Comment on Planning Application re containers in Mayow Park DC/09/71318/X

The strong local reputation of the Sydenham Society means that we attract a fair bit of comment - on balance positive - as for example on the Sydenham Town Forum.

A natural question sometimes asked in such contexts is 'What is the Sydenham Society for?'. 

Local residents and park users met on 16th April to launch Friends of Home Park (FOHP). 4 key priorities were discussed as to how to spend the £20,000 awarded to the park by the London Borough of Lewisham Regeneration Team. Short listed were:

1. A large build MUGA (Multi Use Games Area) with surround fencing for providing football, basketball, tennis, etc.
2. Outdoor gym equipment or Trim Trail, Concrete table tennis table and general improvements to the current play area.
3. Replacement perimeter fencing, railings and benches. Currently corrugated metal panels are used throughout the park - it was generally agreed that this is unsuitable, unattractive and suggests that this is a third rate park. However, there was talk whether FOHP should use the £20K for replacing this, or LBL should initiate this.
4. Reconfiguring the entrance area with seating and/or tables by way of linking the park to the library. There was talk of including a cafe franchise used in other Lewisham parks.

It was decided that FOHP should meet again and include as many local residents and park users as possible to decide which option to spend the money on.

Other issues discussed within the meeting were the slow planning permission progress for the work on the Adventure Playground. It is unlikely to be in use this summer and its state has prompted people to use it as a rubbish tip, which Glendale have promised to clear.

Also mentioned was the future screening of "The Bride of Frankenstein" during the Sydenham Arts Festival in July. 2 enjoyable community social events in Home Park were very successful - a bulb planting event in November and a tree planting event in February. It is hoped that there will be many more of these occasions in the near future.