Friends of Ruskin Park

Chair  Councillor Veronica Hardstaff - 64, Linaker Road, Sheffield S6 (Tel. 233 5414)

Secretary Max Telfer – 167, Walkley Crescent Road, Walkley, Sheffield S6 (Tel. 234 1576)

Web site: http://www.ruskinpark.org.uk

Minutes of the meeting of the Friends of Ruskin Park, held on Wednesday, 14th August, 2002

Present : Councillor Veronica Hardstaff (Chair); Max Telfer (Secretary);  Councillor Diane Leek; Vicki Priestley; Rosemary Telfer; Fraser McDermott (Ranger)  Sarah Watson (Consultant)

 

Apologies :   Ian and Deb Loasby; Sue and Chris Ireland.

1.      Minutes of the previous meeting and matters arising

1.1.           The minutes of the meeting held on 16th April were agreed. It was noted that Vicki’s apologies for absence from the previous meeting should have appeared in the minutes.

1.2.      Rosemary read out a letter of thanks which had been sent to Fraser and Rachel, thanking them for their support in general and, in particular, for the event of 29th June.

1.3.           Nikki has left NUCA, not Sheffield City council. Her successor is Denise Barker.

1.4.           The £12,000 identified may be split between different organisations.

1.5.       Sarah pointed out that she is unable to work with local schools, but has information from them.

1.6.           Sarah has spoken to Ian about the £8,00 and he has confirmed that it must be spent on the playground, not the football pitch.

2.       Sarah’s report

Sarah outlined her recent consultation work with older people and teenagers in Walkley Library and Ruskin Park. The consultation process is now complete. She presented her draft report and went through it in detail, emphasising the following points :

·        Play area must address the needs of children from all age groups. Recommendation that 2 play areas be developed, one a traditional playground for older children and the other a play space and outdoor learning area, with minimal equipment, but with the provision of willow structures and a light tunnel etc. to encourage imaginative play.

·        Environment. Sarah has met with Richard Gill, in whose opinion there is a good mix of species, but there needs to be considerable thinning-out. Woodlands team could carry out a tree-condition survey. It was agreed to consult residents of Walkley St and Burgoyne Rd, after taking advice from Richard on the sort of questions we need to ask. Max and Rosemary agreed to undertake this.

·        Sport. There is a huge demand for football. Research from Sport and Comm Rec supports this. The main problem is one of dog fouling and poor drainage. The site will need management and maintenance, which the National Playing Fields Association will be able to advise on. The multi-use games area should be maintained and up-graded. Floodlighting is in place, but not working at present and the area should be re-surfaced. Max’s suggestion of an outdoor fencing competition was agreed. The School needs pitches for cricket, rounders and netball and a running track.

·        Safe access is vital for children using the park as a way to school. They have asked for crossing patrols, bollards and railings. Parents find that parked cars obscure the entrances. People with disabilities have problems getting onto the field and we should consider using bark or limestone chippings.

·        Other uses. Although there is some demand for other uses, including short-cuts, events, dog-walking and kite-flying, these do nothing to raise the value of the field for sport and we should consider how much of this we should allow.

Sarah pointed out that there were still some gaps in the report. Costs are estimated and there to provide guidance. We now need a designer to produce a layout of the park, with proposals and costings. It was agreed that Sarah complete the next draft by 5th September and send it to Max.

3.                  Funding

3.1.           Veronica reported that she had received the SRB6 forms. The Community chest will provide revenue only. It was agreed that we apply for funding to commission the necessary design work and for the tree survey. The application should be submitted by 16th September. Veronica is to meet with Denise Barker.

3.2.           Sarah is to meet with Rob Jones at NUCA on 23rd August at 10.30 a.m.to discuss possible funding. Rosemary and Fraser to attend and report back.

4.                  Any other business

4.1.           Ian Loasby needs photographs for the web site. He is also planning to establish a web link with Walkley Forum.

4.2.           Fraser will be organising an event in Ruskin Park on Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and would appreciate volunteers.

5.                  Date and time of next meeting

Thursday, 12th September, 7.45 p.m. Royal Hotel, Walkley St.