Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Ducketts Common consultation results - Oct 2009
Matt pointed out that I hadn't posted the Ducketts Common consultation results from last year. Many thanks to everyone who took part.
I understand from Groundwork (who ran the consultation) that everyone who took part in the consultation was sent a copy of the results.
The results are attached.
Tags for Forum Posts: Groundworks, consultation, ducketts Common, parks
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Permalink Reply by matt on
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Thanks for this. The feedback is interesting and seems to reflect a wide selection of interests (eg. sports, play and keeping the common 'natural' being some examples). Safety seems to be the big issue. Great to see this area beginning to attract funding from other sources.
As Ducketts is so central to Wood Green and seen by many who visit the area I find it incredible that this council has not seen it obvious to invest council monies into improving and maintaining the Common. Well done to the Friends Group for engaging the council. Although there is so much to do, it is an exciting project.
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Permalink Reply by John McMullan on
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The council have been too busy having their ears bent by various RAs and friends societies over the years.
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Permalink Reply by Adam on
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I am not sure what we are supposed to infer from your comment - is it that a responsible council should be doing the things that RAs and Friends Groups are calling for as a matter course, without the need for pressure from local residents or do you just not like the 'principal' of campaigning?
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The former of course. Do you think that business lobbying government is any different?
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Permalink Reply by Alan Stanton on
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I'm still puzzled, John. Would you explain how you think the process should ideally work?
What, for instance is the role of professionals with expertise in the running and maintenance of parks and open spaces? Including urban designers who, it seems to me, have come up with some attractive and creative plans for parks and open spaces in other parts of London and elsewhere.
This is not to dismiss or discount the views of Friends' Groups; nor of the thousands of residents who use our parks and open spaces. Since first reading Jane Jacobs and then more recently Ken Worpole, I've been fascinated by questions of what makes such public open spaces attractive, safe, well-used etc. One undoubted factor is when people care and argue passionately about them.
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Would you explain how you think the process should ideally work?
Well I'm again dreaming of utopia so perhaps the current system is the best we can do but I wish that those taking part in it would recognise it for the patronage and access to power that it is. We have politicians preferring to speak to people representing a recognised group and we have groups lobbying for resources. It's corrupt and unfair and and I really don't see how you can see it any other way but then again you are probably involved in the process.
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It always comes down to money. Councils are not required by law to prioritize funding to parks. Of course H&S legislation increasingly challenges this somewhat.
What we have in this country is an increasing reliance on lottery funding filling the holes not covered by funds raised via taxes and arguably the reliance by govt on a nation addicted to gambling if you like, which the Lottery is a form of. Add to this that certain lottery funds require 'third sector' involvement and even that the organisation applying for funding (such as for park improvements) be that third sector organisation (e.g. a Friends Group). So you see a system, which in a way, has forced everyone's hand to where we are today.
Haringey Council has decided parks matter to it's constituents, from I understand various questionaires they've commissioned. Their funds from taxes for parks are limited so the Lottery is relied upon and lately corporate sponsored installations (e.g. outside gyms) are creeping into the equation. However, it is interesting that the council does manage to find tax funds for park development occassionally. This has happened recently in Haringey as we lead up to the May elections. Infer from that what you will.
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# John, I'm not directly involved in the consultation process for Duckett's Common. But you're right that it's always worth asking: 'Who benefits?' In this case, though, isn't the 'benefit' for someone getting involved: a safer park; or a place with decent facilities where their kids can play without getting bullied; or just a nice place for a jog or a stroll? What's wrong with that sort of 'lobbying'?
# Matt, While I agree with your other points, it's unfair to suggest the Council only gets interested in parks and open spaces at election times. Consider for example, the ever growing number of "green flag" parks. Which, if we don't maintain continuously, could lose that status.
Of course, as a Labour councillor you may think I'm bound to say that. But check-out my public comments. Over the years, I've criticised as well as praised Haringey's parks and open spaces. I've posted photographs of the good, and the outstanding; as well as the bad and the ugly.
And not just parks. I've seen the best of planters and the worst of planters. And flowerbeds and little green corners which could be much better.
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Alan, yes there's a very good section of the council totally motivated to parks and the Green Flag aspiration. With a 20 - 30 year period of neglect for parks it takes time to play catch-up. The sudden investment before the elections I refer to is more specifically regarding the dozen or so kit set play areas to be installed across the borough over the last few and coming months. That came out of no-where. :)
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I assume, Matt, you mean the Playbuilder programme. Although this didn't come "out of nowhere".
It's part of the national Play Strategy launched in April 2008. And supported by the organisation Play England. All English authorities are getting funds under this programme. Haringey is in the second wave and will receive, I think, around £1m. But, as you say, there's never enough money.
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Permalink Reply by Liz on
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We covered the plans for the Play Strategy in Kids Stuff at the end of 2008.
So didn't really come out of nowhere.
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Who benefits is not what you should ask in this case. Who doesn't benefit? One well organised and well connected friends group is going to be getting some money that could more fairly have gone to another not so well organised and connected (or maybe even non-exisitent) friends group.
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