Rosefield Park improvements

[Porty]

"We had a meeting....... to which everyone was invited" DC Cairns

This is classic DC No names, no numbers, no detail. Its likely that the only attendees of "everyone who was invited" were herself and councillor hawkins. Reminds me of the infamous " Survey of 1000 people" she supposefly carried out on behalf of PCATs. Turns out sh e distributed 1000 questionnaire in shops round porty and got less than 6 responses.

[Bob Jefferson]

I know for a fact that one of the attendees feels he was misled about the MUGA and is now in favour of it.

[Porty]

Interesting but not surprising. Would the turncoat divulge how many others attended.

[Bob Jefferson]

A dozen I think, maybe less.

[Porty]

Nah. That must be the total attendance as it was a joint event with a book club meeting at one of your neighbours.

In what way did the turncoat feel he had been misled? Usual stuff was it: MUGA would lead to housing on the park, loss of 38% of BRA parkland, 6M high fencing obscuring the view to Arthur seat, traffic issues, increase in drug taking amongst young people- what else?

[Maria]

Must admit I'm puzzled as to how it would interfere with the village show. I missed this year's show, but previous ones were held in the central grassy area. Isn't the proposed MUGA adjacent to the old tennis courts area?

I missed the BRRA AGM, but did take part in an earlier walk round Rosefield Park with another consultation group, which comprised of a handful of interested residents and some community council members. I was in the minority, when I expressed enthusiasm for the idea of a MUGA. I think there is a fear, among some residents, that it would encourage congregation of unruly youths. To be fair to them, this isn't an unreasonable fear, as Rosefield Park has suffered in the past from this. The installation of bright lighting and a CCTV camera has really helped, however, and I don't think the MUGA would be anything other than an asset.

[Bob Jefferson]

The installation of bright lighting and a CCTV camera has really helped, however, and I don't think the MUGA would be anything other than an asset.

I seem to recall that Stephen Hawkins and Diana Cairns were against the lighting as well, claiming that it was a source of 'light pollution' invading the privacy of their kitchen.

[Porty]

I missed the BRRA AGM, but did take part in an earlier walk round Rosefield Park with another consultation group, which comprised of a handful of interested residents and some community council members. I was in the minority, when I expressed enthusiasm for the idea of a MUGA. I think there is a fear, among some residents, that it would encourage congregation of unruly youths. To be fair to them, this isn't an unreasonable fear, as Rosefield Park has suffered in the past from this. .

Yeah the "fear" is understandable and its true that there has been issues in the past.

Although I lived almost next door to the park for 17 years and never had any problem, pre and post cctv/lighting.

Occassional bother from "unruly youths" comes with the "living in a city" territory. Personally, I've never had any neighbour trouble either but I did have neighbours who moved to a different part of the city due to the unacceptable behaviour of their adult neighbours. Not unruly but ignorant. Point being- if you want to live in a city or a village, you cant have things all your own way.

Marya, I'm sure you would agree that the group you toured the park with are no more representative than the handful of people who attended the "democratically chaired" BRRA get together. Those type of "get togethers" tend to be magnets for NIMBY's.

[Porty]

The installation of bright lighting and a CCTV camera has really helped, however, and I don't think the MUGA would be anything other than an asset.

I seem to recall that Stephen Hawkins and Diana Cairns were against the lighting as well, claiming that it was a source of 'light pollution' invading the privacy of their kitchen.

Really?- I take it you are aware of the tale of the bench located outside kitcheners?

[Pal of Porty]

....Really?- I take it you are aware of the tale of the bench located outside kitcheners?

What are you on about - there is no bench outside Kitchener's

[Bob Jefferson]

So what's the story? No, let me guess. Someone has complained about children sitting on it. Am I close?

[Porty]

So what's the story? No, let me guess. Someone has complained about children sitting on it. Am I close?

Sort of.

As POP points out; there is no longer a bench located outside Kitcheners- why?

The matter was brought to the attention of PCC back in Feb ofthis year and it was generally agreed it would be good to have the bench reinstated. Cathy Cherizard, who appears to be awesome, was tasked with investigating the matter with a view to reinstatement.

In March- Cathy reported she had reached a dead end trying to establish why the bench had been removed? Maureen Child provided the answer "Maureen Child thought local residents had objected to it being there"

Which was the case, the bench was proving to be a focal point for ASB, the residents petitioned the council to have it removed and made a convincing enough case for the council to do so. Here we have a situation where residents have taken action to improve their living environment and been succesful.

What happened next:

Did PCC agree to let things be on the basis locals know best?
Did PCC commend the residents for acting to remove unruly youths?
Did PCC decide to consult the locals and investigate the matter further?

Well.....after about 5 seconds consideration they go:

Diana Cairns observed that the people to whom local residents might object gathered there even without the
seat, so a seat made nothing worse and would be appreciated by people waiting for buses.

* Action: Diana Cairns to write to Jim Hunter requesting reinstatement of seat at bus stops.

The Queen of NIMBYism deigns that others just have to put up with ASB. And all based on a personal "observation"- to hell with those living with the problem 24/7!!

Once again, you couldn't make it up.

[Bob Jefferson]

A reminder that tomorrow (Monday) is the deadline to make your views known on the Rosefield Park Multi Use Games Area proposal. All you need to do is pop into Portobello Library and complete the form. It's a simple tick box to indicate whether or not you support the MUGA and your completed form goes into the provided box.

Without your support, those opposing this recreational facility for local children will ensure that it does not go ahead, which would be a huge missed opportunity.

The library is open today from 1pm to 5pm today.

[Bob Jefferson]

Just received:

I acknowledge receipt of your e-mail regarding Rosefield Park. Thank you for your interest in this project and for taking the time to comment on the proposals.

Should you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact Scott Thomson (Community Parks Officer) on 0131 529 3481 or scott.thomson@edinburgh.gov.uk

Kind regards
James Hunter

James Hunter │ Local Environment Manager │East Neighbourhood │Services for Communities │East Neighbourhood Office │86 Niddrie Mains Road │Edinburgh │EH16 4DT │Tel: 0131 529 7914 http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/east

If you still haven't got round to completing a form, or if you would like an extra copy or two for other family members, here is an electronic copy that will take you seconds to complete. And if you submit it before 5pm it might still make a difference:

http://www.geofflynn.com/mugaq.html

[Pal of Porty]

When I went to the library to post my form on Monday the box was absolutely brimming. I do not know if it had been emptied or not during thetime it had been in place.

[Franck]

I see improvements are being made to the burn just beside the bridge, it's being widened and re-enforced with a wall.All the shrubbery has been removed, but I'm guessing they'll put new stuff in.I reckon it will look nice.

[Franck]

The template for the MUGA has been dug out with the base started, so it looks like it's going ahead.Give it a couple of months to repair itself and I think the park will look terrific.

[rmolehusband]

The template for the MUGA has been dug out with the base started, so it looks like it's going ahead.Give it a couple of months to repair itself and I think the park will look terrific.

That is excellent news.

[Mark Cameron]

Great news. I love the outcomes of community consultation.

[wangi]

Great news. I love the outcomes of community consultation.

Ironically the recent cutting back of bushes at Rosefield was the topic of some discussion at Monday night's PCC meeting. Some felt the consultation before it, and the feedback they provided (re not cutting back severely), had been ignored. A discussion with council officials seemed to praise that consultation had been done, regardless of the outcome.

[Mark Cameron]

Sorry not fully understanding your post Wangi. Do you mean when this was discussed with council officials at the PCC meeting on Monday the fact that consultation was carried out was praised but they weren't concerned that the feedback hadn't been acted on?

M

[Franck]

Great news. I love the outcomes of community consultation.

Ironically the recent cutting back of bushes at Rosefield was the topic of some discussion at Monday night's PCC meeting. Some felt the consultation before it, and the feedback they provided (re not cutting back severely), had been ignored. A discussion with council officials seemed to praise that consultation had been done, regardless of the outcome.

I think cutting back not as severely as they have done would have made the job look half-arsed.I was initially surprised to see how dramatic the work had become, but when the new planting starts I'm sure it will look better taking away all the old plants.

I see they have created a new bed on the right of the path leading to the burn from the play park.

[Maria]

I think cutting back not as severely as they have done would have made the job look half-arsed.I was initially surprised to see how dramatic the work had become, but when the new planting starts I'm sure it will look better taking away all the old plants.

I was part of a volunteer consultation group, that toured the Park with Scott Thomson, Community Parks Officer. He said that the plan was to get rid of self seeded plants and to really radically prune back bushes such as the laurels, which had been allowed to grow out of control. Scott pointed out several pretty specimen plantings, which he wanted to preserve and which had become 'lost' in the undergrowth.

I was was one of the most enthusiastic about cutting back all the overgrown bushes, especially along the main path, though some others weren't. I felt it would make it safer when using that path at night and also improve the look of the park, but I must admit I was pretty shocked to see that it seems that everything, bar the big trees, has gone.

I'm not hopeful about new planting in those areas Franck, but maybe there will be. It could also be that some plants will recover; the laurels, for example. I got the impression that Scott knows his stuff and is really enthusiastic about his job, so perhaps we shouldn't judge, until after a couple of growing seasons.

On the other hand, maybe the council sent out some workers, who know absolutely zilch about horticulture, but like using chainsaws?

[Franck]

I think cutting back not as severely as they have done would have made the job look half-arsed.I was initially surprised to see how dramatic the work had become, but when the new planting starts I'm sure it will look better taking away all the old plants.

I was part of a volunteer consultation group, that toured the Park with Scott Thomson, Community Parks Officer. He said that the plan was to get rid of self seeded plants and to really radically prune back bushes such as the laurels, which had been allowed to grow out of control. Scott pointed out several pretty specimen plantings, which he wanted to preserve and which had become 'lost' in the undergrowth.

I was was one of the most enthusiastic about cutting back all the overgrown bushes, especially along the main path, though some others weren't. I felt it would make it safer when using that path at night and also improve the look of the park, but I must admit I was pretty shocked to see that it seems that everything, bar the big trees, has gone.

I'm not hopeful about new planting in those areas Franck, but maybe there will be. It could also be that some plants will recover; the laurels, for example. I got the impression that Scott knows his stuff and is really enthusiastic about his job, so perhaps we shouldn't judge, until after a couple of growing seasons.

On the other hand, maybe the council sent out some workers, who know absolutely zilch about horticulture, but like using chainsaws?

Aye, there does seem to be some enthusiastic chainsaw action.

I hope there is new planting being done, the several tons of manure spread about yesterday that my dog decided was great to roll about in must be for another reason than that!

[Maria]

It is starting to look a lot neater. The manure has already improved the look of it!

The first lot of old railings have also been removed from the West Brighton Crescent wall.

[rmolehusband]

The first lot of old railings have also been removed from the West Brighton Crescent wall.

That's a brave council hobbit to venture so close to the gate of Mordor itself. Maybe the eye of Sauron is directed elsewhere, south to Porty Park perhaps?

[wangi]

That's a brave council hobbit to venture so close to the gate of Mordor itself. Maybe the eye of Sauron is directed elsewhere, south to Porty Park perhaps?

The other comment from Monday's PCC was the security and/or privacy implications... Personally I think the big bushes could have hidden all sorts of nefarious activities. And that's your own responsibility anyway...

[Porty]

There's been several incidences where very young kids playing in and around those bushes have been verbally abused then banished by some residents of WBC. Not sure who made the observations at PCC , maybe its the very same people?

[Bob Jefferson]

Lots of planting taking place this week. Verbena, Pyracantha, Geranium, Hosta and Fuschia among the things I spotted. It's pretty radical and going to take a few years before we see the results but you have to plan these things for the long term. The "template for the MUGA", which almost prompted a premature story in the EN, is in fact the site of the old tennis courts. The top layer of grass has been removed to expose sand underneath. This area is occasionally used for the odd game of boules/petanque and I think this is what Scott has in mind. The MUGA is destined (hopefully) for the far corner of the park and I'm pretty confident that it will be in place by early Summer.

[Porty]

It all sounds good Bob. Can anyone recall how many courts there were? I think 6. The proposed MUGA will only cover part of the courts area. The park was reconfigured when HLR was being constructed or maybe prior. It is smaller now.

The courts abutted the existing path leading through the double gates at WBC. Space to park a bike between the fence and the path. And only about 5 feet from the garden wall of 19 WBC the last house on the left. My recall may be inaccurate.

[wangi]

This map (1932) may help - i'm convinced the wall to the SW boundary of Rosefield Park, which continues from the rear of the WBC properties pre-dates HLR and is the same wall as on this map. It's poor state attests to that!

http://maps.nls.uk/os/25inch-2nd-and-la ... 2=82877538

Overlayed:

[Porty]

You mean the wall continuing towards kings road from the houses at WBC? Id say a bit of the park was lost to HLR. Im rubbish at that sort of judgement .

[seanie]

The Neighbourhood Partnership will also be considering a report on the mulit-use-games-area proposal for Rosefield Park.

Looks it might go ahead.

[Porty]

I hope so, certainly looks like it has widespread support.

[seanie]

Looks like the MUGA will go ahead; the application for funding has been successful. Congratulations to the Towerbank pupils that organised a petition.

The Council's also looking to incorporate a petanque/boules area into the park as well.