Agenda item

Report of the Superintendent of Parks and Gardens.

N.B. this report is accompanied by a non-public appendix.

Members considered an update report of the Superintendent of Parks and Gardens on behalf of the West Ham Park Manager and the following points were made.

Playground Refurbishment Project

·         The West Ham Park Manager outlined options for the repair and/or refurbishment of the Playground within the Park. She noted that options included a simple repair of existing play items; a refurbishment of play items within the existing footprint of the playground; or an extension of the existing playground, which following public consultation over Summer 2018 had emerged as the preferred option.

·         In response to a question the West Ham Park Manager confirmed that the preferred water play option following consultation was one that included water tables and hand pumps.

·         In response to a question regarding project funding, the West Ham Park Manager noted that this issue would be dealt with by a Gateway 3/4 project report in February 2019.

·         In response to a question regarding the sustainability of a water play area, the West Ham Park Manager replied that there was scope to capture any used water, but this would involve the installation of an underground water tank which would be expensive.

·         In response to a question, the West Ham Park Manager replied that any potential synergies between the playground project and the Nursery would be examined in the forthcoming playground refurbishment project report.

Asset Review

·         The West Ham Park Manager noted that the toilet block would be refurbished to improve baby changing facilities and to ensure the block was in line with safeguarding guidance.

South Meadow Re-Landscaping

·         The West Ham Park Manager noted that the Park had been successful in securing a GLA grant towards the re-landscaping of South Meadow. The works would be part-delivered by Park volunteers, and the plans for the meadow were in line with Alexander Mackenzie’s original 1874 plans for the Park.

Community, Volunteering, Outreach and Events

·         The West Ham Park Manager noted that Friends of the Park would be assisting with maintenance of the wildlife garden during January 2019.

·         In response to a question, the West Ham Park Manager noted that recruitment for a Wild East project officer would not be undertaken at present.

·         In response to a question, the West Ham Park Manager noted that feedback arising from the “Together!” disabled artist group’s use of the Park would be provided in the group’s proposal for 2019.

·         The Chairman placed on record his appreciation, on behalf of the Committee, for all the hard work and dedications of the Friends of West Ham Park.

Further Updates

·         The West Ham Park Manager noted that the Park had been successful in retaining its Green Flag status.

·         The West Ham Park Manager reported that the Park had been closed for a period during September 2018 in support of the Police response to the alleged rape of a person near the Park entrance.

RESOLVED, that the report be received.