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Process:
Each of the 11 parks was mapped and a square mile radius marked out around
it which was then used to determine:
For park visits one of the Borough's Mobile Youth Vans has been used
effectively as a base, and as a 'draw' to park users.
Where we had limited contact with local schools we made an additional site
visit and we approached local community groups. Further visits were
also made to Alexandra Park and Lewesdon Drive play areas, which have
additional funding to spend on developments for the under 8 age group.
Within this 6-week period of initial consultation the following sessions
have been conducted with the 8-13 yrs age group:
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Work with Branksome Heath
Middle School Council (2 meetings), a whole school assembly, and
questionnaires distributed to the whole school
-
Work with Broadstone Middle
School Council (2 meetings), a whole school assembly, and questionnaires
distributed to the whole school
-
Work with Haymoor Middle
School Council (2 meetings), a whole school assembly, and questionnaires
distributed to the whole school
-
Work with Hillbourne School
Council (3 meetings) and questionnaires led by the School Council and
distributed to 8 – 13’s in the school
-
Work with Oakdale South Road
Middle School Council (2 meetings) and peer led school assemblies
-
A whole school assembly to
Turlin Moor Community School, a lunch time drop in session and
questionnaires distributed to the 8 – 13’s in the school
-
4 visits to local community
groups (Brownies, Guides and a dance school)
-
Session with Yr 7 group at
Turlin Moor Youth Centre
-
Waterloo Fun Day
-
15 site visits with the Mobile
Youth Project
Participants:
Due to the whole school assembly approach in all the schools we worked
with and questionnaires being distributed to four whole school communities,
more than 2,000 young people aged 8-13 yrs have been made aware of the
Playbuilder project and been given the opportunity to participate.
The views of 1,200 (approx) young
people have been collected through site visits, drop-in sessions and 725
completed questionnaires, giving us a wealth of
knowledge and ideas for play area development.
Summary of findings:
By drawing together
the findings from each park it becomes clear that the swings are young
people’s favourite piece of play equipment.
Climbing and ‘hanging out’ rank top in the activities that this age range
enjoy most, followed closely by swinging and spinning.
Whitecliff, Poole Park, Branksome Recreation Ground and Hamworthy Park are
named most frequently as the favourite play areas for 8-13’s.
This age range tends to most regularly visit the park closest to their
home as they can reach it without help from parents, and can meet with friends
there.
Issues were raised by several school councils and during park visits about
this age range feeling intimidated by older teenagers using the play areas and
several school councils plan to continue to explore this.
From this consultation it has become clear that Gough Crescent and Dawkins
Road play areas would benefit enormously from the
Play Ranger service.
The next steps:
All initial consultation reports have been submitted to the Leisure
Services Greenspace Development Team. These reports, together with
consultation with local residents, will be used to inform design and purchasing
decisions for each play area.
Between 11th-14th August parks and play areas will be re-visited to share
information, progress and plans
with the young people and community members. The Mobile Unit will
support these visits and dates will be advertised on the web and locally.
From early September 2009 – end March 2010 the team will be revisiting
school councils to involve members in installation site visits, signage
design and project opening events.
Evaluating the
process:
The consultation process developed this year will be evaluated to inform
our approach to Year 2 consultation.
14th July
2009 |
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