Tothill Park Regeneration Phases:

1. Please study the proposed Environmental Enhancement Plans for the re-generation of Tothill Park. The plans can be found by clicking [here]. Using information received by local residents, park users, young people and local school children these plans have been made. Providing sufficient funding can be secured in the near future then the proposed regeneration will go ahead as a single project. However if this funding does not materialise the regeneration can be broken down into three distinct phases, what will determine the order and timescales of these phases is funding and expert advice. However preliminary objectives for each phase are as follows:

Phase One: Fitness Zone.

2. Phase one will concentrate on re-furbishing and improving the fitness facilities provided by Tothill Park, these include the 5-a-side court and the Basketball court, which will refurbished as "multi-sport" courts. We will be installing a Trim Trail for youths and adults alike (13+ years old). We also intend to provide a small mountain bike course currently proposed around football pitch no.1. A play area adjacent to the current basketball court will be constructed aimed at providing desperately needed facilities for youths (13+ years old) where they can meet and socialise whilst expending their obvious energies. Recent urban studies have shown if these facilities are provided youths tend to take ownership and anti-social crime is greatly reduced. A "bouldering zone" will be constructed to encourage all age groups to improve stamina, strength, balance and co-ordination through rock climbing skills on safe low height facilities.

3. Feedback from our public consultations showed a real desire by the community to provide sporting facilities for young children, youths and adults alike. In an age when childhood and adult obesity is on the increase putting added pressure on the NHS it seems prudent to provide these facilities. By investing in the facilities mentioned in paragraph 2 we can satisfy one of the major objectives of the "Friends of Tothill Park" Committee.

Phase Two: Family Zone.

4. Phase Two will address the run-down Playground facilities, which currently occupies an area next to Tothill Community Centre. This area over time has become neglected and is much need of re-furbishment.

5. It is the intention of the Committee and Plymouth City Council (PCC) to increase the size of the Playground area with play equipment targeted at several age groups. These will consist of a toddler area (0 - 5 years old) a junior area (5 - 9 years old) and younger youths (9 - 13 years old). A junior obstacle course is to be installed in the play area and these play facilities should provide education and exercise through fun and allow children to interact which each other. Ever aware of our social responsibility provisions for disabilities will be made to ensure inclusion of all.

6. To compliment the children's play area we want to promote family interaction, to that end we will also provide facilities for parents/guardians including suitable seating and litterbins. We intend to fence the entire play area and designate this a "Dog Free Zone" to ensure safety of all users and negate the risk of dog mess to children. Finally to compliment the area we will install picnic tables catering for all ages and disabled people to ensure a relaxing and fun atmosphere is achieved.

Phase Three: Park Infrastructure Re-generation.

7. It is accepted by PCC and the community that the current infrastructure of Tothill Park requires addressing. Due to lack of funding and reduction in maintenance many areas of the park have become run-down, this has lead to areas being targeted by vandals, graffiti artists and litterbugs.

8. Fencing, which once surrounded the park has been removed allowing access into the park from any point, this has had a detrimental effect on the tree/shrub borders, which have been damaged and allowed earth to be deposited onto the pathways. We intend to replace this fencing around the perimeter, providing a safer park for all users and allow perimeter shrub beds to be re-planted with a wider variety of shrubs including colourful low ground cover.

9. Edging has also been damaged, again making it easy for soil and tree debris to find its way onto the paths, which during the Winter months cause flooding and slipping hazards. Pathways around the park are cracked and uneven which make it difficult for elderly and disabled people to enjoy the facilities. We propose the pathways and edging is removed and re-laid with new surface finishes to ensure safer, cleaner and easily maintained paths. The main thoroughfare and the viewing mound are to be paved using natural stone to enhance these features.

10. Areas around the park, which have steps (e.g. leading to viewing mound) require replacing hand rails, like the perimeter fencing these have been removed at some stage in the past making it difficult and dangerous for children and the elderly to access these areas. We intend to re-instate all missing handrails through the park to allow access for all age groups, again providing a safer park.

11. A major concern of the community is the lack of lighting throughout the park, with many people commenting that they either felt vulnerable during dark hours or would not use the park. At present there is only lighting at the pathway from Lanhydrock Road to Tothill Library and along the central thoroughfare next to the Bowling Green Pavilion. We propose sufficient lighting is provided throughout the park, this will allow the park to be used for longer durations through the year and ensure park users feel safer whilst deterring anti-social behaviour.

12. Feedback from the public consultations highlighted the desire of the community to see tree planting, shrub border planting and the re-instating of flowerbeds throughout the park. Many areas such as the circular flowerbeds at the main entrances from Lanhydrock Road have been grassed over or covered with tarmac. This has given the park a clinical feel, especially through the Spring and Summer, as the park has no flowering shrubs at present. Shortly new rose beds and flowerbeds will be re-instated around the park during FOTP "working mornings" (we encourage you all to help - please see the FOTP diary). These will no doubt enhance the park appearance and funding has been received from B&Q, which will be used to re-instate the two circular flowerbeds at the main entrances from Lanhydrock Road.

13. Again, feedback from the community has noted the park furniture (i.e. benches and litter bins) require replacing, this will have an instant impact on the appearance and feel of the park encouraging more members of the community to use the facilities and take ownership. We intend to replace and increase numbers of benches, litter and dog bins around the park and intend to use park furniture, which will be in keeping with the spirit of Tothill Park. This theme will run throughout the park including lighting, fencing and handrails.

14. Finally, all the will and hard work done so far by the FOTP Committee, PCC, local residents and park users can only achieve so much. In order for our vision for Tothill Park to be realised funding is essential. Without funding all of the research, consultation and planning will amount to one thing - rhetoric and the community which uses Tothill Park on a daily basis will still have run down and unsuitable facilities. We wish to provide a green space, which satisfies the aspirations of all people giving a balance between good robust facilities and an oasis of calm in the urban desert where the community will want to spend time. To that end FOTP is actively seeking funding from several organisations. We have already secured £129,000 from PCC through what is known as S106 money (money supplied by outside groups (usually developers) for the benefit of the community), PCC have applied on our behalf for a further £130,000 for the "Family Zone" and The Heritage Lottery Fund (this organisation recently allocated £750,000 for Devonport Park) will be visiting the park at a later date to discuss funding.