The Royal Borough is planning to replace a large piece of playground equipment in Charlton Park Playground as it is worn out and beyond economical repair. Before we replace this playground equipment we would like your view on what you would like the equipment replaced with and we have 3 design options we should like you to choose from.
As consultations go, it’s pretty basic: you can vote for one of the options shown above, with no further information provided on the context, costs, or benefits; it’s also unclear when we can expect the equipment to be installed. The closing message suggests: If you have any queries regarding the design options please contact parks@royalgreenwich.gov.uk – should any readers be interested in trying to find out a bit more (let us know if you do!).
In related news, we’ve been told that councillors hope to start a consultation process this month for the skate park planned for Charlton Park, originally mooted back in July.
Now Greenwich Council is planning to build one in Charlton Park with £365,000 of money from Berkeley Homes, given on the condition that the park is built within two miles of Woolwich.
Two sites in Charlton Park are being considered; one next to the children’s play area on the north side of the park, the other in the corner next to the junction of Charlton Park Lane and Cemetery Lane.
Council officers also looked at sites in Barrier Park, the north side of Maryon Park and at Hornfair Park, but recommended against using these. No sites outside Charlton feature in the report to be presented to the council’s cabinet on Wednesday.
Hornfair Park already has a BMX track but council officers dismiss the site, saying it is the furthest away from Woolwich.
“Among the other disadvantages of this site are that it is less well-connected to Woolwich than the other sites by bus, and is the furthest from a national rail or Underground station. It is also very close to a residential area, from which there is direct access. There are no public toilets on site,” the report says, adding there is a risk it “may not be well-used”.
The report says of Charlton Park: “The infrastructure needed to support it is largely in place which would minimise revenue costs. There is continuity in having a skateboard park in proximity to other outdoor sports facilities, adding to the appeal of Charlton Park as a centre for recreation and sporting activities. Moreover, there is a choice of locations within the Charlton Park, proving some flexibility to adapt proposals in response to consultation.”
The site at Charlton Park Lane is away from homes – opposite Meridian Sports Club – but is popular with local dog owners and is across the other side of the park from the mini-gym and other facilities. There’s been no consultation on the issue so far, but one would begin if the council’s cabinet backs the scheme, which envisages work starting at the end of 2015.
What do you think? Should there be a skate park in Charlton Park? Is there a more suitable location?
Let us know your views (and your councillors might want to know, too.)
Charlton Champion reader Brenda got in touch this morning to let us know that part of Charlton Park is closed for filming at the moment. It looks like it could be for ‘The Royals’, produced by Privileged Productions, but there’s not much info on the website mentioned on the sign. If anyone knows what it’s all about, we’d be intrigued to know more!
An interesting museum has opened in Catford – the Prefab Museum, which is open until May on the Excalibur Estate and recreates the atmosphere of these temporary homes erected in the 1940s. See the Prefabs – Palaces For The People website for more.
But while the Catford prefabs survived for decades, those in Charlton are long gone. Carol Kenna of the Charlton Parks Reminiscence Project has a question:
“The CPRP project was told about the prefabs that were along Canberra Road backing into Charlton Park this was up to the end of the 1950’s. During the project we could never trace any photos of this. I have now been contacted by a gentleman who lived in one of the prefabs asking if we had any photographs.
“Could you ask your other readers if they have any, whether they would accept them – if they do – being passed on and also added to the Parks website.”
The proprietors of the Old Cottage Coffee Shop have raised a petition asking Greenwich Council to refurbish the public toilets in Charlton Park. The petition highlights the poor state of the facilities, including the lack of hot water, the absence of baby-changing facilities, and evidence of drug-taking in the toilets. Comments left on the online petition reinforce these concerns:
“These toilets are disgusting and a refurb of them is long overdue!, I dread it when we are at the cafe or in the exercise park and the kids need the loo! I’d rather they go by a tree than go in those dirty, needle infested toilets!”
“These toilets really are in a bad shape but are at a strategic location with cricket and football pitches, a 2012 legacy outdoor gym and a really popular café. All these facilities need proper toilet facilities.”
“Charlton Park is the heart of Charlton and loved by many. It is an ideal place for many activities and is otherwise very tidy and well-maintained. Sadly the lack of usable toilet facilities means you can’t stay too long!”
“Can’t believe we need to petition for usable, clean, drug free toilets in our community.”
The Charlton Champion 