Milner Square Improvements

Consultation Report, May 2016

ReportCompiled by / Date
Greenspace Projects team and LDA Design / 16/05/2016

Introduction

A public consultation event was held at Milner Square Gardens, N1, on Saturday 7th May between the hours of 10am and 2pm. This was the second phase of consultation on this project and sought to build on the ideas and opinions put forward at the initial stage, held between September and October 2015. This event aimed to discern whether the improvement project should include a ball court and also allow residents to advise how they would like to use the space overall.

The results of this round of consultation will be usedby LDA Design to inform detailed design proposals.

Methodology

  • Residents were invited attend a public consultation in the Square on Saturday 7th May 2016 between 10am and 2pm. Invitations to this event were sent via email and the event was advertised on the Islington website, Twitter and via notices on both Milner and Gibson Square.
  • Attendees were shown two outline concept designs; one presenting options for a more separated/ ‘zone’ space and the other with play integrated into the space. They were provided with Post-it Notes to use to tell us what they thought about these ideas and coloured stickers so that they could vote for a ‘traditional’ or ‘modern’ design. This second phase of consultation was more qualitative than quantative, especially when compared against the first consultation exercise in October 2015.
  • During the four hour consultation, attendees spoke at length with the project team, consisting of landscape architect firm LDA Design and the Council. Comments and suggestions from these conversations have helped inform the detailed design proposals

Summary of results:

Response rate

Approximately 50 adults and five children attended the event. The vast majority of attendees needed encouragement when it came to registering their preference/voting and they were much more likely to tell us their thoughts and suggestions rather than write them down. As such, it is likely that some responses were not recorded but of the responses captured, we have been able to discern key themes and considerations which are outlined below.

The general feedback from the consultation was that Milner Square should be transformed into a playable garden square and a space for children and adults. The square should be:

  • An integrated, free flowing space with no internal fences and one where one activity or zone is well connected with the next. The space should not be compartmentalised.
  • Of a more traditional feel, possibly with some modern elements, but not a replica of Gibson Square, for instance.
  • A space which encourages wildlife, such as butterflies, but which avoids large, dense shrubs which might help to hide anti-social behaviour.
  • A space with a ‘woodland garden’ feel to the playable landscape in the north, so you would want spend time there too.

Recommendations:

  • To locate the majority of the play provision in the north end (current ball court end) with some small, informal playable elements to cater just for toddlers (up to age 4) in the garden space at the south of the square.
  • To reduce the current ball court and installa ‘Panna’ court, or similar so that ball games can still be played. The current ball court is significantly under-used and there are five other parks within one mile of the square with football pitches.
  • Create a flexible play space with planting, seating and some larger equipment for older children who aren’t currently catered for.
  • Improve the swing provision as these are immensely popular.
  • To place the above elements within an integrated and inclusive square, with no internal fencing to ensure a free flowing space.

Other items to note:

The old park-keeper’s hut is not part of this project but the design should cater for its future use, which should complement the use of the square.

Gym equipment is not to be included in the scheme. There is insufficient space and budget to allow for this but this would also be inappropriate for the character of the square.