Agenda item

Hampstead Heath

Minutes:

The Committee received a report of the Interim Executive Director, Environment, concerning update on matters relating to Hampstead Heath since the last Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Committee meeting on 12 February 2024

 

The following points were noted:

 

  • The opening of the Parliament Hill athletics track on April 17th was discussed and was well received locally.
  • The night of the 10,000-meter personal bests on Saturday was also discussed, with the biggest crowd ever for the event.
  • The Bowling Green and croquet lawn were mentioned for making it into Parks for London's Green Space Quality Manual.
  • The popularity of the swimming facilities on the heath was discussed, with 3000 swimmers at the Lido alone and 10,000 swimmers at all three ponds over the weekend of May 11th and 12th.
  • The Ponds access project was expected to conclude in June.
  • The committee congratulated the staff and volunteers for their excellent work on the events.
  • A suggestion was made to do a big social media campaign around the launch of the access project.
  • The committee discussed the recruitment at Golders Hill Park and the appointment of a new head zookeeper.
  • A ceremony for Declan Gallagher at Golders Hill Park was mentioned, with a memorial bench placed at the top of the lawn near the car park.
  • The committee discussed the issue of sexual activity and drug paraphernalia being found on West Heath and suggested a deeper dive into the issue at the next meeting.
  • The committee discussed the possibility of reviving the liaison with a local group to help with the issue on West Heath.
  • A suggestion was made to do a committee walk around West Heath to see the problem on the ground.
  • The committee discussed the Heath Hands agreement and the finalisation of the document.
  • The committee discussed the Hampstead Heath management strategy review and the possibility of having an away day in October to facilitate the review.
  • A suggestion was made to have the away day at Hampstead Heath or one of the other council spaces.

 

Supporting documents: