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Report 2009-10
The park is still being well used, particularly by several girls and boys
football teams based in Southwood Park Pavilion – they are called London Girls
FC. They train in the week and play at weekends. We also have quite a lot of
dog walkers, and a variety of dogs, using the park. It is good to see that most
dog owners act responsibly, follow the Greenwich Dog Walkers Code, and clear up
any mess caused by their animals. However, as in most things, some walkers are
slack and do not clear up after their pets. There are also quite a lot of
walkers using the Green Chain Walk, plus people with their children who use the
well maintained children's play area. The park is regularly patrolled by the
Police Community Support Officers which is good to see. - Please report any
problems to the Home Beat Officer on 0208 721 2736.
The local schools, including St Olaves, are using the front field
and partake in regular cricket, football, rugby and athletics classes. It is
good to see young children being taught in a professional and caring manner,
and using their local park so well.
Well, we are still going, but our five point plan is not
progressing very quickly. However, we continue to work very closely with
Greenwich Council Parks and Leisure Department, and they respond quickly to our
park related requests for assistance etc. Requests to have pathways cleared and
over hanging hedges trimmed are acted upon, but not so quickly. However, anyone
who feels that there is a need for work to be done in the park, can contact the
relevant Department on 0208 856 0100. The “Trim Trail” in the park, to
encourage people to keep fit, and which will need expert planning and funding
is now being pursued with the appropriate experts using a special grant from
the Olympic Fund. It is proposed to locate this facility near the children's
play area, and hopefully this will be completed in the near future.
A speed bump has been installed at the pavilion entrance to the
park following several incidents between cars leaving the park and
people/cyclists using the pavement in Southwood Road.
The water fountain at the library end of the park, together with
the unstable crazy paving, have been removed. It was hoped to turn this area
into a garden with shrubs and flowers, but unfortunately it has been grassed
over. It is still hoped to include two or three more seats in this area, and
funding is being sought. A further idea is to have a “River of Flowers” along
the north side of the park and the railway boundary; this is being pursued with
the Council and hopefully will bring a real splash of colour to the park in
terms of meadow flowers.
The reopening of the pathway by the library leading down to the
railway station is still ongoing; it is hoped that the use of this facility
would allow people to enjoy the park more. Most football games are currently
taking place on the back field due to poor drainage on the main pitches.
Liaison is taking place with Thames Water and the Council to try and resolve
this issue.
The Club Pavilion and the Storage Portacabin have been vandalised
with graffiti on several occasions, and club officials/council workers have
been doing their best to rectify the damage. Concern has also been expressed
that someone using a quad bike has caused a lot of damage to the back field,
and the ensuing deep ruts are dangerous for walkers and football players.
At long last we have a green chain sign at the top entrance to the
park. Unfortunately, it is only printed on the pavement side, and efforts are
being made to correct this. Signs detailing the opening/closing hours of the
park have also been placed at both entrances to the park.
The Friends of Southwood Park are a voluntary group who have the interest of
New Eltham, and particularly Southwood Park, at heart. The group meets at
7.30pm on the last Wednesday of each month in the Sports Pavilion. Anyone who
has an interest in Southwood Park and would like to bring fresh and original
ideas on ways of using the park/ encouraging the people of New Eltham to use
their park, is welcome to come along to the meetings.
Damage caused by quad bike in January 2009
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Aims and Objectives
The secretary of the Friends of Southwood Park met with Carol Kenna, Artistic
Director of the City Arts and Greenwich Mural Workshop. The object of the
meeting was discuss the aims of the Friends of the Park, and funding of those
aims.
1. An Entrance Gate to the Forest School Nature Area from Southwood Park. The
Forest School is located in the allotments, and is currently totally fenced
off, the only access is via Lollipops Nursery. - ONGOING.
2. To improve drainage in the sports field/park. Currently the area is almost
unplayable due to poor drainage – this affects Football matches for the London
Girls Football Club, and other park users. - ONGOING
3. The paved area in front of the non functioning water fountain. This area is
poorly paved, unsafe for walkers, and could make a lovely rose bed with
seating. [Area 17metres by 4.5metres.] - FOUNTAIN REMOVED, PAVING REPLACED BY
GRASSED AREA.
4. Path through park to New Eltham Railway Station. Use of the path alongside
the library, past the children's playground to the railway fence, with a gate
providing access to the path leading to the Station. - ONGOING
5. A “River of Flowers” alongside the fence dividing the park from the railway
line. [Already discussed and agreed with Greenwich Parks and Open Spaces] –
UNSUCCESSFUL, TO BE TRIED AGAIN.
6. A Trim Trail. This would be available for all ages and abilities to use and
enjoy as a means of fitness around the Park, and into the back field. - BEING
PROCESSED.
7. Maintenance of the area between the park and the back field. To provide a
more open aspect between the park and the back field, and give park users the
confidence to use and enjoy the back field. - CONTINUES TO BE MAINTAINED.
8. Work ongoing to place seating around the perimeter of the park/near proposed
keep fit area.
Despite a stuttered start we attend regular meetings on the last Wednesday of
the month in the womens' football pavilion at the top entrance of the park. As
a result of questionaire feed back we have initiated a five point action plan
which is being submitted to the Council. A funday in the park with local
attractions, the replacement of the water fountain in the front of the park for
park users and their dogs, the opening of a footpath beside the library to New
Eltham Station, the formation of an anti graffiti squad and last but definitely
not least, getting a consistent opening and closing time for all park users
advertised on a noticeboard.
The friends groups are free to join and rely solely upon your input. Avery Hill
Park, Altash Gardens, Queens Park and Fairyhill Park also have friends grouos
and their contact details can be found on the London Borough of Greenwich website under community and
leisure.
The Friends of Southwood Park would very much like to welcome you and take on
any challenges you may have for our small but well loved open space and
facilities. Please feel free to contact me at anytime, Gavin Fancote gjfancote@yahoo.co.uk
Chairman FOSP
November 2007 - Greenwich Council opens the gap in
Southwood Park as suggested by NERA
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