Haringey (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Haringey Council seeks residents’ views on £1.5m improvements to eight local parks, aiming to enhance green spaces through community-driven consultation.
In an effort to “co-design each of the eight projects and meet the local needs in those parks,” the local government has made contact.
Within each improvement plan, residents will have the chance to decide how the funds will be distributed.
Lordship Recreation Ground, Downhills Park, and Bruce Castle Park have received injections of £250,000, £300,000, and £250,000, respectively.
Six-figure sums will also be used to improve the facilities at White Hart Lane Recreation Ground, Markfield Park, Paignton Park, and Chestnuts Park.
The amount for Markfield Park and White Hart Lane Recreation Ground has not been disclosed, however Chestnuts and Paignton have each got £150,000 for play area upgrades.
A certain amount has also been set aside for Belmont Recreation Ground.
In addition, the council has obtained almost a quarter of a million dollars from the Football Foundation for the improvement of the multi-use games areas (MUGAs) at Downhill, Bruce Castle, and Hartington Parks.
By making parks more accessible, secure, welcoming, and pleasurable for all locals, these upgrades hope to promote welfare, social engagement, and physical exercise.
In order to help shape the final designs for each park, residents are asked to offer comments on individual concepts through pop-up events and online questionnaires. It is anticipated that the project will begin in the fall of 2025 and be finished by the spring of 2026.
Of the eight projects, six have begun consultations.
Residents are being asked to fill out online surveys by the council; the deadline for Belmont and Lordship Recreation Grounds, Bruce Castle and Downhills Parks, is Monday, June 2.
On May 20, from 10.30 am to 12.30 pm, Downhills Park will have an in-person pop-up, while on the same day, Lordship has one planned from 2.30 pm to 4.30 pm.
The Chestnuts and Paignton Parks online surveys will end on Sunday, June 15.
Chestnuts will have an in-person engagement event on Tuesday, May 20, from 10.30am to 12.30pm, and Paignton will have one on Friday, May 23, from 2.30pm to 4.30pm.
Speaking in February, the council’s cabinet member for culture and leisure, Emily Arkell, said:
“We will ensure the new play spaces are fully accessible, inclusive and welcoming to all children in line with the commitments we made in the Parks and greenspaces strategy.”
What types of improvements are being considered for each park in Haringey?
The eight parks receiving the £1.5 million investment are the subject of a number of enhancements being considered by Haringey Council, with an emphasis on play areas, community amenities, accessibility, and inclusivity.
To develop hospitable, inclusive spaces, significant investments (about £250,000 or more) are planned, most likely including improved accessible pathways, play areas, lighting, and landscaping.
Six-figure improvements will go toward updating seats and picnic spaces, installing new or renovated play equipment, improving accessibility (such as better walkways and ramps), and boosting safety elements like lighting and visibility.
Generally speaking, the following kinds of park upgrades are being considered:
Playgrounds that are brand-new or renovated and have inclusive equipment that can accommodate kids of all skill levels.
Enhanced pathways for bicyclists and pedestrians to guarantee complete accessibility.
Improved picnic spaces and seats to promote community.