Have your say on the parks strategy

by Hammersmith and Fulham Press Office
04/06/2008

Consultation exercises underway

Now is the time to have your say on Hammersmith and Fulham’s 231 hectares of public open space as the council starts a variety of consultation exercises to inform future open space improvement plans.

"We are lucky to have some of the most beautiful parks and open spaces in London here in Hammersmith & Fulham" said Cllr Paul Bristow, Cabinet Member for Resident Services, "and we are asking residents what needs to be done to improve them."

"The council believes that clean, green award winning open spaces where residents can relax and enjoy a variety of activities and events in an attractive and safe setting are essential to delivering a borough of opportunity for all residents. Residents will be keen to know that our ParkLife campaign will be championing our parks throughout the summer".

The consultation will be in three parts all taking place this month.

1. A postal questionnaire survey will be sent to 10,000 households in the borough on June 23 to gather information on the parks and open spaces residents visit, how they use them and what they would like the council to do to improve them. The questionnaire will also be available online from the June 23. » Take part in the online consultation.

2. This information will assist the council in planning improvements through its Parks and Open Spaces Strategy (pdf). Currently in draft, the purpose of the strategy is to coordinate improvements to open spaces across the borough and to promote their use and enjoyment by all borough residents. Key groups in the community including residents, amenity and Friends of Parks groups, partnership agencies, schools and sports clubs will be invited to comment on the strategy document. 

3. In addition, residents who’d like to communicate ideas for improvement can now use Greenstat , an online tool that allows park visitors to feedback observations and suggestions on any park in the borough. The information will be used to gauge resident satisfaction, quickly address problem areas and improve facilities where needed.

Councillor Bristow added: "With summer approaching I’m sure people will be out enjoying parks and open spaces so I hope that everyone who receives a questionnaire will fill it in and send us their thoughts and that others will log on to Greenstat  to let us know how we are doing in individual parks. It is vital that we understand our residents’ open space needs so we can address them in a planned way through the strategy".