Extending the opening hours of Finsbury Park

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Permalink Reply by L F T Snowflake on May 2, 2012 at 8:15

Does that mean they will actually close the gates at 10 then? At the moment, while the Finsbury Park gates are (sometimes) shut the Manor House one never is, neither is the one in Endymion Road, nor the big gates at the back. The place seems to have a total night time economy, as there are dozens of people in there after dark. Perhaps in the consultation they might outline what they plan to do about that. 

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Permalink Reply by Ruth on May 4, 2012 at 9:23

And will longer opening hours include more collections of litter/rubbish? The place is usually full of people's detrius at most times lately (that is not a criticism of those who work there) so if they are open longer, it will just mount up and be even worse. The last time I went in there was during the warm spell (remember that??) and there was hardly anywhere without rubbish and mess. I haven't been in since. 

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Permalink Reply by linka on June 8, 2012 at 10:43

I just had a look at the online consultation questionnaire for this, which opens with the bewilderingly immediate question "To what extent do you support the proposed improvements to the sports facilities at the park?"

The changes are stated in the vaguest terms on the first info page (linked to above), which gives no details of means, duration ("There is likely to be some disruption to the operation of sports facilities over the next few years") and precise outcomes for the programme. The initial outline as presented is really more of a statement of needs.

At the end of the page it says that you can 'see the Frequently Asked Questions page' in which a number of interestingly-framed questions appear (who were they frequently asked by?) followed by allusively-worded answers, which seem to relate to a whole programme of projected works, which is not explained publicly.

THE FAQs include rather crucial nuggets such as the fact that fee collection for certain facilities will be regularized (eg for the tennis courts*) and that an overhaul of, for eg, the lighting will be for the benefit of the 'operator' (is this the new athletics club? if not, who?): "In order for an operator to be able to generate the required income levels; later opening hours (particularly in autumn and winter) are required at the Park. It is envisaged that the impact of this with modern lighting specifications will be minimal."

About halfway down there is the to-the-point statement "The success of a new operation [in the gym?] is dependent on the Park (and therefore the Track and Gym facility and tennis courts) being open until at least 9.30pm." Which I think might have been a helpful statement to make on the first page, as it seems to be a key point. As much as I'm in favour of a successful athletics facility, I'm not sure the FAQs address the antisocial behaviour issue sufficiently.**

If the FAQ's are a little bit obscure, we may also visit 'two public exhibitions taking place on 9 [TOMORROW] and 23 June 2012 - 11am to 3pm at the Finsbury Park Track and Gym, Finsbury Park, N4'.

I just thought it was worth airing some of the detailed content here, since it is not very clearly set out on the council pages, and it deserves further scrutiny. If anyone from the athletics consortium is reading and can cast further light, that would be really welcome.  I'm very much in favour of the running track and gym being overhauled and made more available for heavier usage, but having read through the council info, I'm very unsure about what exactly it is I'm being asked to approve on the online consultation questionnaire.

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*re: the tennis courts, I didn't understand this wording as I don't use the courts. Does this mean that they're currently unintentionally free? "Tennis is currently free although there has been a policy for many years of charging at the courts. Regrettably the Council has lacked the resources to collect these fees in recent years. With the new arrangements in place the courts will become predominantly a pay and play facility."

**"

It is likely that there will be more litter being dropped and other nuisance activity as a result of later opening hours. How will the Council deal with this?

The Council have sufficient resources available to ensure that the standards of cleanliness at the Park do not drop.

It should also be noted that even with better lighting during the winter months the increased levels of usage will tend to be mainly confined to tennis and Track and Gym customers. Experience tells us that this type of Park user is far less likely to drop litter and be engaged in anti social behaviour."

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Permalink Reply by Ruth on June 8, 2012 at 11:10

Thanks for all this... Great if the gym and running track could become a community facility but later opening has many associated problems which are flagged up by yourself and others.

I think the last part about the increased evening use of the park being by the gym/track users is wishful thinking... yes, they will be there but if the gates are open to all and sundry then others will be there as well and probably dropping litter particularly drinks cans/bottles, food, condoms etc. The night time use of the park --- how will that be policed? It wont and I bet they wont be paying for extra litter collections or wardens. 

Interesting to see how this all pans out. 

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Permalink Reply by L F T Snowflake on June 8, 2012 at 11:47

But its not the track users that one has to worry about here.

I used to live directly opposite the park on Green Lanes and I can tell you that a whole new world opens up there once night falls. This was later confirmed to me by the old parks coppers who used to train their dogs at the place I moved to. They told me some pretty hair raising stories!

 

By all means have the park open late, but how to the council plan to sort out the 'Ne'r do wells' as one local rather colourfully described them?

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Permalink Reply by Ruth on June 8, 2012 at 11:52

Exactly.. that was what I was referring to. Perhaps every park is the same, the night time economy goes on for sure. I wonder if having better lighting would deter some 'ne'er do wells' or make life a bit easier for them?? hmm... 

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Permalink Reply by linka on June 8, 2012 at 11:54

Other parks do this, eg Brockwell park, for evening access to its Lido through one entrance only. But their geography is better suited to that (ie the pool is right next to the most salubrious entrance). It'd be interesting to have comparisons from the other boroughs.

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