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!
Thank you!
