Check out how the proposed development of the Gloucestershire cricket ground could impact St Andrews Park. Click here for more information.

Many thanks to everyone who helped with the successful appeal.

The total income after we receive the final instalment from Bristol City Council will be £5,173.03. Of this we spent £3,982.87. The cost of the memorial itself, including installation, was £3,932.50.

This will leave us with the sum of £1,190.16 for maintenance and improvement to the memorial site area.

The £1,190.16 will be kept in with the FoStAP current account, but treated as ring-fenced funding.

Further information about the Wellington bomber that crashed into St. Andrews Park on 30th April 1941 can be found here

Video footage of the memorial service can be found here:

http://www.wellingtont2905.co.uk/st%20andrews%20park%20memorial.html#memvid

This is a letter that FOSAP are sending to the people who are managing the consultation process. Do you have any thoughts?

Dear Vicki and Wendy,

Re: FOSAP response to playground development proposals.

The Friends of St Andrews Park (FOSAP) are delighted that funding is now available to refurbish and improve the children’s play area. It has long been acknowledged that the playground in St Andrews Park (SAP) is in need of development and improvement. It is also the case that additional amenities are required for the 8-13 year old age group.

The purpose of this letter is to add our voice, as a local group with a special interest in the Park, to the consultation process on how the money should be spent.

To enable us to do this, we invited members of the FOSAP to engage in an on-line exchange of views, which have now been collated to form the basis of this response.

Considerations:

1. We feel it is important to consider the current use of the playground and who are the main users. In 2008, the FOSAP conducted a survey of playground users and found that the playground was used almost exclusively by children between the ages of 0-7 years of age.

2. We considered what equipment was being used and how it was rated. It was found that the swings were very popular (indeed at weekends there is often a queue) as was the large central climbing frame and the lower wooden ‘obstacle’ course.

3. We sought information about what might be improved and what additional equipment would enhance the playground facilities.

The view of FOSAP is that the BCC funding should be used:

· To improve the existing facilities, by refurbishment of retained play equipment and in particular, the main climbing frame;
· To provide additional equipment including more swings;
· To ensure that the lower end of the play area has effective drainage;
· To use any surplus funding to provide new and challenging play equipment for example, a sand play area and a roundabout.

Comments on proposed options:

1. Proposed removal of eastern section of play area fence

We strongly object to this proposal.
At present the fence forms a secure barrier between pre-school children and toddlers in the play area and the rest of the dog free area where older children play. This ensures that parents/carers, particularly those with more than one child, can relax knowing where their children are, and that they are safe. The fence also forms a useful barrier between older children playing sports and ball games on the grassed area and younger children within the playground. One possibility would be to put a gate in this boundary fence to connect the two areas.

2. Proposed creation of five-aside football area at the top of the play area

We strongly object to this proposal.
There is ample space for older children to play sports and ball games on the dog free area without reducing the play area for younger children. If a five-aside football area was created, we can foresee the possibility of accidents involving younger children. We see no reason to reduce the play area for younger children.

3. Proposed use of natural materials in the play area

We have concerns about this proposal.
Although they have an aesthetic value, our view is that logs and rocks could easily become targets for vandalism and graffiti. Also it should be noted that a large log was recently removed from the main park area because it had attracted young people using drug equipment, including needles that were found embedded in the log.

4. Proposed sand play area

We support this proposal.
However, if a sand play area is included in the play area, our view is that there needs to be a boundary wall of at least a foot in height to keep the sand in, as is the case in other local parks e.g. Cotham Gardens and Redland Green. We need to be assured that the sand will be cleaned at least twice weekly and that regular checks will be made in relation to perceived health and safety issues.

In conclusion, we trust you will consider the above points as part of the consultation process.

The aim of FOSAP is to ensure that this beautiful and very well used park, which is distinguished by having a very wide user group, makes use of the available funding to improve the play facilities for local children.

It is our intention to continue to be involved in this process and we look forward to seeing the revised design and plans for the play area shortly.

Yours sincerely,

Richard Howell
Chair of FOSAP