Dartmouth Square Park Management Plan August 2013

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1 6.17. Summary of Recommended Actions 6.1. Pergola Repair the pergola roof by replacing missing or broken timber beams as necessary Do not paint the timbers but continue to keep them in natural wood finish Power-hose the walkway to remove debris and grime from flags and bricks Clean and re-paint the garden seats in a more cheerful colour eg. Peacock Blue Remove the litter bin to further away from the pergola and nearer the gate entrance Clear out old straggling plants that are still around the pillar bases Carry out remedial pruning on climbers and train them to grow onto the roof timbers Consider planting a selection of repeat flowering, scented, climbing roses on the pillars Re-instate the associated flower beds, according to their original layout and dimensions Design new planting schemes for the flower beds: A) Use choice hardy perennials that do not require staking or constant dead-heading. Varieties and cultivars of hardy geraniums, dierama, dianella, agapanthus, iris, lavender, old shrub roses such as Perle D Or, Natalie Nypels or Cecile Brunner would provide constant enlivenment around the area or B) Use seasonal bedding schemes in traditional planting style using red flowered pelargoniums, heliotrope, coleus, antirrhinums, pansies, kochia, tobacco, cosmos, etc. Consider using dwarf boxwood edging to the flower beds to form a strong vegetal counterbalance to the dominance of the structure Trees Carry out a review of the 2007 Tree Assessment to determine current disease status Update tree assessment tags; many are twisted, damaged and difficult to read Carry out essential surgery or removal of trees that are sources of infection or causing pressure on more desirable species Remove volunteer saplings that may cause damage to the railings, stays and plinths Remove several eucalyptus, holly seedlings, one Cupressus x leylandii and all 1

2 scrappy shrubs to generate space for new good quality trees, shrubs and perennials Remove stumps by root grinding to create spaces for re-planting these sites Prune the reverted branches off the Weeping Ash Shrubs & Perennials Re-visit the 1987/88 planting list as a basis for generating a new planting scheme Clear out all straggly shrubs, eucalyptus, self-sown holly s and ivy Clear out old stumps except a few large ones to be left as larders for wildlife Carry out remedial work to the soil, adding fresh earth, compost and nutrients Design new planting schemes for each section of the perimeter border Plant thematically in different areas according to aspect, light and shade, moisture, etc. so a wider variety of plants can be used to suit each location Use shrubs that are floriferous, produce fruits, berries and seeds and require a minimum of pruning; the well tried and reliable old varieties and cultivars are best Choose a wide variety of hardy perennials that form clumps so the ground space between shrubs gets blanketed in drifts of different foliage and flowers As part of the planting scheme consider planting high merit specimen shrubs that commemorate local famous people local worthies Cherry Laurel Remove cherry laurel hedge entirely Carry out remedial work to the cherry laurel site, raising fertility with nutrients Design a series of new beds to replace the cherry laurel along the path route Consider installing a series of narrow rectangular rose beds along the perimeter path to enable the planting of carefully selected repeat flowering old shrub roses Consider replanting the apples and pears in these beds as part of the planting design 2

3 Consider placing memorial plaques, one in each bed, to commemorate a local worthy of which there are many who lived in and around Dartmouth Square Grassed Areas Keep the grassed areas in continued good trim Investigate the sodden area for blocked drains and repair as necessary Consider using part of one grass area as a horizontal maze for children to enjoy If the cherry laurel is retained consider placing seats inside the area at spaced intervals to allow adults enjoy the area while keeping an eye on small children Fruit Trees Re-plant the fruit trees as part of several new borders along the path system If decided not to transplant them then the grass should be cut in a wide circle around each to allow for better growth Mulch and feed them annually with a balanced fruit fertiliser until they get strong Carry out judicious seasonal pruning to train them into better shape Source other fruit trees and bushes such as quince, mulberry, myrtle, damsons, etc. Use robust herbs fennel, lovage, rosemary - as part of the new planting scheme Path System Continue to keep paths to the present standard, repairing worn spots as needed Consider refreshing the path surfaces with a new coat of lime grit or Consider replacing path surfaces with Ballylusk pathing material Camber the new surfaces so water is cast towards the path edges to drain away Do not apply a finish coat of loose pea gravel as this is not as easy to maintain. 3

4 6.8. Fire-Clay Rope Edgings Repair the rope edging as needed with new inserts of the fire-clay tiles Seats Repair and paint seats in a cheerful Victorian period style colour not black or green but a more lively colour, perhaps a peacock blue, royal blue or even red Consider providing more seats at spaced intervals on all the paths Continue to use the same style of seats so purchase matching ones if possible Consider using seats as memorials to local worthies, literary, artistic figures who lived in the Ranelagh area and whose memory can thus be simply commemorated Record these local worthies by the use of simple metal plaques on the seat backs Seek a number of sponsors to help purchase seats and plaques for this purpose Gate Entrances & Railings Assess what trees are at risk and where railings and plinths are at risk Remove carefully all volunteer saplings growing too close to the railings Carry out annual inspection and cull any new saplings that pose a threat Monitor regularly the veteran trees that are putting pressure on railings and plinths Repair gates, railings and plinths as needed using traditional methods and materials Continue to paint railings in a plain matt colour rather than high gloss paint Signs and Labels Discreetly label prime specimens of trees and shrubs to generate more interest Provide all information/bye-law signage in an attractive period style display board Avoid clutter by using carefully chosen positions for all notices, signs and labels Affix signs to all gates (which are kept shut) to indicate opening/closing times. 4

5 6.12. Health and Safety Maintain and improve visibility as a most important issue for public safety Ensure there are no areas of dense, overhanging vegetation that generate problems Thin out the scrub and poor vegetation of the borders to facilitate new low planting Be mindful of the need to continue the sense of openness and visibility of the site. Ensure that seats are well placed so approaching people are visible from far off Keep the seats under the pergola set out in groups of three so companionable conversations can be struck up with strangers without being at too close quarters Clear out the formidable cherry laurel so people can clearly see others approaching Target dog fouling and excrement offences by identifying offending dog owners Engage with the residents association to agree an initiative to stop this problem Highlight the dangers to children and other pets by unruly dogs off their leads Monitor the sources and causes of litter to help reduce the problem. Encourage more residents to be active in reporting unsavoury activity Owners & their Dogs Encourage dog owners to use the park responsibly, this will increase everybody s enjoyment of the area Place a Bye-law Notice at each gate about dog soiling/health issues, dogs on leads and under proper control, and the welcome there is for owners who do behave well Agree an initiative with the Residents Association so the few who are letting dogs run wild are encouraged rather than challenged to control their pets better Encourage the use of the park for regular weekly or monthly guide dogs training sessions that would encourage others to teach their pets similar skills Litter Bins Keep litter bins to a minimum, if provided at all Monitor litter offences and pinpoint sources for the litter warden to deal with. 5

6 6.15. Wildlife & Birds Carry out a bird survey and bat survey to determine their populations in the park Encourage foxes to inhabit the park as a discouragement to rodents When replanting - use beneficial plants that produce nectar, fruits, berries and nuts to attract birds, red squirrels and beneficial wildlife Increase the number of fruit trees and plant fruit bushes to attract more wildlife Leave old dead stumps and large dead limbs as larders for beetles, weevils, centipedes, woodlice, snails, slugs and other small creatures to inhabit and feed off. Utilise autumn leaf fall as a natural resource by recycling it into shrubbery borders Allow some of the limes to retain their skirts to encourage small creatures Place suitable nesting boxes, bat boxes, roosts, etc., in the taller trees Provide an information board so birds and wildlife can be better appreciated Cats Seek the advice of a cat charity to help limit and control the feral cat population. 6

LILAC Housing: Site Management Plan

LILAC Housing: Site Management Plan Prepared by: Joe Atkinson. Date: 30/10/2011 Version 1.0 Relevant Legislation & Policy Conservation Regulations 1994, 2007, 2009, 2010 Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981;