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Mayow Park
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fatrascal


Posts: 11
Joined: Jun 2007
Post: #1
02-08-2011 01:23 PM

After all the effort that has gone in to creating a new wooden play area, picnic area and preparations to make a cricket pitch in Mayow Park, it is disappointing to see the following happening in the last week

1) The new wooden low balance beam (log) has been set alight - presumably not by accident!

2) A new wooden picnic table with a large burnt section on the table top.

3) Teenagers deciding to play football in the area of the park that has been specifically cordoned off to allow the grass to settle in order to become the wicket area for the new cricket pitches.

What is more disappointing perhaps is that I can't say that I'm surprised.

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Gep


Posts: 60
Joined: Aug 2007
Post: #2
02-08-2011 09:40 PM

Very frustrating indeed.

I love Mayow Park (by the way it's much better than the Horniman Gardens for running) and I can't believe nothing can be done against this anti social behaviour.

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Prampusher


Posts: 34
Joined: May 2010
Post: #3
04-08-2011 09:16 AM

Not surprised and cynical that anything can be done to stop this sort of behaviour. I have long ago decided that it's not worth trying to stop teenagers / kids from doing anything, especially if there are more than two of them. I was in Mayow Park with my young children the other day, when I saw men (not teenagers) messing about on the cricket grass which had the sprinkers on it. Antisocial behaviour? not really - it was a hot day and they were running through the water with a dog.

Setting fire to stuff is more worrying, but if things are made of wood, what can you do? At least older children have these facilities now, which will hopefully reduce their use of the playground for younger children - a 14 year old, in my experience, doesnt always share nicely with a 2 year old!

More pressing is when the park is going to have reasonable and sensibly situated toilet facilities - I know there is a loo near the veg garden but it is a long way from the playground and not much use for those of us going through toilet training (with the children, that is!).

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AMFM


Posts: 306
Joined: Oct 2007
Post: #4
04-08-2011 09:31 AM

The burning of the balance beam is clearly an act of arson but the picnic table looked more like an act of stupidity - looks to me as though someone had a diposable bbq that they put directly on the table and that's what probably caused the burning there.

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brian


Posts: 2,002
Joined: Apr 2005
Post: #5
04-08-2011 03:23 PM

Regret does not surpise me. Perhaps can ban chavs from the park but that would take expensive security.

What is the betting the guilty parties are from benefit families.

Very sad.

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michael


Posts: 3,255
Joined: Mar 2005
Post: #6
04-08-2011 04:03 PM

You would have thought that play equipment designed for public parks would be a little more fire resilient.

I recently got a quote for swings in the Horniman Triangle (voting on 14th August at the Forest Hill Ward assembly). I debated whether to get a quote for wooden frames, which would look nicer especially in a conservation area, but I instinctively felt they would not last as long, especially in a park that has had previous acts of arson. So it didn't take much consideration to realise that the wooden frame, however resilient, would be a bad idea.

It is sad, but public spaces need to be equipped in a way that does not attract such anti-social behaviour and vandalism.

It only takes one idiot to do something stupid and it ruins it for everybody, and they might have gone to a top public school or from a family that is entitled to benefits. People should not be judged by their background but by their actions. Very sad.

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oryx


Posts: 205
Joined: Nov 2007
Post: #7
05-08-2011 11:28 PM

Brian, I find it really sad (and not a little offensive) that you conflate claiming benefits with arson.

Six years ago I was claiming benefits (JSA and HB/CTB). I cannot say that it created any urges to take a lighter to play equipment in the local parks.

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Perryman


Posts: 820
Joined: Dec 2006
Post: #8
06-08-2011 01:07 AM

With the drinking fountain out of action for decades, no formal toilets, no park keeper and 3/4 of the paths in disrepair, is it any wonder that the pole burner thought no-one really cares?

When Brian was a lad, there probably were at least 3 full time park keepers on permanent duty there, immaculate rose beds, aviary, a well maintained pavilion, lawns and woe betide young brian if he ventured onto an area marked 'keep off the grass'.

So the question to Brian is why did your generation neglect and sometimes actively seek to destroy the incredible Victorian legacies such as Mayow Park?

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brian


Posts: 2,002
Joined: Apr 2005
Post: #9
06-08-2011 11:56 AM

Hi Perryman
I seem to recall there was possibly one park keeper in my younger days.
I agree 100% that park has been neglected over the years. Surely blame should lay with Labour's LBC , who I have never voted for.

I just think it is terribly sad that there are people in our society who seek to destroy rather than construct.


Oryx
Sorry if I offended you. I know JSA but not aware of the other benefit you quote. From what you are saying I would imagine you were unemployed for a shortish period and that id what benefits are for.
I was refering to, people who have never worked and no intention of doing so.

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oryx


Posts: 205
Joined: Nov 2007
Post: #10
06-08-2011 02:37 PM

No personal offence taken, brian - however I've worked for years with people on long-term benefits, and it's usually for good reason like genuine sickness or inability to afford childcare. And most of them wouldn't dream of vandalising a park!

People, don't believe everything the papers say about benefit claimants.....

Best get this thread back on topic, though.

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brian


Posts: 2,002
Joined: Apr 2005
Post: #11
06-08-2011 02:44 PM

OK , I take your point. Just very sad which I believe we all agree.

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Jane2


Posts: 221
Joined: Jan 2007
Post: #12
12-08-2011 08:37 AM

I just wanted to say went to Mayow Park the other day and thought the new play area was really good. As you say it might mean the older kids spend less time in the younger kids playground (although the swings were still - as usual - dominated by teenagers, they seem to love them more than my small kids do! Although they were being supervised by a dad who warned them to 'be careful of the little kids' so I didn't really mind).

The tennis court was being used; there was an ice-cream van doing a good trade; it all felt pleasantly busy (and this on the day after the riots).

There was also visible park keeper there, but I guess any trouble happens in the evenings when no-one is around. But this sort of thing happens in any park - even Dulwich Park is not immune.

Mayow park is coming along nicely, what with the community garden as well.

A coffee bar, a few more picnic tables, and a loo and it would be all set!...... (I haven't found the loo near the veg garden yet?)

Just wanted to post on a positive note!

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Tim Lund


Posts: 255
Joined: Apr 2008
Post: #13
08-10-2011 09:22 AM

Quote:
The next Friends of Mayow Park quarterly meeting will be held on Tuesday 11th October 2011 at Forest Hill School starting at 7pm prompt. It will finish by 8.30pm. Topics for the meeting will include cricket and the Green Flag recently awarded to Mayow Park.
Go into the school via the gates on Dacres Road and explain to the security staff that you are coming to the Mayow Park meeting. We will find out on the evening which room we will be in.


http://friendsofmayowpark.blogspot.com/2...eting.html

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Tim Lund


Posts: 255
Joined: Apr 2008
Post: #14
12-10-2011 08:17 AM

At their meeting last night, Friends of Mayow Park were told that the Council had found money to get the pavilion in Mayow Park to a point where next year it would put a concession to run a café there out to tender. The Council's money will go to restoring the fabric of the building, and installing toilets and showers required by the Disabilities Discrimination Act and the use of the first floor for sports changing rooms. I'll see if I can get hold of the actual floor plan we were shown for posting here.

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admin
Administrator

Posts: 424
Joined: Dec 2002
Post: #15
24-01-2012 03:16 PM

From Lewisham Council:

Quote:
Orchard Planting in Mayow Park

This year Friends of Mayow Park have teamed up with the London Orchard Project to plant a new orchard in Mayow Park.

The event will take place on Saturday 28 January 2012 from midday to 3pm and is being supported by Lewisham Council.

The new orchard will be situated near the tennis courts at the southern side of the park. Trees to be planted are 6 apple varieties, 3 pear and 2 plum. Local residents have volunteered their time to plant the trees and to care for the orchard over the coming years and more volunteers are welcome.

Funding for the cost of the trees is being raised by sponsorship. Friends of Mayow Park are keen to encourage more people to sponsor an individual tree or make a contribution towards the trees.

Refreshments will be available at the Grow Mayow Community Garden.

Everyone is welcome – please come along and sign up to be volunteer!

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lette


Posts: 7
Joined: Feb 2007
Post: #16
31-01-2012 01:33 PM

Does anyone know what time Mayow Park is open in the mornings?

I see from the Lewisham Council website that the gates should be open by 8am but just wondered if anyone can give a more accurate time.

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Tim Lund


Posts: 255
Joined: Apr 2008
Post: #17
31-01-2012 01:43 PM

Not sure - they seem always to be open when I want to go through cycling in to work, so I think 8.00 is a reliable time, if not the most accurate.

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lette


Posts: 7
Joined: Feb 2007
Post: #18
31-01-2012 02:32 PM

Thanks Tim. Was hoping it might be open earlier than 8am so I can get a walk in before work.

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PVP


Posts: 271
Joined: Mar 2005
Post: #19
01-02-2012 02:33 PM

I thought it operated a dawn and dusk policy so hopefully it should opening earlier now it is getting lighter in the mornings.

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