| Author |
Message |
Ooperlooper
Joined 28-06-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, 20 May, 2007 - 02:31 pm: | |
I'm thinking of asking the Councillors whether it would be possible to give the Horniman Triangle (the green area opposite the Horniman Gardens) a minor revamp, but before I do I thought I might as see whether anyone else has a view on the matter.
I'd suggest we ask for the following:
* Repaint the building by the playground area to make it look less depressing and neglected, and board up the holes to stop pidgeons getting in.
* Repaint the playground apparatus where needed
* Repaint the gates and fencing around the entrances where it is peeling off
* Create a new entrance at the crossing, directly opposite the main entrance to the Horniman Museum (the convoluted baffle type so kids can't run straight out onto the pavement/road). At the moment the fence has been wrenched downward to allow entry anyway.
* Either create another new entrance or repair the fence at the bus stop, where it has also been wrenched downward to allow entry
* Cover the concrete part of the play area with a rubberised surface
* Ask for something to be done to improve drainage and stop the area around the playground becoming a muddy bog for three quarters of the year
* Ask to ensure that rubbish is collected regularly along the fence with London Road (both sides of the fence)
Does anyone have any comment on that? |
Dommy
Joined 27-05-2004
| | Posted on Monday, 21 May, 2007 - 01:50 pm: | |
An entrance and seating / viewing platform at the top? |
Brian
Joined 18-04-2005
| | Posted on Monday, 21 May, 2007 - 02:01 pm: | |
You have very limited requirements. Who is paying for this.???? |
Ooperlooper
Joined 28-06-2006
| | Posted on Monday, 21 May, 2007 - 08:59 pm: | |
Are they very limited? In that case what would you like to see happen? Presumably though the more limited and easily actionable the changes we request are, the more likely it is that they could be approved and carried out. Paying? That would be Lewisham (this is the kind of thing we pay them for, isn't it?). I guess there are probably a number of budgets that this might come from but I'm afraid I don't know what they might be or how long it might take to get planned and approved. I'm sure it would probably be years, but you have to start some time. I know that the South London Green Chain Walk is to be extended to include Sydenham Hill Nature Reserve and the Horniman Gardens, so perhaps there might be some budget and/or that could be a trigger for a bit of cash to be spent doing up the Triangle.
Is there no entrance at the top? That's ridiculous! That should definitely be on the list. |
Lillam
Joined 15-04-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, 23 May, 2007 - 01:30 pm: | |
yes, more seating would be good - only benches by the playground at present - a couple of benches at the top of the slope would be nice. |
Brian
Joined 18-04-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, 31 May, 2007 - 12:23 pm: | |
Have they still got the strange rule that adults without children were forbidden access.
About 6 or so years ago was going to take short cut across , nicer than the pavement , and saw a sign stating that I would not be welcome.Since then have not dared to go near it.
Made all adults with no children with them seem like criminals.
I would want to know the facts before asking the council to spend our money. |
Hilltopgeneral
Joined 24-03-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, 31 May, 2007 - 01:54 pm: | |
Erm, do give some thought as to why "adults without children" might not be welcome in a children's playground. I'll give you a clue - it involves either puppies and Werther's Originals, or spray cans and Bostik. |
Brian
Joined 18-04-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, 31 May, 2007 - 02:21 pm: | |
Good point but it is not only a kiddies play ground . However perhaps I did not consider the other point of view this time.
I just do not like being assumed to be a criminal if I am an adult on one's own.
However I do agree probably for the playground area it may be a good thing. Unless I am much mistakes this only occupies about 20% of the area |
Doc
Joined 23-02-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, 31 May, 2007 - 02:30 pm: | |
I agree with Brian. The children's playground occupies only a small part of the area, is easily segregated, and should in no way govern who else is permitted to use the area. It is the act of challenging ill-conceived rules which requires "giving some thought". |
Hilltopgeneral
Joined 24-03-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, 31 May, 2007 - 02:44 pm: | |
Well, I'd suggest that no-one is going to mind you taking a short cut across the field. Just keep off the swings / out of the bushes. |
Stevegrindlay
Joined 24-10-2006
| | Posted on Monday, 04 June, 2007 - 10:57 pm: | |
I believe the rule was introduced in the 1950s when the LCC took over responsibility for the triangle (during the war it had been allotments and before that a smallholding). The LCC, which was also responsible for the Horniman Gardens, laid out the park specifically as a children's play area with sand-pit, paddling pool and other amenities and they called it the Horniman Play Park. As Lewisham is now responsible for maintenance I suspect the rule no longer applies. |
Ooperlooper
Joined 28-06-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, 16 June, 2007 - 07:35 pm: | |
Current signs at the entrances do say that the playground area is for under 13s only (boozing teenager regulars please take note) but they certainly don't say that single adults are banned.
Interestingly though, I've just realised that the signs do says that dogs are banned, so it's potentially the dog poo free paradise for kids and sunbathers that was mentioned on the thread about the revamp of the Horniman Gardens - if only the Triangle were a bit more nicely looked after, eh?
Any more ideas for improvements? |
Perryman
Joined 12-12-2006
| | Posted on Monday, 18 June, 2007 - 11:51 pm: | |
Any other ideas?
How about a large chalk hill figure?
Something like the Cerne Abbas Giant ('Rude Man').
It could be called the Horniman... |
