Britain in Bloom Neighbourhood Award 2008 A Young's Park People Publication
CONTENTS Page Formation 1 Flower Beds 2 Wild Fowl Conservation Area 6 Recycling 10 Consultations 11 Grants 12 PAG Affiliation 13 Initiatives 14 Our Members 16 Social Events 17 History 19 Future Aims 20 Acknowledgements 21
Formation The Young s Park People group was formed in May 2007. After many years of neglect, caused by financial restraints on Torbay Council, a group of park users and traders decided things had to be done. An open meeting was held and despite concerns raised about another group in the area - which had been dormant for many years, it was decided to form Young s Park People. The constitution was drawn up with advice from Torbay Council and their first formal meeting where the election of executive were voted in, was held on 1st May 2007. The first priority was to tackle the central flowerbed which was best described as a dust bowl eye sore. With the support from Cultural Services, the parks department and the invaluable knowledge of the council gardeners they set to make a transformation of Young s Park - back to it s former glory. Young s Park People not only wanted to improve the flower beds and general appearance of the park, but also wanted the park users to feel part of a caring community. They have tried to do this by listening to members ideas and of course their valuable support when it comes to digging and planting out the flowerbeds. What has been great are the donations from YPP members (and non members!) and the offer of cuttings and plants from people who care. This park should be all embracing and above all inclusive to all. The park was looking good by June, the first time in years! YPP are justifiably proud of what they have managed to do, as a group, in such a short time, by having determination and the will to get things done. Sometimes obstacles have been put in our way but on the whole, with the help of Cultural Services and of course the garden department. we have succeeded in our aims. 1
Flower Beds Our first project... By the 24th May 2007 we had already successfully completed our first project, which was to reinstate the main, central flowerbed. The sad looking piece of ground had been unkempt for a number of years, due to the the local council's lack of resources. The group constructed a limestone wall to enable the bed to be raised, with compost and extra top soil. Before Make a start Planting out A Phoenix Canariensis (stunning palm tree) was planted as a centre piece - surrounded by tropical grasses, small palms, hardy perennials and bedding plants. All this was accomplished by members of YPP volunteering their time, effort, plants and indeed donations. Advice from the Park's Department of Torbay Council concerning the types of plants to use was invaluable, but no scarce, public funding was given. What an improvement! 2
Flower Beds From this... Prior to the intervention of YPP this was a hard standing piece of waste land....to this!! Such a huge improvement with hard work and plant donations from members of Young s Park People and park users. The D Flower bed 3
Flower Beds Our greatest achievement in the first year of operation, is the vast improvement to the many flower beds of Young s Park. The Ladies Flower bed One of our Planters The Long Flower bed 4
Flower Beds 5
Wild Fowl Conservation Area The wild fowl conservation area is on the western side of Young's Park. It was originally marshland and after many decades of trying to keep it drained as parkland, Torbay Council eventually decided not to fight nature and have allowed it to return to it's natural state. A boardwalk was built and a few willows planted, but then along came budget cut backs and the wild fowl area was sadly left un-managed for a number of years. We, Young's Park People, have been given permission by Torbay Council to manage this area. In December and January students from South Devon College's Environment and Land Based Studies Department worked very hard in the area to clear away a large amount of Willow Herb - an invasive species which was taking over'. We have raised money for 4 RSPB nest boxes which were sited in the wild fowl area in February during National Nest Box Week and are carrying out identification of species during the different seasons. Marsh Orchids have been seen in this area and we are hoping that clearing some of the willow herb will allow more orchids to come through this year - watch this space! An overgrown mess? No. In fact, it's ideal for all the animals that inhabit it. In its natural overgrown state, this area is a haven for butterflies, dragonflies, damselflies, beetles, more insects, blue tits, great tits, green finch's, mallards, moor hens, coots, as well as hundreds of other species. Sure, to us humans it doesn't look particularly neat, or well trimmed and maintained like a botanical garden, but remember, it's not a garden, and it's not primarily for us. Next time you're in there, take time out to take in the beauty of this area. Every time I walk through, I'm overwhelmed by how much it's grown and changed. With YPP's help, this area will begin to progress and improve, and I hope you'll all start to enjoy visiting this area more often. extract from Hana s blog on www.ypp.me.uk 6
Wild Fowl Conservation Area Young s Park People have been busy again in Goodrington, this time supplying and installing bird boxes in the wild fowl area in time for the spring nesting and of course for national nest box week. This voluntary group raised money for these RSPB bird boxes by holding regular raffles and coffee mornings, during the summer, at the North Sands Ice Cream Kiosk, Goodrington. Each autumn Young s Park People volunteers will clean out these boxes ready for the next inhabitants to take up residence the following spring Nick and Hannah ( two YPP members who are at present at Plymouth University, reading Animal Conservation) went into the wildfowl conservation area last autumn to start the laborious task of identification and logging the many different species of plants and animals in this area. Main species they found were: Plants; Loads of different species of grasses (poaceae), rushes (juncaceae), lilies (lilliceae) along with the beautiful Willow and Horse chestnut trees and lots of plants from the asteraceae family (daisy family). The bull rushes are really worth a look, most of them at least 7 ft high! Animals- Butterflies; Red Admiral, Common Blue, Small White, Meadow Brown and lots of Fritillary's were the most commonly seen species. The information board at the car park entrance to the conservation area will be used for any updates in the wildfowl area, including any noted breeding species and unusual sightings. As well as this sign, both Nick and Hannah are working on producing the interpretation boards to put up along the new board walk, identifying key species and giving a bit of background info on them. South Devon College Students Students from South Devon College help out the YPP in December, with clearing the willow herb that is 'taking over' the Wildfowl area. Once this was completed we will be able to assess the area and see what ~ possibly rare and beautiful ~ plants are lurking in the overgrowth!! Rare Wild Marsh Orchid 7
Wild Fowl Conservation Area Young s Park Wildfowl Conservation Area Management Plan 2007-2009 Mission statement- We want to help protect and conserve British endemic species that lie within this conservation area so that future generations can admire and enjoy visiting it. terference. estimated numbers of species. By Nick Chandler & Hannah Gorman lies alike. attract more people to the area (Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust, RSPB etc) Aimsinterference. Objectivescausing as little natural disturbance as possible. they can see in the area. conjunction with Torbay Coast & Country Trust). police and Torbay Council as it has been noted that there has been no cygnets for the past 2 breeding seasons, which is highly unusual. Ideally, we d like the above aims and objectives to be completed within a 2 year period upon which after the 2 year period we reassess and create another management plan in accordance with Torbay Council. Next page is a template for a one year management plan which can be added to and adapted to at any time considered necessary upon agreement with Torbay Council and any other included conservational body i.e. Torbay Coast & Country Trust. 8
Month Aim January Litter Picking. February Litter clearing and basic maintenance. March Pre-breeding season survey work. As well as general litter clearing and maintenance. April Litter clearing and basic maintenance. May Litter clearing and basic maintenance. June As little interference as possible. Basic monitoring of species. As well as general litter cleaning. Limited plant identification without disturbing nesting birds. July Litter clearing and basic maintenance. August Post-breeding season survey work. As well as general litter clearing & maintenance. Limited plant identification without disturbing nesting birds. September Litter clearing and basic maintenance. October General Maintenance and litter clearing. November Litter clearing and basic maintenance. December Litter clearing and basic maintenance. Bulrushes Nature lover with friend Boardwalk Interpretation Board 9
Recycling With funds won from O2 s It s Your Community award YPP purchased two water butts and diversion kits. Members of Young s Park People repaired the guttering behind the Public Conveniences and connected the diverter to the butts. The council very kindly provided and installed a secure gate to prevent vandals. Grey Water Recycling System An area in the Wild Fowl Conservation area behind our Information sign was cleared by members to allow a compost system to be formed. The Council have offered to partition this area into three sections. The first for new cuttings, the second for 1 year old waste and the final section for the useable quality compost. Only organic fertilizer and pest control are used in the park by YPP. The most successful slug killer being, used are Fairtrade ground coffee grindings (from our chairman s kiosk on the seafront) and old broken egg shells. Awaiting a council decision on recycle bins in the park The early stages of YPP s Compost System 10
Consultations First PUBLIC CONSULTATION October 7 th, 2007 Young s Park People carried out a public consultation in Young s Park. The Council provided a standard questionnaire and we added some questions of our own about the wild fowl area, recycle bins, showers and problems concerning irresponsible dog owners. Local Councillors and YPP Members outside the consultation unit in Young s Park Paignton The consultation showed that people: o think colourful flower beds are very important in the park o would use recycle bins if they were provided in the park o would like to see vandal proof showers on the park/promenade o are concerned about some dog owners not cleaning up after their dog o would find plant identification signs useful, especially in the wild fowl area At the consultation we were approached by the Chairman of Torbay In Bloom Plus committee and asked if we would like Young s Park to be included on the judging route for Paignton. 11
Grants Young s Park People celebrate with Bucks Fizz on hearing they had been successful in their 'O2 Awards for All' application in April. We were awarded the maximum 1000 which is being spent on tools for YPP volunteer gardeners, water butts to collect rainwater (in case of a long, hot summer - we live in hope!) plants and interpretation boards. We are thrilled to have been awarded 10,000 from the Big Lottery Fund! Our application for funding from the Breathing Places Big Lottery Fund has been successful and we are now able to start the improvements for the Wild Fowl Conservation Area. The money will be spent on providing interpretation boards, seating, wireless CC TV camera and extending the boardwalk as well as planting additional trees. 12
PAG Affiliation Young s Park People have helped another park group in Paignton Palace Avenue Guardians who were at risk of folding,due to their committee not wishing to stand for re-election. They had been operating for some 4 years and it seamed a shame to let them disband, after all the excellent work they had done. Palace Avenue Guardians (PAG) and Young s Park People (YPP) have many similar aims and objectives and their joining forces will strengthen these causes. Gardening parties are held here every third Wednesday of the month. Both groups are still run independently but will have a single executive committee. This ensures that PAG members can continue to care for the flowerbeds in this beautiful garden without the burden of administration worries. Paignton Railway Station YPP members have been caring for the planters at Paignton s Railway Station since January 2008 13
Initiatives YPP supports the PAWS for Thought initiative with Torbay Council to tackle the growing antisocial dog fowling situation Keeping in touch with our members is paramount. Use of email makes communication easier but we still do snail mail if required! The grant from the BIG LOTTERY will enable us to purchase CC TV to help protect the swans in Young s Park which have failed to breed for the last three years. This picture shows the unsuccessful eggs being removed (under license) in July 2008 for analysis. 14
THE GOOD THE BAD YPP install Two interpretations signs ~ One describing Butterflies & Moths and the other Damsels and Dragonflies Within 5 days one of the signs was smashed off and thrown into the waterway. This was repaired and reinstalled ASAP ~ they shall NOT win! AND THE VERY BEAUTIFUL 15