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Crookes Valley Park - Masterplan-Ponderosa - Philadelphia Greenspace

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156 views195 pages

Crookes Valley Park - Masterplan-Ponderosa - Philadelphia Greenspace

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焚烛
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Masterplan

Crookes Valley Park

Ponderosa

Philadelphia Gardens

Prepared for Parks and Countryside by the Environmental Planning Team.


November 2010.
Ponderosa, Crookes Valley Park and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________

Crookes Valley Park, Ponderosa and Philadelphia Gardens are


three green spaces in the Crookes/ Netherthorpe/ Upperthorpe
area of Sheffield. They form a green corridor in this
neighbourhood, linking up to a further green space and important
visitor attraction, Weston Park. The ‘Crookesmoor Parks’ have
seen various improvements over the past 10 years, but there has
never been a strategic plan for the parks in order to guide their
regeneration and development. This Masterplan has been
produced to assist in ensuring the best possible future for all of the
parks, and also to ensure they link up with the newly restored
Weston Park and the smaller green spaces in the vicinity. The aim
is to provide an overall strategy and vision for the neighbourhood’s
environment, and offer complementary facilities for local residents
and visitors.

Initial consultation was carried out prior to the masterplanning


document being produced to find out about the key issues in the
area, what local peoples’ needs are, and to study the current use
of the three parks, including linking them with Weston Park. This
consultation has been key to the masterplanning process, along
with historical and heritage information, ecological data and
neighbourhood data. These reports are included as appendices
to this document.
During the production of the document itself, further consultation
was held with the stakeholders regarding the detailed proposals.

The report highlights the potential and problems of all three parks
and, based on these and the outcomes of the consultation, a
series of proposals are made for each park to establish possible
projects, both small and large scale, for the future. Quick wins are
then identified and budget costs are provided for all the proposals.

Environmental Planning Team


Ponderosa, Crookes Valley Park and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________
Contents
1.0 Introduction to the sites

1.1 Location Plan

1.2 Introduction to Crookes Valley Park

1.3 Introduction to Ponderosa

1.4 Introduction to Philadelphia Gardens

2.0 Brief

3.0 Project Team and Consultation

4.0 Background

4.1 Land Ownership and Planning Context

4.2 Social and Ethnic context

5.0 Crookes Valley Park

5.1 Problems and potential

5.2 Masterplan Proposals

5.3 Priorities

5.4 Costs

• Crookes Valley Park masterplan

6.0 Ponderosa

6.1 Problems and potential

6.2 Masterplan proposals

6.3 Priorites

cont.

Environmental Planning Team


Ponderosa, Crookes Valley Park and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________
6.4 Costs

• Ponderosa masterplan

7.0 Philadelphia Gardens

7.1 Problems and Potential

7.2 Masterplan Proposals

7.3 Priorities

7.4 Costs

• Philadelphia Gardens Masterplan

8.0 Smaller Green Spaces

9.0 Appendices

1. Land Ownership

2. Additional Project Information.


• Crimean War Memorial for Crookes Valley Park
• Ponderosa Football specification
• Boathouse feasibility for Crookes Valley Park

3. ‘Art in the Park’ Reports


• Consultation report
• ‘Mini Green Spaces Celebrations’ report

4. Stakeholder Consultation Summary

5. Minutes of the meeting regarding improvements for events on


the Ponderosa

6. Crookes Valley Park - minutes from meetings regarding


fishing in the lake

Environmental Planning Team


Ponderosa, Crookes Valley Park and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________
1.0 Introduction to the sites
1.1 Location Plan of Parks and Open Spaces included in the Masterplan

Environmental Planning Team


Ponderosa, Crookes Valley Park and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________
1.2 Introduction to Crookes Valley Park

Base taken from GOOGLE maps


Crookes Valley Park is a City Park, managed by Sheffield City Council, Parks
and Countryside Service. It is situated in a prime location, close to the city
centre, next to Weston Park, opposite Sheffield University and near Sheffield
Hospitals. It currently has facilities which include accessible paths, playground
facilities, two bowling greens and a fishing lake. It is home to an area of
unimproved grassland, a priority in the cities Biodiversity Action Plan, and to
woodland, which is approximately 100 years old. A wide variety of birds live in
and visit the park, including long tailed tits, thrushes and waxwings.
Crookes Valley Park is historically important, and there are several historical
features on site which have been considered and treated sympathetically
within the masterplan.
This park is dominated firstly by the lake which covers approximately one third
of the area, and secondly by the dramatic landform surrounding it. The

Environmental Planning Team


克鲁克斯⼭⾕公园是⼀个城市公园,由谢菲尔德市议会的公园和乡村服务部⻔管理。它位于⻩⾦地段,靠近市中⼼,紧邻⻙
斯顿公园,在谢菲尔德⼤学对⾯,靠近谢菲尔德医院。它⽬前拥有的设施包括⽆障碍道路、游乐场设施、两个保龄球馆和⼀
个钓⻥湖。这⾥有⼀⽚未经改良的草地,是城市⽣物多样性⾏动计划中的⼀个优先事项,还有⼀⽚约有100年历史的林地。
各种各样的⻦类⽣活在公园⾥,也经常来这⾥,包括⻓尾⼭雀、鸫⻦和蜡嘴⻦。

克鲁克斯⼭⾕公园具有重要的历史意义,在总体规划中考虑到了⼏个历史特征,并以同情的态度对待。

这个公园⾸先由湖泊主导,它覆盖了⼤约三分之⼀的⾯积,其次是它周围壮观的地貌。地⾯四⾯都是陡峭的斜坡,⼀直到湖
边。三⾯类似于原来的地貌,被重新塑造成⽔库,第四⾯的斜坡是最近建造的⼈⼯堤坝,⽤来运送克鲁克斯⾕路的电⻋(⻅
下⾯的历史背景)。这个斜坡包括梯⽥和⼀个平坦的区域,那⾥有保龄球场和⼀个游戏区。

公园的布局主要是正式的,与湖的⻓⽅形相呼应。

这是⼀个⾮常受欢迎的公园,创意咨询活动表明,⼈们主要利⽤公园来放松和坐下来,作为通往其他地⽅的路线和锻炼。观
⻦和游戏区也是重要的吸引⼒。⼈们普遍认为这是⼀个热情洋溢、维护良好的空间。

P&C已经与克罗克斯莫尔公园之友合作,设计和采购了湖中的⼀个岛屿。这对湖上的⻦类⽣活和钓⻥都有好处。该岛的建设
最近已经完成。

克鲁克斯⾕曾经是⼀⽚开阔的荒地,被称为克鲁克斯荒地。1791年,谢菲尔德围垦法案将荒地划分为⼏块⼟地,出租给当地

农⺠。最初,这⾥有⽔井和⽔槽,提供⽔源。1785年,⼀项命令被授予,委托建⽴⼀个稳定的⽔供应,这使得1785年⽼⼤

坝的建设成为可能。这是最⼤的⽔坝,在⼀连串的⼗个⽔坝中,从拉尔夫⽔坝(现在的⼤学停⻋场)⼀直延伸到现在的庞德
罗萨的⼩型⽔库。这些⽔库与沃克利的怀特豪斯⼤坝是供应不断增⻓的谢菲尔德镇的第⼀批⼤型⽔库。 这些⽔库逐渐被遗
弃,并发展成为⼀些⼤型住宅。

尽管当时⼈们预计容纳2100万加仑的⽼⼤坝将供应谢菲尔德未来的所有需求,但谢菲尔德的⼈⼝在18世纪迅速增⻓,从

1780年的10000⼈增加到1810年的50000⼈,它很快就太⼩了。

⼤坝是这些⽔库中仅存的⼀座。在⼤坝的后⾯,从⼭坡上可以看到早期的⽯拱涵洞,它仍然将⽔送⼊⽔库。

⼤坝的房⼦是迄今为⽌该地区最古⽼的建筑,建于1795年,显然⼀开始是⽔务公司律师的房⼦。在19世纪,它是亨特家族
(当地古董商约瑟夫-亨特的后裔)的家,后来被⽔⼚和公园的⼯作⼈员及其家⼈所占据。

1881年,该公司将⼤坝及周边地区租给谢菲尔德公司⽤于公共⽤途。根据1887年的法案,市议会收购了谢菲尔德⽔务公司的资产。

克鲁克斯⾕休闲场地是作为1899年克鲁克斯⾕路⾼架桥建设的⼀部分⽽铺设的。在此之前,从温特街往下是陡峭的斜坡,然后从另
⼀边往上到巴伯路。修建⾼架桥是为了让有轨电⻋继续往上到沃克利。⾼架桥两侧建起了梯⽥,这些梯⽥被布置成两个正式的休闲
场地,在道路两侧各有⼀个,相互映衬。

康乐场开放后不久,保龄球果岭就被布置好了,并⼀直⾮常受欢迎。克鲁克斯⾕保龄球俱乐部现在是⼀个向公众开放的私⼈俱乐
部,并向市议会⽀付果岭的维护费⽤。1907年,在其中⼀个保龄球场的位置上增加了⽹球场。1930年增加了⼀个亭⼦和公共设施。

1951年,作为英国节的⼀部分,⼤坝周围的⼟地被添加到克罗克斯⾕休闲场地,形成新的克罗克斯⾕公园。⽔库被改造成⼀个划船

和垂钓的湖泊,并引进了30艘划船。⼤坝之家成了节⽇餐厅和茶园,后来⼏乎被⼤⽕完全烧毁,2005年进⾏了全⾯改装,形成了现

在的酒吧-餐厅。

Ponderosa, Crookes Valley Park and Philadelphia


Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________
ground slopes down steeply on all four sides to the lake. Three sides are
similar to the original landform remoulded down to what was a reservoir, and
the fourth slope is a more recent man-made embankment constructed to carry
trams along Crookes Valley Road (see historical context below). This slope
includes terraces and a level area where bowling greens and a play area are
located.
The layout of the park is mainly formal echoing the rectangular form of the
lake.
This is a very popular park, the creative consultation event indicated that
people mainly use the park to relax and sit down, as a route to other places
and for exercise. Bird watching and the play area are also important
attractions. It is generally seen as a welcoming and well maintained space.
P&C have worked in partnership with the Friends of Crookesmoor Parks
regarding the design and procurement of an island in the lake. This will have
advantages for both the bird life and fishing on the lake. Construction of the
island has recently been completed.

Historical Context
Crookes Valley was once open moorland, known as Crookes Moor. In 1791
the Sheffield Enclosure Act divided up the moor into parcels of land, to be
rented out to local farmers. Originally, there were wells and troughs that
provided water. In 1785 an order was granted to commission the creation of a
constant water supply, this allowed for construction of The Old Great Dam in
1785. It was the largest dam, in a chain of ten, stretching from Ralph’s Dam
(now University car parks) down to smaller reservoirs in what is now the
Ponderosa. These with the Whitehouse Dams in Walkley were the first large
reservoirs to supply the growing town of Sheffield. were gradually abandoned
and developed into a few large residencies.
Although at the time it was expected that the Old Great Dam, holding 21
million gallons, would supply all the future needs of Sheffield, the population
of Sheffield grew rapidly in the 18th century, increasing from 10,000 in 1780 to
50,000 by 1810 and it was soon too small.
The Great Dam is the only one of these reservoirs remaining. At the back of
the Dam, emerging from the hillside can be seen the early stone arched
culvert which still feeds water into the reservoir.
The Dam House is by far the oldest building in the area, built in the 1795 it
apparently started life as the Water Company Solicitor’s house. In the 19th
century it was the home of the Hunter family (descendants of the local
antiquarian Joseph Hunter) and later as occupied by waterworks and Parks
staff and their families.

Environmental Planning Team


Ponderosa, Crookes Valley Park and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________
In 1881, the company leased the Great Dam and immediate surroundings to
the Sheffield Corporation for public use. Under the 1887 Act, the City Council
acquired the assets of the Sheffield Water Company.
Crookes Valley Recreation Ground was laid out as part of the construction of
the Crookes Valley Road viaduct in 1899. Before that there were steep
slopes down from Winter Street then up the other side to Barber Road. The
viaduct was built to allow trams to continue up to Walkley. Terraced areas
were built up to either side of the viaduct and these were set out as two formal
recreation grounds, one to each side of the road, mirroring each other.
The Bowling Greens were laid out soon after the Recreation Ground opened,
and has remained very popular. The Crookes Valley Bowls Club is now a
private club open to the public and pays the city council for upkeep of the
greens. Tennis courts were added in 1907 on the site of one of the bowling
greens. A pavilion and public conveniences were added in 1930.

In 1951 as part of the Festival of Britain, the land around the Great Dam was
added to the Crookes Valley Recreation ground to form the new Crookes
Valley Park. The reservoir was adapted for use as a boating and angling lake
and thirty rowing boats were introduced. The Dam House became the
Festival Restaurant and tea garden before suffering almost complete
destruction by fire and total refit in 2005 to form the current pub-restaurant.

In 1968, the tennis court was converted into a children’s playground that is still
in use. Use of the lake was extended to the University of Sheffield sub aqua
club in 1970/71 and a motor launch service. In 1985, high cost and low
demand led to the demise of the motor launch service, however rowing boats
remained on the lake until 1991.

The playground has seen a number of improvements in the last 10 years


many of them funded by the efforts of the Friends Group. The railings
incorporate artwork by local schoolchildren from Westways who also helped
artist Jason Thompson to carve the wooden benches.

Environmental Planning Team


Ponderosa, Crookes Valley Park and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________

Crookes Valley
Recreation Ground
c1900

Crookes Valley
Recreation Ground
c1900

Environmental Planning Team


Ponderosa, Crookes Valley Park and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________

Remaining historical features:

The lake still dominates the


park

Arched culvert, the historic


feed to the reservoir

拱形涵洞,是⽔库的⽔源

Inspection shaft
检查井

Environmental Planning Team


Ponderosa, Crookes Valley Park and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________
1.3 Introduction to Ponderosa

Base taken from GOOGLE maps

Ponderosa is a large District park managed and owned by SCC Parks and
Countryside. Although Weston Park, Crookes Valley Park and Ponderosa all
meet at the junction on Crookes Valley Road/ Mushroom Lane, Ponderosa
feels very isolated from the other two parks due to the barrier of the road and
the dense woodland at the top of the park.
This park lies in the valley bellow the embankment of Crookes Valley Road.
The main contrast within the park is the enclosed woodland character at the
top with densely wooded slopes to three sides and the open, close mown
grassland with trees at the bottom running down to Upperthorpe Road
At the lower end of the park, the landform appears quite natural with gentle
slopes, whilst towards the top there is the obviously engineered football pitch
which sits rather incongruously in the landform. Above the football pitch there
is also, though due to its tree cover, less visible, the steeply engineered slope

10

Environmental Planning Team


Ponderosa是⼀个⼤型的地区公园,由SCC公园和乡村部管理和拥有。虽然Weston公园、Crookes Valley公园和Ponderosa公园都
在Crookes Valley路/Mushroom Lane的交界处相遇,但由于道路的阻隔和公园顶部茂密的林地,Ponderosa感觉与其他两个公园⾮
常隔绝。

这个公园位于克罗克斯⾕路堤坝下的⼭⾕中。公园内的主要对⽐是顶部封闭的林地特征,三⾯都是密密麻麻的树林斜坡,底部是开
放的、密密麻麻的草场,有树⽊,⼀直延伸到Upperthorpe路。

在公园的低端,地貌显得⾮常⾃然,坡度平缓,⽽在顶部有⼀个明显的⼯程⾜球场,它在地貌中显得相当不协调。在⾜球场上⽅,
还有⼀个⾼架桥的陡峭⼯程坡,虽然由于树⽊的覆盖,不太明显。事实上,Ponderosa的地貌很少是⾃然形成的。⾜球场下⾯的⼤
部分⼟地以前都被房屋覆盖,蘑菇街下⾯的林坡也是如此。(参⻅下⾯的历史背景)。)

公园的低坡被位于公园内的六座塔楼所⽀配,在⻄边。

公园底部的道路布局,部分是覆盖在以前的道路布局上的,是正式的,与平缓的地貌相当冲突。

⽬前,道路⽹络很差,许多道路的路⾯很差,或者被植被所覆盖。由于茂密的植被和公园顶部的封闭空间,游客报告说他们在这个
区域经常感到不安全。陡峭的⽊质台阶从东南⽅向进⼊公园,不适合残疾⼈使⽤,⽽且是健康和安全以及维护的责任。⾜球场是在
⼀个没有排⽔系统的前垃圾填埋场上建造的,表⼟很少,因此现在不可能出租这个设施,因为它经常被⽔淹没,⽽且表⾯有⼤量的
⽯头,在上⾯踢球很危险。

公园的上端林⽊茂盛,有各种各样的林地物种,包括橡树、野樱桃、⼭⽑榉、⼭楂和楸树(仅举⼏例)。1994年,Ponderosa环境
⼩组开展了⼀系列的果树种植活动。该地有⼀条贯穿树⽊的⾃然步道,是⻦类⽣活的好地⽅。

总体规划密切考虑了⽣态调查的建议,并将其纳⼊其中,以确保野⽣动物的栖息地得到进⼀步加强。

Ponderosa曾经是Crookes Moor的⼀部分。在建造Crookes Valleys⼤坝的时候,它有三个池塘。

这⽚⼟地在1887年被谢菲尔德公司收购。

从18世纪开始,⼤坝南部的砂岩采⽯场被开采;这些采⽯场逐渐被遗弃,并被开发成⼀些⼤型住宅。

到1900年,该地块的四分之三以下被开发为⻢洪港住宅区。在20世纪60年代,在Upperthorpe和Netherthorpe地区的重建过程
中,这个庄园被拆除了。

1899年,公园南部的堤坝被创造出来,并被布置成正式的休闲场地(如上⾯提到的Crookes Valley休闲场地的创建),这是在沿着
Crookes Valley路创建电⻋线路之后。

砖块瓦砾被倾倒在 "Ponderosa "场地上,从⽽提⾼了地⾯⽔平。20世纪70年代,在⼀个流⾏的电视节⽬之后,公园被正式命名为


"Ponderosa"。

20世纪80年代,修建了⾜球场,陡峭的⼭坡包括堤坝上的⼭坡都种上了林地树⽊。正式娱乐场的布局只剩下了台阶和梯⽥。

在2001年SRB的资⾦⽀持下,Ponderosa仍然保持着⾮常⾮正式的特点。这使得安装⼀个正式的路径⽹络、新的⼊⼝、攀岩和滑索
成为可能。此外,它使社区艺术项⽬得以进⾏,激发了当地⼈和⼉童对这个⾮常重要的场所的兴趣和参与。⾃2008年以来,它还
举办了年度节⽇ "公园⾥的和平",吸引了来⾃全市的⼈们,证明⾮常成功并为慈善事业筹集资⾦。
Ponderosa, Crookes Valley Park and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________
of the viaduct. In fact, very little of the landform of the Ponderosa is natural.
Much of the land below the football field was previously covered in housing,
as was the wooded slope below Mushroom Lane. (See also Historical Context
below).
The lower slopes of the park are dominated by the six tower blocks situated
within the park to the west.
The path layout at the bottom of the park, which in part is overlaid on the
previous road layout is formal and rather conflicts with the gentle landform.
Presently the path network is poor, with many paths poorly surfaced or
overgrown with vegetation. Due to the dense vegetation and the enclosed
spaces at the top of the park, visitors have reported that they often feel unsafe
in this area. There are steep wooden steps leading down into the park from
the south east, which are not suitable for the disabled and are both a health
and safety and maintenance liability. The football pitch was constructed on a
former landfill site without a drainage system and has very little topsoil,
consequently it is now not possible to hire this facility out as it is often
waterlogged and the amount of stone that lies on the surface makes it
dangerous to play on.
The top end of the park is heavily wooded, with a wide variety of woodland
species, including oak, wild cherry, beech, hawthorn and rowan (to name a
few). In 1994, the Ponderosa Environmental Group carried out a series of fruit
tree planting sessions. The site has a nature walk running through the trees
and is a great area for bird life.
The masterplan closely considers the recommendations from the ecological
survey and incorporates these to ensure that habitats are further enhanced for
wildlife.

Historical Context
Ponderosa was once part of the Crookes Moor. It had three ponds at the time
of the construction of Crookes Valleys Great Dam.
The land was acquired by the Sheffield Corporation in 1887.
From the 18th Century, sandstone quarries were worked to the south of the
Great Dam; these were gradually abandoned and developed into a few large
residencies.
By 1900, the lower three quarters of the site was developed as the Port
Mahon housing estate. This estate was demolished in the 1960’s, during the
redevelopment of the Upperthorpe and Netherthorpe Areas.
In 1899, the embankment at the southern extent of the park was created and
laid out as formal recreation grounds (as noted in regard to the creation of
Crookes Valley Recreation Ground above) following on from the creation of
the tramway route along Crookes Valley Road.

11

Environmental Planning Team


Ponderosa, Crookes Valley Park and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________
Brick rubble was tipped on the ‘Ponderosa’ site, which raised the ground level.
The Park was officially named ’the Ponderosa’ in the 1970’s after a popular
television show.
In the 1980’s the football pitch was constructed and the steep slopes including
those on the embankment were planted with woodland trees. All that remains
of the layout of the formal recreation ground are the steps and terraces
The Ponderosa remained very informal in character until SRB funding in 2001
resourced improvements. This enabled the installation of a formal path
network, new entrances, and a climbing rock and zip wire. Moreover, it
allowed a community art project to take place, generating interest and
involvement by local people and children in this very important site. Since
2008 it has also featured the annual festival, Peace in the Park, which attracts
people from a city wide arena, proving very successful and raising money for
charity.

Formal recreation ground on


slopes of viaduct c. 1900

View of Port Mahon housing


estate from Crookes Moor Road

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Ponderosa, Crookes Valley Park and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
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1990 the recently installed


football pitch and tree planting in
the foreground

13

Environmental Planning Team


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Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________
1.4 Introduction to Philadelphia Gardens

Base taken from GOOGLE maps

Philadelphia Gardens provide a green link between the residential areas of


Upperthorpe, Langsett and Infirmary Road. It is a green space, owned and
largely managed by Sheffield Homes.

Parks and Countryside manage the toddler play area on the edge of the site.
There is also a basketball court, youth shelter and skate boarding ramp,
providing facilities for young people in the area. There are a range of local
businesses close by and excellent tram and bus links.

The majority of this park is situated on a steep hillside with dense woodland
with paths linking the various play and sports features. A small flat area at the

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bottom of the slope houses the main play area. And a levelled area on the
slope has a basketball court. This park has a very informal layout, relating
directly to the sloping landform and there is no formal enclosure to the park
with very low key entrances.

This site holds exciting design potential in terms of the topography and
changing levels and has also seen recent positive activity as a result of Art in
The Park engaging with local young people and creating colourful murals
around the basketball court. The site does however present several design
challenges in terms of:

• Linking together the very disconnected parts of the site.

• Creating a park that feels safe and designs out opportunities for anti
social behaviour and illegal activity (the current network of paths, along
with the overgrown nature of the woodland copses and meadow areas
may contribute to this influx of anti-social behaviour)

• Creating a face and identity to the Park. Besides neighbouring


properties, very few people are aware of Philadelphia Gardens
existence due to poor entrances and gateways into the site.

Historical context
This green space is situated on the site of the old Kelvin Flats, built in the
1960’s and demolished in the 1990’s. They were replaced with family housing,
whilst retaining the green space which once served the flats. With its many
mature trees, this space was developed into Philadelphia Gardens.

Kelvin flats

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Remnants of environmental
improvements to the flats in
the 1980’s can be seen in the
paving on Cleveland Street
bordering the park

Current housing on the site of


Kelvin Flats adjacent to
Philadelphia Gardens

Photo GOOGLE Maps

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Ponderosa, Crookes Valley Park and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________
2.0 Brief
Drawn up by Sheffield City Council’s [SCC] Parks & Countryside Service, the
brief was to produce a high quality landscape Masterplan and A4 report for
the three identified parks which:

• Creates a vision for future development

• Links the 3 parks with the Weston Park branding as neighbourhood


green spaces

• Enhances the green links potential for the neighbourhood

• Enhances the different strengths of each park and produce solutions


to any inherent weaknesses

• Attracts further funding for implementation of the proposals

• Prioritises the proposals and suggests quick wins.

• Provides budget costs for the proposals

The brief also requires the masterplan to:

• Be sympathetic to the masterplanning and branding of recently


renovated Weston Park.

• Use the consultation results provided by the Consultation Team as an


important tool to help reach solutions and to guide design.

• Use the results from the commissioned ecological report to reach


solutions and guide design.

• Be aspirational, innovative and creative

• Reflect the landscape character of the neighbourhood, heritage of the


parks and ecological value.

• Address Green Flag criteria in the designs focussing in particular on


conservation & heritage, community involvement, accessibility and
making the green spaces a welcoming place to visit.

• Take into consideration long-term management, maintenance and


sustainability issues.

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• Liaise with Parks & Countryside Trees and Woodlands Officers
regarding tree survey, woodland management plans and tree condition
surveys.

• Explore and identify green routes in order to enhance accessibility


between the three sites and Weston Park.

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Environmental Planning Team


Ponderosa, Crookes Valley Park and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
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3.0 Project Team and Consultation
Art in the Park were commissioned to carry out consultation with the local
community to find out what local people thought about the three parks. As part
of this consultation process Art in the Park (Sheffield) ran 3 creative art events
in the parks, handed out over 500 questionnaires, attended a family event at
Netherthorpe Primary School and led the consultation at a public stakeholders
meeting. From the questionnaires we had 167 responses of which most
people were from S11, S10, S6 and S3. We had 48 responses from children.
13 people used Philadelphia, 95 used Ponderosa and 59 used Crookes Valley
Park.

In addition to this, a Masterplan Steering Group was set up and identified


stakeholders and interested local members of the community were invited to
attend. Representatives from The Friends of Crookesmoor Parks played a key
role in this group The Steering Group met on several occasions throughout
the process and were in email contact between times, and performed a key
role in evaluating consultation, discussing issues, and agreeing priorities and
projects.
The Regeneration Officer also carried out targetted consultation with key
stakeholders in the area through attending various meetings and giving
presentations/engaging in discussion/ handing out questionnaires. These
stakeholders included:
• Walkley Forum
• Upperthorpe TARA
• Crookes and Upper Walkley TARA
• Martin & Oxford Street Tower Blocks Tenants Association
• Springvale & Amos TARA
• St Stephens TARA
• Langsett and Walkley Community Association
• Crookesmoor Bowling Club
• Sheffield University Canoe Club
• Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet; 'Education through Angling' project
• Woodthorpe Development Trust 'Get Hooked on Fishing'
• ‘Education through Angling’, Abbeydale Industrial Hamlets
• Sheffield Homes
• Netherthorpe, Upperthorpe, Langsett, Walkley Community Safety Group
• ZEST
• Peace in the Park
• Weston Park Museums & Galleries
• No Limits Film Festival
• Councillors
• Ponderosa Environment Group
• Sheffield Bird Study Group
• SPRITE

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Gardens Masterplan
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There has also been some interest in forming a ‘Friends of Philadelphia
Gardens’ group. It is hoped that this process will encourage the group to
formalise and take an active role in the future development of the green
space.

Public participation and community consultation was seen as a key priority in


developing a meaningful Masterplan which acknowledged the public’s
priorities, fears and desires and considered all the comments and suggestions
made.

A full summary of the consultation processes and findings is included in


Appendix 3 (Art in the Park Consultation Report) and Appendix 4
(Stakeholder Consultation Summary)

Art in the Park also carried out a 'Minispace Greenspace Celebrations' event
in July 2010 at some of the smaller incidental green spaces around the Three
Parks. The aim was to encourage people to come and use these green
spaces a little more and try and find out how they could be improved in the
future. The full report is included in Appendix 3 and makes suggestions about
how future projects could enhance the green spaces in the future for the local
community.

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Environmental Planning Team


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Gardens Masterplan
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4.0 Background
4.1 Land Ownership and Planning Context
Crookes Valley Park is wholly in Parks ownership.
The majority of the Ponderosa is owned by parks, however the land around
the tower blocks is owned in part by Sheffield Homes and in part by Estates.
Philadelphia Gardens owned by Sheffield Homes apart from small areas of
Highways land near the play area.

The full land ownership maps for all three parks are included in Appendix 1

4.2 Social and Ethnic context


From analysing datasets provided by the Office for National Statistics, key
observations can be drawn from the results:
• Student population: very high in the Broomhill ward (49.61%) and much
lower in the Walkley ward (9.41%)
• The high student population in Broomhill affects many other characteristics
of the neighbourhood including a high number properties rented from
private landlord or letting agency (26.97% as opposed to 11.32% in
Walkley ward)
• There is a higher Percentage of people in Broomhill ward achieving Level
3 and Level 4 qualifications (Level 3: 42.77% and Level 4: 34.53%) than in
Walkley ward (Level 3: 8.63% and Level 4:26.96%). There is a much
higher number of people in Walkley ward with no qualifications (28.83%)
which contrasts with the Broomhill population (6.71%)
• In both wards people have higher than Sheffield average health (77.30%
in Broomhill, 66.06% in Walkley, 65.23% in Sheffield overall)
• In terms of ethnic groups, Broomhill has a more diverse population with
10.40% of the population belonging to a BME group, higher than Walkley's
BME population of 4.47%.

As the information is taken from the 2001 census, the figures have to be
viewed with a degree of caution but give a relatively accurate picture of the
current situation. This information, along with other observations about the
neighbourhood have been taken into consideration through the
masterplanning process to ensure that the designs and proposals are
appropriate to the area and the community that live here.

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湖泊占据了公园三分之⼀的⾯积,是公园历史特征的基础。虽然它
5.0 Crookes Valley Park 在晴朗的⽇⼦⾥是⼀个⾮常有吸引⼒的特征,但在冬天和天空灰暗
的时候,它可能是相当空旷、暗淡和压抑的。它的潜⼒应该通过增
加更多的视觉趣味和尽可能地把⼈们带到⽔边来⽽得到最⼤的发
5.1 Potential 挥。⽔的存在为创造湿地栖息地和提供更多的视觉兴趣、娱乐和教
育潜⼒提供了巨⼤潜⼒。

Attractive space, well looked after and popular.

The lake dominates the park covering one third


of its area and is fundamental to the historical
character of the park. Although it is a very
attractive feature on a sunny day, it can be
rather empty, bleak and depressing in the
winter and when the skies are grey. Its
potential should be maximised by adding more
visual interest and bringing people on to the
water as much as possible. The presence of
water offers great potential to create wetland
habitats and for offering more visual interest,
recreational and educational potential.

The landform creates a dramatic setting with


steep slopes down to the lake

Some areas of recent planting make the


entrance adjacent to Weston Park attractive
and welcoming and spring bulbs under the trees
are spectacular.

The presence of woodland on the south east


boundary provides an attractive backdrop to the
lake.

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There are some great views across the


lake from the terraces on the North East
side of the park, these could be improved.

There is fascinating history to the park,


however there is little interpretation. Great
potential to improve this aspect of the park

The water, woodland and slopes provide


some interesting habitats although there is
a great deal of potential to improve these.

这⾥有⼏个⾮常受欢迎的设施,保龄球馆、餐厅和游戏区。
然⽽,后者与景观的融合程度很低,缺乏任何种植。

There are several very popular facilities,


the bowling greens, the restaurant and
play area. The latter is however poorly
integrated into the landscape and lacks
any planting.

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Environmental Planning Team


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Gardens Masterplan
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⼊⼝处相当低调,⽆趣。有可能通过升级这些⼊⼝来提⾼公园的
吸引⼒ -通往克鲁克斯⾕路的主⼊⼝

The entrances are rather low key and


uninteresting. There is potential to
improve the attractiveness of the park by
upgrading these
-Main entrance onto Crookes Valley
Road

-Entrance onto Mushroom lane

The lakeside pavilion is currently unused


and in need of repairs

There is also the very active and


committed Friends group

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Environmental Planning Team


Crookes Valley Park, Ponderosa and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________
5.2 Problems The park is dominated by steep slopes
with poor accessibility in some areas.
Some of the flights of steps do not have
handrails.

There are very limited flat areas. Apart


from the lake, the bowling greens and play
area, the only flat areas are the terraces
below Crookes Valley Road and the
restaurant terrace. This limits potential.

Generally the hard landscape in the park is


a bit run down. Some of the tarmac paths
are worn out as are the steps and many of
the seats. Also many of the stone retaining
walls are in poor repair. They need re-
pointing and their copings have been
replaced with concrete slabs fixed with
steel straps which are unsightly. The jetty
on the lake is also in poor repair.
平坦的地⽅⾮常有限。除了湖泊、保龄球场和游戏区之外,唯⼀的平坦区
域是Crookes Valley Road下⾯的梯⽥和餐厅的平台。这限制了潜⼒。

⼀般来说,公园⾥的硬景观有点破败。⼀些柏油路⾯以及台阶和许多座椅
都已磨损。此外,许多⽯头挡⼟墙也修得很差。他们需要重新涂抹⽯膏,
他们的护墙已经被⽤钢带固定的混凝⼟板取代,这很不雅观。湖边的防波
堤也修得很差。
Similarly, many of the planting beds are
dull and declining.

There is poor parking provision as the


lease with the university, for weekday
access, has expired.

Although there are public toilets adjoining


the Dam House Restaurant, these are not
currently available to the public.

Much of the historical interest is now


missing, for example, the cannon and
statue which once stood on the terrace are
missing and there is little information about
what remaining.

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Environmental Planning Team


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Gardens Masterplan
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There is poor linkage to Weston Park and
the Ponderosa. There is poor visibility up
Mushroom Lane for pedestrians crossing
and heavy traffic on Crookes Valley Road.

The route from Mushroom Lane is hidden


and the steps are in poor repair with no
handrail.

There has been a recent spate of vandalism

Maintenance areas are unsightly and


scattered around the park

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Environmental Planning Team


Crookes Valley Park, Ponderosa and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________
5.3 Design Principles
The key principles underlining the strategy were to:

1) Encourage more people to use the park

2) Give the park a facelift.

3) Improve accessibility

4) Enhance the historic nature of the park.

5) Develop its character, less formal than Weston Park and more so than
the Ponderosa with more colourful ornamental planting

6) Encourage new uses for the lake

7) Improve habitats

8) Improve existing recreational, sports and play facilities

9) Encourage a through route.

10) Involving Community Groups and local schools in the regeneration


works.

该战略所依据的主要原则是

1)⿎励更多的⼈使⽤该公园

2) 对公园进⾏整修。

3)提⾼可及性

4) 增强公园的历史性。

5)发展它的特点,⽐Weston公园更不正式,⽐Ponderosa公园更有⾊彩的观赏性种植。

6)⿎励湖泊的新⽤途

7)改善栖息地

8)改善现有的娱乐、体育和游戏设施

9) ⿎励建⽴⼀条贯通的路线。

10) 让社区团体和当地学校参与再⽣⼯程。

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Gardens Masterplan
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5.4 Early actions prior to further design work:
1) Levels utilities surveys.
2) Feasibility study for use of lakeside pavilion.
3) Feasibility of pedestrian priority across Mushroom Lane and a
pedestrian crossing over Crookes Valley Road to the Ponderosa to
be discussed with Highways.
4) Parks and Countryside to pursue the parking agreement with
Sheffield University
5) Parks and Countryside to negotiate with Dam House manager re
repairs necessary to re-open the toilets.
6) Consider a feasibility study for reducing the depth of the water in the
lake to increase recreational opportunities.
7) Investigate the requirements for Sunday market.

1) ⽔利设施调查。

2) 使⽤湖边凉亭的可⾏性研究。

3) 与公路局讨论⾏⼈优先穿越蘑菇巷的可⾏性,以及在Crookes Valley路通往Ponderosa的⼈⾏横道
的可⾏性。

4) 公园与乡村部将与谢菲尔德⼤学签订停⻋协议。

5) 公园和乡村部与Dam House经理协商,为重新开放厕所进⾏必要的维修。

6) 考虑进⾏可⾏性研究,以减少湖⽔深度,增加娱乐机会。

7) 调查对周⽇市场的要求。

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Environmental Planning Team


Crookes Valley Park, Ponderosa and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
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5.6 Masterplan Proposals
All proposals are made in the light of information available at the time of
writing and are not set in stone. They represent a balanced overview of the
future direction of the Park taking account of all the constraints and
opportunities described.

Please note that although an attempt has been made to list the proposals in
order of priority, this is likely to change as the availability of funding changes
over time.

Planning permission may be required for some of these proposals and this
should be investigated and taken into account as and when proceeding with
future design work.

1) Improving the lake habitat


o Islands
In line with the recommendations in the ecological survey, the proposal for
building an island in the lake is being progressed. The main aim is to provide
nesting sites for birds. The recent depth survey of the lake has located the
shallower areas which could possibly provide locations for permanent islands
built off the bottom rather than the earlier proposal for floating islands. There
is funding in place to build a permanent island later this year.

o Planting
Also in line with the ecological report and the consultation report, native
marginal and aquatic plants introduced in the shallower areas would soften
the edges of the lake as well as improving its habitat. These should be
designed with care so as not to create too great a maintenance burden.
Cost estimate: £18,000

2) Improve Fishing in the lake


Encouraging fishing in the lake in line with both the consultation report and the
ecological report would enhance and further develop the recreational potential
of the Lake and footfall in the Park. Construction of fishing platforms should
be installed along the edge to prevent obstruction of the path around the lake
as indicated on the masterplan. Location of the platforms should be an
appropriate distance away from the island.
Developing links with the Woodthorpe Development Trust and the ‘Education
Through Angling’ project based at Abbeydale Industrial Hamlets in
conjunction with the and potential renovation of the boat house would all
contribute to achieving this aim.
Re-stocking the lake is another possibility, however, consultation with the
Environment Agency and angling partners would be necessary if this proposal
were to be acted on.
根据咨询报告和⽣态报告,⿎励在湖中钓⻥,将提⾼和进⼀步发展湖的休闲潜⼒和公园的⼈流。如总体
规划图所示,应沿湖边设置钓⻥平台,以防⽌阻碍环湖道路。平台的位置应与岛屿保持适当的距离。

与Woodthorpe发展信托基⾦和位于Abbeydale Industrial Hamlets的 "垂钓教育 "项⽬建⽴联系,并对船


29 屋进⾏潜在的翻新,都有助于实现这⼀⽬标。

Environmental Planning Team


为湖泊重新投放⻥种是另⼀种可能性,然⽽,如果要对这⼀建议采取⾏动,就必须与环境署和垂钓伙伴
进⾏协商。
Crookes Valley Park, Ponderosa and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________
The motorboat jetty requires a structural check to ascertain whether repairs or
reconstruction is more appropriate. By extending it to both sides, it would be
provide more space for fishermen.
See also 'Boat house' below and Appendix 6 (Meetings re fishing in the lake)
Cost estimate: £20,000

3) Boathouse
In line with the consultation document, a feasibility study is being undertaken
to look at new sustainable uses for the boathouse. The increasing
deterioration of the structure combined with the results of consultation makes
this project a priority.
Several organisations have expressed an interest in using the building. ‘Art in
the Park’, Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet for its ‘Education through Angling’
project and The Woodthorpe Development Trust for its ‘Get hooked on
Fishing’ project are all interested.

The building would require refurbishment and connection/upgrading of


utilities. This work should ensure that it retains its character.

The feasibility study is looking at providing the following facilities in the


boathouse:
• Toilet (this could help meet the public demand for a public toilet in the
park)
• Kitchen/ Tea making facilities
• Classroom/ Office space (ideally two separate rooms- may be sliding
partition)
• Hot Desk Studio/Artist Space
• Heating
• Possible space for a kiosk to sell ice-creams/drinks etc

Volunteers from the University of Sheffield have expressed an interest in


carrying out the re-painting work which would defray some of the
refurbishment costs.

The feasibility report is included in Appendix 2


Cost estimate: £126,000

4) Woodland Management
The ecological report suggests producing and implementing a combined
management plan for Crookes Valley Park and the Ponderosa.
Cost estimate: £1,000

The same report also proposed the following to improve the habitat in the
woodland area:

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Environmental Planning Team


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______________________________________________
o Improve the ground flora by controlling the ivy and introducing areas of
native woodland plants.
o Removal of non native saplings.
o Replacement of bird boxes and introduction of bat boxes.
o To ensure succession in the woodland, with trees of a wide variety of
ages, new native tree planting should also be included in the management
plan.
It is hoped that much of the labour will be provided by volunteers although
further costings may be identified through the management plan.

5) Tree removal
The masterplan proposes some tree removal to open up views within the
Park, to enhance visibility and feeling of safety and to further develop the age
structure of trees in the Park. Specifically the masterplan proposes:
o Removal of the overgrown Holly Trees (but retention of the Yew Tree)
to open up views from the lower terrace
o Selective tree removal to allow the development of the new path from
Harcourt Road
o Selective thinning to open up the pathway through the woodland off
Mushroom Lane as consultees identified feeling unsafe in this area
Cost estimate: £10,000

6) Herb Garden
The site of the demolished building could become an herb garden, enclosed
with a low hedge and fencing and with more decorative paving, it would
provide a quiet and fragrant place to sit. The design needs to take account of
the potential for antisocial behaviour in this area which has been a problem in
the past.
Cost estimate: £25,000

7) Signage and interpretation


Improved signage was raised in the consultation document as a priority. The
Masterplan recommends:
o Introducing way signs at the entrances to encourage its use as a
through route, in particular at the small entrance off Mushroom Lane
o Introduce signage to the Ponderosa and Weston Park
o Interpretation of the history of the park. A single sign, possibly near the
lake, highlighting the interesting features such as the lake itself, the Dam
House and the head of the shaft would highlight the historical significance of
this park.
o A nature trail linking Crookes Valley Park with the Ponderosa with
interpretation would be a great way to link the two parks.
o All signage to comply with the design palette and where possible
combine signs on the same posts.
Cost estimate: £20,000

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Environmental Planning Team


Crookes Valley Park, Ponderosa and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
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8) Toilets
Reopening the toilets, in the Dam House, to the public is a high priority.
Negotiations should proceed with The Dam House to agree and enforce the
terms and conditions of the lease which are currently not being complied with
(See above re potential for additional toilets in boathouse)
No cost to Parks & Countryside

9) Play
In line with the consultation results the play area should be upgraded with
some new equipment and further consultation should be carried out with local
children as to the choice of what equipment would best bring new excitement
and challenge.

Planting a small group of trees within the grass area in the play area would
help integrate the space into the landscape.

If in the future, bowling is not played on the second green, the play area could
be expanded into that space at an additional cost. (not included in cost below)
Cost estimate: £33,000

10) Park Entrances and boundaries


The entrances are a key starting point to setting the updated style for the park
design palette. Metal gates and /or archways or other features with artist
designed metalwork, combined with stonework would be appropriate to this
park. The design should be high quality and contemporary, though in keeping
with the historic nature of the park. It could include the name of the park
within the design, and paving around the main entrance could be in a higher
quality material, possibly introducing an area of stone.

The design should also reinforce the hierarchy of the entrances with the main
entrance, adjacent to Weston Park on Crookes Valley Road, and slightly
lower key entrances adjacent to Harcourt Road and off the lane to the back of
the Dam House. This latter entrance should be more visible from Mushroom
Lane, and views down to the lake should be opened up by selective removal
of trees along the stepped path. (cost included in ‘Tree Removal’)
If the vehicle access for bowlers and disabled park users is to be via the
current maintenance entrance (see below), the main entrance design should
incorporate this, making allowance for a left turn for cars into the park from
Mushroom Lane which is currently one way.

The boundary on Crookes Valley Road would be significantly upgraded with


new metal railings, designed to be in keeping with the entrances.
Cost estimate: £135,000

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Environmental Planning Team


Crookes Valley Park, Ponderosa and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
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11) Pedestrian priority to Ponderosa and Weston Park
Encouraging easy pedestrian access between the three parks at the junction
of Mushroom Lane and Crookes Valley Road, has been raised as a key
element of the Masterplan. These are both issues which will require the
involvement of Sheffield City Council Highways Design, who have been
contacted for comments.
No cost to Parks & Countryside

12) Resurface paths and reconstruct steps


A full reconstruction of a section of the path to the back of the Dam House will
be necessary to bring it up to standard. Elsewhere, such as on the terraces, a
new wearing course may suffice.
Reconstruction of all the steps within the park, possibly using granite or
‘Conservation’ Kerbs, with a single style would greatly improve their
appearance as well as reducing the necessary repairs. The steps through the
woodland to Mushroom Lane in particular would benefit from reconstruction.
Handrails should be incorporated into all steps.
Cost estimate: £111,000

13) Replacing seats


Replace the seats which have been removed as highlighted in the
Consultation document and continue the programme for replacing all the
remaining old ones. Additional seating around the proposed planting on the
north east bank of the lake would also be in line with the consultation. See
the Design Palette for a suggested style.
Cost estimate: £9,000

14) Retaining walls


Dwarf retaining walls which are in a poor condition should be re-pointed (or
reconstructed where necessary) with stone copings resin bonded to prevent
removal. This would replace the metal straps, now starting to weaken, and
concrete copings.
Cost estimate: £17,000
15) Planting
It has been proposed that the new style of planting recently introduced at the
main entrance, should be continued through the park with the use of colourful
herbaceous plants with shrubs. This would make a huge impact on the
attractiveness of the park for visitors. Year round interest could be provided
with perhaps some areas focusing on the different seasons. Some specific
areas could be developed as gardens.

o Harcourt Road entrance


Small areas of similar planting to that at the main entrance would link the two
entrances.

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Environmental Planning Team


o 哈考特路⼊⼝ 与主⼊⼝类似的⼩范围种植将连接这两个⼊⼝。

坝屋露台下⾯的弧形斜坡将是⼀个理想的位置,包括⼀些观赏性的树⽊,为春季开花的杜鹃花、⼭茶花和⽇本枫树提供阴凉,并
种植春季球茎和草本植物,如鹤望兰。这种种植也可以提供壮观的秋季⾊彩。这些树可以从露台上看到湖的景⾊,从对岸看,鲜
艳的⾊彩会使平淡的景⾊更加⽣动。

o 从湖的⻄北岸向后的⼩路将提供⼀个绝好的机会来继续这种混合⻛格的种植。两条平⾏⼩路之间的花坛可以通过合并⼀些花坛
⽽重新塑造。在这个区域可以引⼊浅⾊的树荫,在这些花坛之间种植更多的观赏性树⽊,以取代⼀些失去的树⽊。

o 在拟议中的经过保龄球馆的新⽆障碍道路周围,以及在哈考特路⼊⼝处的阶梯路线周围,可以加强冬季的趣味性。

o 在东南⽅向的草坡上种植更多的树,可以增加⼀些趣味性,并在夏天提供阴凉。这些树的选址应谨慎,以免妨碍斜坡上的雪橇
和⽇光浴。这两种活动在这⾥都很受欢迎。

o 这种额外的种植将需要承诺维护,并为此提供额外的持续资⾦。

草药园的种植在上⾯有描述和成本计算。

在咨询报告中提出了停⻋问题。将保龄球运动员的停⻋位从下层平台移开,将为⾏⼈腾出平台,并允许在公园内将⻋辆和⾏⼈
分开。沿着⽬前主⼊⼝附近的维修通道,在底部设置⼀排汽⻋转弯头,可以在⼀个不那么碍眼的地⽅提供停⻋。这条路将有限
制性的通道,只供维修⻋辆、残疾⼈和保龄球运动员停⻋。主⼊⼝的设计应包括这⼀点,为从蘑菇巷进⼊公园的⻋辆留出左转
的空间,因为蘑菇巷是单⾏道。

在通道尽头的转弯处,可能需要失去该区域的⼀棵成熟的树⽊,尽管设计应尽可能地避免这⼀点。

拟议的附加道路将为⾏⼈提供⼀条替代的⽆障碍路线(⻅下⽂),从⽽将⾏⼈和⻋辆隔离开来。

应该延⻓现有停⻋场的使⽤协议,该停⻋场靠近⼤坝之家并由谢菲尔德⼤学拥有。这将提供更多的残疾⼈和临时停⻋位,以及
现有的斜坡,虽然很陡峭,但却可以下到⼤坝之家的露台周围的湖边。

从主⼊⼝到湖边的拟议的新路将有⼀个好处,即引导所有⾏⼈、轮椅和携带婴⼉⻋的⼈通过新的⼊⼝,⽽不是像现在这样,迫
使后两类⼈使⽤⼀侧的维修道路。这条路没有对⻋辆进⾏隔离,对公园使⽤者有潜在的危险。新的道路将采⽤柏油路⾯,并按
照⽆障碍坡度铺设,宽度为3⽶。

另⼀条新的路线,"林地⼩径",建议从湖的东⻆开始,它将沿着现有的欲望线斜向上升,穿过林地到蘑菇巷的⼊⼝。这条路的
⽬的是⿎励⼈们将公园作为⼀条通途,并保持其林地特征,在第⼀个陡峭的路段将铺设树⽪和⽊制台阶,宽度为1.8⽶。

协商证明,当地⼈希望看到⼀条新的⽆障碍道路从哈考特路⼊⼝进⼊公园,以便让婴⼉⻋更好地进⼊操场,也⿎励更多的⼈使
⽤公园作为他们⽇常⽣活的⼀部分。在哈考特路的⼊⼝处,由于坡度的关系,⽆法提供⼀条完全⽆障碍的路线通往下⾯的游戏
区。然⽽,也许可以在哈考特路再往上20⽶处建造⼀个新的⼊⼝,并从这⾥建造⼀个坡道下到顶层平台。这将允许婴⼉⻋进
⼊,但对⽆助的轮椅来说可能太陡了。为实现这⼀⽬标,该地区的⼤部分树⽊(可能有8-10棵)必须被移⾛,尽管没有进⼀步
的设计,不可能有更准确的数字。然⽽,好处是,⼀旦上了顶层平台,就可以从主⼊⼝处使⽤拟议的⽆障碍路径下到游戏区的
⽔平。由于坡度的原因,这条道路应该只有2⽶宽。

在对这三条新路进⾏进⼀步设计之前,需要对该地区进⾏全⾯的⽔平测量。

通过在所有新的阶梯路线中加⼊扶⼿和触觉铺装,可以改善⽆障碍环境(费⽤包括在重新铺设道路和重建阶梯中--⻅上⽂,但
不包括⼟地调查)。
Crookes Valley Park, Ponderosa and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________
o The curved slope below the Dam House terrace would be an ideal
location and including some ornamental trees to provide shade for spring
flowered azaleas, camellias and Japanese maples under-planted with spring
bulbs, and herbaceous plants such as hellebores. This planting could also
provide spectacular autumn colour. The trees would frame the views of the
lake from the terrace and from the opposite bank the bright splashes of colour
would liven up the rather bland view.

o The path set back from the north-west bank of the lake would provide a
wonderful opportunity to continue this mixed style of planting. The beds
between the two parallel paths could be reshaped by combining some of the
beds. Light shade could be introduced in this area with more ornamental trees
between these beds replacing some of those lost.

o Winter interest could be enhanced around the proposed new


accessible path past the bowling building, and around the stepped route at the
Harcourt Road entrance.

o Additional tree planting on the grassy south-east facing slope would


add some interest and provide shade in summer. These trees should be
carefully sited so as not to obstruct the slope for sledging and sunbathing.
Both popular activities here.

o This additional planting would require a commitment to maintenance


and additional ongoing funding for this.

o Planting to the herb garden is described and costed above.


Cost estimate: £30,000

16) Improve parking for disabled and bowlers


Parking was raised as an issue in the consultation report. Moving the parking
for the bowlers away from the lower terrace would free up the terrace for
pedestrians and allow segregation of vehicles and pedestrians in the park. A
single row of cars along the current maintenance access road adjacent to the
main entrance with a turning head at the bottom, would provide parking in a
much less obtrusive location. This road would have restricted access and
would be solely for maintenance vehicles, disabled and bowlers parking. The
main entrance design should incorporate this, making allowance for a left turn
for cars into the park from Mushroom Lane, which is one way.
The turning head, at the end of the access road, may require the loss of one
of the mature trees in this area, although the design should seek to avoid this
if possible.
The proposed additional path would provide an alternative accessible route
for pedestrians (see below) thus segregating pedestrians and vehicles

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Environmental Planning Team


Crookes Valley Park, Ponderosa and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________
Renewing the agreement for use of the existing car park, close to the Dam
House and owned by Sheffield University should be pursued. This would
provide further disabled and occasional parking with the existing ramped, if
steep, route down to the lakeside around the Dam House terrace.
Cost estimate: £26,000

17) New paths


The proposed new path from the main entrance down towards the lake would
have the advantage of channelling all pedestrians, wheelchairs and people
with buggies through the new entrance rather than, as currently happens,
forcing the latter two groups to use the maintenance road off to one side. This
has no segregation for vehicles and is potentially a hazard for park users.
The new path would be constructed with tarmac and laid out to an accessible
gradient and would be 3m wide.

A further new route, ‘The Woodland Path’, is proposed from the eastern
corner of the lake, it would follow the existing desire line diagonally up the
slope through the woodland to the Mushroom Lane entrance. This is aimed at
encouraging the use of the park as a through route and in keeping with its
woodland character, would be surfaced with bark with timber steps up the first
steep section and would be 1.8m wide.

Consultation evidenced that local people would like to see a new accessible
path from the Harcourt Road entrance into the Park to give better access to
the playground with pushchairs and also encourage more people to use the
Park as part of their daily routine. At the Harcourt Road entrance, the
gradients preclude a fully accessible route down to the play area below. It
may, however, be possible to construct a new entrance about 20m further up
Harcourt Road and a ramp from here down to the top terrace. This would
allow access for buggies but would probably be too steep for unassisted
wheelchairs. Most of the trees in this area (possibly 8-10no. See tree removal
for costs), would have to be removed to achieve this, although without further
design it wouldn’t be possible to be more exact about numbers. The benefit,
however, would be that once on the top terrace, the proposed accessible path
from the main entrance could then be used to get down to the play area level.
Due to the slope, this path should be only 2m wide.

A full levels survey of the area would be required prior to further design work
on the three new paths.

Accessibility generally can be improved by incorporation of handrails and


tactile paving into all the new stepped routes. (Costs included in Resurfacing
paths and reconstructing steps- see above but not the land survey).
Cost estimate: £59,000

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Environmental Planning Team


将湖的深度从⽬前的最⼤深度8.6⽶减少到2⽶的建议将是⼀项重⼤的⼯程。然⽽,从中⻓期来看,它可以为公园带来⼀些好处。

在⽣态学上,⼀个较浅的湖泊将提供⼀个更有⽤的栖息地,特别是对⻥类。垂钓教育 "和Woodthorpe发展信托基⾦都表示有兴趣
在Crookes Valley湖发展垂钓项⽬,并热切希望看到湖的⽣境得到改善。(参⻅附录6 有关在湖中钓⻥的会议记录)。)

o 湖⽔会更安全,因为较浅的⽔不会那么冷。这可能会开启娱乐的可能性,如⽊板路,和/或划船可以恢复。

对该项⽬进⾏的初步调查表明,该项⽬⽬前并不可⾏,原因如下。

o ⽬前的市场条件决定了硬核可以重新出售。这样做的结果是,通过这个项⽬不会产⽣任何收⼊,这将使项⽬的成本⾮常⾼。

o 估计对环境的影响很⼤,估计需要3244辆20吨卡⻋的散装填料(平均12.5⽴⽅⽶),以减少湖⽔深度为2⽶。(估计总共需要
40,555⽴⽅⽶的填料)。)

我们还询问了环境局⽬前从唐河挖掘的材料(作为其河流清理⼯作的⼀部分)是否是更合适的填充材料(类似于来⾃另⼀个⽔⽣环
境,没有浸出问题等)。然⽽,这也充满了结缕草和重⾦属的潜在污染问题,⽽且对于这种规模的项⽬来说,没有⾜够的挖掘量。

然⽽,这并不意味着应该完全放弃这个项⽬,如果市场和其他条件发⽣变化,在未来重新评估这个情况可能是合适的。与利益相关
者的联系,如 "通过垂钓进⾏教育 "项⽬,也可能有助于找到这个问题的解决⽅案。如果该项⽬在未来继续进⾏,总体规划强调以
下问题也需要通过全⾯的可⾏性研究来解决: o 硬核材料需要仔细分析,以确保它不包含诸如⽯膏和碎⽔泥等元素,这些元素会
渗⼊⽔中,影响湖的pH值和⽣态。这将对⻥类栖息地和⽣物多样性产⽣影响。另⼀个解决⽅案是将拆除材料埋在⼟⼯织物膜下,
将材料密封起来,但这将是昂贵的,⽽且有损坏/刺穿膜的危险。在膜上需要有表⼟,以创造⼀个新的湖泊⽣态环境。

o 填湖的结构要求,既要考虑⼤坝墙的额外负荷,⼜要考虑以安全的⽅式进⾏必要的压实填充。

o 需要哪些批准?

o 应该进⾏环境影响评估,以调查以下问题,如必要的基础设施⼯程的可能成本和物流,以允许⻋辆进⼊湖泊,存放他们的货物,
转向和退出,恢复道路、⼤坝湖边墙等的成本,公园的舒适度损失,⼯程的可能持续时间和朋友们的意⻅,以及⼀般公众,现有的
⻥会发⽣什么。

o 是否有⾜够的发展来提供所需的材料数量和质量?

资⾦也必须到位,以⽀付可⾏性本身。

为了⿎励 "垂钓教育 "和 "WDT "等团体更多地使⽤湖泊,可以采取措施改善湖泊的⽣境(参⻅上⽂:"船屋 "和 "改善湖泊的捕


捞")。

o 划船和⽔上花园 协商报告中提出了恢复湖泊划船的问题,这可能是⼀个很⼤的吸引⼒。然⽽,需要进⼀步调查是否有私⼈机
构有兴趣在公园内开展这样的活动,⽔的其他娱乐⽤途可以包括在研究中。由于⽔⾯覆盖了公园的⼤⽚区域,如果将公众排除
在更积极的参与之外,将是⼀种耻辱。⼀种可能性是通过引⼊⼀系列相互连接的短⽊板路,创建⼀个⼩型的⽔花园区,也许在
北⻆。这些⽊板路可以包围⼀些边缘的植物,可以是浮动的结构,也可以是建在较浅的湖底上。当然,它们的两边都需要有栏
杆,也许可以设计成⾦属结构,⽽不是⽊材,以保证其耐久性。

研究需要包括这些⽅案是否会影响到岛屿,以及健康和安全问题。可能需要对湖泊进⾏分区,以避免划船和钓⻥之间的冲突。

(成本估计与⽔花园有关。)
Crookes Valley Park, Ponderosa and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________
18) Reducing the depth of the lake
The proposal to reduce the depth of the lake, from its current maximum depth
of 8.6m to 2m, would be a major undertaking. It could, however, have several
benefits for the park in the medium to long term:
o Ecologically, a shallower lake would provide a more useful habitat in
particular for fish. 'Education through Angling' and Woodthorpe Development
Trust have both expressed an interest in developing angling projects in
Crookes Valley Lake and are keen to see the habitat of the Lake improved.
(See also Appendix 6 Minutes from meetings re. fishing in the lake).
o The lake would be safer as shallower water would not be so cold. This
may open up recreational possibilities such as boardwalks, and/ or boating
could be brought back.( see below)

Initial investigation into this project has suggested that the project is not
currently viable due to:
o Current market conditions dictating that hardcore is re-saleable. The
result of this is that no revenue would be generated through this project which
would make the project very costly.
o Estimated environmental impact is significant with an estimated 3244
20 tonne lorry loads of bulk fill (average 12.5 cu.m.) required to reduce the
lake to a depth of 2m. (Estimated total fill required 40,555 cu.m).

We have also enquired as to whether material currently being excavated from


the River Don by the Environment Agency (as part of their river clearance
work) would be a more appropriate fill material (similar from another aquatic
environment with no leaching problems etc). However this too is fraught with
issues of potential contamination with Knotweed, heavy metals and there not
being sufficient excavated volume for a project of this scale.

However, this does not mean that the project should be completely discarded
and it may be appropriate to re-assess the situation in the future if market and
other conditions were to change. Liaison with stakeholders such as the
'Education through Angling' project may also help to find solutions to this
question. If this project is pursued in the future, the masterplan highlights that
the following issues would also need resolving through a full feasibility study:
o Hardcore material would need to be carefully analysed to ensure that it
did not contain such elements as plaster and crushed cement that would
leach into the water and affect the pH and ecology of the Lake. This would
have an impact on fish habitats and biodiversity. An alternative solution to this
would be to bury the demolition materials under a geotextile membrane to
seal the material in, but this would be expensive and there is the danger of
damage/ puncture to the membrane. Topsoil would be required over the
membrane to create a new Lake ecology.
o The structural requirements for filling the lake, both regarding the
additional loading on the dam wall and regarding a safe way to fill with the
necessary compaction.

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Environmental Planning Team


Crookes Valley Park, Ponderosa and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________
o What approvals would be required?
o An Environmental Impact Assessment should be carried out to
investigate such issues as the likely cost and logistics of necessary
infrastructure work to allow vehicles to access the lake, deposit their load, turn
and exit, The cost of reinstatement of the road, dam lakeside wall etc, The
loss of amenity in the park, the likely duration of the work and the opinions of
the Friends, and the general public, what would happen to the existing fish.
o Whether there is sufficient development to provide the volume and
quality of material which would be necessary?

Funding would also have to be in place to pay for the feasibility itself.

In order to encourage more usage of the Lake by groups such as Education


through Angling and WDT, steps can be taken to improve the lake habitat
(see also above: ‘Boat house’ and ‘Improve fishing in the lake’).
No cost as this is not a current proposal

19) Developing more interaction with the lake


o Boating and water garden
Bringing back boating to the lake was raised by the consultation report and
could be a big draw. However, further investigation is needed as to whether
there is interest from a private concern to run such an activity in the Park
Alternative recreational uses of the water could be included in the study. As
the water covers such a large area of the park, it would be a shame to
exclude the public from a more active involvement. One possibility would be
to create a small water garden area, by introducing a series of interlinked
short boardwalks, maybe in the northern corner. These could enclose some
marginal planting and would either be floating structures, or be built off the
shallower lake bottom. They would of course need to have balustrades to
both sides, and perhaps a metal construction rather than timber could be
designed for durability.
The study would need to include whether either of these options would impact
on the islands as well as the Heath and Safety issues. Zoning of the lake may
be required to avoid conflict between boating and fishing.
(The cost estimate relates to the water garden)
Cost estimate: £17,000

20) Sunday market venue


The proposal to use the upper terrace as a venue for a Sunday market and
other events such as art exhibitions should be investigated further. This was
raised in the consultation document and would be a great draw to the park.
The existing turning circle, however, at the end of the terrace is currently used
as a compost area and would be only just big enough for a car to turn. The
compost could be re-located (see proposal for maintenance area) and the
turning circle would have to be made larger if vans are to use it. (The
minimum diameter for a transit van turning is about 13.3m) This could be

37

Environmental Planning Team


Crookes Valley Park, Ponderosa and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________
done by cutting into the bank and incorporating a stone faced retaining wall to
the high side.
The potential problem of parking in the area relating to such events would
have to be included in the study.
Cost estimate: £20,000
21) The lower terrace
There is a lot of potential to improve this terrace. A new home could be found
for the Crimean War Memorial which is currently in storage at the Staniforth
Road Depot and Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet. A considerable amount of
research has been carried out about restoration of the Memorial and
appropriateness of this site (refer to Appendix 2). SCC are currently in
breach of a planning condition that dictates the Memorial should be re-sited in
a prominent City location, but the question remains as to whether SCC can
commit this kind of budget to such a project. The Crimean War Memorial
could be located where the path widens out half way along and new seating
could be provided. Views over the park from this location could be opened up
with some selective thinning of trees and shrubs on the slope below and also
the removal of the group of hollies between the bowling greens which
currently block the views from this key location (this cost is included in ‘tree
removal’). As restoration and installation of this could be very costly, in the
order of £320,000, alternatives could be considered, perhaps a contemporary
sun dial or other sculptural feature.

At the far end of this terrace, there is a space beyond the steps which would
be perfect for a new feature or sculpture. This idea was also raised in the
consultation report.
Cost estimate with Crimean War memorial and sculpture: £375,000
Alternative with sundial and sculpture: £88,000

22) CCTV
A CCTV link with the one in Weston Park would reduce the occurrence of
anti-social behaviour and its close proximity to Weston Park may reduce the
costs.
Cost estimate: £17,000

23) Enclosure for maintenance area


Currently maintenance areas are dotted about the park with a composting
area at the end of the top terrace a leaf-mold heap on the lower terrace where
it widens out half way along and a skip in a corner near the play area. All are
unsightly and should be grouped together and screened.
The area adjacent to the skip could be adapted and enlarged to the minimum
workable area working around the existing mature trees where ever possible.
It should be fenced with screen planting. Possibly a hedge with weldmesh
fencing or a shrub bed with well designed heavy duty timber fencing and
heavy duty gates. The maintenance area should be repaved with in-situ

38

Environmental Planning Team


Crookes Valley Park, Ponderosa and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________
concrete for ease of use by machines. This would create a much more useful
space for the maintenance team.
Cost estimate: £22,000

24) Bowling greens


o Second Bowling Green: Whilst the bowling green is used occasionally
for matches, future use of this Green needs to be monitored as it may be
more appropriate for this area to be developed for alternative use. This needs
to fit in with SCC Bowling Strategy and be reviewed as a city wide level.
Should the second bowling green be decommissioned at some point in the
future, it is important to retain the revenue funding that currently pays for
upkeep of this Green within the Park to fund additional maintenance
suggested by the masterplan. Alternative uses of this space could include a
larger playground (perhaps natural play to complement the more traditional
existing equipment), flat space for games, or informal space for picnicking etc.

o Signage on the bowling green to discourage football and other


detrimental activities

o Some improvements, in the form of drainage and irrigation, should be


carried out to the main bowling green would improve this facility. Drainage
was highlighted in the consultation report.
Cost estimate: £12,000

25) Maintenance
o Japanese Knotweed
This weed is present in a couple of locations within the park and should be
controlled or eradicated as raised in the ecological report.
The locations are below the lower terrace (adjacent to the play area) and
adjacent to 17 Harcourt Road.

o North-west bank
Less frequent mowing of this slope could be followed by monitoring of the
indicator species in line with the ecological report.
There is no cost to this proposal
No capital cost

39

Environmental Planning Team


Crookes Valley Park, Ponderosa and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________
7.7 Design Palette
It is felt that the three adjoining parks should retain and enhance their
separate, distinctive characters. The individual character is to a large extent
created by the choice of materials for walls and paving, the design and colour
of railings and items such as seats and bins, and the type and design of
planting as much as by the facilities within the park.

• Entrances and boundaries


The design of metalwork for the entrances and boundaries should be simple
and elegant whilst acknowledging the historic nature of the park
Black rather than green should be chosen for new metalwork. This would
look smarter and fresher than the existing dark green, and contrast with the
colour of the adjacent railings at Weston Park.

• Seats
Some replacement seats have recently been installed in the park around the
lake. These are generally in keeping with the historic nature of park, however
the seat used with its recycled plastic slats is much less elegant than the
original ones, requiring a central support leg and the plastic being prone to
melting. Perhaps future replacements away from the lake side could be a
design more like the one illustrated with timber slats. These would retain the
elegance of design of the originals whilst providing a robust construction.

New Forest cast iron and Recently installed seats with


timber seat from Furnitubes recycled plastic slats

• Bins
Back and green ‘Sentinel’ bins have recently been installed. Although a bit
fussy in design, they are in keeping with the character of the park so any
additional bins should match these.

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Environmental Planning Team


Crookes Valley Park, Ponderosa and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________

Recently installed ‘Sentinel’ bins

• Paving
Paving should generally be tarmac with simple concrete edgings except for at
the entrances where locally, granite setts or York stone could be incorporated
into the design. The herb garden could also incorporate stone paving. The
proposed woodland walk should be crushed bark.

• Walls
New walls should be stone to match the style of the original

• Signage interpretation boards and way-marking


A family of signage should follow through all three parks. Any metalwork
elements should be painted black for continuity

Fitzpatrick Woolmer lectern style display


board which would be suitable for the
historical information board

An example of graphics style which


suitable for information boards

41

Environmental Planning Team


Crookes Valley Park, Ponderosa and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________

‘Stylos’ finger post by William Smith


appropriate for both signing directions
within and between the parks.
The posts should be painted black with
white lettering

Timber posts appropriate for way-marking


the trails

42

Environmental Planning Team


Crookes Valley Park, Ponderosa and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________
7.8 Quick wins
• Lake improvements including installation of the island, vegetating the lake,
fishing platforms and work to the jetty.
• Signage to Ponderosa/ Weston Park
• Interpretation within the Park
• Reconstruction of steps and installation of handrails on the steep route
down from Mushroom Lane
• Upgrading of the playground
• Feasibility study for and refurbishment of Boat house
• Commission woodland management plan and implement
• Treatment of Japanese knotweed

43

Environmental Planning Team


Crookes Valley Park, Ponderosa and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________
7.9 Crookes Valley Park Budget Estimate
See notes re qualifications and exclusions

Breakdown Amount £
Description including
£
contingency
Improving lake habitat 18,000.00
islands 11,000.00
planting 8,000.00

Improving fishing in lake 20,000.00


platforms 10,000.00
jetty 10,000.00

Boathouse 126,000.00
feasibility study 2,000.00
construction estimate 124,000.00

Woodland management plan for Crookes


Valley Pk and Ponderosa 1,000.00

Tree removal 10,000.00

Herb Garden includes paving, 6 seats and a bin,


plus planting and fence 25,000.00

Signage and interpretation 20,000.00


entrance signs 4no@2k 9,000.00
finger posts 3no. @2k 7,000.00
history interpretation 2no Lecturn signs @1k 2,000.00
8no bollards @£200 2,000.00

Toilets no cost to
Parks

Play 33,000.00

Park entrances 135,000.00


new railing to crookes Valley Road
75,000.00
250lm@£300/m
main entrance 27,000.00
2no. ped entrances 22,000.00
new entrance (excluding stepped ramp) 11,000.00

Highway Ped priority to Ponderosa and no cost to


Weston Park Parks
cont.

44

Environmental Planning Team


Crookes Valley Park, Ponderosa and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________
Resurface paths and reconstruct steps , 111,000.00
resurface terraces @ £10/m2 33,000.00
access road to Dam house 550m2@£20 12,000.00
steps to terraces 44,000.00
other steps 22,000.00

Replace seats 20no@ £450 9,000.00

Retaining walls 200lm@ £75/lm 17,000.00

Planting 30,000.00
Harcourt Rd entrance 5,000.00
slope below Dam House 15,000.00
adjacent new path 7,000.00
n-w bank and other trees 3,000.00

Parking at main entrance 26,000.00


tarmac 5K 6,000.00
retention and fence 17,000.00
line marking 3,000.00

New paths 59,000.00


new path from main entrance 70lm @ K200/lm 16,000.00
woodland path 150lm @ £100/lm includes some
cut and fill 17,000.00
new path from Harcourt Road 22,000.00
levels survey 4,000.00

Increasing use of lake water garden 17,000.00

Sunday market venue 20,000.00


improved turning head 3,000.00
retaining structure 17,000.00

Lower terrace 372,000.00


Crimea war memorial 350,000.00
sculpture 22,000.00

Alternative proposal for lower terrace 88,000.00


sundial 66,000.00
sculpture 22,000.00

CCTV 17,000.00

Enclosure for maintenance area 22,000.00


cont.

45

Environmental Planning Team


Crookes Valley Park, Ponderosa and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________
Bowling Greens 12,000.00
drainage 5,000.00
irrigation 7,000.00

Maintenance north west bank and knotweed no capital


cost

TOTAL 1,209,000.00

Qualifications:
• Costs are based on 2010 rates
• Costs are based on traditional competitive tendering to main
contractors
• Contingencies of 10% are included in the breakdown

Exclusions:
• vat
• Professional fees
• Building regulations and planning fees
• Inflation

46

Environmental Planning Team


New ramped entrance 7
10 5 1 Improve the lake habitat

17 12 2 Improve fishing in the lake

Turning head 3 Upgrade the boathouse


CR
Sculpture OO 4 Woodland management
KE
20 12 S
12 VA 5 Open up views with tree removal
LL
AD 19 E Y
O 22 RO 6 Herb garden
R Play area AD
U RT Sundial/ Crimea War
9 7 New signage and interpretation
R CO Memorial
HA 20 8 Reopen toilets
Bowling green
5
9 Improve play
15 15
Water garden 10 Improve entrances and boundaries
14 23
18 7 11
Bowling green
11 Pedestrian priority to Ponderosa and Weston Park
12 10
13
12 Resurface paths and reconstruct steps
13 Bowling hut
17 13 Replace seats

14 Repair retaining walls


16
Herb garden 21 1 7 15 New planting
Lake
Boat house 16 Improve parking for disabled and bowlers
6 12
3
Car park 17 New paths to make the park more accessible
Jetty

NE
16 2 18 More interaction with the lake
8

LA
OM
Fishing platforms 19 Sunday Market venue

RO
Grass Dam House 2 14 20 New features on the lower terrace

SH
MU
Island
Woodland and trees 21 Install CCTV
1
Proposed new trees 22 Enclosure for the maintenance area
17
Proposed ornamental planting 23 Improve main bowling green and consider the
future of second green
Existing paths 12 4
12
N
New paths

Stepped route 5
10
Main entrance with boundary

Minor entrance with boundary

Existing vehicular and pedestrian entrance

Crookes Valley Park Masterplan


Existing pedestrian entrance

New pedestrian entrance


Crookes Valley Park, Ponderosa and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________
6.0 Ponderosa
6.1 Potential

The main potential is the great amount of available


space to develop additional facilities and for more
events.
The open grass area at the bottom of the park has
been used as an event space in recent years and
there are plans to develop this.

There are spectacular views across the lower end of


the park which could be enhanced.

Some good pedestrian routes through the park which


could be improved and linked.

Good facilities including the 5-aside goals, the


toddler play facilities, the zip line and the climbing
boulder.

47

Environmental Planning Team


Crookes Valley Park, Ponderosa and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________

The historic character at the top of the park could be


enhanced.

-Stone gate posts below the woodland

-Steps up the wooded slope with interesting stone


retaining wall

The dramatic character of the top of the park, with its


woodland slopes and terraced paths could be
enhanced and improved

-Stepped ramp up to Crookes Valley Road

Potentially great views into the park from Crookes


Valley Road and Mushroom Lane

48

Environmental Planning Team


Crookes Valley Park, Ponderosa and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________

The woodland slopes are good for wildlife but as


pointed out in the ecology report, this habitat could
be improved.

As with Crookes Valley Park, the Friends are very


involved and active.

49

Environmental Planning Team


Crookes Valley Park, Ponderosa and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________
6.2 Problems

The bottom of the park in particular, lacks a


clear identity with featureless boundaries and
entrances. It feels more like a characterless
open space than a park.

The bottom of the park lacks an adequate


vehicular entrance.

Views from Crookes Valley Road and


Mushroom lane are totally blocked by dense
woodland and the entrances feel overgrown
and dark with poor sight lines. This leads to a
perceived lack of safety in this area.

50

Environmental Planning Team


Crookes Valley Park, Ponderosa and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________
Paths and Access:

There isn’t a circular route around the park,


without using the surrounding roads.

Desire lines through the grass indicate the need


for additional paths. Visible here at the bottom of
the ‘Hundred Steps’

There is a lack of clarity of circulation, with path


widths and surfacing bearing no relation to the
importance of the routes. Some tarmac paths are
in poor repair and some are un-surfaced. The
photos opposite show one of the paths at the
bottom of the park and the onebetween the
football pitch and the woodland.

Some paths are not wide enough and others have


sudden changes in width due to historic road
widths.
Whilst indicating a certain historic interest, this is
outweighed by the uneasy and unfinished
character it imposes at the bottom of the park.

51

Environmental Planning Team


Crookes Valley Park, Ponderosa and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________
The straight path which runs up the park below
the tower blocks narrows abruptly from 5m at
the bottom to less than 2m further up. There
are additional areas of tarmac off this path with
no apparent purpose which are also remnants
of the old road system, and the uncomfortable
feel is compounded with one side of the path
being edged with road kerbs and the other side
having a flush edging.

The two main paths crossing the park, which


were once sections of roads, (Fawcett Street
and Hammond Street) are approximately 5m
wide and so out of scale with the adjacent
paths.

Both of these paths flood in heavy rain at their


lowest points.

There is poor accessibility to the top of the park


with steep gradients and many flights of steps
with no handrails

The football pitch is currently unusable due to


poor drainage and inadequate construction.

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Environmental Planning Team


Crookes Valley Park, Ponderosa and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________

There is a lack of signage relating to facilities


within the park as well as to and from the park.

Seating and bins: some seats are in poor repair


and generally there are not enough of either.

The buttresses at the base of the tower blocks


are unsightly.

There is little management of the woodland


which has a dense understorey.

53

Environmental Planning Team


Crookes Valley Park, Ponderosa and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________
6.3 Design Principles for the Ponderosa
The key principles underlining the strategy were to:

• Encourage more people to use the park in more diverse ways

• Develop existing facilities and introduce new ones with an emphasis on


physical activity and events.

• Upgrade the Ponderosa from an open space to a destination park by


developing and enhancing its character and strengths so that it is no
longer considered the poor relation of Crookes Valley Park and Weston
Park.

• Unify the park and develop a ‘sense of place’.

• Improve circulation and accessibility

• Encourage links with Crookes Valley Park and Weston Park

• Enhance the historic nature of the park.

• Develop its character, much less formal than both Weston Park and
Crookes Valley Park.

• Improve legibility and encourage links to the adjacent parks

• Improve habitats

• Involve Community Groups and local schools in the regeneration


works.

54

Environmental Planning Team


Crookes Valley Park, Ponderosa and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________
6.4 Early actions prior to further design work:
• Feasibility of a pedestrian crossing over Crookes Valley Road to the
Ponderosa to be discussed with Highways.

• Discussion and agreement with Neighbourhoods regarding entrances


to the Ponderosa between the tower blocks (see also map showing
land ownership in Appendix 1).

6.5 Masterplan Proposals:


All proposals are made in the light of information available at the time of
writing and are not set in stone. They represent a balanced overview of the
future direction of the Park taking account of all the constraints and
opportunities described.

Please note that although an attempt has been made to list the proposals in
order of priority, this is likely to change as the availability of funding changes
over time.

Planning permission may be required for some of these proposals and this
should be taken into account as and when proceeding with further design
work.

1) Circular walk
Creating a circular walk round the Ponderosa see map following would go a
long way towards developing a sense that it is a park, rather than a space
which is crossed on the way to somewhere else.
See below: Trails, routes, signage and way-marking for fitness and other
circuits which could utilise the new route.

The whole circuit should be paved in tarmac with a minimum width of 3m. As
many of the paths in the park are not accessible due to steep gradients
incorporating steps, this route should be designed to be as accessible as
possible
The new paths required to complete the circular route would be most
straightforward at the lower end of the park where gradients are relatively
gentle.
The existing loose surfaced section of path below the woodland should be
upgraded and reconstructed to tarmac. (see also Wetland habitat).

The section from Oxford Street downhill is much steeper but a relatively
accessible gradient of 1:10 is achievable from Oxford Street below the first
tower block by curving the path across the slope. Below this, where the
gradient steepens further the circular route would incorporate steps and an

55

Environmental Planning Team


Crookes Valley Park, Ponderosa and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________
alternative non-stepped route, would zigzag down the slope by incorporating
firstly the route of the existing desire line, which runs from the corner of Martin
Street and Albion Street to the bottom of the ‘hundred steps’, and then turning
to incorporate an improved section of path back towards the bottom of the
new steps. This would also provide a vehicular route for maintenance and
possible event use with a relatively gentle gradient, although at approximately
1:10 it would not be fully accessible.
From the bottom of the hundred steps, the circular route extends eastwards to
the path from the Fawcett Street entrance. By allowing vehicular access on
this section also, an alternative occasional cross-park route would be possible
for events.
To complete the circuit, there is a proposed new section between Fawcett
Street and Hammond Street joining up with the path around the events space.
The sections of path on steeper slopes will of course require cutting into the
slopes. The surplus fill created by this, if of adequate quality, could be used in
building up the upgraded path under the woodland. (see also Wetland
habitat).
Cost estimate: £295,000

2) Woodland management
The consultation indicated interest in improved habitats in the park and the
ecological report suggests the following to improve the habitat value of the
woodland area:

o Producing and implementing a combined management plan for the


Ponderosa and Crookes Valley Park.
Cost estimate: £1,000 (included in the Crookes Valley Park estimate)

o Selective tree removal and pruning to open up the views into the top of
the park mainly to either side of the entrances but also opening up additional
views in. This should encourage greater use and make the entrances feel
more secure and open. The creation of a woodland ‘ride’ along the top path
below Crookes Valley Road. Through cutting back overhanging trees to allow
more light in, and the area currently dominated by docks, planted or seeded
with woodland edge species. Tree works could include rotational coppicing
that would vary the structure of the woodland, crown lifting to further open up
views, and improve the ground flora by thinning the woodland to create small
glades.
Cost estimate: £15,000

o Create habitat piles in the woodland, away from the entrances

o Replacement of bird boxes and introduction of bat boxes.

This work could be carried out by volunteers.

56

Environmental Planning Team


Crookes Valley Park, Ponderosa and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________
3) Boundaries and entrances
By redesigning the entrances to the Ponderosa to include new entrance
features and by enclosing the open boundaries, mainly in the lower park, the
Ponderosa will be transformed, making it feel like a welcoming park rather
than just an open space. To ensure that views into and across the park are
still retained, the boundary treatment should be quite low.

The boundary along Mushroom Lane similarly, though as a lower priority,


would benefit from the same boundary treatment, removing the need for
boulders to stop unauthorised parking. It would also provide a visual link with
the boundary in the lower area and tie in with the entrance on Crookes Valley
Road.

Both the boundary treatment and all the entrances should be designed
together as a family despite the very different characters at the top and
bottom of the park. It would be beneficial to include an Artist (perhaps an
Artist/Blacksmith) in the design process to work with the community and
designers, to ensure a unique and exciting design which should be relevant to
Ponderosas Character.
The design of the entrances and boundary treatment should take into account
the requirement for low maintenance and repairs. If the chosen design does
require maintenance, a budget for this would need to be built in. See Design
Palette for suggested materials.

o Crookes Valley Road entrances


The most important entrance at the top of the park is the one, opposite the
entrances to Crookes Valley Park and Weston Park and the other entrance
further up is also very well used.
The design should reflect the importance of these two entrances and selective
tree removal and pruning on the wooded slopes below are crucial in opening
up the views into the park and making it more welcoming and feel safer.

The main entrance should include removal of the old railings, totem poles and
paving, the opening up of views in and upgrading with new features.
Colourful herbaceous and shrub planting would signal its importance and
create a link with Crookes Valley Park and Weston Park, as mentioned in
relation to Crookes Valley Park, the possibility of a pedestrian crossing is
being investigated, which would make an easier link to the other two parks.
Park signage is also required at this entrance

o Entrance at the corner of St Phillips Road and Upperthorpe Road


This is the major entrance at the lower end of the Ponderosa and the new
design should reflect this. Colourful herbaceous and shrub planting would
enhance this and the other main entrances.

57

Environmental Planning Team


Crookes Valley Park, Ponderosa and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________
o Upperthorpe Road Entrance
This is an important entrance at the end of the long straight promenade, in the
lower area. The view up this path should remain uncluttered in the new
design. A new vehicular access should also be included here, it should
appear secondary to the pedestrian entrance, whilst allowing access to the
events space and access to the bottom of the park for emergency vehicles.

o Oxford Street Entrance


Another major entrance, which, if upgraded would improve accessibility to the
park. Delineation of disabled parking bays on Oxford Street adjacent to the
entrance, and pedestrian drop crossings combined with the proposed circular
walk would make much of the park accessible. This entrance should include
access for emergency and maintenance vehicles and, as with the
Upperthorpe entrance, the vehicular gate should be designed in with the
pedestrian entrance and appear secondary to it.
The existing grass parking bays in the park should be removed.

o Minor entrances
There are approximately 12 further minor entrances to the Ponderosa,
including those between the tower blocks. It is important to continue the
theme of the major entrances though in a simpler and reduced way, in order
to reinforce the idea of the park, not just an open space. This will require
consultation with Neighbourhoods, for the entrances between the tower
blocks, if work is to be carried out on their land
Cost estimate: £661,000

4) Trails, routes, signage and way-marking


The routes around the park as well as to the adjacent parks and open spaces
should be clearly way-marked.

o Finger posts should be used to direct people to facilities within the park
and to the other parks, whilst way marking posts should be used for the trails
and routes around the park.
o The possibility of activity trails around the Ponderosa was raised in the
Consultation document. These routes would provide a new dimension to the
park. All-age fitness equipment located around the circular route combined
with marking out distances on the routes would encourage more active use of
the park. ZEST running club and others have said that they would find this
useful. (see ‘Improved play provision and outdoor gym equipment’ for the cost
of equipment).
The consultation indicated that a high percentage of people use this park for
both dog walking and exercise supporting this proposal.
o Nature and history trails with interpretation would add another layer of
interest and could be linked with interpretation to the trails in Crookes Valley
Park.

58

Environmental Planning Team


Crookes Valley Park, Ponderosa and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________
o Cycling routes through the park can be encouraged without formalising
routes (see masterplan). One route crossing the park from Oxford Street to
Fawcett Street along the circular route. A second route down much of the
length of the park would again start at Oxford Street and run to the bottom of
the 100 steps then it would follow the vehicular route to the long straight path
below the tower blocks.
Cost estimate: £17,000

5) Football pitches
The consultation process evidenced interest from a wide range of
stakeholders, including ZEST, to improve the sports facilities on the
Ponderosa.
The football pitch should be reconstructed incorporating drainage to make it
more useable this should include improving the run down informal terraces in
the western corner. (See also Wetland habitat below)
This area could also be used for American Football as there is a lot of interest
locally.
A detailed specification was drawn up and costed in 2007 for the football pitch
improvements, but was never implemented. (See Appendix 2)
Consultation also raised interest in locating a multi-games pitch in this area as
well as keeping the football pitch. The area available is not big enough for
both. There is, however, the possibility of expanding the 5-aside pitch further
down the slope, to provide a 45m x 27m mini soccer pitch. Interest in this was
raised by youngsters using the area recently and also ZEST who run a
number of sports events and activities in the Ponderosa. This work could be
carried out when the existing surface is ready for renewal. As this area
slopes, regrading would be necessary to provide a playable gradient and a
40lm length of retaining wall approximately 1m high would be necessary on
the upper side. This pitch would also need drainage and the water from this
should be disposed of on site. As the site would be below the proposed
wetland (see below), a separate swale or other sustainable drainage scheme
should be designed in.
Cost estimate: £115,000

6) Wetland habitat
The original stream running through the Ponderosa, is now fed into a
combined sewer which runs under the park and eventually discharges in to
the River Don. This makes unfeasible the earlier idea of opening this up the
stream at the surface. This was based on initial investigation which indicated
that the culvert contained the just the stream.
The provision of a wetland area, however, would be both possible and
sustainable. The unpaved path between the football pitch and the woodland is
regularly wet and eroded by run off water flowing down hill. When this path is
paved as part of the circular route, the level on the path should be raised to
allow the construction of a swale to one side to pick up the run off. Ground
water from the football pitch drainage system should also be fed to this area,

59

Environmental Planning Team


Crookes Valley Park, Ponderosa and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________
which could be designed to act as a sustainable urban drainage system,
ending with a wetland area near the bottom of the ‘hundred steps’ which
would be wet or dry depending on the weather and season. This would not
only prevent the path from being eroded by the run off and provide a
destination for water collected land drainage proposed for the football pitch. It
would also have the added benefit of providing a different habitat area.
Cost estimate: £11,000

7) Improved play provision and outdoor gym equipment


The need for better play provision was raised in the consultation document.
The lower play area would be much improved with an additional large piece of
play equipment. Similarly in the play area for older children, a single big and
challenging piece of equipment would be a great draw.
Good signage would also help to link them (see ‘Trails, routes, signage and
way-marking’).
Cost estimate: £71,000
Outdoor gym equipment around the circular route as mentioned under ‘Trails,
routes, signage and way-marking’.
Cost estimate: £20,000

8) Upgrading other paths and steps to improve accessibility and


develop a hierarchy of paths
Consultation highlighted demand for the upgrading of the following paths and
steps:

o The 100 steps would be improved with a more robust construction.


This issue was raised in the consultation document.

o The various flights of steps at the top of the park that are in poor repair.
Accessibility would be improved by reconstruction and incorporation of
handrails, whilst retaining their distinctive historic feel and the unusual
stone walling to the sides.

o The worn out tarmac paths at the top of the park would benefit from
resurfacing.

Developing a hierarchy of paths would make the park more ‘legible’. It should
be clear to the visitor whether a path is a main route, or a minor one. This
should be indicated by both the surfacing and the width of the paths. Ideally
the most important routes should be between 3m and 4m wide, less important
but still busy paths should be between 2.5 and 3m wide and occasional and
informal paths 1.8-2m wide. All except the more informal paths through
woodland should be surfaced with tarmac. This would improve accessibility
as well as having the added benefit of reducing maintenance.
Consequently, as part of the circular walk, the narrow section of the straight
path which runs up the park below the tower blocks should be widened with a

60

Environmental Planning Team


Crookes Valley Park, Ponderosa and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________
better designed transition with the wider section and the odd remnants of
paths removed. Similarly, the loose surfaced paths at the bottom of the park
should be constructed in tarmac and their alignment adjusted to fit more
comfortably in the landscape.

Some paths could be narrowed down where they are much wider than
warranted, the two main paths crossing the park, which were once sections of
roads, (Fawcett Street and Hammond Street) could be narrowed from the
current 5m down to half of that. This is however seen as a lower priority. If
carried out the design should ensure that vehicular access is maintained for
events.
An added benefit of this would be that the opportunity could be taken to
remove the road kerbs and replace them with flush edgings and drain the
paths to the lower side with a linear soak-away area adjacent to the paths or
the proposed wetland. This would be a more sustainable approach to
draining the paths, and with a much smaller surface area there would be less
water to drain away. In the short term, regular unblocking and/ or repairing
the road gulleys would solve the problem.

Full accessibility throughout the park is not feasible due to the steep gradients
at the top of the park. Some accessible routes though, are possible and these
should be signed.
Cost estimate: £83,000

9) Planting and maintenance


Planting:
The main entrances would be enhanced with colourful planting, possibly
including herbaceous and low shrub planting.
Planting at the bases of the buttresses of the tower blocks with self clinging
climbing plants would soften these structures and integrate the tower blocks
more successfully into the park. The soil in these areas should be improved
as previous planting schemes here have had limited success and this is
probably due in part to poor quality ground with building rubble near the
surface.

Trees
The lower end of the Ponderosa would benefit from additional tree planting
(as indicated on the following masterplan). These would enhance the sense
of enclosure and frame the events space, but trees should be grouped
carefully to avoid blocking views across the park.
Groups of trees adjacent to the proposed new path below Oxford Street would
assist in integrating the path and a further group to the side of the play area
would help to integrate it into the landscape whilst maintaining clear views in
and out.
The double row of trees to the lower side the path crossing the park from the
Fawcett Street entrance could be mirrored on the other side of the path with a

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Crookes Valley Park, Ponderosa and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________
single row to create an avenue whilst avoiding disturbance of the 5 aside
pitch. Similarly the path from the Hammond Street entrance, where there is
an avenue, but which stops short of the entrance, would look more complete if
the trees went right up to the entrance.
New trees should be extra heavy standards to be more resilient to vandalism.

Maintenance:
Removal/ treatment of Japanese knotweed should be carried out to prevent
the problem spreading.

Wild flowers have been planted in the long grass around the football pitch.
This area receives an annual cut to ensure that they survive and thrive. This
should be continued.

The orchard area would be much improved with better management and
maintenance. A local group, possibly linked to the Community Forestry
programme could take on this area.
Cost estimate (planting only): £13,000

10) Events Space


The bottom of the park is becoming popular as an events venue and is home
to the annual Peace in the Park Festival and was the site of the recent Film
Festival. If the park continues to grow in popularity as an event space it would
be pertinent to consider implementing the following:

o Levelling the grass areas which have sunk due to the presence of
cellars bellow, and draining the area (this will also maximise recreational and
sports use of the flat grass area).

o Improving the vehicular access with a one way vehicular route which
would enter from the Hammond Street entrance, across the park and turning
right on to the main straight path to exit on Upperthorpe Road. This route
would require path widening to allow large vehicles to turn adjacent to the
playground, and the realignment of the playground fence to facilitate this.
(See also vehicular route as part of the circular route re vehicular access to
the top of the park).

o A major improvement for events would be providing utilities for use


during events, particularly a sewage connection, possibly into the existing
combined sewer. Water and telephone connections would also be helpful and
the provision of power points could also be considered. (The suggested
locations for these are indicated on the masterplan).

o The proposed boundary treatment, improved paths around the space


and careful tree planting (see above) would give this space a much needed
face face-lift (not included in this cost).

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Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________
See also Appendix 5 (Minutes of the meeting regarding improvements for
events)
Cost estimate: £126,000
11) Seats and bins
The need for additional seats was raised in the consultation document. New
seats and bins as well as replacing the old ones would encourage more
people to stay longer and be less likely to just use the park as a short cut.
The seats should be located generally in sunny spots, and should be
positioned mainly around the circular walk, to provide resting places.
A couple of meeting places could be created by grouping some of the seats
close together just off the paths either at path junctions or adjacent to features
such as the play areas.
Careful choice of the style of both would help to give the park a facelift and
also, by using a single design, help to unify the park. See the design palette.
Cost estimate: £31,000

12) Enhancing the Historic Character


Repairing the stone gateway and locating the historical interpretation in this
vicinity, as it is also close to the site of one of the reservoirs, would add
interest.
Cost estimate: £5,000

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Environmental Planning Team


Crookes Valley Park, Ponderosa and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________
6.6 Design Palette
As the Ponderosa is less formal in appearance than Crookes Valley Park and
should be contemporary in character. This should be reflected in the design,
the choice of seats and bins as with the design of the entrances and
boundaries. The elements should also be very robust to withstand heavy
wear. The street furniture should be linked to the design of the entrances and
boundaries with the choice of colour and / or finish. No more than 2 colours
should be used.

• Entrances and boundaries


The design, materials and finish will be determined as the design is
developed, however the materials should be robust and with a low
maintenance requirement. Galvanised mild steel with a tee-wash finish would
be one alternative, as it is maintenance free and would be in keeping with the
contemporary feel.

Galvanised and tee-washed


finish to entrances at Mount
Pleasant Park Sheffield
13) made by Chris Brammall
14)
15)
16)
17)
18)
19)
20)

Boundary rails made by Chris


Campbell TDE Design Ltd.

The images indicate styles which would be appropriate for the new entrances
and boundaries at Ponderosa.

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Environmental Planning Team


Crookes Valley Park, Ponderosa and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________
• Seats
The choice of seats should allow for some variety of detail whilst being in the
same family of designs.
For robustness, metal has been chosen
Seats with arm rests would be best located in the lower areas of the park, with
benches along the main paths in the upper areas. Along informal paths in the
woodland, robust rustic timber benches would be more appropriate.

Broxap Weyburn Seat with arm rests and


bench

Green oak bench from Caledonia Play


suitable for informal paths in woodland

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Environmental Planning Team


Crookes Valley Park, Ponderosa and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________
• Bins
Bins should complement the design of the benches, be simple in design and
robust in construction.

Broxap bin

• Signage interpretation boards and way-marking


As referred to in the section about Crookes Valley Park, a family of signage
should follow through all three parks. Any metalwork elements should be
painted black for continuity

Fitzpatrick Woolmer lectern style display


board which would be suitable for the
historical information board

An example of graphics style which


suitable for information boards

‘Stylos’ finger post by William Smith


appropriate for both signing directions
within and between the parks.
The posts should be painted black with
white lettering

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Environmental Planning Team


Crookes Valley Park, Ponderosa and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________
Timber posts appropriate for way-
marking the trails

• Paving
Paving should generally be tarmac with simple concrete edgings except for at
the entrances where locally, alternative paving such as high quality concrete
paving units could be combined with the tarmac, such as Marshalls
Conservation setts and kerbs.

The path through the woodland should be crushed bark.

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Environmental Planning Team


Crookes Valley Park, Ponderosa and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________
6.7 Quick wins
Commission and implement the woodland management plan and open up
some of the views

Signage to Crookes Valley Park and Weston Park

Some new seats and bins

Treatment of Japanese knotweed

Resurfacing some paths.

Open up some of the views from Crookes Valley Road

Signage to Crookes Valley Park and Weston Park, and within the Park

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Environmental Planning Team


Crookes Valley Park, Ponderosa and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________

6.8 Ponderosa budget estimates


See notes below re. qualifications and exclusions

Description Amount £
Breakdown
£ including
contingency
Circular route 295,000.00
approx 555lm new path 3m wide level ground @
£200/lm 122000
approx 555lm new path across steep gradient @
£250/lm 153000
upgraded section of path 85lm @£80/lm 10000
additional for steps and handrails 10000

Woodland management plan included in


Crookes VP

Tree removal 15,000.00

Boundaries and entrances 578,000.00


boundary trt 650lm@ £300/lm 215000
combined ped. and vehicular entrances 4no
@35k 154000
main ped. entrances 8no@ 20k 176000
minor ped. entrances 6no @ 5k 33000

Trails routes signs and way marking 5no


finger posts @2k 20no bollard posts@ £200 2
no lecterns @ £500 includes historic character 17,000.00
5no finger posts @2k 11000
20no bollard posts @£200 5000
2no lecterns @ £500 1000

Football pitches 115,000.00


main pitch 55000
mini soccer including regrading, drainage and
retention 60000

Wetland habitat 11,000.00

Play provision and outdoor gym equipment 91,000.00


play equipment 71000
fitness equipment 8no @ £10k 20000

Cont.

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Environmental Planning Team


Crookes Valley Park, Ponderosa and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________

Upgrading other paths and steps 83,000.00


the 100 steps 22000
other steps 28000
paths at top of park 33000

Planting 13,000.00
mixed planting 7000
trees 6000

Events space 126,000.00


regrading, compacting, drainage and reseeding 67000
work to vehicular route 15000
electrical points 25000
sewage connection 6000
water and telecom 13000

Seats and Bins includes 18no seats, 6no bins


bit of paving 31,000.00

Historic character 5,000.00

TOTAL 1,380,000.00

Qualifications:
• Costs are based on 2010 rates
• Costs are based on traditional competitive tendering to main
contractors
• Contingencies of 10% are included in the breakdown

Exclusions:
• vat
• Professional fees
• Building regulations and planning fees
• Inflation

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Environmental Planning Team


Short grass

UP
PE
Wild flowers in long grass

RT
HO
RP
Woodland and trees

E
RO
Proposed new trees

AD
Existing paths
E ET
New paths S TR
N
RTI
Circular walk A 9
M 12
10
Upgraded path

Stepped route Events area

AD
Play area 11
Main entrance with boundary

RO
8

IPS
Minor entrance with boundary

IL
PH
1

ST
Existing vehicular and pedestrian entrance

Existing pedestrian entrance


5
12
New pedestrian entrance 12

New outdoor gym equipment HA


M 1 Circular walk
Mini soccer pitch M
O
Meeting place 6 ND
EET 1 FA ST 2 Woodland management
R 12 WC
Cycle route ST ET R EE
Wetland T T 3 Open up views in
RD ST
RE
O 7
XF Football pitch ET
4 Improve boundaries and entrances
O
5 6 Hundred steps
9 5 New trails routes, signage and way-marking
Terraces 7
3 12 6 Improve the football pitches
9
9
Play area 7 Introduce wetland habitat
E
N
LA

3 8 3 8 Improve play
M

CR
O

Gate posts
O

OO 3
R

13 9 Upgrade and develop a hierarchy of paths


SH

KE
S
U

VA 9
M

10 New planting
N LL
E Y
RO
AD
3
2
11 Improve the events space

12 Seats and meeting places


10
13 Enhance the historic character

Ponderosa Masterplan
Crookes Valley Park, Ponderosa and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
_____________________________________________
7.0 Philadelphia Gardens
7.1 Potential

This park has a lovely woodland character, with


masses of potential to improve the habitat value.

There are some good pedestrian routes and


potential to introduce additional routes to link these
up.

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Environmental Planning Team
Crookes Valley Park, Ponderosa and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________

There are great views over Parkwood Springs

There are some good facilities which could be


improved and added to.

- embankment slide

- basketball court

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Environmental Planning Team


Crookes Valley Park, Ponderosa and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________
7.2 Problems

The park lacks a sense of place. The entrances and


the boundaries are bland and featureless with no
clear identity.

The entrances are not very welcoming, most being


dominated with barriers. In some areas there isn’t
an entrance where one would be useful

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Environmental Planning Team


Crookes Valley Park, Ponderosa and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________

Many of the routes are unclear with overgrown


vegetation and poor sightlines.

This makes the park feel unsafe and discourages


use.

There is a general feel of unkemptness and litter is


often a problem.

Scrubby growth has taken over in some areas which


increases the run down appearance. Not only does
this sort of vegetation look unsightly, but also it has
limited wildlife value, as has been raised in the
ecological report

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Environmental Planning Team


Crookes Valley Park, Ponderosa and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________

The steep slopes limit potential to create new


facilities

‘Desire lines’ indicate where paths are needed.


These are mainly on the steep slopes.

The play area is unappealing and shabby and is


dominated by the metal fence.
It lacks exciting and challenging equipment and has
little character.
The dead tree here adds to the run down feel.

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Environmental Planning Team


Crookes Valley Park, Ponderosa and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________

Many of the facilities are run down and poorly


located.

The sculptural ‘sofa’ is located in a grass area with


no path for access and it gets lost in the long grass.

The youth shelter is poorly located at the top of the


embankment slide, which is an unappealing place for
young people to meet and is rarely used.

The skate facilities are un-used. Furthermore, the


rim of the skate bowl is not set correctly for skaters.
It is poorly located in the woodland as leaves are a
persistent problem.

The current surface to the multigames area is prone


to vandalism.

The combination of poor visibility through the park, a


poor network of paths and the steep wooded slopes
combine with the lack of signage and lead to a lack
of legibility.

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Environmental Planning Team


Crookes Valley Park, Ponderosa and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________
7.3 Design Principles
The key principles underlining the strategy were to:

• Encourage more people to use the park in more diverse ways

• Develop existing facilities and introduce new ones with an emphasis on


natural play and physical activity

• Develop more of a ‘sense of place’.

• Improve circulation and accessibility

• Encourage links with the Ruskin Park.

• Develop more fully the woodland character.

• Improve habitats

• Involve Community Groups and local schools in the regeneration


works.

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Environmental Planning Team


Crookes Valley Park, Ponderosa and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________
7.4 Masterplan Proposals:
All proposals are made in the light of information available at the time of
writing and are not set in stone. They represent a balanced overview of the
future direction of the Park taking account of all the constraints and
opportunities described.

Please note that although an attempt has been made to list the proposals in
order of priority, this is likely to change as the availability of funding changes
over time.

Planning permission may be required for some of these proposals and this
should be investigated and taken into account as and when proceeding with
future design work.

1) Habitat improvements and management


The consultation indicated interest in improving habitats in the park and the
ecological report suggests the implementation of a habitat management plan
to:

o Improve the woodland ground flora by thinning the woodland to create


small glades and wildflower planting.

o Install bird and bat boxes.

o Keep open sight lines along paths by removing saplings growing along
path edges and mowing the edges regularly to make the open space
feel safer.

o Open up views out of the site with selective pruning and tree removal.

o Retain but control the nettle patches in the grassland so that they don’t
spread any further.

o Annual mowing of long grass areas and removal of arisings to improve


grassland habitat.

o Wild flower planting in the grassland areas

o Scrub removal to prevent the whole area becoming woodland.

More detailed information can be founding the ecological report which is


available in Parks and Countryside.
Cost estimate: £1,000

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Environmental Planning Team


Crookes Valley Park, Ponderosa and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________
2) Improved play provision
This park is a perfect setting for natural play which would enhance the existing
play ground. Natural play should be integrated into woodland and grass areas
using natural materials where possible.

The site of the existing youth shelter would provide an ideal spot for a play log
set in bark surfacing. The existing play area would be improved with some
additional play equipment such as a roundabout or a cone climber.
As the skate bowl is not usable in its current condition, this site could be used
for a nest swing.
Some ideas for play improvements:

• Play log

• Nest swing supplied by


Sutcliffe Play

• Cone climber supplied by


Playdale

• Art work by Coralie Turpin

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Environmental Planning Team


Crookes Valley Park, Ponderosa and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________
The remaining skate facilities could be retained and enhanced with carefully
located stone and granite ledges in this area.

A play trail would encourage children to explore the whole park and try
everything. A fitness challenge could be included to encourage children to
run between the various locations with distances marked.
Setting great equipment and features in the woodland would encourage more
people to actively go into the heart of the space rather than passing through it
or just using the play area.
A few larger pieces could be complemented with smaller low key play
elements.
The level area freed up with a simplified entrance layout (see below:
boundaries and entrances), would provide space for some more low key
natural play, though here, siting should be considered in relation to the
proximity of the adjacent houses.
Cost estimate: £82,000

3) Improved Sport Provision


Whilst the fencing and goal posts in the basket ball court are in fairly good
condition, the sports surfacing is in need of renewal or replacement with a
more durable surface such as porous tarmac. This may already exist under
the existing mats so this should be checked out and either the mats could be
removed exposing the tarmac or a new porous tarmac surface applied.
Basketball facilities are generally very popular, and the reason this one is not
well used could be due to the overgrown nature of the site, which creates a
feeling of enclosure and people not feeling completely safe, as does the
single entry point. Consequently, improved management of the site is the
highest priority here as is opening up an additional entrance to link in with the
proposed new path.
Cost estimate: £25,000

4) Improved Circulation and Accessibility


The footpath network would be greatly improved with some additional
entrances and routes across the slopes. Most of the existing paths tend to
follow the contours, which is good for accessibility but not so good for
circulation. The new routes would follow the desire lines which indicate where
people want to go and would make it possible to walk around the park rather
than just cross it. As these routes are all on steep gradients they would
consist mainly of flights of steps with handrails and adequate landings to
make them as accessible as possible.
The main path from Philadelphia Gardens at the bottom of the slope and at
the south eastern corner of the park would be linked with a series of paths
and steps up to Daniel Hill via the entrances on Carnarvon Street and
Yeomans Road.
A second route starting further along the bottom path would provide an
alternative access to the Basketball court and to the path above it.

80

Environmental Planning Team


Crookes Valley Park, Ponderosa and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________
A new entrance and path from Fox Road down to the top of the embankment
slide would create a useful new access into the park and by passing close to
the concrete ‘sofa’ would provide a path to it.
A further new entrance at the northern end of the park on Whitehouse Lane
could join up with the main path.
These new paths are all indicated in the Masterplan map following this
section.
The existing path from Fox Road to Philadelphia Gardens and the one joining
it from Portland Court, are the main routes through the park. They are both
accessible and currently cycle friendly. The proposed entrances should retain
this facility.
Cost estimate: £107,000

5) Boundaries and entrances


Redesigning the entrances to Philadelphia Gardens to include new entrance
features and enclosing some of the open boundaries, this open space would
give a distinct, attractive identity to the park and encourage people in. The
design should be developed in consultation with the local community and
possibly with an Artist/ Blacksmith or stone Artist.
The entrances from Fox Road, and from Philadelphia Gardens are the main
entrances and this should be reinforced in the design.
The current layout from Philadelphia Gardens has three paths leading into the
site at the main entrance. The boundary treatment will naturally channel
movement to the entrance, which will allow the layout to be simplified, freeing
up level space for seating and possibly more natural play.
(See Design Palette for ideas for the boundary treatment.)
Cost estimate: £187,000

6) Trails, signage and way-marking


The routes through the park should be clearly way-marked.

A nature trail would be a great way to highlight interesting trees, plants and
habitats. It could be signed with numbered bollards linking back to a centrally
located map which also shows the play trail. (See also above: Improved play
provision)

A notice board for the park is planned and being designed. Its design and
location should decided in keeping with the overall masterplan design palette.

Signage to Ruskin Park could be located at the new entrance on Fox Street
and to Ponderosa from the Daniel Hill Street entrance.
Cost estimate: £11,000

7) Seats and bins


Introducing more seating would encourage people to stay longer and be less
likely to just use the park as a short cut.

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Environmental Planning Team


Crookes Valley Park, Ponderosa and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________
A couple of meeting places could be created by grouping some of the seats
close together just off the paths either at path junctions or adjacent to features
such as the main play area. A circle of carved sitting blocks adjacent to the
horse chestnut and around the mosaics would create a further meeting place
as well as a play feature.
Careful choice of the style of both the seats and bins would help to give the
park a facelift. (See the design palette).
Cost estimate: £17,000

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Environmental Planning Team


Crookes Valley Park, Ponderosa and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________
7.5 Design Palette
As the Philadelphia Gardens has a very different character to both Ponderosa
and Crookes Valley Park. The design palette should enhance the rather wild
character of the park whist being both robust and contemporary in feel.
The street furniture should be linked to the design of the entrances with the
choice of colour and/ or finish.
• Entrances
The design, materials and finish will be determined as the design is
developed, however a couple of preliminary sketch ideas are shown below. It
would be appropriate to introduce some colour into the boundary treatment of
this park to contrast with the woodland backdrop. Harmonising colours could
be combined with the neutrals of galvanised and tee washed steel and
perhaps oak bollards and/or stone walling. An Artist/ Blacksmith could work
with local schools to develop the ideas here.

Examples of robust stone and metalwork.

This sketch shows ‘trees and grass’ in metalwork and green oak bollards.

This alternative includes robust stone walling and a more figurative metalwork
design

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Environmental Planning Team


Crookes Valley Park, Ponderosa and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________
• Seats and bins
Its woodland character should again be enhanced by the choice of seats and
bins.
The bins should be simple in design, robust in construction and
metal for durability.
Timber is appropriate for the seats in this location. By choosing green oak
and very large sections of timber, this would be both durable and vandal
resistant as well as a sustainable choice.

Green oak bench from Caledonia Play

Sitting blocks of sculpted green oak by


Chris Nangle Furniture.
Grouped, they would create a low key
meeting place or singly they could be
located adjacent to play equipment in the
woodland where a bench would be too big.
The block shown has a charred finish

• Signage interpretation boards and way-marking


As referred to in the section about Crookes Valley Park, a family of signage
should follow through all three parks. Any metalwork elements should be
painted black for continuity

Fitzpatrick Woolmer lectern style display


board which would be suitable for the
historical information board

An example of graphics style which


suitable for information boards

84

Environmental Planning Team


Crookes Valley Park, Ponderosa and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________

‘Stylos’ finger post by William Smith


appropriate for both signing directions
within and between the parks.
The posts should be painted black with
white lettering

Timber posts appropriate for way-marking


the trails

• Paving and Steps


Paving should generally all be tarmac with simple concrete edgings for ease
of maintenance. Steps should be pre-cast concrete and handrails galvanised
steel. Again these are chosen for ease of maintenance.
At the entrances, however, the tarmac could be locally enhanced with insets
of decorative paving which could be developed with an artist and community
involvement, and could reflect the woodland character.

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Environmental Planning Team


Crookes Valley Park, Ponderosa and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________
7.7 Quick wins
• Commission and implement management plan

• Notice board

• Signage

• Install crushed brick paths to existing seats and picnic tables.

• Start to develop play trail: remove youth shelter and install a play log in
bark surfacing.

• Some new seats and bins

• Seating circle

86

Environmental Planning Team


Crookes Valley Park, Ponderosa and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________
7.7 Philadelphia Gardens budget estimate
See notes below re. qualifications and exclusions

Breakdown Amount £
Description including
£
contingency
Habitat improvement plan 1,000.00

Play 82,000.00
Standard play equipment and surfacing 66,000.00
natural play elements 11,000.00
skate facility 5,000.00

Sport 25,000.00
resurface basketball court 19,000.00
new entrance 6,000.00

Circulation and accessibility 107,000.00


path and steps to Danile Hill 156lm 39,000.00
path and steps to basketball court 65lm 22,000.00
path and steps to slide 65lm 22,000.00
path and steps from Whitehouse Lane 75lm 24,000.00

Boundaries and entrances 187,000.00


main entrances 2no. @20k eack 22,000.00
minor entrances 10no. @7k each 77,000.00
boundaries (stone walling) 200lm @£400/lm 88,000.00

Trails, signage and waymarking 11,000.00


3no Finger posts @2k 7,000.00
15no Bollard posts @£200 3,000.00
1no lecterns @ £500 1,000.00

Seats and bins 17,000.00


Including 12no seats and 3no bins with
associated paving

TOTAL 430,000.00

Qualifications:
• Costs are based on 2010 rates
• Costs are based on traditional competitive tendering to main
contractors
• Contingencies of 10% are included in the breakdown

87

Environmental Planning Team


Crookes Valley Park, Ponderosa and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________
Exclusions:
• vat
• Professional fees
• Building regulations and planning fees
• Inflation

88

Environmental Planning Team


Short grass

Wild flowers in long grass

Woodland and trees

Existing paths

New paths

Stepped route

Main entrance with boundary


WHITEHOUSE LANE
Minor entrance with boundary
4
Existing vehicular and pedestrian entrance
PO
R

Existing pedestrian entrance


TL
NA
D

4 New pedestrian entrance


C
O
U
R

5 Play route
T

1
Meeting place
4
Cycle route

6
FOX

1 2
ROAD

6 4
Skate bowl removed and re- 6
2 PE
placed with basket swing.
New skate ledges installed 3 NI
ST
O
NE
Slide RO
AD
Youth shelter removed 6
and replaced with play log 2

Basketball court
N
PHI

3
LAD
EL
PHI

4 2
AG
ARD
ENS
YEO

1 Improve habitat 4 5
M

2 Improve play 4
ANS

New play equipment in


2 play area
3 Improve sport
RO

6
CA
AD

4 Upgrade boundaries and entrances


RN

5
DANIEL HILL

AR

5 New trails, signs and way-marking ST 4


ND 4
V

LA
ON

EVE
6 New seats and bins CL
ST

Philadelphia Gardens Masterplan


Ponderosa, Crookes Valley Park and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________

8.0 Smaller Green Spaces


The Masterplan brief highlighted several smaller green spaces in the vicinity
of the three main parks considered in this document, namely Lower Walkley
Green Space, Upperthorpe Peace Gardens, Oxford Road Open Space and
Sydney Road Open Space. These are shown on the location plan in the
introduction. (1.1)

The possibility of developing green routes between the main parks which
would link up with the smaller green spaces was explored, however, it quickly
became clear that the potential to develop anything meaningful was small.

Lower Walkley Green Space, in particular, as can be seen from the map, is
located quite a distance from any of the main parks. (It is actually closer to
Ruskin Park).

Similarly Sydney Road open space, although relatively close to Ponderosa


and Crookes Valley Park, is not actually on a route to either.

The three main parks, in particular Philadelphia Gardens and Ponderosa are
used as through routes, although, not particularly by people travelling from
one of the parks to one or more of the others. The through routes are mostly
short cuts and/ or scenic routes to work, school, university and/or shops, the
parks being seen as separate destinations. Consequently, developing a
green route between the parks would have questionable value.
Furthermore, the smaller sites don’t generally lie on direct routes between the
parks. Although Upperthorpe Peace Gardens (off Daniel Hill) does appear at
first glance to lie between Philadelphia Gardens and Ponderosa, a detour
would be necessary to Daniel Hill for anyone who had walked or cycled
through Philadelphia Gardens.

The very nature of the smaller green spaces, also, means that they are mainly
of value and interest to residents who live in close proximity to them.
The consultation event carried out by ‘Art in the Park’highlighted some
possible actions an/or improvements for the individual spaces. (See
Appendix 3 Mini Green Space Celebrations).

89

Environmental Planning Team


Ponderosa, Crookes Valley Park and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________

Appendix 1

Land ownership

Environmental Planning Team


Ponderosa, Crookes Valley Park and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________

Appendix 2

Additional Project Information


• Crimean War memorial
• Ponderosa Football specification
• Boathouse feasibility for Crookes
Valley Park

Environmental Planning Team


Ponderosa, Crookes Valley Park and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________

Crimean War memorial

Environmental Planning Team


Ponderosa, Crookes Valley Park and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________

Ponderosa Football specification

Environmental Planning Team


Ponderosa, Crookes Valley Park and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________

Boathouse feasibility for Crookes Valley Park

Environmental Planning Team


Ponderosa, Crookes Valley Park and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________

Appendix 3

‘Art in the Park’ reports

• Consultation Report
• ‘Mini Green Spaces Celebrations’ report

Environmental Planning Team


Ponderosa, Crookes Valley Park and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________

Appendix 4

Stakeholder Consultation Summary

Environmental Planning Team


Ponderosa, Crookes Valley Park and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________

Appendix 5

Minutes of the meeting regarding


improvements for events on the Ponderosa

Environmental Planning Team


Ponderosa, Crookes Valley Park and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
______________________________________________

Appendix 6

Crookes Valley Park


Fishing in the lake - minutes from meetings

Environmental Planning Team


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REPORT TO P+C MANAGEMENT TEAM
November 2008

CRIMEA WAR MEMORIAL REINSTATEMENT

1. Purpose of Report

1.1 The purpose of this report is to advise Management Team of the current position and
history of the project

1.2 Further to the above the report aims to outline current constraints and obligations in
relation to the listed consent attached to the monument.

1.3 It also aims to highlight the potential financial implications of the reinstatement
proposals.

2. Background

2.1 SCC has responsibility for the Grade II listed Crimea Memorial (CWM) which is
currently in storage at Staniforth Road depot. This monument originally stood at
Moorhead and was moved to the Botanical gardens in the late 1950’s to enable the
road layout to be changed.

2.2 The consultants who advised on the restoration of the Botanical Gardens felt the
statue was inappropriate and its removal would allow an original fountain to be re-
instated in the gardens. Therefore as part of the restoration of the Botanical
Gardens, planning permission was obtained to move her to another site. She was
dismantled and moved in to storage with the intention she would be re-erected in the
city centre as part of the new redevelopment. Discussions were held during 2002
between Parks and Countryside and the City Centre Team to achieve that end.

2.3 A planning application, with a accompanying letter support from the Executive
Director of DEL was made to move the monument in October 2003. The letter
stated that the Executive Director supported the re-location of the monument to the
city centre and that he was confident funding could be found for the work.

2.4 The listed consent received in April 2004 to remove the monument from the Botanical
Gardens included the stipulation that:

“The restoration works shall be carried out within a period of 2 years of the Memorial
having been dismantled (or alternative period to be agreed in writing with the Local
Planning Authority)” and “The precise location of the restored Memorial within
Barkers Pool, or within some other appropriate civic/public space in close proximity
thereto, shall have been secured within two years of the date of this consent (or

1
alternative period to be agreed in writing with the Local Planning Authority) and in
consultation with the Local Planning Authority and English Heritage.

2.5 The statue was moved out from the Botanical Gardens and placed in store at the
council deport at Staniforth Road where she remains, pending agreement as to
where she can be placed.

2.6 This situation effectively means that the City Council as an organisation in default of
its commitments in relation to the listed consent. It is not known what implications this
will have for the authority.

2.7 A brief chronology of the memorials history follows:

• Memorial of gothic design erected at Moorhead in the city centre in 1862, “in
memory of Sheffield soldiers who died in the Crimean War”. This original
memorial was on a grand scale and in excess of 17m high.
• Between 1957 and 1960 this memorial was dismantled for “street improvement
purposes” and a much reduced form of the monument was erected in the
Botanical Gardens, approximately 6m in height.
• Some unused sections of the monument were sited in other parts of the city;
other very decorative sections remain untraceable following this move. Research
suggests that these were sold off in order to finance the relocation.
• Monument Grade II listed in 1973.
• During the development of the restoration plan for the Botanical Gardens circa
2000, the landscape consultants suggested that the memorial was inappropriate
for the gardens and proposed the reinstatement of a decorative fountain in the
location occupied by the memorial.
• During 2002 the programme for Botanical Gardens restoration made the
requirement to dismantle and remove the monument a priority and proposals to
site the memorial in Barkers Pool as part of the re-development of the city centre,
(one position bordering the adjacent area of the proposed new retail quarter, the
other closer to the junction with Pinstone Street), were actively considered with
Officers from the City Centre Development Unit.
• On July 23rd 2003 a Cabinet report recommended that proposals for the
relocation of the Crimea Memorial to Barker's Pool be included in the designs for
the redesigned public open space around the City Hall, on the understanding that
the public would be further consulted about this idea.
• On the 2nd April 2004 listed building consent was gained to remove the memorial
and put it into temporary storage prior to re-siting with the condition that it be re-
erected in a prominent city centre position within 2 years.
• A subsequent report taken to Cabinet on the 12th May 2004 recorded that the
relocation of the memorial would not included as part of the Barkers Pool scheme
for three reasons:-

1. The proposal received a relatively low approval in public consultation


2. Until further detail emerges regarding the layout and form of the New
Retail Quarter it will not be possible to secure an exact location for the
memorial

2
3. Heritage Lottery Funding has been secured for the partial restoration and
removal into storage of the memorial. However, the budget identified for
the public realm improvements cannot meet the additional costs involved
in relocating the memorial into Barker’s Pool.

• In late 2004 the memorial was given a basic clean and repair, dismantled and
fully recorded by Alan Bridgman stonemason, then put into storage at the
Staniforth Road depot. The memorial remains at this location to date.
• While the proposal to relocate the memorial in the City Centre was initially given a
positive response, on further consideration the consensus of planning officers,
senior officers in the Regenerations Projects Design Team and, elected members
involved appeared to ultimately not consider this location to be actually suitable or
feasible. It was also reported that public consultation revealed lukewarm support
for the idea.
• Unfortunately this decision making process does not appear to be fully
documented, although some e-mail communication is on record.
• An alternative site was then considered, the General Cemetery at Sharrow. While
this had the support of the Friends of the General Cemetery, agreement could not
be reached on location, the Friends wanting the monument outside the Cemetery,
which was not acceptable to the Conservation Officer.
• In December 2007 SD&PM were asked to undertake a Feasibilty Study on the
options available for the reinstatement of the statue in Crookes Valley Park

3 Feasibility Study

3.1 Parks and Countryside Development Team’s identified a small amount of funding in
late 2007 to commission SD &PM to assess the restoration options for the statue
and to examine the feasibility of whether the terraces in Crookes Valley park might
prove a suitable location for the Crimea Memorial. This location was suggested given
its previous connection with the Crimea War as a pair of cannons, thought to have
been retrieved from the Russian Army during the Crimean War, were originally sited
in this location.

3.2 Initial discussions with the “Friends of Crookes Valley Park” group received a positive
response to the proposal. Due to the potentially high profile nature of the project no
public consultation or publicity has taken place until the viability of the project in
terms of both design and cost has been evaluated.

3.3 Work to date by the SD & PM Architects Practice has included research and survey
of the remaining elements of the monument which are still available, the location of
other remnants, surveys of the site topography and sketch design work in both two
and three dimensions. The design has aimed to better reflect the original proportions
of the Moorhead original, and two height options have considered. It is the opinion of
the project team that this work has confirmed the potential viability of the proposal.

3.4 In addition the original estimates of the cost of re-assembling the monument were re-
examined and the original contractor was asked to give a budget estimate for re-

3
assembling the monument and putting back a short length of column to improve the
proportions of the monument.

4 Future works

4.1 The proposal will initially need a thorough ground investigation and associated desk
top report to evaluate the suitability of the site in engineering terms. The location is
known to be of “formed ground” and as such this element is of vital importance.

4.2 The work would then comprise the installation of suitably engineered foundations and
the formation of a concrete core structure to support the memorial and provide a
suitable base to fix the memorial stonework to.

4.3 The statue and base currently in storage would then be re-erected on site using
approximately 50% of additional new stonework in order to produce an approved new
design. This new configuration would enable the memorial to display suitable
proportions relative to both its original scale and new location.

4.4 The new structure would include the provision of a central steel reinforcement bar
which would run from foundation to top of the monument. The existing stonework
would be repaired as necessary during the works. The new structure would include
the addition of four Gryphons’ to the corners of the structure to match those on the
original memorial.

4.5 The works would include surrounding stone access steps forming a low plinth and a
paved surround in the immediate area to provide enhanced access to the memorial
for the public. In addition new seating and interpretation sign would be erected and
work undertaken to the surrounding planting areas.

5 Capital Implications

5.1 A quotation has been obtained from Maysand the original contractors engaged to
take apart the monument. They conclude that to re-assemble the monument and
introduce addition decorative elements would cost in the region of £226,000 (2008
prices). In addition landscape works to enhance the setting of the monument would
be required which are estimated to cost an additional £65,000. On top of this sum
professional fees would be required, giving a total sum in excess of £300k.

6 Revenue Implications

6.1 Limited funding has been secured to produce this report and produce a basic
feasibility study and Officer Time has been found from within the Project Team to
coordinate this piece of work.

4
6.2 To progress this work any further will require dedicated Officer time to develop the
proposal, obtain the necessary approvals, undertake consultation and seek additional
funding. This work could occupy 50% of an PDO’s time for a period of 12 months.

6.3 The restored monument will require some additional maintenance, but this is likely to
be a relatively insignificant in scale.

7 Funding Options

7.1 Funding for the restoration of individual Grade II monuments and memorials is
difficult to obtain, particularly of the scale required in this case. There are some very
small grants available for monument restoration, but the only programme which
might has the scale of the funding required would be a bid to the Heritage Lottery
Fund under the “Heritage Grants” programme.

7.2 The landfill tax is another source of potential funding to cover some of the cost, but
there are a number of projects in P&C which will be approaching this fund in the near
future and only a minority are likely to succeed.

7.3 There are several reasons why a bid to the Lottery is unlikely to be successful:-.

• Firstly, the original Lottery award to the Botanical Gardens was intended to
include an element for both dismantling and reinstating the memorial which has
been expended.

• Secondly, there are a number of potential bids to this fund from across the city
and it would need to be agreed at a corporate level that this bid is a priority for the
city to enable to succeed.

• Thirdly, the criteria for this programme requires a much more comprehensive
approach to heritage projects. They must include a supporting educational
programme and demonstrate wide scale public support and involvement , which
could add another £200k to cost of a project and impact of the ongoing revenue
costs.

8 Conclusions

8.1 The City Council is in default of its planning conditions and it is unclear what action, if
any, English Heritage may take over this breach at a corporate level.

8.2 As can be seen from the history of this statue, the responsibility for finding a new
home for the CWM has been accepted in the past as an issue for DEL to resolve
and this joint responsibility needs to be reaffirmed and accepted, rather than it being
seen as an issue for P&C to resolve

5
8.3 In view of the likely difficulty in obtaining funding, the most pragmatic option may be
to argue that in the monument is in safe storage and this is the best protection the
authority can offer the monument in the short to medium term.

8.4 It is suggested that this issue is raised at DMT to ensure joint responsibility is
accepted and a shared course of action is devised and agreed by all parties.

Andy Catling

6
Crimean War Memorial in
previous location

Photomontage of proposed relocation in Crookes Valley Park


STONEGUARD (MIDLANDS) LTD
CRIMEA WAR MEMORIAL, BOTANICAL GARDENS, SHEFFIELD
SURVEY REPORT AND PHOTOGRAPHS

JULY 2004
CONDITION OF EXISTING MEMORIAL AT TIME OF ORIGINAL
SURVEY JANUARY 2001.

The author was asked to survey the existing memorial within the Botanical Gardens
by Sheffield City Council Architects Department early January 2001. Our brief was to
inspect the condition of the existing stones, consider the possibility of dismantling the
monument and submit budget costing's for the dismantling works, rebuilding works
and the restoration of delaminated and spalled masonry.

The monument was surveyed from pavement level with the assumption that the
masonry insitu was the complete memorial, it was assumed that the masonry had been
constructed in a traditional manner against we assumed a brick backing structure. On
this basis we believed it would be possible to dismantle the masonry course by course,
successfully reclaiming the stones with minimal damage to the components.

During August 2001 our Budget Costing for these works was submitted.

BUDGET COSTING FOR THE REINSTATEMENT OF THE COMPLETE


MEMORIAL NOVEMBER 2001.

Following receipt of photographs of the complete memorial we were asked to provide


a Budget Costing for the rebuilding and restoration of the existing masonry
components and replacement of the missing components to allow the complete
reconstruction of the original monument.

This costing was submitted on the 26th November 2001 based on the photographic
evidence available at the time.

PRE TENDER MARCH 2003 & FEBRUARY 2004.


(FIQURES 1 TO 7)

Following receipt of tender documentation from Waterers Landscapes Plc (March


2003). Our estimate of costs for the dismantling the existing structure within the
Botanical Gardens now know to have been rebuilt in the 1950’s was submitted.

Further documentation was received from the successful contractor Brambledown


Landscape Services Ltd (February 2004). Our estimate of costs for dismantling the
existing structure (Option A) and budget costing for rebuilding the complete structure
(Option B) was submitted.

PRE CONTRACT APRIL 2004.

Following a joint meeting between the Client, Sheffield City Council, Brambledown
and Stoneguard the contract to dismantle the existing structure was agreed on the
basis that works would be complete within week commencing 24th May 2004.

AUTHOR: DAVID ALAN BRIDGMAN


Page 1 of 5
01/02/2007
STONEGUARD (MIDLANDS) LTD
CRIMEA WAR MEMORIAL, BOTANICAL GARDENS, SHEFFIELD
SURVEY REPORT AND PHOTOGRAPHS
Arrangements for the erection of the scaffolding, cranage and the provision of the
masons and labour to execute the works were now in place.

DISMANTLING WORKS MAY 2004.

The scaffolding was erected during week commencing the 3rd May (figures 8 to 15
record the condition of the statue)
The pre-cleaning works using the Doff System to remove the soluble dirt deposits and
algae were completed shortly afterwards. (figures 16 to 25 record the condition of the
pre-cleaned statue)
Following close inspection of the statue from the standing scaffold upon completion
of the pre-cleaning works it became apparent that extensive insitu repairs in a red
cement mortar had been carried out after the last rebuilding works (figures 23-25).
Damage to the bed and perpend joints had also occurred during we assume the
original dismantling works and this has now resulted in oversized joints pointed in
again a red cement mortar (figures 20-21 & 22-24).
Dismantling works to the statue commenced during week commencing the 10th May
and the head and shoulders and sword were successfully removed within the
estimated time (figures 26 & 27).
Although the statue had been rebuilt in cement mortar the individual stones forming
the statue were successfully dismantled stone by stone, the existing ferrous and slate
fixings were also removed as the works progressed. (figures 28-30 & 35-37).
These stones weighing between 500kg and 1500kg were lifted by locating a Lewis
Pin’s into a pre-drilled hole in the sky facing surface of the stones to allow removal to
ground using the adjacent standing mobile crane (figures 29 &30).
The only area of the statue requiring substantial masonry replacement was found to be
the previously insitu repaired lions head, details and dimensions have been recorded
for future replacement in natural stone (figures 31-34).
At this stage the works were progressing well and on programme.
During week commencing 17th May works began to dismantle the plinth and during
attempted careful removal of one of the buttress/corner cornice stones damage by
spalling to the adjacent coping stone occurred (figures 38 & 39).
Upon close inspection of the exposed concrete the extent of the concrete backing
structure now became evident (figures 40-42).
A meeting was held on the 19th May between all parties and it was agreed that further
trials needed to be undertake to determine the extent of the concrete backing structure,
core hole trials were arranged and these took place on Monday 24th May.
The concrete slab was established as being 220mm thick sat on a steel plate, the sides
of the concrete behind the masonry were established to be 600mm thick (figures
41&42).
Consideration at this time was being given to breaking the concrete using mechanical
plant following abortive attempts to break the concrete using hand held tools, further
investigation resulted in the recommendation to employ hydraulic chain saw cutting
techniques to cut the stone from the concrete to limit the amount of stone potentially
damaged during alternative demolition works using mechanical means. Subsequent
sample trials using the chain saw were successful and this was then adopted at the
best method to reclaim the masonry forming the external face of the memorial plinth.

AUTHOR: DAVID ALAN BRIDGMAN


Page 2 of 5
01/02/2007
STONEGUARD (MIDLANDS) LTD
CRIMEA WAR MEMORIAL, BOTANICAL GARDENS, SHEFFIELD
SURVEY REPORT AND PHOTOGRAPHS
Chain saw cutting works commenced during week commencing 31st May and the top
course was successfully cut from the backing concrete (figures 43-45).

Ring saw cutting methods were also employed to cut to a maximum depth of 280mm
through the perpends and bed joints of each of the courses to reduce the damage to
arris of the stones during subsequent removal (figure48).
The second course was also removed using chain and ring saw methods (figures 50
&51).
Following removal of the top two courses attempts were made using hand held
masons tools to expose the back of the vertical backing concrete and the bottom of the
concrete slab. It was not possible to expose the top of the inscribed memorial stone
and it now apparent that this stone is over 500mm thick, which together with the
concrete backing we now estimate the total thickness exceed 800mm. Further
exposure of the concrete now confirms the slab is reinforced and sat on a steel plate
(figure 52).
The time taken to remove the stone and concrete by hand is now deemed to be
unproductive and following further discussions and advice from the specialist
concrete sub contractor an agreement is made to remove the exposed slab and vertical
backing concrete using hydraulic concrete bursting methods (figures53-55 ).
During week commencing 12th July the initial bursting methods were successful and
the concrete slab broke away from the steel plate, however the steel reinforcement
cast into the concrete prevented complete separation of the concrete resulting in the
complete remaining slab moving on top of the steel plate below (figure56 ).
The reinforcement bars then had to be individually cut to allow the concrete to broken
away from the outer edge of the slab (figure57).
This method continued until the slab was reduced to weight that could be safely lifted
by the mobile crane to the adjacent rubbish skip and finally the supporting steel plates
were exposed (figure 58).
Following removal of the steel plates it was possible to inspect the internal core of the
monument, it is now confirmed that the concrete has been poured and vibrated
between the outer masonry and shuttering timbers (figures59-61).
Further attempts to remove the vertical backing concrete continued using the busting
techniques this was successful on three faces (figures62-65), this however resulted in
damage to the masonry on the fourth left hand side panel (figures65-67).
Further works using the bursting method were suspended and it was agreed that the
remaining works would continue using chain saw cutting methods. Successful
removal of the remaining stones was achieved by cutting all the joints (bottom, side
and back) to allow removal by crane of the individual stones (figures68-71).
Due to the maximum depth of cutting achievable with the chain saw it was not
possible to remove the masonry forming the inset panels from the concrete. These
were removed complete with the backing concrete following complete separation
from the adjacent structure by chain saw cutting. A wagon with hiab was used to lift
these stones from the structure and all three remaining inset panels (maximum weight
5000kg) were successfully lifted on the vehicle (figures72-76, 79-81).
The damaged inset panel (5500kg) was removed using the same method and
deposited in the adjacent skip (this stone remains on site pending confirmation the
masonry is surplus to requirements) (figures77&78).

AUTHOR: DAVID ALAN BRIDGMAN


Page 3 of 5
01/02/2007
STONEGUARD (MIDLANDS) LTD
CRIMEA WAR MEMORIAL, BOTANICAL GARDENS, SHEFFIELD
SURVEY REPORT AND PHOTOGRAPHS
The three reclaimed panels have be removed to J Oldham’s quarry and it is proposed
that the face of the stone be cut away from the concrete using a primary saw capable
of cutting through the full height of the stone. These stones (500mm thick) then being
reduced to bed thickness of 150mm for reconstruction resulting in the remainder of
the masonry being available to replace the one missing panel and other stones
requiring replacement following the final survey of the required bed heights to
achieve completion of the rebuilding works (figure74).
The final two courses were successfully removed during week commencing 28th July
using chain saw cutting methods leaving the remaining concrete backing for removal
by the main contractor (figures82-89).
All the stone with the exception of the three panels taken to quarry are currently in
storage at our premises in Rugeley (figures90-92).
During week commencing 12 July all the existing mortar was removed from the joints
of the stones forming the statue and plinth (figures93-96).
Final polishing by hand will allow the statue to be rebuilt in the works to finally
determine the extent of the remedial works to the statue (figures97-98).

PROPOSAL FOR REBUILDING WORKS

A full dimensional survey was undertaken prior to dismantling the memorial plinth by
our drawing office and drawings have been prepared on AutoCAD. An individual
drawing has been produced for each course together with a section through the
structure.

Section through records the individual courses as A to F.


Course A being the top stone forming the coping stone.

We propose to base our costing for the complete restoration on the following
guidelines.
1. That all profiled stones have been reclaimed but will require re-cutting to
allow re-construction.
2. That the inset panels are reduced to a bed thickness of 150mm.
3. The damaged panel is reclaimed by reducing the bed (item2) and reusing the
stone salvaged from the back of one of the existing panels.
4. The buttress stones are rebuilt as cladding resulting in two new perpends in
each course.
5. Buttress stones will be cut from the nearest stone in course height to achieve
the original height of the original memorial plinth (i.e. course B from course F,
course C from course D, course D from inset panels, course E from course C)
6. Areas of spalled masonry are repaired by indenting re-claimed stone re-carved
to original line and or profile.

AUTHOR: DAVID ALAN BRIDGMAN


Page 4 of 5
01/02/2007
STONEGUARD (MIDLANDS) LTD
CRIMEA WAR MEMORIAL, BOTANICAL GARDENS, SHEFFIELD
SURVEY REPORT AND PHOTOGRAPHS

AUTHOR: DAVID ALAN BRIDGMAN


Page 5 of 5
01/02/2007
From: Kent Emma (DEL)
Sent: 29 December 2008 16:50
To: Catling Andy
Subject: FW: Crimea War Memorial

______________________________________________
From: Kent Emma (DEL)
Sent: 18 May 2006 16:09
To: Neild-Banks Liz
Subject: FW: Crimea War Memorial

-----Original Message-----
From: Stayte Miriam (DEL)
Sent: 18 May 2006 15:31
To: Kent Emma (DEL)
Subject: FW: Crimea War Memorial

Emma - please see below.

The cost of storage was £4,833

Miriam

-----Original Message-----
From: Lawrence Tom
Sent: 18 May 2006 11:29
To: Stayte Miriam (DEL)
Subject: Crimea War Memorial

Miriam,

Costs below for Crimea War Memorial, I need you to add in for storage.

• Removal of memorial/repairs - £74,665.13


• Removal of stone paving -£6,584.00
• Storage £?

Regards,
Tom

Tom Lawrence BSc (Hons) MSc MRICS


Project Manager
Sheffield Design and Project Management
Development Services
Tel: (0114) 2736189
Fax: (0114) 2736248
Mobile: 07900 676797
CROOKES VALLEY PARK

BOAT HOUSE

FEASIBILITY REPORT

PW/03329

Sheffield Design and Project Management


2-10 Carbrook Hall Road
Sheffield
S9 2DB
0114 2736045
Introduction

The building is sited to the north-west corner of the Crookes Valley Park lake,
at the bottom of a grass bank adjacent to the Dam House Restaurant.
It is thought the building was probably built about 1950, but this has not been
confirmed.

Description

It is a brick smooth rendered structure, with a hipped roof with rosemary tiles.
The roof structure is triangulated trusses so although the internal walls are
substantial they are not believed to be load-bearing, but this needs
confirmation.
The building originally had six large windows with arched heads, but all but
one of these have been partially blocked up and only high level lights remain.
There are also three smaller windows, but two large window openings on the
rear elevation have been blocked up completely.
The building has been subjected to vandalism over many years. Many roof
tiles have been replaced, the cast iron gutter is in place but downpipes are all
missing, and graffiti on the render has had to be painted over.
Consequently windows now have mesh protection and doors are metal-faced.
There is a small chimney which served a fireplace which has been blocked up
except for an air brick.
The building at present is used only as a store for park-related impedimenta,
and although electrical and water facilities are serviced these have been
closed off.

Proposed Refurbishment

The Client (Parks and Woodlands/Art in the Park) in association with partner
users wishes to put the building back into use for educational purposes.
There is a pool of artists and volunteers wishing to run environmentally
focussed creative activities. These include after-school art and poetry clubs,
craft sessions, and developing fishing activities for young people.

The accommodation required has therefore been identified as:

Toilet accommodation (sufficient for up to twenty adults and young people,


and including disabled facility)
Kitchen/tea-making facilities
Classroom/office space (ideally separate rooms but possibly partitioned)
Hot desk studio/artist space
Possible facility for serving ice-cream, etc.
New heating facility, preferably wood-burning boiler with radiators
Improved insulation.

More natural light is needed in the building but new and existing windows will
require shutters.
Proposed Remodelling and Repairs

The roof requires minor haunching repairs and further new replacement tiles.
Replacement windows may to be in upvc or timber double glazed, Planners
will need to be consulted on preferred materials.
One of the rear former window openings would be re-opened for a new high
level window to serve toilet areas, shown on Drawing 02.
Some length of the full brick wall (215mm) and the partition to the former utility
room are to be removed. Taking the former shelter area into the curtilage of
uthe building will maximise floor space available for a central area of
classroom/display area.
New internal walls proposed would be stud partition except for the wall to
close off the boiler room, which would be 100mm blockwork restrained at
ceiling level.
New kitchenette units comprising sink, cupboard spaces, and electric service
points allow the office to double as a messroom facility.
Two new toilets, one to Part M specification, are provided, one opening off the
classroom area and the other off a rear vented lobby. Storage is provided off
the vented lobby (intended for storage associated with fishing activities) and
off the main area.
To one side a large new room is formed to double as a studio/hot desking
facility, and perhaps for smaller group use.
Internal faces of the external walls will need to be battened with new
plasterboard linings and internal insulation to improve heat and fuel
conservation. There is insulation ion the roof space on top of the ceiling but it
would be expedient to supplement this during works.
The boiler is to be a wood-burning type venting into the former chimney, and
serving a circulatory radiator system.
Floor finishes are suggested to be generally a linoleum (Marmoleum) but with
non-slip vinyl in the toilets and kitchenette, and a heavy duty matting in the
rear lobby and to the door area at the front.
Ceilings are in fair condition but should be re-lined with new plasterboard on
battens or joists to form true surfaces in the new rooms.
There will be issues trying to find the best way to dispose of foul drainage as
there is no adjacent present drain. There are options to be evaluated if the
scheme progresses.

Structural Engineer’s Comments

A visual inspection of the building was carried out on August 2nd 2010, the
results of which are set out below.

The external walls measure 300mm thick at the door openings. The external
face is covered with a painted cement sand render which is in good condition.
The bottom five courses are un-rendered. There is no evidence of a damp-
proof course.
Due to the wall thickness, even allowing for the render and the lack of header
courses visible on the un-plastered internal face it is likely that the walls are of
cavity construction.
The thickness of the wall between the main store and the covered area on the
south-east elevation was not ascertained. However there is a header course
six courses down from the top suggesting a solid wall.
The internal walls are solid brickwork except for a timber stud wall between
the mess room and office. The wall between the mess room and the store
which is only half a brick thick contains a chimney breast.
No major deformation of line or major cracking to any of the walls was
observed. There is visible damp to the internal face of the external wall to the
south east, moisture content readings of 30% were recorded. Externally at
the same location surface water is leaching from the adjacent grassed
embankment and is ponding outside the building.

Concrete lintels span over the door and window openings both externally and
internally to the north-west and south-west elevations. These appear to be
sound except for the window to the south end of the south-west elevation
where the outside face has spalled off. The window heads to the south-east
elevation are arched as are the openings to the covered area to the north-east
elevation.
The floor finish is concrete except for an area near the external door to the
office which is finished with quarry tiles.
The floor is sound except for an area near the external door to the office in the
north-west elevation where the surface is breaking up.
The type of foundation is unknown but is assumed to be strip footings.
The only access to the roof space is via a ceiling hatch in the mess room.
The roof space was not entered. As a result only a limited area of the roof
was able to be observed due to the internal wall between the mess room and
store partially extending into the roof space, limiting visibility.
From what could be observed the roof is of timber rafter construction covered
with a bitumen roofing felt. The rafters appear to be supported on the
external walls. As far as can be assessed the roof structure appears sound
with no evidence of spread or major sagging. Some staining of the timbers
was observed, probably from previous leakage. Maximum moisture readings
of 12% were taken which is just below the figure where rotting may occur. It
should be stressed, however, that these readings were taken over a very
limited area.

A brickwork chimney protrudes from the roof. This is rendered similarly to the
external walls. From a visual external inspection this appears sound with no
major cracking or deformation.

Based on the limited survey the building appears structurally sound.


It should be stressed that a more extensive survey of the roof space will be
required prior to the proposed removal of the internal walls., However, initial
observations suggest that the wall between the main store and the external
covered area is non-load-bearing.
Whilst the chimney appearsd sound at present, consideration should be given
to removing it to prevent possible future health and safety issues. If it is used
to house a future boiler flue appropriate work would be undertaken at that
time.
Electrical Engineer’s Report

Currently the building does not have an electrical supply, it has switchgear
and an incoming cable which it is assumed originally supplied the installation
but there is no information/evidence as to the source. There is no separate
service cut-out so it did not have its own separate supply.
The building has one distribution board to supply the complete installation,
which is located in the present kitchenette area.
Wiring is a combination of surface clipped, contained in a surface conduit
system, or contained within the ceiling void and it has been undertaken in an
ad-hoc fashion which is untidy in many areas and the condition is just
acceptable to poor.
Current earthing and bonding is untidy but seems generally acceptable, but is
not compliant to current regulations.
Artificial lighting is provided via tired-looking fluoresecent luminaires without
diffusers.
Power is provided by a limited number of surface-mounted socket outlets.
The building currently has no fire alarm or emergency lighting.

A new electrical supply will need to be installed, either from an acceptable


remote source by means of an underground cable or by means of a new
separate supply from the Supply Authority.
For any sort of refurbishment it is recommended that the existing installation is
fully replaced, and the replacement would need to comprise:
Mains distribution infrastructure
Comprehensive earthing and bonding
Lighting installation including external areas
Power installation including any remote electricity supplies for bespoke park
use
Suitable fire alarm and emergency lighting
Electrical supplies and control circuitry for heating, hot water, and ventilation
equipment
In addition intruder alarm, ICT equipment and CCTV may be needed
dependent on Client requirements
Quantity Surveyor’s Report

The works generally comprise the demolition of the internal walls to the store
rooms of the existing building. New internal walls and partitions are to be
constructed to form an Art Studio, classroom, office, two store rooms, boiler
room, WC and Disabled WC.
New external uPVC or timber doors and windows are to be fitted. Internal
doors will be solid core to half-hour fire resisting standard; all ironmongery will
be heavy duty stainless steel. All walls and the ceiling are to be redecorated
and internal doors will receive a paint finish. All external walls and solid
internal walls will be dry lined with a thermally backed gypsum board. The
office is to be fitted with units and a sink. The internal floor levels will be
made level throughout the building. The ceiling will be made to run through
at one level and also be overboarded in plasterboard and this will receive a
plaster skin coat.
Floors will have non-slip vinyl covering to both WCs and the remainder will
have a Marmoleum covering except the boiler room which is not to have a
floor finish.
Space heating is to be a wood-burning manually fed boiler supplying hot water
to radiators of suitable size and output. All radiators will be fitted with
thermostatically controlled valves.
A complete rewire is envisaged with all necessary heating controls and
mechanical ventilation supplied by the new rewire. An over sink water heater
has been included within this scheme to supply hot water. No allowances
have been made for any upgrading of existing service supplies as the current
capacity is deemed to be adequate for the proposed work.
External works comprise repairs to the roof, gutters, fascia, soffites and
rainwater goods to match the existing. New DDA compliant ramps are to be
formed to both front and rear entrances by reforming the tarmac footpath and
erecting handrails. The existing tarmac footpath is to be renewed around the
perimeter of the building.
A new pumped connection manhole is to be constructed together with new
drain runs connecting to the drain in the park area. A new back inlet gulley is
to be installed to allow for drainage from the new kitchen and cleaners sink.
Nominal allowances have been made in the costs for works associated with
potential asbestos removal. This will be further refined once survey details
have been completed and the full extent of the works defined.

Building £103,000
Preliminaries £16,000
Contingency £5,000

The estimate of costs shown above are subject to the works being carried out
before March 31st 2012.
Beyond this date it is anticipated that the prevailing rate of construction
inflation will need to be added to the above figures.
This estimate has been prepared to the details and descriptions provided by
SDPM Architects.
Professional fees are not included.
Assessment Team

The building was visited and surveyed by the following on August 2nd 2010 to
prepare the foregoing report:

John Brown Senior Architect 2736045


David Hardwick Architectural Assistant 2736070
Richard Coe Structural Engineer 2736050
Richard Payne Electrical Engineer 2736096

The following were consulted but did not visit on this occasion

Paul Bangert Architectural Assistant 2736067


Steve Guest Principal Engineer 2736103
Paul Sheen Quantity Surveyor 2736223

PW/03329
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Art in the Park Ponderosa, Crookes Valley Park & Philadelphia Gardens
Consultation 2009

Summary of Consultation:

As part of the 3 Parks Consultation Art in the Park (Sheffield) ran 3 creative
events in the parks, handed out over 500 questionnaires, attended a family event
at Netherthorpe Primary School and led the consultation at a stakeholders
meeting. The Regeneration Officer also attended various local forums (including
Walkley Forum, Upperthorpe TARA, the Crookesmoor Bowling Club’s AGM) to
give presentations on the masterplan and leave questionnaires with the groups.

From the questionnaires we had 167 responses of which most people were from
S11, S10, S6 and S3. We had 48 responses from children. 13 people used
Philadelphia, 95 used Ponderosa and 59 used Crookes Valley Park.

(poster of events)

Crookes Valley-
We set up a creative consultation event on the 24th October 2-4pm but due to wet
weather we had to cancel, instead the team walked around the park and spoke to
people using the Park. It has been felt throughout the consultation that we have
had a lot of input from people who use Crookes Valley park; the feedback we
received was in depth and meaningful and the Friends of Crookes Valley Parks
played a large role in previous consultation and the stakeholders meeting.

Questionnaire results:
What do you use the park for?
Dog walking 7
Use of the playground 15
Use of the sports areas 9
To watch wildlife/birds 19
Fishing 6
To get to and from places 31
To relax and sit down 33
To exercise: walking or jogging 28
Other- please state 9

(Main uses in red)

Those that reported “other” suggested they used the park to feed the ducks,
biking riding, bowling, to have lunch, drawing, sketching, working, to maintain
sanity!

1 www.artinthepark.org.uk
Do you find the site welcoming?
Yes (only two reported no). Reasons for this were:
o The park is spacious, clean and well maintained
o Most users are friendly
o The park-keepers are friendly and around.
o It feels cared for
o Fellow dog-walkers chat
o Over-looked from road so feels safe
o It’s nice to see different people using it
o There are lots of trees, green space, water, birds
o It’s light
o You can see your children wherever they are in the park
o Easy access
But….
o Handrails needed up some steps.
o There are access problems for some people e.g. no wheelchairs or
buggies can access from Harcourt Rd and access from Dam House
Lane/Mushroom lane is hazardous, etc.
o Not keen on the Mushroom Lane/Dam House corner - it just feels a bit
intimidating if walking alone.
o Routes/ paths can be hidden, steep and feel unsafe
o Derelict land by the lake can attract undesirables
o Looks dated compared to Weston Park

Thinking about the park you use most often please rate the following:

Very Good Average Poor Very No


good poor opinion
Signage 5 13 23 4 3 12

Access paths 2 24 20 3 8 2

Sports facilities 3 12 17 5 10 12

Play Facilities 6 28 12 3 1 7

Wildlife 2 21 16 9 2 9

Design and overall 4 22 17 2 0 3


appearance
Cleanliness 12 25 18 2 1 1

(Red represents the highest rating)

Overall the park rates “Good”

2 www.artinthepark.org.uk
Which of the above do you think is most in need of improvement?
10 access paths, 7 appearance, 4 cleanliness, 5 play, 6 signage, 7 sports, 6
wildlife- Local residents feel that Access Paths are most in need of improvement.

Would you like more events in this park?


14 no, 49 yes

Examples of events that people would like to see include-


o Fruit picking,
o Boating/boat races,
o Outdoor cinema,
o Fishing classes for kids,
o Bird watching,
o Wildlife watching,
o Star gazing,
o Heritage walks,
o Nature walks,
o Art exhibition,
o Pond dipping,
o Information events about sustainability.
o Sports,
o Outdoor music events,
o More Art in the Park,
o Kids activities,
o Family activities
o Water sports
o Day events,
o Ranger events,
o Farmers markets,
o Simple events which show children the beauty and importance of nature,
o Outdoor sculpture

If you could change or add anything to this park what would it be?

o Café/Ice-creams in building o Improve parking,


next to lake. o Make the lake safer and a
o Better use of the lake, egg wider path around it/ make it
boating, watching wildlife. harder for children to access.
o Wilderness area on o Turn one bowling green into a
Mushroom Lane side could be football pitch,
improved. o The main bowling green is in
o An area that is flat to kick a need of protection from being
ball around. used as common ground
o There are a lot of steps down (could be hedges as at
to the playground. Longley Park which would
o See saw in the playground, enhance the Park not spoil it),
o Duck house, signs asking not to play on

3 www.artinthepark.org.uk
and keep off are badly placed o Put more info on signs about
and poorly composed the park and dam,
o More benches, o Reintroduce the rabbits,
o Access paths for prams, as o Add recycling facilities, café,
most parents enter from o Clean up the lake for use of
Harcourt rd, and there is no wildlife - birds and fish. It
direct pathway leading to the smells, and looks so murky
playground. and full of rubbish at the
o More wild and colorful corners.
planting, o Rowing boats/ I think boating
o To make the hut into some would be too dangerous as it's
kind of classroom for 40' deep in the middle. All
environmental studies, i.e. children would need life
what animals are in the park, jackets nowadays.
why the park was built o Activities for older children
o Don't allow dogs in the park, o Stop students from playing
o Sport facilities for young football and riding their bikes
people, on the bowling green
o Brighten up playground, o Change one of the bowling
o Make lake more wildlife greens into a sports area for
friendly. older children and adults
o Make the lake a feature for o More toilets
sports

Other Comments:
o Wonderful to see the good solid benches in Crookes Valley Park, and all
the hard work done by statutory and voluntary workers.
o There have been very welcome recent improvements egg planting at
entrance of Crookes valley and Weston Park. Also day to day
management is very good overall.
o Would prefer the Park not to be tidied up as much as Weston Park -
children enjoy playing in wilder areas
o Concerned about potential abuse to bowling club members when asking
people not to play football/ golf on the greens
o It would be great to pull the Parks together especially after the success of
Weston Park. Each park could have their own identity and be linked.

Do you use any of the parks on your route from one place to another, if so
where are you going?
Beanies, bus stop, city centre from Walkley, Harcourt road to university,
Home to town to hospitals, to school or a friend’s house, to work,
hospital/dentists, University, Weston Park.

4 www.artinthepark.org.uk
Additional points were raised at the Friends of Crookes Valley Park
Walkabout 12/08/08, and the Masterplan stakeholder meeting 29/09/09

Enhance wildlife value of lake by:


• Establishing duck island/s
• Creating beach area at edge of shallower zone in south corner

Enhance recreational/ leisure opportunities by:


• Restoring boating house (fishing? cafe? outdoor classroom) and toilets
• Re-establishing parking facilities for park users in the car park in the west
corner of the park
• Redesigning and replanting the area where the old boat store used to sit
• Completing the programme of bench renewal
• Planning and undertaking maintenance programme for south east
woodland including wood chip surfacing of footpath
• Providing additional playground equipment
• Installing irrigation for main bowling green
• Developing boating and fishing opportunities

Improve pathways and terraces by:


• Upper terrace- providing additional seating and new flower/ shrub beds
• Middle terrace- transforming into recreational areas or resurfacing,
installing Queen Vic/ Britannia to replace guns
• Lower terrace and most paths also need partial or comprehensive
resurfacing (some resurfacing work is being planned but its scope is
unclear)
• Painting existing handrails
• Providing handrails on steepest parts of path down from Dam House Lane
to lake
• Creating wheelchair accessible entrance and footpath from Harcourt Road
to upper terrace
• Creating new footpath without steps from Mushroom Lane entrance to
bowling greens
Issues / Suggested Improvements
• Terraces need improvement – central one currently used for bowlers
parking
• Could look at boats, café & fishing as a whole package
• Use of the University Car park for Park users
• Link footpath from top of park – would mean 2nd terrace could be better
used and cars could use other driveway and be out of main body of park
• Improve paths, narrow terrace pathways
• Management plan needed for the woodland area (to link to Ponderosa
woods)

5 www.artinthepark.org.uk
Consultation with Sheffield Canoe Club
The Regeneration Officer contacted the Canoe Club via email in October 2009 to
find out about their usage of the Lake and whether they had any ideas for future
improvements. Points made in their response included:
• The lake is pretty much the perfect resource as it’s so close to Goodwin
and great for beginners to start learning on.
• The only problems that we have experienced whilst at the lake is a bit of
antisocial behaviour from certain individuals who have wanted to use our
equipment on the lake.
• We were wondering whether there was any possibility of utilising the
rowing boat shed for storage of canoes, as our current boat shed isn’t in
an ideal location and is small.

Conclusion
Overall, this park is seen as a welcoming, well maintained space.
The consultation suggests that the main issues that local people would like to
see resolved are:

Lake: This is the focal feature of the Park and needs to be utilised to its full
potential. Many consultees were keen to see more water based events/activities
take place. The masterplan should consider enhancing the wildlife value of the
Lake through planting marginal vegetation and installing a floating island. Fishing
is a key activity in the Park and as such consideration should be given to the
installation of fishing platforms.

Boat House: The regeneration and future usage of the Boat House is a great
opportunity, with community support for it becoming an outdoor classroom, café
or concessions facility. Further exploration needs to be carried out regarding the
viability of these options e.g. discussions with Woodthorpe Development Trust
who have expressed an interest in using the boat house to run classes such as
bird watching and fishing from.

Play: The consultation suggests that local residents believe the playground could
be brightened up and improved through adding extra pieces of play equipment.
The masterplan could consider extending the boundary of the playground into the
woodland that slopes above it to include elements of naturalistic play.

Bowling Greens: Through the consultation, questions have been raised around
whether there is still a need for the second bowling green, and whether there is a
more appropriate use for it e.g. a sports area for young people. The consultation
revealed that the Crookesmoor Bowling Club is a well attended and well
supported Club with a wide catchment area. The bowling greens are also in
keeping with the identity of Crookes Valley Park with sports use being more
appropriate to the Ponderosa. The bowlers have requested that fencing or
hedging be installed around the green. The masterplan needs to consider

6 www.artinthepark.org.uk
whether this would be an appropriate solution to the current problems being
experienced here.

Access paths: In particular consider improving access to the playground. Local


residents have highlighted various paths around the Park which would benefit
from improved surfacing and installation of handrails.

Parking: There are currently parking issues relating to the use of the Bowling
Greens. The bowlers are currently using the middle Terrace as a short term
solution. A more appropriate long term solution needs to be found. Visitors to the
Park have also experienced problems parking nearby- a solution may lie in
reaching agreement with the university regarding the use of the Car Park
adjacent to the Dam House.

Public Facilities: Many park users have requested that public toilets be
available in the Park. Further investigation should be made into whether the
toilets adjacent to the Dam House could be made available to the public (as
agreed in the lease).

Planting: The consultation suggests that people would like to see more wild and
colorful planting which could be achieved through replacing some of the tired
shrub beds and planting up the area where the old boat store used to be located.

Ponderosa
(photos of the park)

On the 24th Oct 11-1pm we set up our gazebo in the Ponderosa 20 students from
the University of Sheffield met us to help with the day and also to do some litter
picks. But due to the wet weather only 6 adults and 4 children attended, however
all completed questionnaires and the children made monsters that lived in the
park. Some of the comments that came from the monsters were:
o More colorful swings and slides
o I wish there was more shelter
o Make sure no dogs are allowed in the children’s area
o More benches needed for relaxing
o More underground tunnels and proper marking for the of the park- not
sure what this means
o Big slide and swings needed

We also attended a family day at Netherthorpe Primary school on the 21/10- here
we made monsters with the children and filled in questionnaires, we spoke to
over 40 children and adults and included the finding in the results below.

7 www.artinthepark.org.uk
In addition to the results from completed questionnaires, a specific consultation
exercise was carried out about the Ponderosa at the Peace In The Park Festival
(June 2009). These have been grouped together with the questionnaire results in
the summaries below:

What do you use the park for?


Dog walking 24
Use of the playground 32
Use of the sports areas 36
To watch wildlife/birds 14
Fishing 1
To get to and from places 37
To relax and sit down 20
To exercise: walking or jogging 19
Other- please state 6

(Main uses in red)

Those that reported “other” suggested they used the park for PE lessons,
community events, games with grand children, BBQ’s, taking the baby for a walk.

Do you find the site welcoming?


23 no, 84 yes Reasons for this were:
o It always looks good no matter what the weather - except the litter,
o Nice mix of activities and people,
o Grass is always well kept,
o Planting of trees good idea,
o Peaceful, enclosed,
o Because there are lots of friendly people about,
o Because the dogs can't get in the playground,
o Because we stay as a group,
o Lovely to have green surroundings, appreciated very much
o It’s a lovely green park with lots of trees and a good play area for children
o It’s clean
o Friendly
o Easy access

But…
o Access from Oxford St not obvious.
o Entrance from Crookes is very off-putting, dark and often littered.
o Litter and broken glass
o Because not everyone around there is safe to be with
o Because there is a church where you can run to, and my house nearby,
o From the bottom and it feels a bit scruffy. I've seen rats down here

8 www.artinthepark.org.uk
Thinking about the park you use most often please rate the following:

Very Good Average Poor Very No


good poor opinion
Signage 9 39 31 10 14 4

Access paths 22 39 29 7 2 3

Sports facilities 13 22 22 19 12 5

Play Facilities 22 32 28 8 3 2

Wildlife 14 27 25 16 7 7

Design and overall 16 38 27 8 6 2


appearance
Cleanliness 14 37 21 14 11 3

(Red represents the highest rating)

Overall the park rates “Good/Average”

Which of the above do you think is most in need of improvement?


12 Access paths, 7 appearance, 11 cleanliness, 17 play equipment, 5 signage, 6
wildlife, 13 sports facilities- Play equipment is in most need of improvement

Would you like more events in this park?


8 no, 87 yes
Examples: o Youth and sports groups,
o Music festivals, o Circus, tennis,
o It would be great if it ran over o Picnics,
the whole weekend and o Dog show,
possible a little later into the o Craft fairs,
evening. o Family events,
o More similar events would be o Fundraising,
great. o Fun day,
o Children’s events, o Community sports day for the
o Football tournament, younger people
o Brass bands, o It would be great if the
o Car boots, Ponderosa carnival of
o Play groups, previous years started up
o Wildlife, again, or if there was an

9 www.artinthepark.org.uk
annual fun day like at Ruskin Park

As part of the consultation we contacted the Peace in the Park festival


organisers. They said that the main improvements they would like to see were to
the top field nearest Crookes Valley Road. These improvements would include
better drainage and a vehicle access ramp from the car parking spaces down on
to the field. These improvements would enable the field to be used for activities
which requires some form of temporary vehicle access e.g. stallholders,
marquees and staging.

If you could change or add anything to this park what would it be?
o Some locations for o A really big slide,
establishment of those 'all o Trampoline and racing track,
ages' keep fit things. o More grass on the football
o Bottom boundary with pitch,
Upperthorpe rd could be more o A path going up the hill to the
interesting - but without flat area,
interrupting the view from the o No motorbikes,
road. o Dogs bins at entrances,
o Improved areas for children, o More local community
young people and old people involvement,
to play sports, exercise and o Add nets to goal posts,
play. o Signage and access paths
o Thin South Back Woodland need improving,
and add shrubs. o Basketball court,
o Improve access paths at top o Swings,
of Ponderosa, improve wildlife o BMX track to be gravel
in woodlands. Prevent dog instead of grass,
mess on open areas. o Roundabout,
o Link path around football pitch o Add a buggy-friendly path that
back to playground. looped round the whole of the
o Spotlight path in the lower top half of the Ponderosa - at
half. the moment it stops halfway
o Make more inviting to round by the climbing rock.
approach, it's a great facility o Get rid of the ants in the
that few people know about. I children’s playground.
didn't even know it was there o Fix benches and replacing
until attending Peace in the burnt-out items,
Park, o Bowling green on Ponderosa
o Add a building for youth work o Older persons playground,
and sports clubs. including swings
o Rugby posts, o From the top it's hard to see
o Tennis court and bird feeders, that it's a lively big space.

10 www.artinthepark.org.uk
Could do with a view into the park
o Upgrade the paths and the 100 steps through the woods
o It’s huge! It needs more park playground stuff!
o Should celebrate it more as it’s great
o We need more events like Peace in the Park
o CCTV would be good
o There should be more cycle ways through the park- to link in with other
cycle ways in the neighbourhood
o More wildlife habitats
o Need signs to find it!
o Some benches, more play equipment and a multi sensory sculpture trail
o More seating
o Lighting in park would be good
o Tarmac whole length of the bike path from shops to flats so it is no longer
muddy and slippery
o Overgrown paths in the wood
o Hard to find if you don’t know the area as Crookes Valley, Ponderosa &
Weston Park are all grouped together as Crookesmoor Parks on Google
Maps
o Paths too slippy in woodland
o Some violence, gangs hanging around

Other Comments:
o Very under-used resource for sports, rough play, enjoying wildlife,
o Better resources needed to support the maintenance team,
o More dog wardens,
o The playground is only suited for little kids,
o Need more security,
o I keep seeing rats, but cleanliness is improving,
o Entrance from the road at the top would be good
o Glad care will at last be lavished on the Parks
o Several comments were made about improving access to Crookes Valley
Park including “More zebra crossings would be helpful! Not very safe-
some kind of traffic calming needed, More crossing points needed”
o I like the openness of the Park
o I love the playground
o Weston Park is too formal- I like the wildness of Ponderosa
o The climbing boulder is the best bit
o Topography is good

Do you use any of the parks on your route from one place to another, if so
where are you going?
Town, Kelham island, university, crookes to Philadelphia, school ,Tesco, Weston
park, work, St Stephen’s, from office to Edward St Flats/Netherthorpe school,

11 www.artinthepark.org.uk
Walkley to town, visiting family and friends, Hallamshire/ Weston Park hospital,
From Upperthorpe to Crookes

Additional points were raised at the Friends of Crookes Valley Park


Walkabout 12/08/08, and the Masterplan stakeholder meeting 29/09/09

• Plan and undertake woodland management to enhance this woodland’s


value as one of Sheffield’s best inner city wildlife havens (whilst
maintaining its woodland character). This will also have a positive impact
on perceptions of safety.
• Link up footpaths that currently dead end
• Develop nature trail circuit
• Add topsoil to football pitch and improve its drainage
• All age gyms could be considered: in an open and visible area (any
lessons learned from Endcliffe Park?)
• Re-establish stream that used to flow on the surface in the south western
part of the valley, restoring it to its original condition. (Important to
consider maintenance implications of this).
• Vehicle access control may be required
• Possibility for SUDS scheme/ retention ponds to be investigated further
• Explore different mowing regimes
• Need to increase footfall to and through Ponderosa. This could be
achieved through better links, signage and improved entrances
• Scope for further development of orchard/ fruit trees

From walkabout 8/12/08: -


• Suggested removal of hawthorn hedge alongside path/woodland from
entrance with Display boards and pillars
• Long grass around the football pitch should be flailed once a year-
potential for wildflower plug plants here? Ensure is on maintenance
schedule.
• Most important to open up sight lines from Crookes Valley Rd into park-
thin the woodland and open up views through.
• More seating in park required- discussed that a seating area near
Upperthorpe Road would be desirable for shoppers.
• Improvements to footpath network to top end of park- upgrading and
linking paths both on flat circuit and through the trees.

Conclusion:
Overall this park is also a well loved and enjoyable space. The consultation
suggests that the main issues that local people would like to see resolved are:

12 www.artinthepark.org.uk
Woodland: The consultation suggests that local residents find accessing the
Park through the woodland intimidating due to the enclosed nature of this area.
The masterplan should consider highlighting areas within the woodland that
would benefit from selective thinning (also supported by the Phase 1 Ecology
report), particularly along path edges and to open up views into the Park.

Access paths: Woodland footpaths have been identified as particularly slippy


and treacherous. The masterplan should consider resurfacing certain paths,
reconstructing the worst steps on the site and providing handrails in the steeper
sections. Residents have also highlighted the need to link up existing footpaths to
allow better circulation around the Park.

Signage: The consultation has flagged up a need for improved signage in the
Park, which is currently almost non existent. Existing noticeboards have been
added in an ad hoc fashion and are of different styles which does not help create
an identity for the Park. The masterplan should consider the identity of the
Ponderosa (Countryside? Rural? Urban Park?) and suggest how this could be
achieved through new signage, entrance and edge treatment.

Site Furniture: Residents have highlighted a lack of seats and benches in the
Ponderosa. These should be located at key positions on the main routes around
the Park and the style of the benches should fit with the identity of the Park. The
masterplan should also look at whether more dog bins are required in the Park.

Entrances & Edges: The consultation highlighted that many people from the
wider area were not aware of the Ponderosa. This is partly due to a lack of
visibility into the Park from Crookes Valley Road (could be achieved through
woodland management as highlighted above), but also due to low profile
entrances. The masterplan should consider how to improve the main entrances
into the park through new signage, noticeboards and edge treatments. Local
residents have also highlighted the need to improve the bottom boundary of the
Park.

Planting & Biodiversity: The masterplan should consider bringing more colour
into the Park through wildflower plug plants around the football pitch. Thought
should also be given to ways in which the orchard could be further developed. As
described in the Ecology Report the woodland would also benefit from thinning to
give native species the opportunity to flourish.

Sports & Play: The football pitch being in the location it is in (close to the
universities and city centre) is in great demand but almost unplayable. The
consultation demonstrated that there is a lot of support to upgrade this pitch. The
masterplan should also consider how the lower playground could be improved
and how better links could be made to the upper playground. Consultation has
also shown support for all age gym equipment in this Park.

13 www.artinthepark.org.uk
Philadelphia Gardens

(photos of the park)

On the 29th October we were part of a celebration event in Philadelphia Gardens,


it was good weather and turn out, with everyone working together to launch the
new basketball court. We worked closely with Zest and Sheffield Homes for this
event and spoke to 17 children, 5 adults and 5 children. The monsters that were
made suggested:

o In the Kids' area: Fix the floor and the swings,


o Skate area: Take out skateboard park and put in playground equipment,
Take off spray paint, put in swings and stuff. Not many people do
skateboarding!
o Teen shelter: Put some swings here. I like it here because it's sheltered
from the rain,
o Wooded area: Cut down some of the bushes. Less rubbish, less trees and
bushes in the way.

Questionnaire results:

What do you use the park for?


Dog walking 4
Use of the playground 4
Use of the sports areas 3
To watch wildlife/birds 4
Fishing 0
To get to and from places 6
To relax and sit down 2
To exercise: walking or jogging 6
Other- please state 3
(Main uses in red)

Those that reported “other” suggested they used the park for drawing and
sketching, to take the children out on the bikes, to put on events, to go to work,

Do you find the site welcoming?


6 no, 5 yes. Reasons for this were:

o People just walking through are not caring for the area,

14 www.artinthepark.org.uk
o Sometimes there are trolleys and glass about,
o It just feels like a strip of land going from one place to another, and sadly it
is often vandalised.
o Because it is surrounded by woods and things.
o I don't think it's very safe if kids are playing in it.
But…
o Very quiet when I walk.
o Lots of things to look at, butterflies, birds, its getting better,
o Wide, well maintained path.
o Light and airy,
o Wooded area,
o It is better at the top end now that the graffiti has faded and the trees have
been tidied up
o Because there are no high climbing frames

Thinking about the park you use most often please rate the following:

Very Good Average Poor Very No


good poor opinion
Signage 0 2 3 3 3 2

Access paths 2 4 3 1 1 0

Sports facilities 1 2 2 1 5 2

Play Facilities 0 2 3 4 2 2

Wildlife 2 5 3 2 2 0

Design and overall 0 4 4 3 1 0


appearance
Cleanliness 0 2 7 2 2 0

(Red represents the highest rating)

There is no average rating for this park

Which of the above do you think is most in need of improvement?


1 access paths, 1 appearance, 4 cleanliness, 3 play, 1 signage, 1 wildlife
Cleanliness of the park is in most need of improvement.

Would you like more events in this park?


1 no, 11 yes
Examples:
o Fruit picking,

15 www.artinthepark.org.uk
o Music and dance,
o Nature walks for children with a site map treasure hunt,
o Conservation events - getting local people involved in looking after the
place, especially the plants.
o Art in the Park,
o Children’s events,
o Festivals

If you could change or add anything to this park what would it be?
o More bulbs, o Add more fruit trees and
o Good to have some info on plants to make it an enjoyable
wildlife. place to be,
o Improve track from Yeoman's o Put in a death swing,
rd- it gets very muddy and o Stop drug users and drug
slippery in winter. dealers using this park.
o Better distribution of seats. o Improve cleanliness,
o Play equipment and o Climbing frames,
skateboard area need o Basketball court: have a little
upgrading. shop selling drinks and
o Haven't noticed any signage, snacks, and renting out
basketballs and footballs for a
£1 deposit

Other Comments:
o I like the peacefulness, and wouldn't want to see it changed too much; it is
a beautiful walk
o Signs giving the area a name could give the area a sense of place, rather
than just being a corridor.
o The wildlife is surprisingly good, I have seen various tits and some finches
in nesting season and I really think these should be encouraged, not
trampled on if other improvements are made.
o There are also a few fruit trees (apple and pear) and blackberry bushes in
the park and I think more could be made of these, and more planted.
o Provide dog bins and make dog owners pick up their dog mess.

Do you use any of the parks on your route from one place to another, if so
where are you going?
Tesco, the shops, town, doctors, library, Langsett to Upperthorpe

Additional points were raised at the Friends of Crookes Valley Park


Walkabout 12/08/08, and the Masterplan stakeholder meeting 29/09/09

Suggestions for Improvements

16 www.artinthepark.org.uk
• Open up sight lines and clear dense vegetation to enhance visibility,
reduce feeling of enclosure and make it feel safer
• Bring site into a regular maintenance programme of grass cutting and
shrub pruning
• Layout may need changing due to safety and access issues
• Set up a Friends of Philadelphia Gardens group
• Develop play value of existing playground
• Teen shelter currently attracts a lot of anti social behaviour- is this facility
appropriate to the site
• Skate Park is not used very much
• Entrances to be clearly marked giving identity
• Vehicle access control may be required
• Site is used as a walk through to school…… opportunities with trail
markings on the path to encourage people to walk through the Park en
route to school
• Problems with young people hanging out on toddler playground- may be
due to isolated nature of youth shelter- is there potential to move this
somewhere more visible?
• Skate bowl doesn’t work for skaters due to rail on top of bowl- causes
problems.
• Signage needed and entrances formalising/upgrading

Conclusion:
This under used space is loved by those that use it. Local people particularly
value the wildness of this space. However the consultation has highlighted that
the masterplan needs to address the following issues:

Cleanliness: One of the issues that local residents felt most strongly about was
the amount of litter on the site. The masterplan should look at whether there are
enough litter bins on site, and Sheffield Homes should review whether the bins
are emptied on a regular enough programme.

Signage: The consultation has shown that local people would like to see more
signage in the Park which would help to create a feeling of place and also help
people orientate themselves in what is quite a difficult site due to changing levels.
By assigning signage to the main entrances, there would be the feeling of
entering a Park as opposed to merely passing through a green corridor.

Play: The skate park is not used, largely due to poor design but also due to
people not feeling safe in this area with limited surveillance. The masterplan
should explore an alternative use for this space; possibly targeted at older
children as the toddler playground on the edge of the site caters for younger
children. The masterplan should also consider whether the youth shelter should
either be relocated or removed from site entirely as currently it is a target for anti
social behaviour. The consultation highlighted that the existing toddler
playground could be improved through adding further pieces of equipment.

17 www.artinthepark.org.uk
FINAL POINTS…….
One of the key aims of the masterplan is to create a better green web network
between all of these three Parks. This could be achieved through:
• Improved signage throughout all three Parks, possibly linking in with the
style of Weston Park
• Improving Pathways to DDA standard where possible
• Creating a pedestrian link between Crookes Valley Park and Ponderosa
• Creating green routes and corridor connections to link up with Philadelphia
Gardens. This could be achieved through tree lining certain roads
(possibly through the Community Forestry programme) or identifying
incidental green spaces in the area and piecing together a patchwork of
gardens and squares

Incidental green spaces that have been highlighted through the consultation
and should be looked at through during the masterplan design are:
o Albion St/Oxford St corner
o Garden of Crookesmoor Community Centre,
o Roebuck rd/Crookesmoor rd,
o Ashberry rd/Upperthorpe,
o Daniel Hill Peace Garden,
o Blake St and walks through Bakendale Conservation Area.
o Anywhere that links to the river Don,
o Small space next to the old Crookesmoor Middle School needs
tidying up etc, Site at junction Harcourt rd and Northumberland
rd, Ex glass research home,
o The River Don corridor, and all its tributaries,
o Bole Hills, Ruskin Park, Rivelin Valley, Ponderosa and
Philadelphia,
o Walkley Green opposite Netto
o Garden of Crookesmoor Community Centre,
o Some of very small Sheffield Homes spaces in Lower Walkley,
o That little part next to Oxford St. Active Habitat Management
o Langsett Green space is a wonderful large area that is
completely under resourced,
o Space at back of Crookesmoor primary school,
o Lower Walkley Green
o Top side of Kelvin

Finally, one recurring point has been prominent throughout this process. Whilst it
is vitally important to link the parks better together, it is essential to understand
the nature and purpose of each individual Park in order to create a different role
and identity for each one.

18 www.artinthepark.org.uk
REPORT: Mini Green Spaces Celebrations, June 2010
The Project

The Mini Green Spaces Celebrations Project was commissioned by The Central
Community Assembly to encourage more people to engage with small green
spaces in their area, to find out more about how people use these spaces at
present and to investigate what changes they might want to see in them in future.
Three green spaces were identified in Walkley and Upperthorpe as particularly
important.

Art in the Park held one event in each of the green spaces as part of this project:
1) 2nd June, 12-2pm Lower Walkley Green Space
2) 3rd June 12-2pm, Oxford St/Albion St
3) 4th June, 12-2pm, Sydney Rd/Burns Rd
All the events took place during half term, to encourage families to attend.

Research Methodology

The project had three elements:


1) Carrying out questionnaires about the spaces with the public (at events
and door to door)
2) An artist-led activity making mobiles about the spaces, using photographs,
text and found objects
3) Gathering comments about the spaces at events

The questionnaires allowed us to gather a combination of qualitative and


quantitative data about the spaces whilst the creative activity and comments
allowed people to be more playful and imaginative in their responses to the
space and encouraged new, celebratory engagements with the spaces.

We took litter-picking equipment to the events and encouraged volunteers and


participants to have a go. This provided a springboard for people to get more
involved in the spaces and develop a sense of ownership.
Findings

“We were looking at how we can use what we find around us, what we like about
these green spaces including drawings of what we would want to find in these
green spaces. They were successful workshops where people enjoyed what they
made.” (Anneke Kuipers, Artist Facilitator)

SYDNEY ROAD/WELLFIELD ROAD

“It’s lovely to be able to look at all the green around here, but it’s not actually
used that much”

“It might be nice to have some community events out here”

“I’d like to see some flowers planted”

(Participants at the event)

Most people questioned about this greenspace either don’t use it or just enjoy
seeing the space. This may be because most of the residents of the flats at the
top of Wellfield Road are elderly and have limited mobility. I suggest there may
be a division between the views of these residents and the residents of the big
houses on Sydney Road who seem to be mainly students or families and thus
have different motivations. The vast majority of respondents thought the space
was very nice or OK.

There were a wide spread of views about the best thing in the space, but popular
answers included that it is well-kept, green and nice to look at. These answers
seem to reflect the less mobile, elderly population. Many respondents failed to
identify any negative aspects of the space, but there were some concerns about
dog mess and litter. Many people talked about the lack of seating and that there
had been a bench which had been vandalized and removed. Some of the elderly
people were really keen for this to be replaced, but quite cynical about how long
it might last. Some respondents asked for kids’ equipment but we were
concerned about how much this would be of real use as there didn’t seem to be
many children living in the immediate area.
Use for?
9
8
Number of Users

7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Short cut Exercise Seeing Don't use Other
greenery

Reason for Use

What do you think of the greenspace?
12

10
Number of Users

0
Very nice It's ok Don't like it No response

Opinion
Number of Users
Number of Users
Pr

0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0
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2
3
4
5
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es
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8

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Opinion

LOWER WALKLEY GREEN SPACE

“It’s really nice to see children playing here, but the top part needs to be mowed
and the car park needs to be reclaimed into the space as it didn’t have proper
permissions.” (Participant at the event)

Most respondents use this greenspace for dog walking and they all feel that it is
very nice or OK. From talking to local residents, it is clear that this space is highly
valued. A recent planning infringement into the space led to resident uproar and
a TARA has since been formed, which has gained preservation orders for some
trees in the space and applied for village green status for the space. Local people
have also been working on maintaining the space, using their own mower to trim
the grass.

Most people seemed to feel that the best thing about the space was simply that it
was communal green space, but many would like more resources in the space,
especially kids’ equipment. At the moment there are some rope swings which
could possibly be replaced by slightly safer play equipment. The space also lacks
any seating.
Use for?
3
Number of Users

0
Walking Short cut Exercise Seeing Don't use Other
dog greenery

Reason for Use

What do you think of the 
greenspace?
3
Number of Users

0
Very nice It's ok Don't like it No response

Opinion
Best thing?
3
Number of Users

0
Location/Shortcut Wildlife Other

Opinion

Worst thing?
2.5

2
Number of Users

1.5

0.5

0
Messy/Overgrown/Dog Nothing to do Nothing
mess

Opinion
What would you like to see it used 
for?
4
Number of Users

0
Kids Facilities Art work Other

Opinion

OXFORD STREET/ALBION STREET

“I love the amphitheatre effect in this space. It should be used for theatre shows!”

“It can feel unsafe here as it’s quite overgrown”

“Someone needs to stop the fly-tipping that happens here”

(Participants at the event)

Most respondents either didn’t use this space or used it as a shortcut. Many of
the people using it as a shortcut were students walking to University or the City
Centre. Many of the other respondents were council staff based in the Lifelong
Learning and Skills Unit on Crookesmoor Road (directly behind the space). Many
of them don’t use the space. Most people felt the space was OK.

Many respondents liked the greenness of the space and the wildlife in it.
However, many others couldn’t identify anything positive about the space at all.
The messiness and overgrown nature of the space, coupled with problems of
littering and fly-tipping were the main problems identified. The clean up in this
space had the most profound effect. Sheffield Homes staff were also cutting back
the overgrown vegetation around the time of our event which should have made
a difference to the feel of the space, making it less enclosed and intimidating.
There was a suggestion that one of the plants in the space is Japanese
Knotweed, so Sheffield Homes were unable to cut this back. In future, people
would like to see more clean up work in the space. Some people mentioned
wanting kids equipment in the space, but I doubt this would be used that much as
the Ponderosa playground is so close.

Use for?
12

10
Number of Users

0
Short cut Exercise Seeing greenery Don't use

Reason for Use

What do you think of the 
greenspace?
16
14
Number of Users

12
10
8
6
4
2
0
Very nice It's ok Don't like it No response

Opinion
Number of Users
Pr

0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
es
er
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io
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Sh
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Opinion
W
Best thing?

ild
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Ot
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No
t hin
g
Number of Users Number of Users

0
2
4
6
8
10
12

0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
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  ea Ot
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What would you like to see it used for?
Ot
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No t hin
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Conclusion

The workshop activities encouraged people to come out and use the spaces
more, look at what is around them and imagine what could be. The findings were
quite different from one space to the next, which reflects the diversity of users
(from students to council staff to families to elderly people). As such, it is
impossible to draw one overall conclusion, beyond the space-specific results
outlined above. Instead, we have created a selection of potential future activities
which could come out of this research.

Future projects could include:


- Employer supported volunteering encouraging council workers from the
Lifelong Learning and Skills Service to make more improvements to the
Oxford Road/Albion St space.
- More consultation with the Lower Walkley TARA to support them in
improving the space, potentially installing some kids’ play equipment if
appropriate.
- Installing a bench near the flats at Sydney Road/Wellfield St space for
elderly residents to use.
- Communication with Sheffield Homes and local TARAs about the findings
of this project and discussion regarding any further action.
Table giving details of consultation carried out to inform the Crookes Valley Park, Ponderosa &
Philadelphia Gardens Masterplan

Stakeholder/Interest Group Consulted Aim Date


Peace in the Park User Surveys & Graffiti User surveys carried out at Festival to find out why people June 2009
Wall perceptions of Ponderosa and ideas for improvement
Friends of Crookesmoor Parks Meetings Discussion of masterplan progress with feedback given about Various
issues in the Parks and ideas for improvement throughout
masterplanning
process
Public Masterplan Meetings Meetings held at ZEST to update and review on masterplan Four public
process, with opportunities to discuss, inform and agree meetings from
masterplan proposals and recommendations September 2009-
June 2010
Your Say Community Assembly event Discussion about Park issues with local residents June 2009
Art in the Park Consultation Events To find out what local people liked and didn’t like about their local September &
including monster making activities in the parks- using innovative art activities as a medium for October 2009
three Parks & Netherthorpe Primary communication
School Workshop
Walkley Forum AGM Presentation about the masterplan with opportunity to discuss 2nd November
priorities and issues in the Parks 2009
Upperthorpe TARA AGM Presentation about the masterplan with opportunity to discuss 11th November
priorities and issues in the Parks 2009
Helen Banks, Weston Park Museums & To find out how Weston Park could more closely link with November 2009
Galleries Ponderosa & Crookes Valley Park and discuss how future
development of these 2 parks could add to and enhance Weston
Park (and vice versa)
Targetted consultation with identified To find out how the Parks should be improved with regard to 2009 & 2010
interest groups via individual meetings, individuals/groups particular areas of interest
telephone conversations & email:
Sheffield University Canoe Club, No
Limits Film Festival, Sheffield Homes,
Councillors, Ponderosa Environment
Group, Sheffield Bird Study Group,
SPRITE
Local TARAs: To find out local TARA perceptions of their local Parks Various dates
Crookes and Upper Walkley Tara,
Martin& Oxford Street Tower Blocks
Tenants Association, Springvale & Amos
Tara , St Stephens Tara, Langsett and
Walkley Community Association

Ryszard Szumski, Woodthorpe To find out about the work that WDT is carrying out through their 8th June 2010
Development Trust ‘Get Hooked On Life/Fishing’ and investigate whether there is any
potential to further develop the project in Crookes Valley Park.
Peter Gribbon. To find out about the ‘Education through Angling’ work that PG is 14th June 2010
‘Education through Angling’, Abbeydale carrying out at AIH and investigate whether there is any potential
Industrial Hamlets to further develop the project in Crookes Valley Park.

Gareth Roberts, Peace in the Park To find out what Park improvements would help develop the 7th July 2010
Ponderosa as a useful events space
Matt Dean & Katherine Mudge, ZEST To find out about activities and events that ZEST run in the area 7th July 2010
and discuss how they could make the most of the Parks on their
doorstep
Meeting With Gareth Roberts, Peace in the Park Organiser.
7th July 2010

Discussion about Park improvements that would help develop the Ponderosa
as a useful events space:

Vehicle Access
• See map to show how 1 way system should be developed
• Junction near the playground needs widening for vehicles
• Drop kerbs at vehicle access points
• Vehicle access to upper playing field needs improving (narrow track
needs widening)
• In an ideal word grass grids in the middle section of Ponderosa where
main foot traffic occurs (although need to consider conflicts regarding
use of this space by other Park users)
• Important that drop bollards are flush with surface (recent issues when
this wasn’t the case)

Utilities
GR felt that providing utilities would make the biggest difference in terms of
developing the Ponderosa as an events space (especially sewerage).
Pop ups(wind up boxes that can be wound down into the ground to minimise
vandalism/ trip hazards etc) or robust static cabinets could be installed to
house:
Power: Events generally require 240V/ 64A. Would need one source of power
per area (i.e. 4) and ideally underground ducting for distribution.
Water: PitP currently plumb into a water source in the Tower Blocks but does
not meet H&S standards. Ideally a connection and meter would be run off the
mains water supply, and an agreement on service charges put into place.
Telecoms: This would be the icing on the cake- being able to offer EPOS
(Electronic Point Of Sale) would be particularly attractive to trades-people.
PitP currently use radios but because of the changing levels they’re not that
effective.

Sewerage: Portaloos are currently the largest cost for event organisers, with
significant environmental costs. Peace in the Park have expressed an interest
in being able to bring flush toilets into the Park in the future which will involve
linking into the existing sewerage system.
The following info has been provided by the SCC Drainage Section “The
public sewers are the responsibility of Yorkshire Water and they would not
normally allow covers on public sewers to be removed/altered to make
discharges. However, it would be possible to construct a private chamber and
pipe work (belonging to the park) which connects to the public sewer. The
actual connection to the public sewer would be by agreement with Yorkshire
Water. Similarly a water supply could be taken off the Yorkshire Water main to
a water meter, and a private water supply pipe onto the site. The cost private
pipes/chambers, and the YW connection fees charged before the connection
is made, would the responsibility of the park owners. The water consumption
and the sewage disposal would be charged based on the meter reading
of water supply. So a temporary toilet block could be positioned on site and
connected to the private water supply pipe and private foul chamber/drain.”

Drainage: Issues in the lower part of the site. Needs to be considered and
potentially included if improvement works are carried out here in the future.
Meeting with Peter Gribbon, Abbeydale Industrial Hamlets
14.06.10. Crookes Valley Park.

Aim of Meeting: To find out about the work that Peter is carrying out at AIH
and investigate whether there is any potential to further develop the project in
Crookes Valley Park.

‘Education Through Angling’ Project


• Has a contract with the Education Authority for the next 3 years
engaging hard to reach kids from 27 different schools in ‘Education
through Angling’. There are currently 24 placements, with student
placement attending the project for up to 3 days per week.
• The work that Peter does with the kids is linked to numeracy and
literacy through getting involved in measuring fish growth, measuring
pollution, developing the fishery itself.
• Target 14-16 year olds through the programme. Would like to expand
the programme to cater for 16-19 year olds.
• Run fishing taster events
• Environment Agency work with ‘Education through Angling’ and
provide advice and support.
• Some of the young people who have been through the programme
have now returned as volunteers to help out with running the project.

Potential of Crookes Valley Park


• Available facilities would need to be checked by the Education
Authority to ensure meet Health & Safety standards.
• Very supportive of the fishing platforms
• ‘Education through Angling’ would ideally include two classrooms and
toilet facilities. Although kitchen facilities are not essential to the project
as packed lunches could be brought in for the students, a canteen to
serve refreshments to pupils and visitors to the park would be ideal.
• If the project was viable at Crookes Valley Park, Peter said that it could
be possible that they ran a kiosk in the Park. This could be part of the
developmental learning programme for students.
• Due to the success at AIH, Peter is keen to see this project develop on
different sites across Sheffield and keen to increase the number of
placements.
• Peter thinks that Crookes Valley Park is in an ideal location for this
project.
• Depth of water a problem beyond 8ft as the lack of light and the
thermocline to the deeper parts of the water limits the potential. Trout
are one of the few species of fish that are able to survive in deeper
water. The commercial trout fisheries usually benefit from deep clean
cool unproductive waters because trout are sensitive to high
temperatures.
• The project for Crookes Valley would be more attractive to users as a
sustainable coarse fishery and beneficial to wildlife if habitat
improvements were to be undertaken.
• The present depth of the water and lack of suitable aquatic and semi
aquatic vegetation limits the potential biodiversity of the site.
• Ideally the depth of the lake would be much shallower (8ft max, with
shallow grading from the edges) if it is to be developed as a successful
fishery able to support projects such as this.
• More vegetation around the edges of the Lake would be beneficial to
fish populations
• Boating and fishing do not have to be mutually exclusive- they could
co-exist if managed well with zoning
Meeting With Ryszard Szumski, Woodthorpe Development Trust
08.06.10. Crookes Valley Park.

Aim of Meeting: To find out about the work that WDT is carrying out and
investigate whether there is any potential to further develop the project in
Crookes Valley Park.

Woodthorpe Development Trust


• Run a fishing club in various areas around Sheffield including
Stradbrooke, Woodthorpe, Handsworth, Lower Manor & Richmond.
• Currently run a fishing programme for young offenders at Aston, where
there is a private lake with good facilities
• WDT own 4 fishing permits that young people on the course can use
• Staff are ‘Angling Development Board’ coaches
• WDT have used Crookes Valley Lake in the past with the original aim
being that the Dam House facilities could be used for toilets/ food etc. It
didn’t work out as the food was too expensive.

Using Crookes Valley Park


• The Pavilion would ideally house toilets, a small kitchen, and a
classroom.
• Boating could co-exist with running a fishing project in the Lake through
zoning
• Very supportive of the fishing platforms. Recommended including
umbrella fixings. Ideally 8/10 along the suggested side, 2 of which
would ideally be disabled accessible.
• Would be good to extend the jetty for fishermen
• Very supportive of the idea of floating islands being anchored off the
permanent island as this would provide enhance habitat for fish.
• There is potentially an interim measure that could be found, bringing
young people in for single days if toilet facilities and meeting space
could be agreed with the Dam House.
Action: AR to investigate this possibility with the Dam House. Are
they able to give this project access to toilets, meeting space and
reasonably priced sandwiches?
• WDT would like to run a taster session over the summer (possibly
funded by the Environment Agency). Is it possible to tie this in with
another event scheduled to take place over the summer in the
Park?

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