Thursday 15 May 2014

Cuthill Park Consultation


During March to May 2014, the Friends of Cuthill Park engaged with the community in Prestonpans and sought their opinions via social media, printed media, face-to-face meetings with community groups and schools.

Through their partnership with the Prestoungrange and Cuthill Tenants & Residents Group (PCTRG), 400 surveys were delivered to residents of North Bank Road, Rigley Terrace, Acheson Drive, Drummore Drive, Prestongrange Road, Prestongrange Terrace, Bellfield Square, County Square, County Road, Inchview North, The Pottery & North Grange Avenue.
  • 72 online responses were received
  • 66 paper copy responses were received (from schools/youth groups)
  • Surveys to PCTRG will be analysed separately by the Council.
Thank you to everyone who responded!

Over 75% (50 of the 66) youth respondents said they have not been to the park before. 

This differs significantly from the 30% (22/72) online respondents who had never been.

The main reasons given for not visiting the park were:
  • Wasn't aware of it
  • Nothing of interest
The main reasons given for visiting the park, in order, were:
  • To take part in an event
  • To play, sledge, ride bikes etc
  • For some fresh air
  • To walk the dog
Other responses included “To Take Photographs, enjoy the amazing job of the Wild flowers, this encourages great wildlife” and “to have a look and see if it was an appropriate space for an exercise class

From the online surveys, the main incentives given for visiting the park in future, in order, were:
  • Seating
  • More information about events and activities
  • Better paths
  • Play equipment
  • Exercise/fitness equipment
  • Shelter

From the youth surveys, the main incentives given for visiting the park in future, in order, were:
  • Play equipment
  • More information about events and activities
  • Seating
  • Exercise/fitness equipment
  • Shelter
  • Better paths
Other responses included: a barbecue area/fire pit (mentioned 4 times); dog walk area and clubs for children, woodland walk & “cleanliness - dog mess and litter not acceptable

When asked whether park equipment should reflect the peaceful, rural nature of the site, the results were: Quite Important, Very Important, Not Important (both)
When asked whether park equipment should be connected to the history of Prestonpans, the results were: Quite Important, Not Important, Very Important (online) & Not Important, Very Important, Quite Important (youth)
When asked whether park equipment should be inclusive, with no upper age limit, the results were: Very Important, Quite Important, Not Important (both)
When asked whether park equipment should be different from other local playparks, the results were: Very Important, Quite Important, Not Important (both)
When asked whether park equipment should make use of the contours/gradients of the park, the results were: Very Important, Quite Important, Not Important (online) & Quite Important, Very Important, Not Important (youth)

Respondents were asked to select 5 preferred items from a list. The results, in order of popularity were:
(Online)
Maze
Seats
Fort
Rock-climbing
Swings
Tables
Tunnels
Trim Trail
Trampoline
Amphitheatre
Shelter
Storytelling Area
Hide
Puzzles
Slide
See-Saw
Sandpit
Exercise bike
Rowing machine
Boulders/rocks
Ramps
Stage
Musical toys
Ski-walker
Telescope
Mirrors
Talk tubes
Magnifying post

(Youth)
Trampoline
Maze
Rock-climbing
Fort
Ramps
Tunnels
Swings
Trim Trail
See-Saw
Ski-walker
Sandpit
Seats
Mirrors
Puzzles
Slide
Amphitheatre
Boulders/rocks
Shelter
Storytelling Area
Stage
Tables
Talk tubes
Exercise bike
Rowing machine
Musical toys
Telescope
Hide
Magnifying post 
 
Other suggestions included: Flying Fox, wildlife/nature information boards and a full outdoor gym.

Comments received :

A wildlife sanctuary!! A pond would encourage Dragonflies. I have been to a park, with the outside “Gym/Exercise equipment, they are great fun and can suit all ages. ”

Something for dogs ”

make this park attractive for children ”

To make it more family, child friendly, making it inclusive as it has been more exclusive to those and such and such ”

Mining theme for play equipment. Locked gates at night. No dogs ”

If I was to use the park for an exercise class I would be looking for benches, steps or walls, some form of shelter (for people to leave their bags while exercising), some open space, decent paths...... ”

It would be nice to have an area that can be used by all ages and for a variety of purposes. That offers something that doesn't already exist elsewhere in Prestonpans. ”

I would like to see kids and adult equipment - for all ages- to encourage community use of the park ”

A pond ”

A roll run for little children down the bank. ”

wasn't sure if it was a public park or not”.

its a beautiful park and think it should be enticing to all especially for picnics etc”

Thank you so much to everyone who took the time to respond.   We will pass this information to East Lothian Council who ultimately make the decision on how to spend the £87k in the budget for Cuthill Park.  We will, of course, keep you updated on progress but rest assured, we, The Friends of Cuthill Park, have listened to you and noted what you say!

Thank you!

Tuesday 13 May 2014

From Pest....to Pesto!

As previously mentioned, the community garden is overrun with garlic mustard Alliaria petiolata, more commonly known as Garlic Mustard (and also  Jack-by-the-hedge, Hedge Garlic and Poor Man's Mustard amongst others). 

You can recognize garlic mustard by its toothed, heart-shaped leaves and white flowers. When you crush the leaves, they smell like garlic.

While it's nice for the orange tip butterflies (garlic mustard is the main food source of the larvae), it's not so nice for the native plants that are being bullied out by this highly invasive species.

The Friends of Cuthill Park will have to make weeding of this pest a priority but it won't be easy as it ready self-seeds and seeds are easily spread on clothing and by animals.

On the positive side, Garlic mustard is edible and highly nutrious so we were delighted to discover this recipe book From Pest to Pesto.  Click the link to open a PDF.

Do feel free to help yourself!


Saturday 10 May 2014

Ship Shape Work Day

The weather forecast was miserable for May's work day but the showers didn't put off our seven volunteers who decanted the cockle shells from the two tonne bags and wheeled them to the community garden to form a ship shape.

Our new upright barrows were bought from Lidl with vouchers they gave us and proved invaluable today.  We also used them to transport loads of weeds to the compost area. 

Parts of the garden are overrun with dock and garlic mustard - both very invasive.

However, garlic mustard is highly nutritious and much loved by foragers who eat most of the plant, including the spicy tap roots - see Garlic Mustard Pesto recipe here).
We carefully weeded in between the apple trees, minding out for the newly planted strawberries and sunflower seeds.  The brightly coloured stems of the chard look magnificent alongside the fennel fronds and the aquilegia.

While we worked, a blue tit ventured in and out of one of the nesting boxes and there were a few orange tip butterflies (who feed on the garlic mustard).

Despite the drizzle, it was a pleasant day with lots of chat and some laughs along the way.  And of course, the moment we packed away our tools and locked up, the sun came out!  Thank you Celia, Felix, Jan, Josie, Louis, Martin, Rachel and Jazz the dog.

Join us next time, Saturday 14 June, between 11 and 1.

Thursday 8 May 2014

Crying cockles and mussels, Alive alive o!

If the weather is kind to us, on Saturday, 10 May between 11am and 1pm, we will be putting down cockle shells on top of the weed membrane in the Community Garden.  
 
We hope you will be able to join us.  You don't have to bend or lift heavy weights, there will be jobs for all.  
 
We might even have a sing-along to Molly Malone.  Or perhaps debate true meaning of the children's nursery rhyme...
 
Mary, Mary, quite contrary,
How does your garden grow?
With silver bells, and cockle shells,
And pretty maids all in a row.

...whatever the case, you are guaranteed some fresh air, a blether and the feelgood factor that comes from knowing you are helping your community.


Our choice of aggregate mulch reflects our fishing heritage as well as the eco credentials of the Friends of Cuthill Park (the shells are natural, unbleached by-produce of the UK shellfish industry).