THE FRIENDS OF DOWNHILLS PARK
were established in 1999, developing out of the Parks Sub-Group of
the West Green Residents' Association.
Recognizing the
importance of Downhills Park, Lordship and Belmont recreation grounds
to the quality of life in West Green ward, the Friends aimed to
promote the public benefit and enjoyment of these open spaces by
involving local people in planning and decision-making affecting
these areas and encouraging more local people to use the parks and
take an active interest in their future.
FODP has since
spawned two very active daughter Friends groups for Lordship and
Belmont Rec, and now concentrates on Downhills Park.
The
Friends work to benefit the inhabitants of the London Borough
of Haringey in particular, but not exclusively, in West Green. They
have campaigned to reverse the decline in the park in the 1990s, to
press for improvements in its facilities while protecting its
historic character, and to enhance public interest and awareness of
the park.
MEMBERSHIP is open to any interested member of
the
public over 18. To join, contact the Secretary, or come
along to our Annual General Meeting.
OFFICERS and COMMITTEE: Chairman: Dee Same. Secretary: Clare Parry, email: ec.parry@gmail.com. Treasurer: Sylvia Oland email:
sylviaoland@talktalk.net. Others Christopher Currie (website), Keith Shawcross (wildlife).
Next meeting:Sunday 29 January, at 4 pm in the Cafe.
Further meetings planned.
Come and have your say!!!
The most recent Newsletter is available
here.
Following pressure from the Friends, Haringey Council, with
the aid of the Government's Single Regeneration Budget for West Green
Learning Neighbourhood, hired consultants to draw up a development
plan for the area including the park, and a public consultation was
held. The public voted for improvements such as better security and
access, a cafe, a pedestrian link to West Green, the
restoration of the historic Conservatory, and more.
We have
lobbied to hold the Council to carry out these improvements. Largely
as a result of Friends' pressure:
the tennis courts were repaired and upgraded and summer tennis coaching was introduced,
new notice boards and information boards were put up,
a new footpath was built through the recreation ground,
a wildflower zone was introduced, and recently bird boxes have been built for it and additional trees planted there
pedestrian traffic lights were installed on Downhills Park Road to provide a safe route between the Park and Rec Ground to the south and Lordship Rec to the north,
dog bins have been provided,
and a new rockery was built at the West Green Road entrance.
A Park Forum was established to involve all interested bodies in joined-up information exchange and decision making.
a management plan for the park was prepared, which will help to develop it the way users want, and should be brought up to date each year by the Council in consultation with the Friends.
Haringey Council has obtained in 2006 and each following year the coveted Green Flag Award for the Park.
Steps were built down to Midnight Alley at the north side of the park.
A Wildlife
Pond was constructed near the steps.
Check this page of photos for 2009 improvements in
the park. (before the cuts!)
The Friends have encouraged community events
in the park such as the annual Art
in the Park (16 July in 2006; 15 July 2007, 12 July 2009, 18
July 2010, 10 July 2011, 15 July 2012, 21 July 2013; 20 July 2014; 19 July 2015), and in 2003 we organized a
Centenary Celebration,
attended by thousands, and contacted present and former
residents to share their reminiscences in a commemoration video
illustrating the park's history and people's memories.
THE
VIDEO IS STILL FOR SALE! Contact the Treasurer.
We
liaise on local issues with TCV
and West Green Residents' Association, who have provided sterling
help on park issues, and we have representation on West Green
Environmental Theme Group.
We have collaborated with TCV (formerly BTCV) in
planting
new trees in the park, and in 2004 were
honoured to receive an award
under the BTCV People's Places Scheme to help restore the historic
Hornbeam
Avenue, and other areas which had suffered losses of trees.
After many years of FODP activity on a Café project the Café opened on 27 March 2011.
This PDF
shows the installation process (thanks to Malcolm Hawley for preparing
it).If
more funding becomes available, extra modules could be added at a
later date to enlarge the building. Haringey Council have obtained a
grant from an outside body to enhance the Natural Play Area west of the
Café, as well as to improve
equipment in the existing Children's Play
Area further south.
Art
in the Park was on 12 July in 2009- and
on 18 July in 2010 - and on
10 July in 2011, and on 15 July 2012, 2013 21 July, 2014 20 July, 2015 19 July.
We
have been continuing the campaign to plant new bulbs and trees in the
Park. See pictures
We have also lobbied to raise funds to
restore the historic railings round the park.
This site
is maintained by Christopher Currie
