Parks and Open Spaces draft strategy consultation

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This consultation has now closed.

Overview

We want to ensure that parks and open spaces meet the needs of Barnet residents now and in the future. Last summer we spoke to a wide range of people about parks and open spaces in Barnet. We also analysed data and carried out a condition survey of the parks.

From this evidence we have drawn up a draft strategy for the development and management of parks and open spaces in Barnet. To help us refine this draft strategy we want to obtain your feedback on what is important and what should be prioritised.

Overview of Strategy

The draft strategy is based upon a review of the parks and open spaces in Barnet and an exploration of opportunities to enhance the quality of life and economic success in the borough through improved parks and open spaces. The strategy was designed to help the Council achieve their aim of “Barnet’s parks and green spaces being amongst the best in London.

The strategy was designed to assess specifically the quality of, benefits from and access to parks in Barnet and highlight where there are opportunities for investment and improvement over a 10 year period. The work undertaken to develop the strategy includes:

  • an asset survey of Barnet parks and open spaces
  • discussions with a wide range of people including Barnet residents, key decision makers, voluntary and community groups and potential partners including charities, the police, etc.
  • an analysis of the potential funding and park management opportunities.

For more information on our draft strategy please take the time to read our consultation document. Alternatively you can read the full strategy and supporting papers in a report that was considered by the Environment Committee on 11 January 2016.

Why we are consulting

We have already gathered your views and ideas as part of the engagement we did last summer. We want to see whether the priorities we have identified fully represent the views of Barnet residents, and whether you feel we have developed a set of recommendations for the future which will deliver parks and open spaces in the way that you want.

Your views and opinions are important to us and will help us to make the right decisions. We want to hear the views of Barnet residents – both users and non-users– and from people outside of the borough who use our parks and open spaces.

What happens next

The consultation has now closed and the results have been analysed. We would like to thank the 140 respondents who completed the questionnaires and those who attended the meetings, focus groups as well as the Barnet Youth Board and 'friends of parks' groups.

The Parks and Open Spaces strategy was approved and adopted on 12th May 2016. You can read more about how we have acted on the results so far under 'We asked, You said, We did'.

Overview

We want to ensure that parks and open spaces meet the needs of Barnet residents now and in the future. Last summer we spoke to a wide range of people about parks and open spaces in Barnet. We also analysed data and carried out a condition survey of the parks.

From this evidence we have drawn up a draft strategy for the development and management of parks and open spaces in Barnet. To help us refine this draft strategy we want to obtain your feedback on what is important and what should be prioritised.

Overview of Strategy

The draft strategy is based upon a review of the parks and open spaces in Barnet and an exploration of opportunities to enhance the quality of life and economic success in the borough through improved parks and open spaces. The strategy was designed to help the Council achieve their aim of “Barnet’s parks and green spaces being amongst the best in London.

The strategy was designed to assess specifically the quality of, benefits from and access to parks in Barnet and highlight where there are opportunities for investment and improvement over a 10 year period. The work undertaken to develop the strategy includes:

  • an asset survey of Barnet parks and open spaces
  • discussions with a wide range of people including Barnet residents, key decision makers, voluntary and community groups and potential partners including charities, the police, etc.
  • an analysis of the potential funding and park management opportunities.

For more information on our draft strategy please take the time to read our consultation document. Alternatively you can read the full strategy and supporting papers in a report that was considered by the Environment Committee on 11 January 2016.

Why we are consulting

We have already gathered your views and ideas as part of the engagement we did last summer. We want to see whether the priorities we have identified fully represent the views of Barnet residents, and whether you feel we have developed a set of recommendations for the future which will deliver parks and open spaces in the way that you want.

Your views and opinions are important to us and will help us to make the right decisions. We want to hear the views of Barnet residents – both users and non-users– and from people outside of the borough who use our parks and open spaces.

What happens next

The consultation has now closed and the results have been analysed. We would like to thank the 140 respondents who completed the questionnaires and those who attended the meetings, focus groups as well as the Barnet Youth Board and 'friends of parks' groups.

The Parks and Open Spaces strategy was approved and adopted on 12th May 2016. You can read more about how we have acted on the results so far under 'We asked, You said, We did'.

This consultation has now closed.

  • Feedback updated 5 September 2017

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    We Asked

    We asked people who live and work in the borough what they thought about the Draft Parks and Open Spaces Strategy.

    You Said

    We received and processed over 140 completed questionnaires and had individual meetings with local residents’ associations and other stakeholder groups. We held workshops with ‘friends of parks’ groups as well as focus groups and the Barnet Youth Board.

    You told us that you recognise the importance of the borough’s parks and the need to preserve and enhance them. Responses confirmed an understanding that the projected growth in the borough’s population would influence the level of demand for open space in different parts of the borough.

    Proposals for investment in parks was strongly supported in the consultation responses and there was a recognition that there was a real opportunity to bring significant amounts of external funding into the borough. Strong support was expressed for better signage, enhanced horticulture and more toilet facilities.

    Options for the future management and funding of parks were considered to require further consultation and detailed development. There was a recognition of the need to address how to achieve an aspiration for a high quality service in the context of the need to identify budget savings.

    We Did

    Your feedback gave us significant information on the draft Parks and open Spaces Strategy and helped us to finalise the strategy to include more robust text on the options on how the parks service is run, as well as include specific points raised about dog walkers and specific parks. The council wants to continue the dialogue about how parks and open spaces will evolve and how the service will be delivered in future with people who live and work in the borough. The final strategy was approved and adopted at the Environment Committee meeting on 12th May 2016. You can view the final strategy here.