Meeting on Friday 21st July

We (Rob, Blanche, Delith, Wendy and Kerry) had a really positive meeting yesterday with Adrian Rourke, Kim Brom, Peter Short, Mahmood Hussain and Don Brown. Loads of things discussed, our heads are now spinning! It was great to meet the people we have been communicating with via e-mail. Lots to be done, but realistically we probably won't get much more done until Sept as lots of people away at differing times over the school holidays, but at least we now know which direction to head in!
Below is an e-mail Adrian sent which is a summary of points discussed. Rob and Blanche will produce more extensive minutes at a later date.

I had a meeting earlier today at Handsworth Park in the Sons of Rest Community Building with the three Ward Councillors, Peter Short, Dr. Rob Smith, Delith Edstrom, Blanche Singh and few other local residents, child and baby, who have formed a group called "Handsworth Parents for Play". Jackie Ellis was unable to attend. We had, I believe, a very productive meeting.

Rob Smith and the other members of the "Handsworth Parents for Play" group tabled a note outlining matters of concern and interest for discussion, making the point that they very much wanted to work with BCC Officers and Councillors to explore ways and means of moving things forward. In brief the points discussed revolved around the following:
Sources of funding to target in order to secure £200-300,000
More extensive, challenging and exciting play and recreational facilities for children in the age ranges 7/8 - 11/12 and teenagers in general
The formation of and input to a Park Consultative Group/Committee
Request for more local community events within the park

Funding - Possible sources of funding mentioned at the meeting were:
BCC capital bid recently submitted by Perry Barr District - Decision awaited.
Big Lottery Fund - Rob Smith to check this out via the BLF website.
Birmingham Play Strategy & Action Plan - Rob Smith to contact Ian James/John Freeman/ Rose Jewkes and/or Jan Kimber to check if eligible and appropriate.
Living Spaces second round may be announced this Autumn by Central Government - All to watch out for this.
Landfill Tax Credit - May be a possibility, but would have to be submitted by Groundwork Birmingham & Solihull who are registered with ENTRUST.
SRB6 projected underspend - Councillor Hussain to ask at the next SRB6 Board Meeting if they have any underspend funding available and if they need good quality, "fast track" schemes that could usefully "mop up" any such underspend in 2006-07.

Play & recreational equipment - Rob Smith will contact Val Edwards (Technical Manager in The Landscape Practice Group, Parks, Sports & Events Service, Local Services Directorate) to ask for the latest schedule of approved play and recreational equipment manufacturers as the "Handsworth Parents for Play" group would like to see what is available.

Delith Edstrom circulated some mounted photographs of good quality play areas illustrating a range of really interesting equipment for disabled and able bodied children at Banners Gate in Sutton Park, Dartmouth Park in Sandwell, Finsbury Park in London and ANOther facility in Wales.

Handsworth Park Consultative Steering Group/Committee - Rob Smith, Delith Edstrom, the other residents and Ward Councillors present at the meeting were really keen to see the Consultative Steering Group/Committee set up ASAP.

Peter Short and I advised that the earliest that a formally constituted Consultative Steering Group/Committee is likely to be set up by will be April 2007. However, it was felt that an informal meeting of interested parties before that date sometime in September would be useful.

Peter Short agreed to speak to Robin Bryan about moving forward with the suggestion and calling such a meeting in September to involve all interested parties, such as The Handsworth Park Association, Handsworth Parents for Play, Hinstock Road and Philip Victor Road Residents Association, Grove Road Residents Association, The Friends of St. Mary's Churchyard, the Police, the Probation Service, Handsworth Cricket Club, key officers from the Parks, Sports & Events Service, Perry Barr District Office and Ward Support Officer, Groundwork Birmingham & Solihull, Leisure Centre Manager, Play Centre Manager, Ward Councillors etc.

Community events - Rob Smith and the other residents present were very keen to see more community events happening within the park given the recent success of the Grand Opening of Handsworth Park which attracted a wide range of people. That is a matter that requires further consideration by all involved as such events, although undoubtedly popular, are costly to arrange and the issue of revenue funding needs some further thought before committing to additional community events within the park.

Adrian Rourke
Head of Landscape Development

Hope this inspires you all!
Delith.

Meeting : Friday 21 July @ 10am, Sons of Rest Building

It looked as though this wasn't going ahead. But now it is! (Well done Delith).
Anyway, here are some hastily put together briefing notes for everyone (may yet be amended).
We will email this to those who have said they can attend. We should have a few hard copies tomorrow morning.

Handsworth Parents for Play

Briefing Paper for Meeting 10am, Friday, 21st July 2006

Expected to be present: Councillor Kim Brom; Councillor Mahmood Hussain; Councillor Don B Brown; Peter Short (parks); Jacquie Ellis (parks community liaison); Steve Salt (parks / council); Adrian Rourke (head of parks dept); us.

Our objectives (these are cobbled together and are not exhaustive):

1. We need to get a sense of the funding landscape. We need to find out how to become constituted and who we will liaise with in the pursuit of bids. There are a number of bids in progress. We would like Adrian to provide an overview of these and where the funding for each is coming from.

One of the above is a sum of £70K for play facilities in the coming financial year. Robin Bryan, Park Ranger Manager is the person behind this bid. It is unclear if this is for the whole city or just for Handsworth Park. This may be funding we can build on to meet our objectives. Rachel has asked us to find out: What plans are there for it? Which pot has it come from? Can we have a copy of the bid? Are there match funding possibilities?

2. Our aim is to join forces with Adrian / the parks dept to access around £300K of funding by helping put a bid together. We estimate £200K should go for equipment alone (this figure comes from the idea that the play area in front of the Leisure Centre cost about £90K). A further £100K needs to be added to facilitate consultation (in the way we mean it) and design etc of the equipment (if they are to be designed from scratch). We are aiming high because there is often overspend on projects like these.

We envisage a series of pods (perhaps 4) of play facilities that could be dotted around the park. We want to monitor the consultation and to try to ensure that children, young people, parents and others are consulted in an ongoing, interactive way, rather than through one off events.
If we are successful with the bid, we may want to have some critical input in relation to the proposed designs to check they meet the brief.

3. Rachel suggests: The Council are proposing a new consultative group combining Handsworth Park Association, Hinstock Rd Residents Assoc, us, the Play Centre, can it be set up sooner rather than later?

4. There are also plans for more local events to be put on in the Park. Can we get details on this?

5. Adrian has yet to send the drawings of the original designs that were presented to people as part of the consultation for the recent refurbishment. Without these, the Consultation document does not mean very much, as it isn’t clear what exactly, people were in favour of.

6. There may be other thoughts that need to be raised not covered in this. We can all contribute.

Finsbury Park.

These pictures were taken in Finsbury Park and we think the climbing frame is fantastic. The inner ropes would protect children from falling too far and the more adventurous child can go right to the top! Wonderful.
The smaller climbing frame is set in a huge sand pit and has lots of places for pouring sand. How great is that?!

Pictures.

Here are the rest of the pictures of the play area in Wales. The swing is suitable for disabled people, something I think we should consider for Handsworth Park.

Themed play area in Wales.

Here is one of many pictures I've taken of a fantastic play area in Wales. I will post the rest when I have time. (This is just a test!)
Delith.

Date change for meeting

Hi all, the date has changed but now confirmed for Friday 21st July at the Sons of Rest, 9.30am No end time was given but don't see it going beyond 11.30am. Same applies. The more the merrier we'd say. Exciting isn't it? Not sure what the building is like inside but will have our youngest with us. Hopefully there will be space to play. Gives us a bit more time to have a pre-meeting. Time and place for that still to be confirmed. Suggestions?

Meeting!

Events have started moving swiftly.

As a result of Delith's contact with Councillor Brom, a joint meeting is being arranged between our group of parents, local councillors and the Parks Dept.
Delith contacted Kim Brom and got an immediate reply that indicated that Kim Brom held strong views similar to ours about the newly installed play facilities.

Kim Brom then contacted the Parks Dept and the result is that there will be a meeting at the Sons of Rest building in the park at 6.30 on either Tuesday 18th July or Tuesday 25th July.
6.30 - 7.30 will focus on our concerns about play facilities.
7.30- 8.30 will focus on concerns of Hinstock Road residents about Park boundaries (railings and security).

Delith and Rob have been invited to the meeting. We think the Play Centre needs to have a voice. Others from our group should come along too if they can.
We could have a pre meeting talk, to discuss strategy and objectives beforehand.

Where and when? Any suggestions?

Letter re Play Facilities

Somerset Road
Handsworth Wood
Birmingham
B20 2JF


Date:17.04.06

Dear Adrian

Following my email to you in March and after talking with other concerned parents, I am writing again to express my concerns about the play equipment that is proposed for Handworth Park and the way in which the project has been managed. Below are the details of the play equipment available in two parks of a size comparable to Handsworth Park.

Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham
Area 1: enclosed (ages 2-8)
1 long multi-unit structure inc. 5 slides, 2 swings (1-5).

Area 2: enclosed (ages 2-12+)
2 swings (1-5), 2 swings (5+), 1 climbing frame with slide and monkey bars, 1 rotating tyre swing.

Dartmouth Park, West Bromwich
Area 1: enclosed (ages 2-8)
1 multi-unit structure inc. 2 slides, ropes, climbing frames etc.

Area 2: open (ages 2-12+)
6 swings, 1 rope pyramid, 1 rope pulley swing, 1 luge-type slide, 1 large multi-play unit inc. 1 slide, ropes etc.

Handsworth Park (Proposed)
Area 1: enclosed (ages 2-12+)
2 small multi-units inc 2 slides, 2 rocking motorcycles, 1 spyro-whirl roundabout, 1 seesaw, 4 swings, 1 low rotator.

Area 2: open (ages 10+)
4 (?) swings, 1 multi use games area

Ever since the news emerged that Handsworth Park was being redeveloped, as parents we had built up the expectation that the new play equipment would be of the standard (quality and quantity) of the provision in Dartmouth Park - which we were forced to use in the meantime. Indeed, the early stages of consultation promised much. However, as is clear from the data above, the new facilities that are planned for Handsworth Park compare quite unfavourably with those of other similarly sized parks.

Also, the decision to locate most of the play equipment within an enclosure in front of the Leisure Centre is questionable. The other two parks, mentioned above, have equipment that divides quite clearly into one area providing for toddlers and young children and another area for older children. Area 1 in the new plan appears to have been designated to cater for a much larger age group - toddlers to 12+. The broad age range suggests that this area is likely to become congested. As such, the outcome may be that the provision is worse than it was before.

Furthermore, this comparison becomes more problematic when the areas surrounding each park are considered. In making a comparison between the areas adjacent to Cannon Hill Park and Handsworth Park, it is informative to consult the Neighbourhood Statistics Profile within the National Census Data. For Soho, within the indices of Deprivation, Living Environment scores 294/32482 (1 being the lowest score); Moseley, on the other hand, scores 10561/32482. It may be stating the obvious, but the area around Handsworth Park is densely populated and is not as 'leafy' as Moseley. Furthermore, Soho has 3% above the national average of children aged 0-4 and 5% above the national average of children aged 5-15.

Despite these facts, it appears that Handsworth Park is to receive play facilities that compare unfavourably with those of Cannon Hill Park (and Dartmouth Park). The location of the park, within half a mile of four Primary schools, gives it as a minimum, a potential draw of 1719 school children between the ages of 5 and 11 (figures drawn from LEA Schools Admissions Handbook). That number does not take account of all the children who live in the immediate area and attend other, neighbouring schools. Neither does it include children of pre-school age. Taking this data into consideration, I think Park users have a right to expect equipment of at least the same standard and that caters for the same numbers as the equipment provided in Cannon Hill Park. Census data would suggest that Handsworth Park should receive more and better facilities.
Apart from those points, as Park users and local residents, we are worried that Handsworth is perhaps being sold short. Decisions are being made by people who rarely visit the park and do not live in the area. You may be familiar with the book by Sir David Winkley: Handsworth Revolution. It documents his experiences as the headteacher of Grove School - on Grove Lane. The following quotation comes from a section in which he is challenging the LEA for improved facilities for the School.
"I argued that in a socio-economically deprived area such as this there was an obligation... to achieve the highest possible quality of provision for the children." Winkley (2002) p138
It seems that the same issues around resources prevail today, thirty years later. Certainly, the very powerful arguments for provision of the highest quality in Handsworth still carry weight.

Finally, I would also like to express my concern and that of a number of parents about the way in which existing apparatus was removed prior to the installation of the new equipment. It has been suggested (by you) that the new equipment will not be installed until the official opening of the restored park. The reason cited was, I believe, related to potential vandalism. It may not have occurred to you, but this does rather look as though the facilities are being made available to convenience the Council or Parks Department rather than the users of the facilities: the local residents and their children. Looking at recent legislation, in particular Every Child Matters, I am perplexed as to how the management of the installation of the equipment is furthering Objective Two: Being Healthy. Perhaps you could explain to me and other parents from the area, how the Council and your department planned to meet the children's needs in this respect from the beginning of March when the original equipment was removed up to today.

I will be circulating this letter to other concerned parents as well as to the existing local councillors and will be seeking their comments.

Yours sincerely

Dr Rob Smith

Minutes from the first Meetings

HANDSWORTH PARK PLAY FACILITIES PARENTS GROUP MEETING

Minutes of concerned parents meeting held at 75 Somerset Rd, Handsworth, Birmingham, Saturday 17th June 2006 @ 10.30 am


Present: Delith Edstrom Apologies: Ali Belbin
Jane Allcroft Hatty Sutton
Kerry Thompson
Nils Edstrom
Rob Smith
Blanche Singh
Rachel Chiu


This was the first meeting of a group of concerned parents who deemed it necessary to have a meeting about the inadequate provision of play equipment for children in Handsworth Park in the light of the recent refurbishment.

The group came together to share information, concerns and talk about how to go forward re the provision of additional equipment for the park.


1. Introductions

Everyone was introduced and thanked for taking time out to attend the meeting. (a very sunny hot Saturday).

Rob passed round a loose agenda to keep us from wandering off track. We clearly have all come together because of the gaps in play provision for 7-12 year olds.


2. Current position

2.1 Park refurbishment

A summary was given of the original letter that Rob had sent to Adrian Rourke (Head of Landscape) and his response regarding the huge gaps in provision for 7-14 year olds in the park. In short, there is no more money in the budget for the park refurbishment. The current play equipment is all there will be at present.

2.2 Views and comments on the current (new) facilities

Jane said that she had seen teenagers climbing on the railings around the new ‘paddock’ and felt any additional equipment should include facilities to climb and explore.


Those present felt there were plenty of examples in Birmingham and the surrounding area of good provision that spanned the age range of children eg Lee Bank, Summerfield Park, Sutton, Tamworth Park, Dartmouth Park (West Brom), West Park (Wolverhampton), Weston Park, Telford, the list goes on.

ACTION: All to get pictures if possible of good play areas to assist in the consultation process with children.

ACTION: Delith agreed to take pictures of play areas she comes across, Sutton Park and (park in Wales) which has a hammock style swing for young people with disabilities as well as the general child population.

ACTION: Delith also has a children’s video that shows an innovative, adventurous play area. May be able to find out where it is.

Kerry highlighted the fact that many children’s parents did not have cars and could not therefore take their children to some of the better equipped play areas in and out of Birmingham. All the more reason to improve the equipment here.

Jane commented that once improved facilities were available this could be worked to the advantage of children in the area encouraging them to walk to the park. It used to have a very well used play area.

Rob felt that the facilities needed to be provided swiftly as such a small area would have heavy use and deteriorate quicker than expected.

Comments about the lack of shade were also raised. There are no mature trees offering any form of shade. A hot day like today would leave the slides unusable (Health and Safety issues)

The group discussed the location of additional facilities. There is a need for the provision to be close to the existing one for parents with children of varying ages. The group also discussed Rachel’s idea of different ‘pods’ in the park being developed so children had the opportunity to move around from one to another and use the ‘dead’ spaces in the park.

2.3 Latest contacts and ideas

Council
Rob reported back on the council contacts which was all pretty positive. The original contact Ian James was on leave. He did speak with Eleni Paschou who has part responsibility for drawing up the strategy for how to spend the Big Lottery money that Birmingham has been awarded. She felt sure we could form a group and apply for funds.

Half the money is to be allocated to the council, the other to voluntary organisations. There is someone within the council that could help us to set up a constitution etc. The group could be specifically set up to raise money to obtain improved facilities and disband on completion of that.

ACTION: Rob to contact Eleni again to move things forward.

Schools
It was suggested that we contact the local schools too primary and secondary in the he immediate area. Hatty works in Rookery Rd School and St Marys and suggested that a group of children from each school could be engaged as part of the consultation process.

ACTION: Delith made a list of the potential schools to contact (see point 3) [Hold off doing]

Local councillors
The group discussed getting local councillors’ views and comments as part of our information gathering process.

ACTION : All. Ward councillors to be contacted to put it on their agenda.
Delith will try and go to Kim Brom’s surgery (East Lozells and Handsworth) this coming Wednesday , She may be sympathetic as is a mother of young child/ren
Jane (Sandwell), Blanche (Handsworth Wood) [Are there any other wards that touch on the park?]

Nils also suggested tackling it from a higher level as we might get quicker results. We should therefore also write to our MPs.

ACTION: Nils to write to Claire Short. Had swift responses from her in the past.

ACTION: Rob to write to Khalid Mahmood

2.4 Other interested groups

Nils asked about other groups in the area that would need to be contacted or need to get involved. Perhaps we could form an offshoot of, eg Grove Residents Assoc.

ACTION: Delith to try to find out.

[Does anyone know about/have a contact for Groundworks? They are an environmental group that works with children?}

Blanche said she had left a couple of messages for the manager of the Play Centre in the park. No response as yet. They are not there at present because of work being carried out on the building. It is very important to get their views and thoughts because they are working directly with children and young people. Sure they have a lot to say.

ACTION: Blanche will pursue contact with the Play Centre.


2.5 Name of Group
Delith asked that we think about a name for the group. Handsworth Parents for Play was suggested. All present felt it was an appropriate name [What do you think? Any other suggestions? Let us know]


3. Funding and becoming a constituted group
Rachel arrived and gave us loads more information for us to think about as if our heads weren’t buzzing enough already!!

She suggested that as there are 2 strands to the Big lottery money, probably better off going for the innovative side of funding.

Monies from ‘Awards for All’ small pot of money £10k over 2 years Arts council, Healthy Living...

The ‘Playful ideas’ money must involve young people throughout whole process.

A consultation document is available from the landscapes department about commissioned consultations.. Rachel has contact with a woman in the south of the city who has just done one and it is more complete than north.

ACTION: Rob: to write to landscapes A Rourke to request consultation document and any other related information to make the case for improved facilities

All reports regarding consultation in the park
Councillors reports to approve funding
Which groups were consulted?
Heritage Lottery bid?
EU bid?
Cabinet minutes of councillors deliberations and how they approved spending.
supporting documents about decisions for play equipment in the park

The group talked a bit about the consultation of young people. It is important that it is done by play workers, artists, musicians etc to engage Y/P. We would need to include this in the funding applications.

Questions to consider:

What is the purpose of the consultation?
What outcome looking for?
We can certainly begin to ask groups of people, schools etc if they would get involved with a process but probably need to put some literature together if we are to engage them so soon after the last consultation.

ACTION: Jane to talk with Isabel Ellis, Handsworth Consortium of Primary Schools to see which schools might be interested in taking part. (Classroom in the Park)

ACTION: Rachel to e-mail Simon Badley(sp?), who has longstanding experience around campaigning. (Park Allotments)

ACTION: Kerry will contact Wilkes Green Residents’ Assoc to see how much they were involved in the original consultation process. They are a longstanding pro-active group that keep residents informed about neighbourhood issues, from crime to litter.

ACTION: Rachel: to contact the woman who was commissioned by A Rourke to do consultation on south side.

Rachel suggested we monitor the progress of any further consultation carried out for the new development. She also suggested that we keep a focus as a group and have a clear mission statement so as not to be sidetracked by other agendas.

Suggestion to begin with:

“Enhancing play equipment for children in Handsworth area with a specific remit to improve facilities for the 7-14 age range”

Clearly lots to think about and lots to do. No date was fixed for the next meeting but Blanche said everyone would be kept informed and we could reconvene at a suitable time and venue.

St Mary’s church hall was suggested as a good meeting place as fees are quite reasonable.

The meeting closed and everyone was thanked for attending.

The Refurbished Park Reopened

Last Saturday, there was a Victorian themed opening for the Park. There was music on the bandstand, food, boats on the lake, a carousel, helter skelter and candy floss. And a marquee for the councillors with food laid on.

It was a great day. Everything was free. The new Boathouse is a great amenity. The planting looks good. All that was lacking was adequate, permanent play facilities for the children.

We asked for the original consultation document from the Parks Dept. That has been sent through. It contains a range of research data about what people liked about the proposals - all drawn from the original consultation exercise that took place in 2002. Unfortunately, the actual designs that were part of the consultative exhibition were not included. As such, the data is meaningless. We have now requested a copy of the original drawings so we can see what people 'strongly supported' etc. We hope to be able to put these documents on the blog. Need to scan them.

The contact with all our local councillors have been very productive. They all seem keen to support us. One of them lives near the park and also thinks the facilities are woefully inadequate.

The next step is to organise a meeting between our group and the Parks Dept, with some of the councillors present. Hopefully through this we can start the ball rolling in terms of putting in place what is needed in order to put a bid in. We are looking at dates. It will probably be after the industrial fortnight now. Maybe in the first two weeks of August.

Campaign to Improve Play Facilities in Handsworth Park

Hello & Some Background: July 2006
This blog is here to record and communicate our experiences as a group of people concerned about the quality and quantity of play facilities in Handsworth Park. The group came about as a consequence of the recent refurbishment of Handworth Park. The money for this refurbishment came from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the principle behind the project was the restoration of the park as a Victorian park. New railings, the resurfacing of pathways, lots of replanting, the restoration of the bandstand and the Sons of Rest building, the dredging of the lake and the construction of a boathouse have all taken place. The Park has been transformed.

Unfortunately, as parents with children, we also experienced less pleasing changes. The original play area that we were using on a weekly (or more) basis was ripped up (in March 2006). It wasn't until May 2006 that the new play area was opened for our children's use.

As the amount spent on the overall refurbishment is known to be in the region of £8 million, we were expecting state of the art play equipment, a tangible improvement on what had been there before. Some of us visited other play facilities (see gallery) and saw what was possible. When the new play facilities were in place, we were mystified and disappointed. How was it possible to spend so much on walls, railings, bandstand refurbishment and pathways and see play facilities as not much more than an add on? This is a park, after all.

We were also concerned that the new facilities for the young people (11-18: they need play equipment too!) was limited to a set of swings and a Multi Use Games Area. Furthermore, these facilities were at some distance from the other play area (a railed compound for toddlers - 8yrs). Somewhere in the middle, the pre-teens had been left out entirely (the planners claimed the railed compound was designed to cater for 3-12 yrs olds!).

Starting with a series of emails (see other July postings)complaining to the relevant City Council officers, we established that there was no more money for additional play facilities.

This led to the formation of our group of parents and children who aim to campaign for more and better play facilities.

Actions

• So far we have held an inaugural meeting of the group. The minutes are available on this blog (under July postings.
• There has been quite a lot of correspondence which you can also look at.
• Some of us have also attended advice surgeries with our local councillors to gain their support.
• Handsworth Park Association has also been alerted to our concerns and they are in support of our campaign.

The Way Forward
From our contact with Council Officers, it seems that the way forward is for the group to set up as a Community Group and through the agency of the Council, to access funds that are available by putting together a bid.
As a starting point, we have asked the Parks Dept to provide us with documentation relating to the Consultation exercise that was carried out prior to the recent refurbishment. We are determined that children and young people are consulted fully and effectively about any additional play facilities.
The challenge is to come up with innovative ideas that meet the needs of children and young people while also meeting the requirements of the funding bodies we will be applying to.

Anyway, this is the starting point and the story so far. The refurbished Park is being officially opened this Saturday (8th July 2006). We realise that the campaign is likely to require stamina. But we are not going anywhere! We aim to use this blog as a communication resource, a repository (of correspondence etc) and a campaigning tool.

We invite your comments.....