Park Management Plans and Park Development

Park Management Plans and Park Development

HogganfieldPark and Local Nature Reserve

Public Consultation

November – December 2010

Produced by

Stephen Frew

Corporate Policy Officer

Chief Executive’s Office

Tel: 0141 287 0242

Email:

Contents

Page

1. Background 3

1. Park Usage3

1. Park Safety6

1. Park Information and Features8
2. Park Events9

1. Park Activities 10

1. Park Management and Priorities11

1. Parks Management Plans12

1. Park Development14

1. About You16

1. Background

The Council's Land and Environmental Services carried out this consultation on draft Park Management Plans for seven city parks. A Park Management Plan is required to make an application for the Green Flag Award® scheme.

The Green Flag Award® scheme is the benchmark national standard for parks and green spaces in Scotland, England and Wales. It was first launched in 1996 to recognise and reward the best green spaces in the country.

The Management Plans were available online through the Council’s website ( and within the local area of each of the parks involved. Responses were welcomed from both the general public and other interested stakeholders both locally and nationally.

Response Rate:

Online ( - 20

Lethamhill Golf Course -4

Riddrie Library -7

Total Response -31

2. Park Usage

Question 1a:In general, what do you normally use the Park for? (select all that apply)

Base: 31

*Question 1b: If other, please specify (20)

Respondents identified a number of additional activities and uses for the park, including bird watching and wildlife photography. The park has a permanent orienteering course which is used by schools and St Andrew’s Orienteering Club (Glasgow) (STAG). The play park was also mentioned by respondents.

(*all respondents are able to complete this question)

Question 2:Thinking about your main use of the Park, how often do you use it?

Base: 27

Question 3a:Would you consider your use of the park to be seasonal?

Base: 31

Question 3b:If yes, when are you most likely to use the park? (tick all that apply)

Base: 15

3. Park Safety

Question 4a:How welcoming or otherwise would you say the park is?

Base: 31

Question 4b:If unwelcoming, please provide details (4)

Respondents have concerns about their personal safety within the parks and particularly mentioned the ‘park keepers’ as a possible solution. The main entrance, the vacant café site and the lack of toilet facilities were also identified as making the park unwelcome.

‘I am worried about my safety, having been approached by strange

people on one occasion. I would welcome the appointment of a team

of park keepers like there used to be in the old days, who could provide

a security presence.’

Question 5:How safe or otherwise do you feel in the park?

Base: 31

Question 6:In your opinion, how much of an issue, or otherwise, are the following in the park?

Base: 31

Question 7:Are there any other issues which you feel are a problem? (8)

A number of specific problems were mentioned by respondents, including dogs within the park not being on leashes and again the issue of anti-social behaviour associated with drinking; especially during the summer.

Other issues identified include ‘rubbish in the water’, ‘off road biking’ and lack of seating.

4. Park Information and Features

Question 8:To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements regarding information provision WITHIN and SURROUNDING the park?

Base: 30

Question 9:How would you rate the following aspect of the park in terms of their maintenance?

Base: 30

Question 10:Do you agree or disagree with the introduction of more natural features within the park?

Base: 30

5. Park Events

Question 11:How do you feel about the current number of events held in the park?

Base: 30

Question 12a:Which of the following types of events, if any, do you think there should be more of in the park? (Glasgow Show, Great Scottish Run, galas and fun fairs) (tick all that apply)

Base: 24

Question 12b: Other, please specify (4)

Other than those mentioned above, respondents highlighted guided walks and bird watching as something which they would like to see in the park. Orienteering events were also mentioned, with STAG willing to help host such events.

6. Park Activities

Question 13: How do you feel about the current number of activities available in the park?

Base: 29

Question 14a:Which of the following types of activities, if any, do you think there should be more of in the park? (Wild About Glasgow, nature walks etc.) (tick all that apply)

Base: 17

Question 14b: Other, please specify (6)

Respondents highlighted organised walking and wildlife awareness activities as something they would like to see more of within the park.

7. Park Management and Priorities

Question 15:Please choose from the following list, what you think should be the main priorities for the park. (please select your top three) (30)

The three main priorities identified by respondents clearly reflect the park environment, including:

1. Local nature reserves
2. The presence of wildlife in parks and greenspace
3. Educational activities (such as nature walks)

Other issues which were seen as priorities were,

• Access to public toilets
• Events staged in parks (such as galas or fun fairs)
• Sports facilities (such as football and cricket pitches and bowling greens)

Question 16:Please tell us what you like best about the park.

Respondents clearly identified the abundance of wildlife and open spaces as the best thing about the park. Access to the loch for walking, jogging and orienteering was seen as a real benefit of the park.

‘The diversity of birds found there and being able to get close

to wild birds. Being a haven for wildlife in a built up area.’

‘The peaceful environment and running/orienteering close to the

open water’

Question 17:Please tell us what you like least about the park.

Respondents highlighted three main issues of concern within the park. Firstly, a lack of facilities, particularly toilets were mentioned a number of times along with the need for facilities such as a tearoom or café. Litter, in or around the loch area of the park was identified by respondents and the danger this could cause to wildlife. Finally, anti-social behaviour, particularly in the evenings, was mentioned as problematic within the park.

8. Parks Management Plans

Question 18:Have you read the Park Management Plan?

Base: 30

Question 19a:How informative or otherwise did you find the Plan?

Base: 20

Question 19b:If uninformative, what additional information do you think should be included? (2)

The lack of information on park security was identified. More details on the proposed ‘review’ would be helpful to respondents.

‘Lack of consideration of security - it just said it would be reviewed. There is a perception of a security problem, and I think more should have been written about what is proposed to be done about this.’

Question 20:To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following aspects of the Plan?

Base: 19

9. Park Development

Glasgow City Council is committed to future development of the parks; however, in the current economic climate there are restrictions on the type and size of projects that can be undertaken within the next five years. Nevertheless, this should not prevent any long-term aspirations and so, we would like to hear your ideas.

Question 21: Do you agree or otherwise that the Park should become Glasgow's first NatureConservationPark (Section 2.6.4 Well Maintained and Clean)

Base:29

Question 22:Do you have any other comments about the park or the management plan?

The main issues again highlighted were the lack of facilities (tea room/café and toilets) and the need for litter to be cleared from in and around the loch area.

There was strong support among respondents to the conservation work already undertaken and proposed in the future. Although there was specific concern about the water conservation carried out,

‘Strongly support the conservation work the Council is carrying

out or proposing.’

Regarding the recent work carried out (ie new water channels,

introduction of boulders) I'm concerned about the effect on wildlife.

There seem to be less nesting spaces as a result. Drumpellier

Loch undertook similar work and this seems to have greatly

reduced the number of birds. There, due to the lack of nesting

places and the denuding of reed beds, swans were forced to nest

on the public pathway which is frankly ridiculous. I'm also

concerned about the low water level at Hogganfield. Places

that were previously inaccessible to people and which provided

privacy and shelter for birds are now easily accessed by the public.

First and foremost Hogganfield should be for wildlife not people!’

10. About You

Question 23:Gender

Base: 29

Question 24:Age

Base: 29

Question 25:Do you have any long-term illness, health problem or disability which limits your activities or the work you can do?

Base: 28

Question 26:How would you best describe you cultural or ethical background?

1