Agenda item

The Superintendent of West Ham Park to be heard.

The Superintendent of Parks & Gardens updated the Committee on issues arising from the management of the Park:

·         He noted the apologies of the new West Ham Park Manager, who was unwell.

·         The local risk budget for the park was due to have a £15,000 underspend, which was planned in order to partially off-set an underachievement of income in the Nursery budget.

·         Park tree-stock had been surveyed and tree works were due to begin shortly. Some Massaria had been detected.

·         Trees and shrubs with coloured stems were being planted in the ornamental garden near the bridge to provide some contrast during the winter months.

·         The Park had provided floral arrangements for Guildhall for International Women’s Day on 8 March 2014 and would be providing the same for the State Banquet for the President of Ireland on 9 April 2014.

·         The nursery had received an enquiry about tendering for the supply of bedding to a local authority in Surrey

·         The Friends of West Ham Park had recently held a stargazing event in the Park that had been well attended and had featured in the Newham Recorder.

·         The All Party Parliamentary Group for Gardening and Horticulture was scheduled to visit the Park on 13 May 2014.

·         The Lord Mayor was scheduled to visit the Park on 6 June 2014.

In response to concerns expressed by a Member of the potential for the West Ham Park Playground to get busy and difficult to monitor during summer weather, the Superintendent replied that it was a difficult issue to manage appropriately. Whilst numbers were controlled for those using the paddling pool for safety reasons, this was not the case for the playground as this would detract from the desire to ensure the facility was as widely available as possible for the visiting public. Nevertheless he pointed out that the playground was to some extent ‘self-monitoring’ given that parents were able to alert park staff to issues of concern – for example two predatory adults had been arrested during 2013/14.

            In response to an observation from a member, the Superintendent replied that the playground would likely attract more children if the play facilities were increased, but that it would be worth investigating whether the overall fenced area could be increased to cater for the playground’s popularity. A further member cautioned that the size of the play area should be proportionate with the Park as a whole.