BOROUGH OF POOLE

Hamworthy East and West and Poole Town Area Committee

WEDNESDAY 15th April 2009

REPORT OF THE HEAD OF LEISURE SERVICES

ITEM FOR INFORMATION

VARIOUS ITEMS RELATING TO HAMWORTHY PARK

1 / Purpose of Report
1.1 / To provide an update to the Area Committee on various projects and matters relating to Hamworthy park
2 / Information
2.1 / Hamworthy Park Outdoor Education Centre
  • The Council has, for some time, been trying to find a partner to help improve the provision of outdoor education services in Poole.
  • The recent tendering exercise carried out during Jan and Feb 2009 has proved unsuccessful in finding a suitable partner to help develop facilities and invest in provision.
  • The Council continues to leave its options open and find ways of developing the service, which is highly valued by users and Councillors.
  • The Centre has successfully retained funding from Poole School's Forum and continues to deliver a range of education services to schools and public course.
  • The Centre has also secured funding from the Council's Planning Obligations Fund to develop its activity programme and will shortly be purchasing a mobile climbing wall.
  • The Centre is also increasing its direct liaison and marketing work to increase use by local schools and colleges.
  • The Centre needs to improve the security, storage facilities and the visual appeal of its boat compound.

2.2 / Phase 2 Play area
A lengthy consultation process with local young people, schools and park users resulted in ‘Proludic’ being awarded the contract for delivering Phase 2 of the play area. This is the same company that supplied phase 1 and it will be installed in time for the summer holidays in mid July 2009.
2.3 / Paddling Pool
The paddling pool will be opened on 22 May 2009 following the shot blasting of the base to remove loose material, re-screed of the damaged areas and repainted with specialist paint.
2.4 / Disabled access to the beach
Handrails have been installed by Leisure Services, no further work planned.
2.5 / New Footpath
The new footpath from the car park to the café/paddling pool area was installed for £5950, with the adjacent areas plus some other areas in the park then topped with soil and grass seed for a further £482.17. Total project cost = £6432.17
Funding was also provided for signage to indicate safe swim zones and safe windsurfer launch zones that will be installed in time for the summer.
2.6 / Rebound wall
Extensive consultation has supported siting a Rebound wall in the Park and with public comments fully considered, a final decision on it’s location shall be delegated to Leisure officers and Hamworthy East and West Ward councillors.
This will take place shortly after Easter once all members are available and should enable the rebound wall to be installed in time for the summer holidays and in line with the rest of the Phase 2 play project.
2.7 / General update
  • A turning circle for Waste Operations trucks has been installed to help reduce damage to turf as a result of bin emptying
  • Some of the many "sink holes" around the park that appeared during recent frosts have been filled and seeded
  • Uneven groundbesides the promenade has been filled and seeded
  • Ageing tarmac beside the Cafe has been replaced
  • Broken keyclamp fencingis beingrepaired
  • Thegravel path runningbehind the Outdoor Recreation Centreand café has been resurfaced
  • Annual work to improve the shrub beds being undertaken
  • Sea defence Groynes have been repaired

3 / Conclusion
3.1 / The recommendation is made to approve the decision to delegate siting of the rebound wall to Leisure Services officers and ward members.

CLIVE SMITH

HEAD OF LEISURE SERVICES

Contact Officers:

Martin Whitchurch, Greenspace Development Officer

Tel No: (01202) 261323

Background Papers: None

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