gain access to the park. All entrances are fitted with people counters used to monitor visitor numbers. All entrances have step free access as to not inhibit disabled users. 2.1.1 Main Entrance (Main Road) The Main Entrance at Raphael Park is located on Main Road, a road that runs from Romford Town Centre to Roneos Corner. There are two pedestrian access gates either side of a vehicle access gate.