By Alona
I've just posted this comment below on our Facebook group. I'll post more updates on this blog in the next few days.
Austerity measures imposed by central Government will impact on
Lewisham's parks. Cuts in funds to local authorities will means cuts in
funds to our parks. One example is that designated grass areas will be
allowed to grow as meadow and have less frequent mowing. In Mayow Park
we already have one meadow area. Another painful hit will be job losses,
particularly park keepers. There are currently 12 park keepers but from
April there will be only 6 if current plans are implemented. Our park
keeper in Mayow Park is at risk of losing her job!
If there are six park keepers shared between twelve parks, the quality of the service they provide will be watered down. Glendale (manages the parks on behalf of Lewisham) has mobile teams and they will be visiting these parks regularly each day.
We should note that there are over thirty other parks in Lewisham without a park keeper and Glendale workers look after those too. But having a static park keeper in Mayow Park on five days each week has been important to our very busy park. I wonder whether our role as park users and volunteers may change when six park keepers spend fewer hours in each of the 12 parks?
This is a difficult time for Lewisham Greenscene, for Glendale and for our park users.
Monday, 23 February 2015
Monday, 16 February 2015
Glendale looks after our park
By Alona
In late autumn, a team from Glendale came to spruce up the park. Every horizontal surface was covered in fallen leaves and, with winter approaching, these needed to be cleared. They came with blowers and other suitable tools. Unfortunately, it seems no-one took photos of this tidy up but plenty of people commented positively about the work. The leaves were removed and taken elsewhere to rot down and to be turned into soil improver.
Today (16th February 2015) I went in to the park around 9am, camera in hand, determined to take photos of things in the park. Plenty of birds were singing and I could hear woodpeckers hammering away but what caught my eye was three people in high-viz jackets near the Silverdale gate, alongside a pile of woodcip mulch.
This mulch came from shredded Christmas trees recycled in early January and was being used to mulch the rose beds.
In addition, the plant bed edges and the path edges were being tidied up.
Mayow Park may not be perfect and some of the paths leave much to be desired, but we are fortunate that Glendale sends us grounds maintenance people who clearly know what they are doing.
In late autumn, a team from Glendale came to spruce up the park. Every horizontal surface was covered in fallen leaves and, with winter approaching, these needed to be cleared. They came with blowers and other suitable tools. Unfortunately, it seems no-one took photos of this tidy up but plenty of people commented positively about the work. The leaves were removed and taken elsewhere to rot down and to be turned into soil improver.
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| Men and mulch |
This mulch came from shredded Christmas trees recycled in early January and was being used to mulch the rose beds.
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| onto the rose bed |
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| path edging |
In addition, the plant bed edges and the path edges were being tidied up.
Mayow Park may not be perfect and some of the paths leave much to be desired, but we are fortunate that Glendale sends us grounds maintenance people who clearly know what they are doing.
Thursday, 5 February 2015
FITNESS EQUIPMENT INSTALLED AND READY FOR ACTION
Great news that the fitness equipment is ready for use. Many of the regular park users have commented to say how pleased they are. To show how best to use the equipment, the manufacturers (HAGS-SMP) have added signs. Thank you Lewisham and Glendale for adding these features to our park.
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| outdoor gym is located near Recreation Road entrance |
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| woodland backdrop to outdoor gym |
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| A sign explains how to use equipment |
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| Part of the trim trail |