Queen's Road Recreation Ground

Improvements that are being made to Queen's Road
Recreation Ground, how it is maintained and the measures that are being taken to deal with anti-social behaviour in the area.

Improvements

Improvements that already have been made to the Recreation Ground include:-

• New play equipment and surfacing

• New metal fencing for the play area and new wooden fencing for other areas

• A replacement roof for the changing pavilion

• The wildlife garden and seating for the "outdoor classroom".

Improvements planned for 2005 include:-

• CCTV. A camera is being installed and should be operational by the end of February

• New entrance signs with information and contact telephone numbers

• An improved entrance from Yeovil Close and a wider footpath

• Improvements to the woodland

• A review of seating, dog bins and litter bins

• Phase 2 of the wildlife garden

• A pedestrian crossing on Queen's Road as part of the "Safer Routes to School" scheme

• Painted graphics on the play area tarmac

• Landscaping around the play area

• A review of lighting

• Regular Maintenance

The Recreation Ground is cleaned by the Council's contractor Team Rushmoor.
They clean once a week in winter (October to March) and six days per week in the busier summer (April to September) excluding Sunday. The contractor empties the bins and clears up litter and broken glass. If additional cleaning is required you can contact our Street Scene team on (01252) 398280 (Freephone answerphone 0800 328 9933).

We also have a Park Ranger team. There are five full time rangers who provide a presence in parks and improve their security, carry out planned maintenance, offer advice and do park and playground safety inspections and emergency cleaning. The rangers also enforce the bylaws that were adopted in 2002, monitor cleanliness and liaise with the police about anti-social behaviour. From 1st May to 30th September they generally provide cover from 6.30 am to 10.00 pm. For the rest of the year cover is generally from 8.30 am to 9.00 pm. The rangers can be contacted on (01252) 398888.

The play area at Queen's Road is inspected by the rangers every day. A monthly safety inspection is carried out by Recreational Supply Services and there is also a six monthly inspection by our insurers.

There are currently two dog bins in the Recreation Ground which are emptied weekly. We have two dog wardens who can be contacted on (01252) 398166 (voicemail outside of office hours).

Anti-social behaviour

There is still some anti-social behaviour by young people at the Recreation Ground and in the surrounding area. We are tackling this in liaison with the police, the youth service, schools, shopkeepers and local residents. Whilst there is no simple solution we are determined to address the issue.

Measures that are being taken include:-

• The new CCTV camera. This will be linked to a central control room at the Council Offices which provides coverage twenty four hours a day, seven days a week

• Off-licences keeping a "refusals book" of young people they have refused to serve

• Installing additional litter bins to reduce the amount of broken glass

• Designating the Council's Community Safety Manager, Bob Lampard, to co- ordinate actions to reduce anti-social behaviour at Queen's Road. His direct line is (01252)398175

• Regular police patrols from the beat officers and officers responding to calls. The beat officers are Karen Lockyer (PC 971) and Adam Henderson-Parish (PC 3977). They can be contacted on 0845 045 45 45. Their e-mail addresses are karen.lockyer@hampshire.pnn.police.uk and adam.henderson-parish@hampshire.pnn.police.uk
In an emergency where there is a threat to either people or property you should call 999

• A review of lighting at the Recreation Ground

• New equipment for the park rangers to assist with clearing broken glass

• Liaison with local schools

• Hampshire Youth Service's staff visiting on a regular basis.

Friends Group

We have also set up a "Friends Group" for Queen's Road Recreation Ground which meets on an occasional basis. The aim of the group is to influence the development of the area, agree priorities, discuss problems and help with practical improvements. If you would like to be added to the mailing list for the "Friends of Queen's Road Recreation Ground" group please telephone (01252) 398743 or e-mail rmann@rushmoor.gov.uk.

We are very grateful to everyone who has been involved with the improvements to Queen's Road Recreation Ground. The involvement of the local community has been important and will continue to be so.

Richard Mann
Leisure Services