gowkthrapple - community park design report

Gowkthrapple Community Park Improvement Project

Final Report

by

IronsideFarrar

111 McDonald Road Edinburgh EH7 4NW

7309 / September 2009

Ironside Farrar Page 1 7309/ September 2009

Contents 1.0 Introduction

1.1 Background

1.2 Context

1.3 Study Objectives

2.0 Site Issues and Analysis

2.1 Site Analysis

2.2 Existing Conditions

2.3 Equipped Play Areas

2.4 Wildlife Garden Area

2.5 Community Garden

2.6 Car Parking Court

2.7 Transportation Issues

2.8 Pedestrian Circulation

2.9 Aspect

3.0 Public Consultation

3.1 Public Consultation Feedback

3.2 Feedback from Key Consultees

3.3 Future Consultation

4.0 Design Development

4.1 Best Practice Approach

4.2 Design Development In Response to Physical Issues and Public Consultation

4.3 Detailed Design Elements


5.0 Design Recommendations

5.1 Design proposals 6.0 Sustainability and Maintenance 7.0 Budget Costings 7.1 Budget Estimates Option 1 7.2 Budget Estimates Option 2

8.0 Summary

Appendix 1 – Site Photographs Appendix 2 – Consultation Feedback Appendix 3 – Consultation Meeting Notes Appendix 4 – Topographic Survey Appendix 5 – Cost Estimates

Executive Summary The regeneration of Gowkthrapple is a key priority project for North Lanarkshire Council (NCL). Having developed The Gowkthrapple Regeneration

Masterplan and Gowkthrapple Green Network Strategy, NCL and its partners seek to promote a series of long term, sustainable changes to the living

standards, place qualities and opportunities for communities under the themes of:

• Stronger Communities;

• Health Improvements;

• Biodiversity and Environment; and

• Enterprise Development.

Following the release of the final Green Space and Green Network study report, the focus at Gowkthrapple is the delivery of a network of high quality

green spaces across Gowkthrapple. Consequently a number of projects highlighted within the Green Network Strategy report are being taken forward

including the community Park improvement and management plan.

NLC and it’s partners commissioned Ironside Farrar in January 2009 to develop an improvement and management plan for an existing community park

in Gowkthrapple as part of Glasgow and Clyde Valley Green Network’s stronger communities projects.

This report details the analysis and main issues associated with the existing conditions of the park and summarises the consultation event held in March

2009 outside the Community Centre where the community were consulted on what they would like in the park. In developing the design Ironside Farrar

consulted with a number of interested stakeholders e.g. Garrion People’s Housing Co-operative, Castlehill Primary School, Clyde Valley High School,

Estates and Maintenance as well as the Play Services Manager at NLC.

The report highlights two design option solutions and associated costs that could be taken forward and implemented in Gowkthrapple. The report

recommends that option 2, that includes two innovative play areas appealing to children of different age groups but retains as much of the existing road

layout as possible is implemented.


Introduction 1.0 1.1 Background

Ironside Farrar Ltd were commissioned in 2008 By North Lanarkshire Council to identify ways in which Gowkthrapple could regenerate around a Green

Network to improve the environmental quality of the neighbourhood and enhance the quality of life for residents. Following the release of the final Green

Space and Green Network study report by Ironside Farrar, the focus is the development and support for delivery of a management and development

programme that will deliver and secure for the long term a network of high quality green spaces across Gowkthrapple. Consequently a number of projects

highlighted within the report are being taken forward including the community Park improvement and management plan.

In January 2009 North Lanarkshire Council commissioned Ironside Farrar Ltd to develop an improvement and management plan for an existing

community park in Gowkthrapple as part of Glasgow and Clyde Valley Green Network’s stronger communities projects.

1.2 Context

Gowkthrapple is located to the south of Wishaw, North Lanarkshire between the B754 (Castlehill road) and a railwayline that connects Glasgow and

Carlisle. Pedestrians access the park by a network of footpaths that link into the surrounding residential areas, vehicle access to the park is from the

south via Stanhope Place which empties into a large open car parking court. To the northwest of Gowkthrapple there is a large electricity sub station

from which there are high voltage power cables between pylons that pass through Gowkthrapple and the park area. The community park is located in the

centre of Gowkthrapple to the south west of Castlehill Primary School. To the south is Clyde Valley High School and the settlement of Overtown.

The southwest area of Gowkthrapple has experienced a phased programme of demolition, this involved demolishing a number of flats and clearing the

land. This will enable the future redevelopment and regeneration of Gowkthrapple. The Community Park will form an important part of, and contribute

to, Gowkthrapple’s regeneration.


1.3 Study Objectives

The main objectives of this study are:

• To create a lively, accessible, serviceable and attractive space.

• To build upon other North Lanarkshire Council Initiatives to develop real project gain.

• To maximise the functionality of the space and appeal to a wide range of ages.

• To design the Community Park in a way which encourages use/ discourages misuse.

• To establish an appropriate pallet of materials for use throughout the Community Park.

• To deliver low maintenance solutions which create a sustainable external environment.

• To maximise passive surveillance into the space.


Site Issues & Analysis 2.0 2.1 Site Analysis

To allow the informed development of design proposals for Gowkthrapple Community Park analysis has been undertaken to establish an understanding of

space, function and amenity. Analysis has considered the following:

• Existing Conditions

• Transportation Issues

• Pedestrian Circulation

• Aspect

2.2 Existing Conditions

The Existing Conditions drawing (no. 7309.001) and the Circulation and Spatial Analysis drawing (no. 7309.002) shows there are 5 individual areas

within the existing community park. These can be divided into:

• Two equipped play areas

• Wildlife area

• Community Garden area

• A large car parking court (Stanhope Place)

The existing park layout as shown on the existing conditions drawing was designed and developed with the community’s engagement approximately 5-6

years ago by David Wilson Landscape Architects.

North Lanarkshire Council Ironside Farrar Ltd

Gowkthrapple Community ParkExisting Conditions

Castlehill Primary School

Smith Avenue

Sta

nh

op

eP

lace

Key

Maintained amenity grass

Private shared gardens

Bow top fencingapproximately 1.2m high

Shrub Planting

Woodland planting

Long coarse grasses

Asphalt footpaths

Precast concrete slabs, buffcolour

Pre cast concrete blocks

Decking area

Asphalt roadway

Rubber soft surfacing to playareas

Electricity sub station

Electricity pylons and cables

Beech hedge

D e r e l i c t a r e a w h e r eresidential towers havebeen demolished

Derelict area of Garrion Business park

Existing residential buildings

Picnic benches

7309_001


Gowkthrapple Community ParkCirculation & Spatial Analysis


Smith Avenue

Key

Key Pedestrian Routes

Secondary Pedestrian Routes

Natural Surveil lance frombuildings

Areas of existing communitypark

Stanhope Place

1

23

4

5

1, Asphalt area with items of play

equipment in areas of sof t play

surfacing with timber fence surround,

p i c n i c b e n c h e s , c o n n e c t i o n t o

playground (area 3) below, areas of

planting and possible connections to

Castlehill Primary School. Play area

feels enclosed and has one entrance/

exit point which feels unsafe.

2, Wildlife area with timber decked

areas with seats. Area is poorly

used and collects rubbish and is

currently vandalised and closed to

the community.

3, Play area with large distances

between items of play equipment.

Timber fence of varing heights,

enclosed unsafe feeling, the corner

areas with sections of higher fence

attract antisocial behaviour.

4, C o m m u n i t y G a r d e n a r e a

surrounded by a tall timber fence

and locked gates. Garden has

raised planting areas, areas of

grass and gazebos. This area is

locked most of the time and is

rarely used.

5, Large car parking court with many

small areas for car parking and a

lack of defined parking bays. A

main pedestrian route travels

through this space and fee ls

exposed and unsafe.

SummaryA series of under used unconnectedspaces with footpaths and areas ofdead space between.

7309_002


2.3 Equipped Play Areas

As shown on the existing conditions drawing there are two play areas in Gowkthrapple. The two play areas are located to the south west and west of

Castlehill Primary School, one appeals to younger children and the other to children up to 12 years old.

The play area appealing to younger children is located to the west of and forms a boundary to the Primary School. This play area contains two metal

spring rockers, a metal roundabout, a multi-play climber with a slide, swings with 4 seats and pre cast concrete stepping stones. In the north of this play

area are five timber picnic style benches. The individual items of play equipment are individually surrounded by wet pour bound rubber safety surfacing

and edged with timber. The bound rubber safety surfacing has shrunk and a small gap is evident between the timber edge and safety surface. These play

items surrounded by bound rubber safety surfacing sit within asphalt with curved free form grassed areas along the boundaries. This play area is

surrounded by a timber post fence at approximately 1.2m high to the south and west. The boundary to the north and east is formed by taller timber posts

approximately 1.8m high with metal wire mesh panel inserts. Entrance to this play area is from the south along a path that connects the Primary School

to the residential area. This path separates this play area from the other equipped play area immediately to the south.


The other play area, which is in a more central location and resembles a castle is within the existing park and aimed at slightly older children. It contains

a metal roundabout, a metal framed tyre swing and a metal multi-climber with a slide. The metal roundabout is within bound rubber safety surfacing

which like the equipped area to the north has shrunk away from the timber edge detail. The tyre swing and metal multi climber with slide are within

raised timber areas with loose wood chip surfacing. These areas are surrounded by a pre-cast concrete slab edge and connected by pre-cast concrete slab

paths, most of the area within this play area is mown grass. This play area is surrounded by a timber post fence approximately 1.5m high with

hexagonal shaped corners with one side open to the park. The fence posts at the corners are approximately 1.8m high with raised timber platforms in the

north west and south west corners, these raised platforms have been vandalised.

At each play area metal dog grills at the entrances stop dogs entering the play areas.

The metal play equipment in these two play areas are painted to protect the metal, this paint is beginning to chip away in places and paint is beginning to

flake off. Where this has occurred the metal is rusting and plastic elements of the multi climber aimed at younger children are beginning to crack and

colours fade. It is estimated that if this equipment was to be left in-situ it would have a lifespan of approximately 5 years, after which it would be

recommended the items be replaced.

These two areas appear to have a low level of

use and the two areas despite being alongside

each other are poorly connected. The

distances between the individual items are

larger than necessary which could be a factor

in its underuse.


2.4 Wildlife Garden Area

Alongside the ‘castle’ play area is a wildlife garden with a decked area above, which at the time of the site visit this was vandalised and closed. The space

appears to be a wildflower meadow with a depression to collect water and provide a range of habitat niches with shrubs to encourage and attract wildlife

to the area. The shallow depression or ‘wetland’ area is dry and collects rubbish. This area is enclosed by a timber post boundary, approximately 1.2m

high.

2.5 Community Garden

Opposite the ‘Castle’ play area is the existing Community Garden area. This is surrounded by a tall timber post boundary and has lockable gates which

reduce its use by the community. In the centre of the garden is a gazebo with timber posts and a galvanised metal roof, under this gazebo is a patch of

insitu cast concrete. This gazebo is in the middle of oval shaped raised planters with no plants in them.

The surface of this area is precast concrete tegula style blocks in an oval shape that reflects the oval shape created by the planters. Radiating from the

oval hard landscaped area are lines of precast concrete slabs that divide up the mown grassed area, this area was originally designed as small scale

allotments/ vegetable growing plots. To the north of the oval hard landscaped area is a timber gazebo with a timber slat seat. This area also contains

areas of shrub planting and is enclosed by a tall timber post fence approximately 1.8m high with metal wire mesh panels.


2.6 Car Parking Court

In the south east area of the park is a large car parking court where Stanhope Place

terminates. The car parking court has an asphalt surface and is roughly rectangular in

shape with undefined added on areas that extend the space into the park. The parking

area has no defined parking bays and is divided by areas of planting with a footpath

running diagonally through the car parking court.

To the north of the car parking court is an area of dense low quality shrubs that partially

surround an electricity substation. The electricity substation is enclosed by tall

galvanised metal security fencing approximately 1.8m high.

In the centre of the park area between the ‘Castle’ play area and the community garden is

the world destination sculpture, sculptor not known. This is made from a number of pre-

cast concrete balls set out like a compass with stainless steel panels indicating the

direction and distances to various cities including Edinburgh. The Gowkthrapple Signage,

Interpretation and Arts Framework has highlighted that the relevance of this sculpture is

considered negligible and that elements are missing from it.


Within the park are a number of asphalt pedestrian footpaths linking to the surrounding residential areas. These footpaths occupy the spaces left over

between the play areas, wildlife area and community garden.

At present the community park is made from 5 separate spaces that are mostly enclosed by timber post boundaries of varying heights with the spaces

between occupied by asphalt footpaths with grass verges. These individual spaces were developed with the community’s involvement and consultation.

However these spaces are poorly connected both visually and physically which may be one factor in their underuse. Visibility across the site is unclear

with possibly an over supply of footpaths and timber fenced areas with unclear entrances/exits. This proliferation of timber fences creates visual barriers

within the park. There is a perception that it is not clear who is in the park and what they are doing. The park currently appears disconnected and

uncared for which maybe influencing factors in its underuse, misuse and the perception that it is unsafe.

2.7 Transportation Issues

Vehicular access to the park is currently only via Stanhope place which terminates into a large car parking court with undefined bays. Stanhope Place is

a two lane asphalt roadway with footpath on either side.

2.8 Pedestrian Circulation

As mentioned previously there are a high number of asphalt paths currently

passing through the park that occupy the spaces between the five areas that

create the park. The Circulation and Spatial analysis drawing highlights that

there are two main desire lines for pedestrian circulation, generally these run

in a north to south and east to west direction. The north to south route

connects the Castlehill Primary School with Gowkthrapple and the east to

west route runs through Gowkthrapple connecting residential areas, this east

to west route will become more important and dominant as the Community

Hub is developed alongside Smith Avenue.

2.9 Aspect

The Circulation and Spatial analysis drawing highlights that the space

currently has an adequate level of natural surveillance from the surrounding

residential flats that overlook the space. However around the residential flats

there are large unused shared gardens enclosed by a low bow-topped fence


approximately 1.2m high. The distances between the residential flats and boundary of the shared gardens are in places up to 25m. These large distances

combined with the large underused areas that make up the park and the unkempt appearance may be factors in its misuse despite the level of natural

surveillance from the surrounding residential properties.

Smith Avenue

Stanhope Place


Gowkthrapple Community ParkCommunity Park Circulation

Key

Key Pedestrian Routes

Secondary Pedestrian Routes

Natural Surveil lance frombuildings

Community park

Main Vehicle Routes

7309_003


Consultation 3.0 3.1 Public Consultation Feedback

The existing park layout and design was developed with a significant level of community involvement and engagement. The current design reflects the

aspirations of the community and what they wanted from their park approximately 5 – 6 years ago. However it is now evident the overall design does not

bring these aspirations together and instead creates a poor quality environment that is underused and misused.

A public consultation event was held outside the Gowkthrapple Community

Centre on Saturday 28th March 2009 alongside and as part of a

community fun day organised by Garrion People’s Housing Co-operative.

The event was successful and well attended with lots of feedback and

comments recorded.

At this event we asked the community ‘What would you like to see in the

Park?’ The main elements/ comments this generated were:

• More Adventurous Play equipment.

• Swings, Slides and Climbing frames.

• Better Security.

• Seating areas for parents/ carers.

• Play areas for younger children.

• Areas for sports/ football pitches.

• Youth shelter.


We also asked people “What would you like to use the Community Park for?” In general people want a space that is usable and inviting, that has

provision for picnics and possibly BBQs that could also be used for community events such as the community fun day held on the day of the consultation.

As well as improved play areas one of the main desires of the community and outcomes of the consultation event is to provide a space where sports such

as football can be played. There is a need for a formal and informal space where sports can be played in Gowkthrapple. Best Practice Advice from

National Grid advises that due to the High Voltage Power lines the provision of a formal or informal unsupervised sports area in the Community Park is

not recommended and an alternative location will be sought within Gowkthrapple. This will complement the existing Blaes football pitch to the north

west of Castlehill Primary School and the sports facilities at Wishaw Leisure Centre approximately 1.4 miles from the Community Park.

3.2 Feedback from Key Consultees

Consultation meetings were arranged with a number of key consultees within North Lanarkshire Council and with parties with an interest in the Park.

These meetings were held with:

• NLC Ground Maintenance and Estates, John White.

• NLC Play Services Manager, Sandra Mousdale and Ross Dunn, NLC Play Services Officer (also in attendance Billy Kennedy, NLC foreman for

the Play Areas Maintenance team in Estates Maintenance).

• Garrion People’s Co-op, John Mulholland and Cathy Brien.

• Castlehill Primary School, Tina Milligan (Headmistress).

• Clyde Valley High School, with a group of teenagers ranging in age from 14 to 15 from Gowkthrapple who attend the school.

Main issues raised included:

• NLC grounds maintenance are looking for areas of grass where the number of cuts per year can be reduced from 21 to 1 cut per year and

encourage wildflower meadows to develop.

• Forgewood Co-op expressed concerns of encouraging teenagers to congregate within the community park and highlighted this may put off

younger children and parents from using the play park.


• The Headmistress of Castlehill Primary School is keen to involve the children in creating the park and they can possibly plant spring flowering

bulbs in the park.

• NLC Play Services and Estates Maintenance highlighted the existing play equipment is not suitable to be relocated in the new park and new

items should be installed, outward opening self closing gates are preferable to dog grills and robust materials should be used in the new design,

no wooded play equipment.

• The group of school children from Clyde Valley High School expressed how they would like somewhere to meet up with friends like a Youth

Shelter and a kick about area. We discussed the possible location of these and it was suggested that near the Hub building would be the best

location.


3.3 Future Consultation

It is recommenced that for successful delivery and to develop a sense of community ownership a programme of ongoing engagement is recommended.

Engaging the community will create a sense of ownership towards the Park and will be effective in reducing vandalism.

This can be achieved by:

• Engaging the school children from Castlehill Primary School, possibly enabling them to plant spring flowering bulbs in the park.

• Installing a metal Youth Shelter as chosen by the teenagers at Clyde Valley High School that can incorporate art work panels created by them

and encouraging appropriate graffiti art on the shelter that will protect the metal from rusting and develop a sense of ownership and respect for

their area and for Gowkthrapple.


Design development 4.0 4.1 Best Practice Approach

To achieve the maximum impact from works in Gowkthrapple Community Park the space must be addressed holistically forming a consistency in

treatment, connecting with new residential developments and the proposed Hub community building. This will reinforce the overall impression of area

wide quality and investment and will help to develop a clear and legible identity for this key space.

Safer Places, the planning system and crime prevention published by Secure by Design highlights seven attributes of sustainable communities that are

relevant for crime prevention which have been incorporated into the park’s design:

• Access and Movement: places with well defined routes, spaces and entrances that provide for convenient movement without compromising

security.

• Structure: places that are structured so that different uses do not cause conflict.

• Surveillance: places where all publicly accessible spaces are overlooked.

• Ownership: places that promote a sense of ownership, respect, territorial responsibility and community.

• Physical Protection: places that include necessary, well designed security features.

• Activity: places where the level of human activity is appropriate to the location and creates a reduced risk of crime and a sense of safety at all

times.

• Management and Maintenance: places that are designed with management and maintenance in mind, to discourage crime in the present and the

future.


One of the key activities within the Park will be play within designated play areas that collectively appeal to as wide an age range as possible. Public

space lessons, design and planning for play published by CABE and Designing for Play: A Guide to creating successful play spaces published by Play

England provide Best Practice advice on designing play spaces. Both publications contain 10 principles for designing play spaces:

• Play area should be designed to enhance its setting, to be designed for the space and fit for the surroundings, enhancing the local environment.

• Located in the best possible place.

• Be close to nature, providing opportunities to experience the natural world’s smells and textures.

• Designed so that children can play in different ways providing a wide range of play experiences.

• Encouraging disabled and abled bodied children to play together.

• Meet the needs of the community.

• Allow children of all ages to play together.

• Designed to enable children to stretch and challenge themselves, experiencing risk and challenge.

• Are maintained appropriately.

• Are flexible and able to evolve as children grow and their needs change.

A successful play space is a place in its own right, specially designed for its location, in such a way as to provide as much play value as possible.

Best practice advice illustrates that a successful play area encourages fitness within children that can then be taken into adulthood, encourages

community cohesion and interaction amongst adults as well as children and is essential to a child’s physical, social and cognititive development. Advice

also highlights that the whole space should be ‘playable’ and welcoming to children and young people.


The design solutions proposed through this Study have developed through an understanding of:

• The breadth of objectives and needs behind the investment including amenity provision, encouraging social inclusion, access and maintenance.

• The multiplicity of interests involved (design/ user needs/ security/ safety/ inclusive access/ serviceability).

• The importance of durable quality and sustainable products of value requiring low maintenance while providing a high quality finish.

• The constraints inherent in Gowkthrapple (perception of safety/ security/ overhead high voltage power lines/ anti social behaviour).

• Best Practice Advice incorporating the 10 principles for designing play spaces.

4.2 Design Development In Response to Physical Issues and Consultations

The Physical Issues and Constraints drawing (no. 7309.005) highlight that there are two areas which are large

enough to accommodate play areas. Best practice advice highlights that the play areas should not be located

under the overhead power cables. North Lanarkshire Council’s Developer’s Guide to Open Space highlights that

play areas should not be located closer than 15m to residential properties. This effectively created two triangle

shapes to the north and south of the overhead power lines as shown on the drawing. The area to the south of the

power lines is unsuitable for play areas due to a noticeable level change that has the potential to divide the spaces

and not encourage children of all ages and abilities to play together. Therefore the triangle north of the

powerlines is the most suitable location for the play areas, this area is relatively level with a gentle gradient with

one path that reflects a desire line that will divide the play areas.

Pedestrian and Vehicular Circulation

The main desire lines as highlighted on the Community Park circulation drawing will reflect a simplification of

pedestrian routes that take people to the places they want to go to improving legibility and accessibility.

It is recommended that the proposed residential road network for Gowkthrapple constructed as part of its

regeneration be extended to meet Smith Avenue and pass the play areas. This will further increase passive

surveillance of the play areas and will encourage pedestrians to walk past the park and play areas on route to the


Hub building and primary school. This is supported by the Community Police Officer who was consulted with on 28 March 2009 at the Community Fun

Day organised by Garrion People’s Co-operative.

Visual Barriers and the Overhead Power Cables

The sea of timber posts that enclose the individual spaces of the park should be removed. This removal of visual barriers will help to reintroduce views

into the park thus maximising passive surveillance of the play areas and park discouraging anti-social behaviour and encouraging use.

The visual impact of the pylons and overhead powerlines will be reduced by reducing head on views of the pylons and by not following the lines created by

the power lines. Views will be focussed instead onto key buildings such as the hub or to areas of activity such as play areas.

Focus of Activity

The main focus of activity within the space will be the play areas. Simplifying and eliminating fragmented unusable spaces will create a park that

encourages appropriate use of the whole space. The play areas will become the focus of activity within the space and act as a destination for the

residents of Gowkthrapple. The more people use this park the safer it will be perceived by the community who at present do not feel that the existing play

area and park are safe to use.


Gowkthrapple Community ParkPhysical Issues and Constraints

Key

D e s i r e l i n e b e t w e e nr e s i d e n t i a l a r e a a n dprimary school

7309_005

25m offset

25m offset

25m offset

25m offset

25m offset

Area directly underoverhead power lines

Preferred area for playareas

Less preferred area forplay areas

Slope that hasthe potentialto divide playareas


4.3 Detailed Design Elements

The key principles identified at an early stage of this Design Study were those of utilising a limited palette of materials which would fit within the existing

framework of elements at Gowkthrapple. The creation of an overall perception of quality through a consistency of approach should therefore be achieved

by minimising visual confusion and spatial simplification. The design, where possible, will link and provide opportunities to be explored as part of the

Signage, Interpretation and Arts Framework completed in parallel with this study.

The design elements proposed are summarised as follows:

Lighting

The use of 'White Light' is recommended as a key objective along the key pedestrian and vehicular routes. It is generally recognised that this reduces

resident's 'fear of crime', encourages pedestrian use in hours of darkness and increases driver reaction time by up to 50%.

Surfacing

Asphalt surfacing to all footpaths is recommended to provide a robust surface and perception of quality. Every effort must be made to minimise the

introduction of additional material types whilst still trying to lift the overall appearance and quality.

It is the preference of North Lanarkshire Council Play Services and Grounds Maintenance that grass matting safety surfacing is installed under the Play

Equipment.

Tree Planting

Wherever new trees are proposed the use of semi-mature trees with a 2.5m high clear stem and a girth of a minimum 25-30cm which do not require tree

guards are recommended. A compact and dense canopy will give the trees presence within the space and a 2.5m clear stem avoids potential issues with

visibility. Species that will provide blossom, autumn colour and berries are favoured to add seasonality.

Advice has been sought from the National Grid publications on the planting of trees around high voltage power cables. Guidance recommends that a

minimum distance of 3.1m between trees and cables is to be maintained. This 3.1m distance applies to the maximum height the trees could grow and

possibly fall toward the powerlines. Although the chances of a tree falling are remote this distance needs to be observed for all eventualities.


Spring Bulb Planting

Spring flowering bulbs are recommended to add seasonality and interest at key areas within the community park. To develop a sense of community

ownership it is recommended that this is to be carried out by school children from Castlehill Primary School and possibly Clyde Valley High School.

Street Furniture

Minimal use of street furniture is recommended, however where necessary the following treatments are recommended:

Bins

Ground fixed steel litter bins, polyester powder coated black with a wide aperture are recommended or an approved

equivalent.

Seating

Powder coated steel seating with backrests are recommended to provide a robust element necessary for the space. The

seating is to be limited to select areas and sited to reduce scope for antisocial behaviour whilst providing areas where

parents and carers can supervise their children playing.

Picnic Tables

The existing picnic tables are to be reused and retained within the new design. The picnic tables are placed within the

park to add to its usability encouraging parents and carers to meet while their children play nearby. These tables also

provide seating for children and young teenagers who use the park, providing a space where they can meet with friends.


Youth Shelter

The school children from Clyde Valley High (aged 14-15)

highlighted that they would like a youth shelter so they have

somewhere that they can meet their friends and ‘hang out’.

The youth shelter selected is sculptural in design and

constructed from steel. The steel construction is robust and the

design enables artwork murals to be inserted into ‘fins’

radiating from the shelter. These artwork murals can be

designed by the school children themselves. This combined with

encouraging appropriate graffiti art on the shelter will help

develop a sense of ownership and respect for the shelter, park

and for Gowkthrapple.

Play Equipment

The total area of equipped play areas will be reduced from

2408m² to 1240m² however the existing play areas are

considered as overly large with much larger than necessary

distances between items of play equipment. The current play

areas appeal to children up to approximately 6 years old. The

two proposed play spaces will appeal to children up to

approximately 6 years old and to children up to approximately

12 years old and possibly young teenagers.

The play areas will be smaller but overall the number of play equipment items will increase from 9 items between the two areas to 12 items between the

two areas. The play equipment is to be constructed from galvanised metal to give a robust, hard wearing vandal resistant play area.


Play Equipment for Younger Children

• Multi play item with slide, promoting climbing, sliding,

balance, promoting interaction and social interaction between

children 2-6 years old. This unit has a seat on the lower

levels below the higher levels where children can sit, hide and

socialise with other youngsters.

• One group of 6 spring pod stepping stones promoting balance and

social play and interaction appealing to children 6 years plus.

• One spring seat rockers, designed for more inclusive play

promoting rocking, imagination and balance among children aged

1-6 years old and one trio rocker allowing for balance and

inclusive play among children


• One dish roundabout designed for inclusive play amongst

children of all abilities promoting social interaction and rotating.

The angle of the dish enables more independent play with less

lifting required by parents or carers and appeals to children up

to 10 years old.

• One two seat metal framed swing with one flat seat and one

cradle seat appealing to a wider range of ages.


Play Equipment aimed at Older Children

• ‘Sling shot’, a large rotation seesaw promoting social interaction and

physical play amongst all ages from 8 years upwards.

• Traditional seat swings promoting social and interactive play, rocking

and locomotion amongst children up to 10 years old.


• One Multi play item with slide,

climbing net, fireman’s pole, ladder

and a step walkway bridge between

two platforms. This items appeals to

children up to 12 years old and

encourages social and imaginative

play.

• One pendulum basket

swing, this is suitable for

children with disabilities,

promoting social

interaction and play and

swinging, appealing to

children up to 14 years old.


• An aerial cableway that uses the earth mounding

within the park, this encourages social and

inclusive play appealing to all children over 3

years to young teenagers.

• A rotating rope climber with a nest seat encouraging climbing, adventurous play, rotating and

social interaction appealing to children 6years plus.

The play equipment chosen aims to promote social play and where possible be suitable for disabled

children as well as able bodied children and will encourage children to take risks in a safe

environment.

Note: North Lanarkshire Play Services advised that before the play areas element of the community

park are implemented, items are reviewed as products are constantly changing and newer better

products may be available.


Design Recommendations 5.0 5.1 Design proposals

At the public consultation held on 28 March 2008 we asked the community “What would you like to see in the park?” The main responses and

comments this generated included more adventurous play equipment, climbing frames, swings and slides, a separate play area for younger children,

better security, an area for kick abouts and a youth shelter.

The feedback and comments received on this day have influenced the design and have as much as possible been incorporated into the two design options

for the park and play areas.

Park Design

The design proposals for the new community park seeks to create one large green space with a clear identity and function, that of play. The main desire

lines identified in the analysis have influenced the location of the paths that will clearly take people where they want to go, connecting destinations such

as the new Hub with residential areas. The play areas are located to be highly visible and to be seen from the main vehicular and pedestrian routes as

well as from residential properties.

Vehicular access is maintained to the park for occasional maintenance vehicles for the park and to the electricity substation.

Option 1 Recommends that as part of the works the existing road and car park court at Stanhope Place be replaced and simplified to a 2-way road with

car parking alongside the road. At present the large car parking court is confusing and it is unclear where to park. This option seeks to turn the car

parking court into a more traditional street layout, with areas where additional car parking can be created if deemed necessary in the future.

Option 2 Recommends retaining as much of the existing car parking court as feasible and by removing a few areas and added on areas seeks to create a

more legible layout using the existing drainage arrangements. The alignment of Stanhope Place is retained and two smaller more legible car parking

courts are created without compromising the initial design concept.

As part of the regeneration of Gowkthrapple a residential road network is proposed. The proposals for this road currently terminate to the south east of

Castlehill Road and a combined cycle/pedestrian route extends to Smith Avenue. It is recommended that the proposed road continues to Smith Avenue

past the park area. This will add extra passive surveillance and is supported by the Community Police Officer who highlighted that from a police and

security perspective this would be preferable.


Circulation

The park design options acknowledges the main north to south and east to west pedestrian routes running through the site.

Option 1 highlights these main paths be a 3m wide asphalt path, this also allows for occasional vehicular access on the north-south path for maintenance

vehicles. A secondary footpath runs in a diagonal north east to south west direction through the park and is recommended to be a 2m wide asphalt path.

All other access paths connecting residential flats and paths alongside residential roads are proposed to be 2m wide asphalt paths.

Option 2 highlights the east to west path as a 3m wide asphalt path for occasional vehicular access for maintenance vehicles. The secondary footpaths

are recommended to be a 2m wide asphalt paths. All other access paths connecting residential flats and paths alongside residential roads are proposed

to be 2m wide asphalt paths and where deemed possible it is recommended they follow the existing paths.

The path networks proposed in both options is clear and legible connecting the main destinations of the Hub building and Castlehill Primary School with

the residential areas. It is proposed all paths are to have lighting columns along them.

As mentioned it is recommended to extend the proposed residential road network to join Smith Avenue. This will improve and enhance natural

surveillance of the park and improve vehicular circulation through the proposed residential development to Smith Avenue.

Play Areas

The main function of the park in both design options is that of play. Two adjoining play areas are proposed that will appeal to both younger children and

older children and young teenagers. These two areas contain items that will promote social interaction and play with contemporary equipment that will

encourage children to take and experience risk while in a safe environment. The play areas are to be split into two areas, one that appeals to children up

to approximately 6 years old and include a multi play climber with slide, a group of spring pod stepping stones, two spring rockers, a 2 seat swing that

has one basket seat suitable for younger children and one traditional seat and one dish roundabout. This area is to be enclosed by a metal bow topped

fence approximately 1.2m high. The play area includes a grassed space where children can run around safely and three feature trees.

The second larger equipped play area is to appeal to older children and young teenagers. This play area includes a ‘slingshot’, traditional swings with 4

seats, a basket pendulum swing, a multi play climber with a slide, a dual aerial cableway and a rotating rope climber with nest seat. This play area also

contains three existing picnic benches and a rubbish bin to allow parents and carers to meet but also provides an area where the older children and

younger teenagers can meet and sit. There are two entrances/exits to this play area, the northern exit/entrance has a triangular area that contains

benches, a litter bin and bike stands where older children who cycle to the play area can leave their bikes.


This play area is also enclosed by a galvanised steel bow topped fence approximately 1.2m high with outward opening self closing gates at the

entrances/exits to dog proof the play areas.

Throughout the park and within this play area aimed at older children and young teenagers is earth mounding with a gradient of 1 in 5 allowing for a

ride-on mower to cut the grass. These mounds are to be no higher than 1m in height for security. One of these mounds is proposed to enter the larger

play space aimed at older children and young teenagers and to be a grass embankment within the play area. This embankment will also be used to raise

one side of the aerial cableway. The earth mounding has a number of functions within the park, including deterring people from playing football, flying

kites etc underneath the high voltage overhead power cables. The earth embankments are a play element that children of all ages will appreciate, be it

young children running up and down the slopes, rolling down the slopes or teenagers going up and down on their bikes on route to somewhere else passing

through the park. The mounds are also a strong landscape element that will add structure to the park in both options.

Seating

A seating area is located inside the play area aimed at younger children so parents and carers can supervise their young children playing. This area also

provides an attractive seating area for parents and carers and a place where buggies and prams can be left while toddlers and parents use the play

equipment.

Outside the play area aimed at older children and young teenagers are benches that provide additional seating for parents and carers as well as an area

where children can meet friends before going into the park or moving on elsewhere. Inside this play area are three timber picnic style benches that are to

be reused from the existing park. Like the steel benches outside the equipment area these provide areas for parents and carers to sit while the children

play and an area where children and young teenagers can meet friends.

Seating is also provided outside the entrance/exit to Castlehill Primary School for parents picking children up from school.

Passive Surveillance and Security

The existing park has many visual barriers throughout the park, creating areas where passive surveillance from footpaths and residential properties is

reduced, this increases the perceived feeling that this is not a safe place to play. The proposed design recommends minimising visual barriers opening

views into the park. The play areas will be highly visible from roads, footpaths and residential properties without feeling uncomfortably overlooked.

Passive surveillance from roads, footpaths and residential properties enabled through the removal of visual barriers could play a vital role in

discouraging antisocial behaviour. The more people that can see activities being carried out means these activities will be appropriate to the space and

discourage antisocial behaviour from occurring. This is turn will improve the community’s perception of Gowkthrapple Community Park and that this is

a safe place to play.


The larger than necessary shared gardens and the distances created between flat windows and the public footpaths, the existing park and play areas will

be reduced to improve passive surveillance from the surrounding flats.

Youth Shelter and Teenager Provision

A Youth Shelter is recommended to be installed. This was identified by the group of teenagers from Gowkthrapple who attend Clyde Valley High School

that were consulted with as being a desired element in the park and somewhere they can meet friends. This shelter is sculptural in form and it is

recommended that it incorporates artwork designed by the teenagers who use the shelter. The shelter is constructed from two layers of steel with sand

infill to absorb noise this is painted and is a hard wearing robust element that will withstand use by teenagers. There is a wooden seat in the shelter.

It is recommended that the shelter is also used as canvas for appropriate graffiti art to be sprayed onto the metal surface by the teenagers who will use it.

This will encourage ownership of the shelter and respect for the area, reducing the likelihood of antisocial behaviour occurring.

The group of teenagers consulted at Clyde Valley High who live in Gowkthrapple were aged between 14 and 15 years old. These teenagers also expressed

their desire for a small kick about/multi sports area.

It is recommended that the youth shelter and multi sports area be located near the Hub building and be a separate element to the play areas and

community park. This is recommended so that a suitable level of supervision and passive surveillance can occur without the perceived threat of a group

of teenagers in a play park.


Gowkthrapple Community ParkCommunity Park Concept

Key

Maintained amenity grass

Private shared gardens

B o w t o p f e n c i n gapproximately 1.2m high

Ground cover and low growingshrubs

Asphalt footpaths

Asphalt roadway

Rubber soft surfacing to playareas

Electricity sub station

Electricity pylons and cables

Existing residential buildings


Equipped play areaWith seating

Children 8 years+

The Hub

Semi mature tree planting

Shared surface to road

Small hill feature, no morethan 1m high

Electricity sub stationwith access maintainedscreened by re usedtimber posts

Street layout with onstreet car parking

Entrance area to School

Retained raised planters

7309_004

Children4-8 years

Childrenup to 6 years

CJK

L GH

I JK

A

B

D

F C

E

Sta

nh

op

e P

lace


Gowkthrapple Community ParkMasterplan - Option 1

7309_009

Key

Existing Buildings

Reused Bow topped fence

Asphalt Footway


New Lighting columns

4m high lighting columns tofootpaths

Tarmac/ Asphalt road

Parking Bays

Amenity Grass

Existing trees to retain

Semi mature trees, Malus Tschonoskii25-30cm girth RB2.5m clear stem

New play items

A- Dual aerial cablewayB- Multi climber with slideC- Sling shotD- Basket swingE- Rotating rope climber with nest seatF- Traditional swings with seatsG- Dish roundaboutH- Multi Climber with slideI- Traditional swings, 1 seat, 1 craddle seatJ- Spring rockerK- Trio rockerL- Springs pods

Areas where the number of grass cutscould be reduced from 21 to 1 peryear

Feature Tree, Betula Papyrifera‘Paper Birch’18-20cam girth, RB,2.5m clear stem

Existing Lighting columns

Rubber grass matting under playequipment.

Private Shared Gardens

1:5 Slopes to discourage ball gamesunder the overhead powerlines

Existing CCTV columnC

Existing Street Lighting columns

C

CJK

C

L GA

B

D

F CH

IE

JK


Gowkthrapple Community ParkMasterplan Option 2

7309_008

Key

Existing Buildings

Reused Bow topped fence

Asphalt Footway


Street Lighting columns

4m high lighting columns tofootpaths

Tarmac/ Asphalt road

Parking Bays

Amenity Grass

Existing trees to retain

Semi mature trees, Malus Tschonoskii25-30cm girth RB2.5m clear stem

New play items

A- Dual aerial cablewayB- Multi climber with slideC- Sling shotD- Basket swingE- Rotating rope climber with nest seatF- Traditional swings with seatsG- Dish roundaboutH- Multi Climber with slideI- Traditional swings, 1 seat, 1 craddle seatJ- Spring rockerK- Trio rockerL- Springs pods

Areas where the number of grass cutscould be reduced from 21 to 1 peryear

Feature Tree, Betula Papyrifera‘Paper Birch’18-20cam girth, RB,2.5m clear stem

Existing Lighting columns

Rubber grass matting under playequipment.

Private Shared Gardens

1:5 Slopes to discourage ball gamesunder the overhead powerlines

Existing CCTV columnC

Existing Street Lighting columns

Sta

nh

op

e P

lace


Sustainability and Maintenance 6.0 The proposed design of the park seeks to use hard wearing robust materials in the

design, benches, bins, boundary fences, gates and play equipment are to be galvanised

steel. This reduces vandalism and erosion/ rusting, installing hardwearing suitable

materials and elements may be more costly at the outset but will in the long term be

longer lasting and more sustainable.

Trees proposed are to be a minimum of 25-30cm girth with underground guys and a

clear stem of 2.5m. These substantial trees cannot easily be snapped like younger

smaller trees and are considered to be suitable without tree guards.

Maintenance of the park mainly will be grass mowing and earth mounding has been

designed to accommodate ride-on mowers. To ease maintenance and the appearance

of the park area it is proposed that all fences are to have a precast concrete mowing

strip into which the fence will be sited.

At present North Lanarkshire Council are looking for areas where the number of cuts

can be reduced from 21 cuts to 1 cut a year and suitable areas have been identified in

the design options.

Grounds and Estates Maintenance staff insect and clean play areas in North Lanarkshire no less than twice a week. Bi monthly engineering inspections

by the play area maintenance team and an annual independent inspection is recommended to be carried out to highlight damage of play equipment and to

recommend fixing, maintenance and finally in the future phased replacement of the play equipment as recommended by the manufacturer.


Budget Costings 7.0 7.1 Budget Estimates Option 1

Budget costings have been calculated for undertaking the Design Options as outlined earlier in the report. Budget estimates listed are inclusive of

Contractors Prelims at 17.5% and Dayworks & Contract Contingencies at 7.5%.

Site Clearance, for all works £275,768.75

Works to residential boundaries £32175

Works to park, including earth mounding, grass seeding and works to footpaths £275,086.56

New section of road to Smith Avenue running to the north of the Community Park £299, 162.43

Work to play areas including equipment and safety surface £160,605

Youth Shelter and Multi sports area £68,750

Street and footpath lighting £93,750

Improvement works to Stanhope Place and car parking court £152,318.43

Total £1,357,616.10


7.1 Budget Estimates Option 2

Budget costings have been calculated for undertaking the Design Options as outlined earlier in the report. Budget estimates listed are inclusive of

Contractors Prelims at 17.5% and Dayworks & Contract Contingencies at 7.5%.

Site Clearance, for all works £259,879

Works to residential boundaries £36,725

Works to park, including earth mounding, grass seeding and works to footpaths £176,948.06

New section of road to Smith Avenue running to the north of the Community Park £299,162.43

Work to play areas including equipment and safety surface £160,605

Youth Shelter and Multi sports area £68,750

Street and footpath lighting £93,750

Improvement works to Stanhope Place and car parking court £137,979.68

Total £1,233,799.10


Summary 8.0 8.1 Summary

The build up of inappropriate and inconsistent minor works over a significant period of time have had a detrimental effect on the character of the existing

Gowkthrapple Community Park. It is essential that environmental improvements proposed through this study redress these problems and establish a

holistic approach to future residential and community park design.

It is recommended that provision for teenagers be provided and a suitable location be sought near the HUB building to the east of the proposed

Community Park.

We also recommended that Option 2 which retains as much of the existing car park court at Stanhope Place be taken forward. This option seeks to

provide maximum gain with minimum overall spend. For maximum gain and to reduce costs it is recommended works be carried out in one build and not

be phased.

The proposals aim to achieve the objectives of the brief through:

• Establishing a framework for future public realm development works.

• Identifying works which will improve the perception and usability of the play areas encouraging appropriate use.

• Improving the quality of linkages to the local area and facilities for existing residents.

• Improving the overall quality with a consistency of approach throughout.

• Establishing a space which is easy to maintain and can be well used by local people.


Appendix 1 Site Photographs – Existing Conditions

Gowkthrapple Community GardenExisting Photographs



Appendix 2 Consultation feedback

of 4

GOWKTRHAPPLE PUBLIC EVENT DAY

ENGAGEMENT & CONSULTATION OPPORTUNITY

7320

HELD AT GOWKTHRAPPLE COMMUNITY CENTRE –28 MARCH 2009

Julian Farrar /Ryan McMahon

Small Event /Display and opportunity to talk to wide range of residents.

Question Feedback

Allotments

Would you like to see allotments in

Gowthrapple?

YES

NO

9

1

General positive response

Would you be interested in having or

sharing an allotment?

YES

NO

6

1

3 maybe’s / unsure/ never thought about it and unsure if they

could manage

Would you need help looking after your

allotment?

YES

NO

1

1

Most very unsure / couldn’t answer

Would you work to help run

Gowthrapple’s Allotment Society?

YES

NO

3

Need more information. Would there be a society

Do you think providing a range of small,

medium and large plots is a good idea?

YES

NO

6

1

of 4

Community Garden

Do you use the park?

YES

NO

11

1

What would you like to see in the Park?

More adventurous play equipment.

6

Youth shelters

2

Swings, slides, climbing frames.

7

Better security,

7

Seating areas.

6

Areas of shrubs and flowers.

2

Public art.

??

Community growing areas.

??

Locked, secure areas.

1

of 4

Open areas accessible to everyone.

??

Play equipment aimed at younger children.

6

Area for sports/ football pitches.

6

What would you like to use this space for (Community Garden)?

Relaxing, picnics and BBQs.

3

Community events/ parties.

5

Do you use the Community Park?

YES

NO

No – locked up

most of the time.

4

Are the gates and tall fences necessary?

YES

NO

3

Does it stop you using the gardens?

YES

NO

4-6

of 4

Would you be interested in being involved with running the

community gardens?

YES

NO

3

Would you like to see the community gardens being more

open with less barriers like fences and gates?

YES

NO

3

2

A number of not sure. What would it be? How would it be better?

Community Garden Comments

• Need security or people watching it.

• Locked up most of the time.

• More smaller play areas are needed.

• Not safe, needles etc are in the park.

• In summer lots of people drink in the park, feels unsafe.

• Play area for younger children.

• Should be more open planned.

• Better security.

• Better connections with the school.

• Flatten small hills and remove shrubs (throughout Gowkthrapple) to open it up.

Go

wkth

rap

ple

Co

mm

un

ity P

ark

73

20

Co

nsu

ltati

on

wit

h S

ch

oo

l C

hild

ren

at

Cly

de

Va

lle

y H

igh

Sch

oo

l fr

om

Go

wkth

rap

ple

, ag

ed

betw

een

14 a

nd

15.

Held

at

Cly

de V

all

ey H

igh

Sch

oo

l o

n 2

3rd

Ju

ne 2

009

.

•

IFL discussed the project and that today w

e w

ere m

eeting to discuss the design of

the park and w

hat they w

ould like from their park.

•

IFL asked if they use the existing park, they said ‘nothing there’ and that it w

as ‘for

younger kids’

At the consultation event IFL attached price tags to each of the follo

wing:

•

Youth shelter

(£15,000)

•

Play Equipment

(£15,000)

•

Exercise equipment

(£15,000)

•

Multi use sports area

(£30,000)

The school child

ren w

ere given a budget of £50,000 and asked to choose w

hat they w

ould

spend this m

oney on and w

hat they w

ould like in their park.

Ou

tco

me:

The school child

ren w

ould spend they m

oney on a m

ulti use sports area and a youth shelter,

if there w

as m

oney left over they w

ould spend it on play equipment, especially the basket

swing. The location of the items was discussed and they decided the best location w

as

besides the H

ub build

ing away from the play areas for younger child

ren.

The school child

ren liked the idea of having somewhere to m

eet friends and just ‘hang out’.

They liked the design and look of the shelter and liked the fact they could cover it in graffiti art.

They w

ere not so keen on the exercise equipment and said it was ‘boring’.


Appendix 3 Consultation meeting notes

Ironsid

e F

arrar

P

age 1

of 2

Gowkthrapple Community Park

7309/ RSM

Notes of Meeting held at NLC Bellshill Transport Depot, Bellshill on Thursday 28th May

2009.

Present:

John W

hite

North L

anark

shire C

ouncil,

G

round M

ain

tenance a

nd E

sta

tes

(JW

)

Ryan M

cM

ahon

Ironsid

e F

arr

ar Ltd

(IFL)

ACTION

1.0

ALLOTMENT STUDY

•

JW

hig

hlig

hte

d c

oncern

s a

bout

siz

e a

nd location o

f th

e a

llotm

ent

are

a in G

ow

kth

rapple

, possib

ly n

ot th

e b

est lo

cation in the A

rea for

allo

tments

. Noted

•

JW

hig

hlig

hte

d th

at

trees should

not

be pla

nte

d alo

ngsid

e th

e

allo

tments

, tree ro

ots

w

ill gro

w in

to th

e allo

tments

and m

ake

dig

gin

g t

he s

oil

difficult. A

lso t

rees w

ill b

lock o

ut

light, m

ake t

he

soil

dry

er

and i

f soils

w

ere

im

pro

ved a

t th

e a

llotm

ents

the e

xtra

nutrie

nts

would

encoura

ge m

ore

vig

oro

us g

row

th o

f th

e tre

es.

Noted

•

IFL to p

rovid

e m

ore

space b

etw

een a

llotm

ents

and tre

es o

n p

lan.

IFL

•

JW

ra

ised

concern

s

about

the

soil

conditio

ns,

is

the

soil

conta

min

ate

d? W

hat w

ere

the p

ast uses o

f th

e s

ite?

Noted

•

JW

dis

cussed th

at

NLC

are

curr

ently undertakin

g an A

llotm

ent

Strate

gy f

or

NLC

and o

ne s

ite c

onsid

ere

d f

or

allo

tments

was t

he

old

tre

e n

urs

ery

site o

pposite G

ow

kth

rapple

on C

astlehill R

oad.

Noted

•

JW

hig

hlig

hte

d concern

s over

the continued in

volv

em

ent

and

partic

ipation o

f th

e G

ow

kth

rapple

Com

munity in the a

llotm

ents

and

that

eventu

ally th

is w

ould

re

duce and it could

becom

e a w

ell

inte

ntioned s

pace in t

he g

reen n

etw

ork

at

Gow

kth

rapple

that

like

the locked c

om

munity g

ard

ens w

ould

becom

e u

nused a

nd d

ere

lict.

Noted

•

JW

hig

hlig

hte

d a

ll allo

tment

sites w

ithin

North L

anark

shire a

re a

t capacity a

nd a

ll have a

waitin

g lis

t.

Dem

and o

vera

ll is

hig

h b

ut

expre

ssed concern

s th

at

locally

th

ere

m

ay not

be dem

and fo

r allo

tments

. Noted

2.0

PLAY AREAS

•

IFL d

iscussed a

nd h

ighlig

hte

d the e

xis

ting c

onditio

ns o

f th

e P

ark

at

Gow

kth

rapple

and d

iscussed r

eusin

g a

s m

uch a

s p

ossib

le in t

he

new

desig

n o

f th

e P

ark

. Noted

•

JW

expre

ssed c

oncern

s that lo

cating a

pla

y a

rea u

nder

Overh

ead

Pow

er

lines m

ay n

ot

be t

he b

est

pla

ce b

ut

acknow

ledged t

his

is

the location o

f th

e e

xis

ting P

ark

. Noted

•

JW

confirm

ed S

andra

Mousdale

’s c

onta

ct

deta

ils a

re c

orr

ect

and

IFL to c

ontinue try

ing to c

onta

ct her to

arr

ange a

meeting.

IFL

•

IFL hig

hlig

hte

d th

e earth m

oundin

g as a dual

purp

ose ele

ment;

that w

ill r

educe the s

cope o

f ball

gam

es lik

e footb

all

bein

g p

layed

under th

e O

verh

ead E

lectric

ity C

able

s a

s w

ell

as b

ein

g a

n info

rmal

Ironsid

e F

arrar

P

age 2

of 2

pla

y e

lem

ent.

JW

hig

hlig

hte

d the m

ain

tenance issues a

ssocia

ted

with e

arth m

oundin

g a

nd h

ighlig

hte

d t

he m

oundin

g is t

o b

e m

ore

than 1

3° for a rid

e o

n m

ow

er to

cut th

e g

rass.

Noted/ IFL

•

JW

hig

hlig

hte

d that th

e fence w

ill n

eed to b

e a

round the d

og g

rill

for

these

to

be

successfu

l,

could

self

clo

sin

g

gate

s

be

recom

mended inste

ad?

Noted/ IFL

•

JW

hig

hlig

hte

d

that

NLC

m

ain

tenance

are

lo

okin

g

to

reduce

main

tenance costs

by le

ttin

g sele

ct

are

as of

gra

ss gro

w and

reduce the n

um

ber of cuts

fro

m 2

1 to 1

cut a y

ear. IF

L to e

xplo

re

the p

ossib

ilities o

f havin

g a

reas a

llow

ed to g

row

tall

with 1

yearly

cut.

JW

•

JW

hig

hlig

hte

d N

LC

have an ongoin

g in

itia

tive of

cre

ating new

w

ildflow

er

are

as.

IFL d

iscussed h

ow

this

is n

ot

very

suitable

for

the P

ark

but w

ill c

onsid

er are

as w

ithin

the s

tudy a

rea.

Noted/ IFL

•

JW

hig

hlig

hte

d th

at

new

Euro

pean U

nio

n sta

ndard

s have been

introduced and if th

e exis

ting item

s of

pla

y do not

meet

these

sta

ndard

s they c

annot be re-u

sed in the n

ew

desig

n.

Noted/ IFL

•

JW

hig

hlig

hte

d how

new

gra

ss seed m

ixes could

conta

in gra

ss

specie

s that are

low

gro

win

g a

nd s

low

gro

win

g this

would

help

to

reduce the o

vera

ll m

ain

tenance.

IFL

Ironside Farrar

Page 1 of 1


7309/ RSM

Notes of Meeting at Forgewood Co-op, 79 Kinloch Drive, Motherwell on 29 May 2009

Present:

John M

ullh

olla

nd,

Forgewood C

o-op

(JM)

Cathy Brien

Forgewood C

o-op

(CB)

Ryan M

cMahon

Ironside Farrar Ltd

(IFL)

ACTION

GOWKTHRAPPLE COMMUNITY PARK

�

IFL highlig

hted and discussed the existing conditions and main

issues w

ith the existing Park and discussed the m

ain elements of the

design.

Noted

�

IFL h

ighlig

hted reusing the existing items of play e

quipment in the

new design include the gazebo as a youth shelter.

Noted

�

CB and JM expressed concerns of having a youth shelter within the

Park and a better location for this m

ay need to be explored.

Noted

�

CB a

nd JM d

iscussed the p

ossibility o

f not having a

youth shelter

within the Park and relocating the gazebo at Alle

rshaw Tower for the

elderly residents to use in their garden.

Noted

�

IFL discussed the open design of the gazebo and location to

maxim

ise natural surveillance in reducing the scope for antisocial

behaviour.

Noted

�

IFL discussed the allo

tment study and the recommended site, design

and phasing of the allo

tments.

Noted

Ironside Farrar

Page 1 of 1


7309/ RSM

Notes of Meeting held at Castlehill Primary School, Gowkthrapple on 02 June 2009

Present:

Tina M

illigan

Headmistress of Castlehill Primary

(TM)

Ryan M

cMahon

Ironside Farrar Ltd

(IFL)

ACTION

•

IFL highlig

hted and discussed the existing condition of the P

ark and

discussed the main elements of the design, including reusing the

existing items, play equipment and planters w

ithin the park.

Noted

•

TM supportive of new park design.

Noted

•

TM highlig

hted that the child

ren like interactive elements such as

chalk boards. IFL noted that chalk boards m

ay not be suitable for

Gowkthrapple but interactive elements are to be explored.

Noted/ IFL

•

IFL discussed how school children could be involved in creating the

park. TM highlig

hted that the child

ren could be involved in the

planting of bulbs and other shrubs w

ithin the park.

Noted/ IFL

•

TM expressed concerns w

ith the allo

tment, same concerns as John

White about the long-term

use of the allotm

ents b

y the community

and highlig

hted how w

ithin the C

ommunity G

ardens, the fenced off

area w

as small allo

tment plots b

ut became d

isused a

nd these a

re

now in a derelict state.

Noted

•

TM highlig

hted there may be scope for IFL to return to hold a

consultation e

vent with the school child

ren. S

ummer holid

ays a

re

betw

een 26 June and 17 August 2009.

Noted


Appendix 4 Topographic Survey

Appendix 5 Cost Estimates

GOWTHRAPPLE COMMUNITY PARK 7309

SITE WORKS OPTION 1 05.11.09

Stanhope Place

New road construction Asphalt Car Parking areas 111,496.00

Painted white line of car parking bays 259.00

Kerbs to new road 10,100.00

Sub Total 121,855.00

25% prelims & contingencies 30,463.75

TOTAL £152,318.75

Works to Housing Land

Reinstall bow topped fencing with a double row Keyblock mowing

strip 25,740.00


TOTAL £32,175.00

New Road to North of Park connecting to Smith Avenue

New road to Smith Avenue including drainage & services moving

kerbs, car parking area, line line of car parking area and footpaths

to road 239,329.50


TOTAL £299,161.88

Works to Park

88 no. semi mature tree planting with underground guys. 57,200.00

All footpaths edging in park 89,995.00

Earth mounding to 1m high at 1 in 5 gradients for maintenance 58,400.00

Asphalt entrance area to play areas 1,275.00

5 no. steel benches 3,750.00

2 no. metal bins 900.00

5 no. bike racks 375.00

Bow topped fencing aorund play areas including self closing gates 4,114.00

Spring rocker 1,500.00

Trio rocker 1,500.00

Infant swings 1,500.00

Dish roundabout 1,000.00

6 no. spring pods 8,400.00

1 no. multi climber for younger children 6,000.00

1 no. dual aerial cableway 21,500.00

1 no. multi climber for older children 16,554.00

1 no. rotating rope climber with rest seat 15,000.00

Traditional 4 seat swings 2,500.00

1 no. sling shot 3,000.00

1 no. basket swing 8,000.00

Rubber grass matting under all play items 31,616.00

Lighting to all paths in Park 75,000.00

Grass seeding to all areas 14,474.00



TOTAL £529,441.25

Youth shelter 20,000.00

Multi Use Games area 35,000.00

Sub Total 55,000.00


TOTAL £68,750.00

Option 1 Total Site Clearance Works £283,840.00

Option 1 Total Proposals Works £1,081,846.00

Option 1 Total Site Clearance & Works Cost Estimate £1,365,686.00

Teenager Provision

GOWKTHRAPPLE COMMUNITY PARK 7309

SITE WORKS OPTION 2 05.11.09

Stanhope Place

New surface to car park court. 24,480.00

New white lines to car park court. 146.25

Kerbs to car park areas. 1,120.00

Sub Total 25,746.25


TOTAL £32,182.81

Works to Housing Land

Reinstall bow top fencing with a double row Keyblock mowing strip. 29,380.00


TOTAL £36,725.00

New Road to North of Park connecting to Smith Avenue

Same as Option 1

New road to Smith Avenue including drainage & services moving

kerbs, car parking area, line line of car parking area and footpaths

to road. 239,329.50


£299,161.88

Works to Park

8 no. semi mature tree planting with underground guys. 54,600.00

All footpaths and edging in park 90,947.00

Earth mounding to 1m high at 1 in 5 gradients for maintenance. 58,400.00

Asphalt entrances to play areas 1,275.00

5 no. steel benches. 3,750.00

2 no. metal bins. 900.00

5 no. bike racks. 375.00

Bow topped fencing to play areas including self closing gates 4,114.00

Spring rocker 1 no. 1,500.00

Trio rocker 1 no. 1,500.00

Infant swings, 2 seats 1,500.00

Dish roundabout 1 no. 1,000.00

Spring pods 6 no. 8,400.00

Multi climber with slide for younger children 6,000.00

1 no. dual aerial cableway 21,500.00

1 no. multi climber with slide aimed at older children. 16,554.00

1 no. rotating rope climber with nest Seat. 15,000.00

Traditional 4 seat savings 2,500.00

1 no. swing shot 3,000.00

1 no basket swing 8,000.00

Street lighting for all areas of park 75,000.00

Rubber grass matting under play equipment 31,616.00



TOTAL £509,288.75

Teenager Provision

Youth shelter 20,000.00

Multi Use Games area 35,000.00

Sub Total 55,000.00


TOTAL £68,750.00

Total Option 2 Site Clearance Works £265,903.75

Total Option 2 Site Works Option 2 £946,108.44

Total option 2 Works Cost Estimate £1,212,012.10

gowkthrapple - community park design report

Documents

design ironside farrar

consultation feedback

design development

regeneration of gowkthrapple

existing community park

green network study

green network strategy

public consultation