Have your say on Victoria Park

http://www.staffordbc.gov.uk/victoriapark

 

http://www.staffordshirenewsletter....llion-revamp/story-21644942-detail/story.html

Last sentence:

 

Rrrrrrrrrr.

 

Staffordshire Newsletter obviously just used Copy/Paste in their article.

 

Details of the plans are now up - http://www.staffordbc.gov.uk/your-park-your-vision

 

Looks good. If it turns out as claimed then it should still be our park as we are used to it, but more in keeping with the needs of today.

 

The revamp of the play area seems to have been a great success, but their schemes often leave you with a feeling of foreboding...

We'll see, I suppose.

 

True, but there does seem to be an element of joined up thinking in the plans that, perhaps, has not been evident in the past.

 

A few years ago they spent huge amounts on it, just because the Queen was driven from the station to the square.

 

The plans sound great!

 

My Late Father was part of Friends Of Victoria Park and took part in plans and decision making for the previous revamp and lived long enough to see it take shape. I approve of these proposals and think he would too. He was also one for detail and I think he'd be asking questions as to why such details weren't proof read before being posted?!?!

The refreshment area could be a big draw and maybe generate funds year round. Wasn't too sure about the Mill Bank entrance (not Mill Street!) But I'm sure it will be utilised correctly.

 

Indeed, he would have sent them packing for not having nailed it correctly the first time.....

 

I see what you did, there.

 

I also like the plans I just we do not lose flower beds and trees for more concrete, it is SBC.

a couple of comments, the slanted flower bed we have as you come in from millbank looks like it will be moved with the office to the right of the entrance, it could lose some purpose there wonder if it is better if stays put. I also hope the live bamboo stays as that gains a of attention.

my concern are those steps, will they go down to the river and what purpose would they bring, they could be mostly under water for portions of the year. Also I hope they would not be ugly grey concrete but some kind of sandstone.

However in my own view are SBC missing a trick for something truly unique. At what is the proposed new cafe area(thatched rood/ toilets) it would be nice if the side facing the river became an extended patio/ decking area extending to the river edge or just beyond it maybe a stilted woodframe same as the current thatched building, it would then create a scenic eating/ drinking area facing the bandstand on the other side with potential use all year round. Just my own thought.

 

Hope you've popped your comments onto the addition comments section of the survey.

 

I agree with Gareth I like the plans but I do think they should take greater advantage of the lovely river setting. I would love to see a cafe with river views and the idea proposed by Gareth would achieve that without detracted from the current building.

I would also like to see boats back on the river. At beacon park they have pedaloes and canoes on the river which are hired out by members if the public. This would create extra revenue.

Furthermore I would like the council to engage in talks regarding the large of pool of water directly behind the Peugeot garage. If that area could be utilised and integrated into the park it would enhance that area.

 

It amazes me how this aspect can have been ignored for so long. It used to be possible to hire boats from the Brine Baths* and the New Inn**.

* Where the Borough Council office block is now.

** Where Essence of the Orient is now.

 

In my response to the Borough Council I said more needed to be done to use the river as asset (the cafe is a start) and encourage people to make more use of the riverside paths. To that end I suggested that the riverside paths are 'linked' to the old Tesco cinema / restaurant development further downstream, to create a 'continuous' walkway.

I also suggested:

• making more use of the bandstand (as a focal point for the park); and
• encouraging visitors to the town arriving by train to walk into the town through the park (what a great first impression it would make), by signposting and promoting a clear route from the station to the 'main' park entrance (and then signpost the route from there via Water Street & Mill Street).

The only proposal I did not support was the aviary, as I believe birds should not be kept in captivity, except where its part of breeding programme to save a species (and then birds should be kept in large aviaries, where they have a chance to fly properly). Instead I suggested a screened wild bird feeding station, where people would be able to observe the many wild park and river birds at close quarters.

 

I like the suggestions made by Ben0239, Gramsaic and Hawk.

Hawk, it would be fantastic if there could be a walkway from Victoria Park to the old Tesco, however is there any space for it. I'm not sure, though I want to be proved wrong.

 

It would be possible to have a cantilevered walkway that ran under the bridge on Bridge Street, I think.