An update from Alison Regester, FOCHP Chair
The Friends Of Coney Hall Park (FOCHP) have been busy! Two grants from the Royal Horticultural Society and National Lottery Fund enabled a map to be displayed in the park, showing a local circular walk. This funding also enabled a nature trail to be created, with information boards and rubbing plates so children can develop their interest in nature and make wildlife pictures.
Support from volunteers of all ages
Thanks go to members of Environmental Action in Coney Hall who have done so much for this project: making frames, maintaining the community orchard and wildlife areas. Volunteers of all ages support us, with Parklands Nursery children planting flowers to keep the park looking good and Duke of Edinburgh students doing litter picks and other tasks.
Now for an update on our Play For All project. Bromley Council have pledged £32,000 towards it, with support from Ward Councillors Alexa Michael and Thomas Turrell. I recently met managers from Idverde (Bromley’s Park Management Contractors) and I’m confident Phase One will start soon.
A ‘Learn to ride’ circuit for young children
Phase One of the Play For All project will see a new ‘Learn to ride’ circuit for young children in the tennis courts closest to Church Drive. There is also enough room for three concrete table tennis tables, one at a lower height, suitable for wheelchair users and younger children.
New and inclusive facilities
Sadly, for people with disabilities or learning difficulties, there is currently little for them to do in the park. Our plans for Phase One include removing some fencing and laying an accessible path for wheelchairs and buggies. This priority will ensure our new facilities are fully inclusive. Unfortunately, due to regulations regarding protecting tree roots, our path needs to be a specially designed flexi/breathable path, costing considerably more.
When I knew Coney Hall had been nominated by Bromley and selected to get a Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) grant I was thrilled. Our four popular tennis courts will get refurbished too!
Whilst tennis players will need to pay a small annual fee, as at Kelsey Park, this is the only way our courts will get refurbished, be secure and maintained in the future. The major issue was that the access gate would still be at the bottom of concrete steps – remaining totally inaccessible.
I have been in consultation with Bromley. No funds had been allocated for this project as it was covered by the LTA grant. However, I am confident that via a Bromley grant the entrance can be moved and widened, so that tennis courts can be accessible too; dependent of course on us completing all of our Phase One work. This will be a huge achievement!
Phase Two, to build a football and basketball court with seating for youngsters, hopefully starts in Spring 2024. I am proud to say we’ve raised nearly £58,000, but we need more to complete all aspects. I have applied for another national grant and am working on more applications.
Please support us by going to justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ coneyhallplayforall