ELMORE PARK MANAGEMENT PLAN

(1)

ELMORE PARK

MANAGEMENT

PLAN

(2)

Cannock Chase Council – Elmore Park Plan 2021 - 2023 2

(3)

(4)

Welcome to Elmore Park, this park is owned and managed by Cannock Chase Council. We would like you to have a quality experience in our Park. If you discover anything that needs attention, please contact the Parks and Open Spaces Department and the office staff will endeavour to resolve the issues as quickly as possible:

(5)

(6)

Our Vision

Cannock Chase Council’s green spaces are to be used and enjoyed by all, so that the

community ultimately take ownership of their local environment, to ensure a sustainable future for all the members of the community.

Historical background overview

In about 1930 Hagley Hall was partly demolished. When the Western Springs by-pass was built in 1956, it isolated a small section of the estate. This was later turned into Elmore Park.

Work on creating Elmore Park began in 1958. When it was officially opened in 1960 it included a paddling pool and what has become known as ‘Pets Corner’, where animals such as rabbits and golden pheasants were kept. The park was further developed in the 1900’s when a much-improved Pets Corner was built along with toilets and a small refreshment kiosk. Sheep Fair and Crossley Stone that border Elmore Park also have historical links. Sheep Fair was well known in the early 1900’s for sheep markets and sales and Crossley Stone House in Crossley Stone is a notable building was built in the 1800’s.

Social Context

Elmore Park sits in Cannock Chase Council Western Springs Ward and on the border of the Hagley Ward. The population of 11,598 is predominately made up of White British ethnicity. 63% of the population are aged 16 -24 years. 20% of children aged between 10-11 years are obese. These figures were based on statistics before the Covid-19 pandemic. Elmore Park has a role to play in the future of our communities, as well as being a key feature of the local

landscape.

Elmore Park is within 150 metres of Rugeley town centre, and the Town Bus Station. There are 2 local secondary schools and 3 primary schools. Rugeley Leisure Centre, Hagley Playing Fields and Skate park ramp and community centre are all within walking distance.

(7)

(8)

SWOT Analysis of Elmore Park

Strengths

 Elmore Park is a vibrant green community resource. Through partnerships it provides a clean, safe environment with

horticultural excellence where all residents, businesses, the local

community, and visitors can come and enjoy the biodiversity and ambience of the park.

 Elmore park key features: pool, pets corner, play area

 Good network of community partners

 Close proximity to public transport



Close proximity to town centre



Strong links to town heritage

Weaknesses

 Issues remain with the wellbeing of our population, with relatively high levels of long-term illness and obesity. Cannock Chase Council spends a fair proportion of its budget on parks, open spaces, leisure, and sports facilities. There is a need to take an evidence-based approach to how these public funds are spent so that they are securing maximum benefit and support

wellbeing.

 No parking

 No café

 Toilets need refurbishment



Issues with Canadian Geese Opportunities

 Working with our partners in the health service, police and community safety organisations, voluntary sector and private industry, our priorities are to improve health and support vulnerable people; enabling our residents to live healthy and happy lives; gain access to suitable and good quality housing; and to feel safe and proud of their local area. Cannock Chase Council delivers and supports many services that influence the wider conditions that determine our health and wellbeing. Housing standards, environmental health and safety, waste collection and street cleansing, leisure and sports provision, and support for

vulnerable people and the homeless are all elements of the Council’s direct impact on this priority. Cannock Chase Council strongly supported the successful bid from Birmingham City Council for the West Midlands region to host the

Commonwealth Games in 2022. Mountain biking, one of the sporting events, will be hosted in the district. We therefore need to maximise the economic and sporting benefits that the Commonwealth Games will generate.

Threats

The Covid-19 Pandemic has put a great strain on our resources in Elmore Park:

 Increased number of users

 Increased anti-social behaviour due to adolescents not attending school and further education

 Staff illness and deaths

 Increased demand on limited parks finance through money required for extra cleaning, hand cleansing, signs, staffing and limitations on space, sharing vehicles, purchase extra PPE equipment because of the pandemic

 Great reduction in parks volunteers support in the park

 Increased pressure on staff time to process extra and constantly changing legislation

Leaving the European Union in January 2021:

 Increased costs of resources due to tariffs

 Delays in receiving goods

 Staff time in resourcing alternative solutions and processing documentation

(9)

Aims and Objectives

Cannock Chase Council aim to provide a quality park that meets the needs of all service users

Cannock Chase Council Corporate Plan 2018-2023

Cannock Chase Council priorities for this Corporate Plan are ‘Promoting Prosperity’ and ‘Community Wellbeing’, priorities that interlink and reinforce each other to improve the opportunities, wellbeing and quality of life of our communities.

It is important to recognise that these areas are inter-linked - employment, a safe and attractive environment, good quality housing, community safety and an active population all play a huge part in achieving a prosperous and thriving local economy, as well as being vital to good health and wellbeing.

How we are going to implement the plan

The advantage the Covid-19 Pandemic has brought is the recognition of the voluntary sector and their networking links. The local authority was able to use the established links to support the most vulnerable in the Cannock Chase district and the Friends of Parks groups have been a significant part of this. We will be using these improved networks to support more holistic and joined up ways of improving Elmore Park.

With the appointment of the Community Officer to the Parks and Open Spaced team, we have been using the established network to support the establishment of a Dementia Friendly Community and the Cannock Chase Mental Health hub during the Pandemic lockdown periods. As the vaccination schedule gets underway, we are working with the most vulnerable groups and our volunteers to develop an action plan of works, with the Parks Team, to improve Elmore Park unique facilities and features.

Rugeley Power Station Site Redevelopment

In 2020 the planning application was approved by Cannock Chase Council to start the new housing development of 2,300 properties on the site of the decommissioned Rugeley Power Station. We aim to develop a working relationship with the new school that will be built as part of this project to develop an appropriate education program for Elmore park that fits in with the school curriculum.

(10)

Skills Audit of Staff and Volunteers

Lynn Evans Hettie Pigott Sian Osborn Natalie Pettitt Chris Fielding Jo Pitt

Name and Organisation

Skills and knowledge that will be used in the

improvement of Elmore Park

Park Keeper Kirsty

Cannock Chase Council

9 years knowledge as a park keeper

Further education and qualifications in horticulture Has worked in Rugeley park for many years

Park Keeper Kevin Cannock Chase Council

6 years knowledge in horticulture Has worked as a park keeper for 1 year Lynn Evans

Cannock Chase Council

Parks and Open Spaces Community Engagement Officer

[email protected]

Telephone 07855 099353

7 years experience in Education and Community role with the local authority

19 years experience as a trustee in local charities and local community groups that support vulnerable adults and young people

8 years experience as an Accredited Childminder Henrietta Pigott

Senior Wellbeing Co-ordinator Inspiring Healthy Lifestyles

[email protected] Telephone: 07917505854

8 years working for Inspiring Healthy Lifestyles (Cannock Leisure Centre)

Masters in Public Health

2 years Activity Co-ordinator for Extra Care Charitable trust Chair of Cannock Ladies Hockey Club

Natalie Pettitt

Chairperson of Friends of Elmore Park

Qualification in Tourism and Leisure

Strong links with Lea Hall Social Club, experience of organising public events and lives locally.

Sian Osborne and Adam Little

Princes Trust, Cannock Fire Station

[email protected] [email protected]

Tel No: 01785 898651 /898804 Mobile: 07528 983128 /07967 573574

We will submit volunteering and funded projects for the Princes Trust Cohort 3 times a year: March, July and October. We have been working with the Princes Trust for the past 3 years in other parks. If the young people do not choose the projects as their main theme, we usually recruit at least one volunteer as part of their work experience choice.

Chris Fielding

Rugeley Community Centre Manager 07421 323594/ 01889 579341

Chris is an active member of Cannock Chase Mental Health Hub, has been very proactive during the Covid-19 Pandemic and has good links to the wider community in Rugeley

Jo Pitt

Assistant Manager Rugeley Leisure Centre

01889 586260 /

Jo Pitt is responsible for working on Community Engagement Events, we will be working in partnership with Jo when Rugeley Leisure Centre opens up fully after closure during the Covid Pandemic lockdowns and social restrictions.

(11)

Elmore Park Action Plan

Detail and Times Scale

Individuals responsible for the task

Short Term (12 months)

Green Flag comments:

 Some of bins need refurbishing  Some benches need refurbishing

 Refurbishment and replacement of railings

Park keepers

Aaron Burgess (Parks and Open Spaces Officer) Tom Walsh (Parks and Open Spaces Manager) Lynn Evans (Community Officer)

Design and make themed activities for the pets in pets corner

Lynn Evans and community groups Mural projects to decorate the back walls in the

Pets Corner

Lynn Evans and 4 local schools Install raised flower beds trial (previous planting

has been eaten by the wildfowl)

Lynn Evans and community groups

Pilot days with the kiosk open Chris Christoforou (local parks café operator) Installation of vegetation on the island Tom Walsh / Aaron Burgess/ Lynn Evans The island is being eroded by the water, we are

looking into installation of reeds and willow to protect the island from erosion

Tom Walsh / Aaron Burgess/ Lynn Evans

Pilot predator bridge the floats on the water to discourage excessive geese nesting on the island

Lynn Evans, The Friends of Elmore Park, Rugeley Lions

Mid-term (3 years)

Opening of the old kiosk building for weekends and holidays

Chris Christoforou ( local parks café operator) Develop a year round set of activities linked with

the National Curriculum for local schools to download and take part in at Elmore Park

Lynn Evans

Establishment of new groups to support 2022 Commonwealth Games events in Elmore Park

Lynn Evans, Rugeley Lions, Hettie Pigott, Friends of Elmore Park, Rugeley Town Council

Installation of information story boards Tom Walsh / Aaron Burgess/ Lynn Evans Installation of sensory and raised beds Tom Walsh / Aaron Burgess/ Lynn Evans Renovation of kiosk and toilets Tom Walsh / Aaron Burgess/ Lynn Evans

Long Term (10 years)

Build new toilet block / kiosk Tom Walsh / Aaron Burgess/ Lynn Evans Installation of CCTV cameras in Elmore Park Tom Walsh / Aaron Burgess/ Lynn Evans Establishment of a permanent café in Elmore Park Tom Walsh / Aaron Burgess/ Lynn Evans Restoration and renovation of the railings around

the perimeter of the park in Crossley Stone

(12)

Elmore Park History

Elmore Park was once part of the Hagley Hall estate. In the 14th century, land in Rugeley passed to the De Thomenhorn Family, who were granted the office of the Keeper of the Royal Forest of Cannock. The office became associated with the sub-manor of Hagley. In about 1392 Thomas de Thomenhorn built the original Hagley Hall, which included a chapel, a kitchen, two barns, a brewery, a stable, an ox stall, a gatehouse and a drawbridge. From historical papers it is suggested that the original hall stood on the island in the middle of Elmore Park.

In 1636 a new Hagley Hall was built by Sir Richard Weston. The hall changed hands several times, and in the 18th century it was extended and remodelled. It lasted a few hundred years until about 1930 when the hall was partly demolished. When the Western Springs by-pass was built in 1956, it isolated a small section of the estate; this was later turned into Elmore Park. What remained of the new house fell into disrepair and was pulled down in the 1980’s.

Crossley Stone becomes Sheep Fair as you leave the boundary of Elmore Park; this reminds us of the history of this area’s use in 1900’s. The image above left is of a sheep fair in Suilth Wells, Powys, was taken in the 1900’s and is a good representation of what it would have been like standing at the main entrance to Elmore Park now, looking up towards Sheep Fair. The Vine Inn opposite the main entrance [Image above right, taken March 2021] is a traditional frame timber building with a brick front added at a later date. Many of the historic buildings around Elmore Park still have boot scrapers, these were to remove the mud, horse and sheep manure that would have existed on the highways. The area that surrounds Elmore Park to the North and in Crossley Stone is recognised as being of special architectural and historical interest and was designated as a Conservation Area in 2004.

(13)

Site Description

Boundaries The park is bordered by residential properties on the northern perimeter. Elmore Park is bordered by public roads:

North East perimeter by Crossley Stone, South East perimeter by Elmore Lane Western perimeter by Western Springs Road (A460)

Travel Lodge Hotel and residential properties on the Southern perimeter Park Size Elmore Park is 2.06 hectares

Special Features

Elmore park has a central pool that dominates the landscape.

In the centre of the pool is a ‘Horseshoe’ shaped island which offers a refuge to wild birds and wildlife. The pool is a known feeding site for bats that fly in under the road bridges. There is a wooden bridge from the western entrance to Elmore park and a picturesque weir and arched shallow bridges to support the pathway as you enter the park from the east. The pool is fed by the Rising Brook stream; this stream has its origins at Brindley Heath and follows the glacial valley through the middle of Cannock Chase to emerge at Hagley Playing Fields where it is culverted beneath the Western Springs Road to emerge into the park. The water exit's the lake in the park via a small weir and sluice gate near Elmore Lane entrance, from here its culverted underground all the way through the centre of the town of Rugeley. Maintenance Cannock Chase Council Parks and Open Spaces Department

1 Park keeper covering every day

2 resident park keeper staff on a rolling 14-day shift pattern

Wednesday is the only day when both park keepers are on site ( shift pattern overlaps) Mobile park staff and Grounds Maintenance staff carry out large projects all year round Railings and

Gates

Railings from Elmore Lane to Crossley Stone Road. All vehicle and pedestrian entrances have gates that are locked at night. Western Spring Road has a barrier on the road to discourage children running across the road, this has a section that can be unlocked and slid open to allow site works access.

Buildings A small building housing the toilets and kiosk on the Elmore Lane pedestrian entrance to the park

The Pets Corner on the site is extremely popular with the community and visitors to the park, it has four separated sections, in section one, we have chickens, section two has Guinea Pigs, Canaries, Zebra, and Bengalese Finches, in section three there are Budgies and Quails, and in the last section we have Rabbits and Guinea pigs

Toilets Male, female and accessible toilets

Parking No public parking due to limitations of the size of the site

CCTV On Elmore Lane is connected to Cannock Chase Council Building’s Control Centre Staff Office Sited at the back of the Pets Corner Building

Communication Staff have a work mobile phone

Park Facilities Fenced L.E.A.P. (Locally Equipped Area for Play) Pets Corner Building

Grass area leading from the play area along the Northern/Western Springs road border of the park to the Western Springs vehicle entrance. This is used for events such as the Rugeley Fringe Festival and Lantern Festival.

Skate Park ramp and playing fields are located at the other side of the Wester Springs road, which is bordered by Rugeley Community Centre and Rugeley Leisure Centre

(14)

Key Documents that inform Cannock Chase Council Parks and Open

Spaces polices and management plan document

Government Documents

Quality Assessment Strategies

 Alcohol Consumption in Public Places Order 2004

 Green Flag Award Scheme [Keep Britain Tidy 2017]

 Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005

 Heritage Lottery Fund [2012] Management and Maintenance plan guidance.

 Countryside Act  C.A.B.E. space [2004] a guide to producing Park and green Space management Plan

 Disability Act 1995  Natural England NE63 preparing Heritage Management Plan

 Designated Public Order 2017  English Heritage [2007] Management and Maintenance of historic Parks and gardens and landscapes.

 Environmental Protection Act 1990  Review of risk assessments

 Health and Safety at Work Act 1974  Review of accidents and near misses

 Highways Act 1980  Feedback from park users

 Housing Act 1985  Review of public health priorities

 Litter Act 1983  Management monthly meetings

 Local Government [miscellaneous Provision’s] Act 1976

 Park keepers monthly meetings

 Open Space’s Act 1906  Feedback from events and activities

 Planning Policy Guidance [PPG] 17  Socio-cultural changes

 Public Health Act 1875  Global pandemic risk assessments and government guidance

 Equality Act 2010  House of Commons select committee enquiries, in the future of Parks and Public open spaces

 Horses grazing Act 2015  NESTA (National Endowment for Science Technology and the Arts

(15)

[Image above, snow in Elmore Park January 2021]

List of Cannock Chase Council Policies for Parks and Open Spaces

(See Appendices)

Policy Name

Folder

Policy Name

Folder

Accident Procedure

_A1

Accident Reporting

_A2

Asbestos

_A3

Bye Laws

_B1

Cannock Chase Council Guest Wifi

_C1

Control and Management of

Contractors

C2

Control of Substances Hazardous to health

(COSHH)

C3

Covid-19

_C4

Customer Feedback and Complaints

_C5

Customer services

_C6

Display Screen Equipment

_D1

Domestic Appliances

_D2

Driving and using mobile phones

_D3

Driving at Work

_D4

Drug and Alcohol

_D5

DSE

_D6

Electricity at Work

_E1

Fire Evacuation

_F1

Flexitime

_F2

Gas Safety

_G1

Grievance

_G2

Health and safety

_H1

Homelessness

_H2

Horse Grazing

_H3

Horses grazing

_H4

Invasive species

_H5

Ladder Use

_L1

Lone Working

_L2

Memorial bench procedure

_M1

Mobile Phone

_M2

Near Miss

_N1

Personal Protective Equipment

_P1

Procurement Regulations

_P2

Protected species

_P3

Records retention

_P

Risk Assessment

_R1

Smoke free for Cannock Chase Council

_S1

Social Media

_S2

Street Cleansing

_S3

Stress

_S4

Travellers Procedure

_T1

Tree Protection Order

_T2

Urban Forestry Strategy 2018-2023

_U1

Use of Extension Cables

_U2

Use of red diesel

_U3

Violence to Employees

_V1

(16)

Section 1: A Welcoming Place

[Elmore Lane entrance above] [Above: Pedestrian entrance, above right vehicle access from Western Springs Road]

Welcome All entrances are shown in recent photographs above and below, Elmore

is a beautiful park with varied features. The community groups decorate the railings on the main entrance for national celebrations such as Remembrance and the NHS 72nd Birthday [see photograph bottom left] Good and Safe Access Elmore Park is physical accessibility on all paths throughout the park

Rugeley bus station is opposite the park (see photograph left) and the train station is within walking distance (see page 4 for more information)

Paths are wide and accessible, the two bridges are narrower

Emergency and authorised vehicle access is from the East and West of the site (see photographs above/below and page 4 map)

Public Parking is within a short distance (see page 4) Signage

[Image below: February 2020 main entrance showing signs and signpost]

There are clear sight lines from all entrances and ornate signposts in keeping with the park furniture

Elmore park is locked at night and manned in the day

There is an interpretation board on the main entrance so that users of the Heritage Trail can still view the information when the park is closed.

Park furniture is appropriate to the history of the site

Signs are at strategic places around the park asking the public not to go into the water and to feed the wild fowl responsibly

Equal Access for All We have adapted the site as appropriate to the site restrictions of size and access. Elmore park is popular with families and people with limited physical ability despite limitations on public parking; this is due to the

good links with public transport and local available parking See page 4 for details and the noticeboards in Elmore Park

(Photograph left: posted on social media by a regular visitor 2020)

(Above left: Tourist information signs from Elmore Lane into Crossley Stone, Above middle: Main entrance into Elmore Park from Crossley Stone and authorised vehicle access, Above right: signpost before the wooden bridge and pets corner)

(17)

Section 2: Healthy, Safe and Secure

Sports day event July 2019 2021 Dog walker with view of one of the dog faeces bins 2021 Mobility scooter dog owner Appropriate Provision of

Quality Facilities and Activities

[Image above of Covid-19 Pandemic signs on play equipment]

 We have procedures in place to keep the park keepers and facilities as safe as practically possible [see appendices]

 Park keepers are cleaning equipment more regularly than before the Covid-19 Pandemic, and the authority have funded cleaners to add a daily extra toilet cleaning cycle to reduce risks

 The Canada geese cause many issues to Elmore Park with faeces, eating flora and being aggressive during the breeding season. The park staff carry out daily cleaning of park furniture and pathways. We are looking into solving the issues in a humane and practical way

 To bring Elmore Park play equipment up to date with inclusive facilities to accommodate park user’s needs, we need a significant funding bid to install new building to host toilets and changing places facilities. We are working with our network of community partners to build the evidence to apply for funding to install the features of inclusive play equipment, new Skate Park on Hagley Fields, teen facilities and a café facility Safe Equipment and Facilities Equipment is checked daily by the park keepers and by the RPii qualified

Play area Technician weekly in accordance with ROSPA requirements (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents)

Personal Security

Above view of Park Keepers office with Covid-19 ‘no entry’ sign on the door. We have arranged for extra cleaning of toilets by a contractor. Park Keepers are cleaning play apparatus with Covid strength killing detergent and work surfaces [see risk assessments]

 Management meet regularly with emergency service to work in partnership with key issues

 We rarely have antisocial issues on site due to the park being locked at night

 Park keepers have a work mobile phone. The lone working policy requires staff to sign in and out when they are on site

 We work in partnership with the Police and Fire Service to support the SPACE scheme in summer holidays to work on positive youth

engagement to reduce anti-social behaviour

 We work closely with our community partners and local schools to engage young people with appropriate activities to build positive relationships

Control of Dogs / Dog Fouling  There are dog bins and no fouling signs placed strategically throughout Elmore park and the majority of dog owners behave responsibly

 We work in partnership with the Environment Health Enforcement Officers, responsible dog owners and regular park users to manage the small minority that are not responsible

(18)

Section 3: Well Maintained and Clean

Litter and Waste Management Our waste contract is with Biffa, which is separated into recycled and general waste. Waste is removed on a Wednesday of every week.

Rugeley Lions, Rugeley Environmental Group, elected members and The Friends of Elmore Park get involved with community painting of the Park furniture and community Litter Picks

Cannock Chase Council operate a ‘Good Junior Citizen’ Award for children under 11 years. We nominate any outstanding volunteers for it

Graffiti is monitored in the park keepers’ records and in chemical records that we have to use to remove it.

See appendices for records of waste management

Horticultural Maintenance _{Park Keepers are experienced and qualified in horticultural} maintenance, they take pride in their work

We have an abundance of rainwater water in Elmore pool to water plants

In 2021 we will be allocating a flower bed to a dedicated community group that will fund, install and tend to the bed as part of a District initiative through health and wellbeing. Arboricultural Maintenance

[Above] Elmore Park Tree Trail online symbol to click on to download the trail and print off a pdf version

[Image of the site being assessed for the floating bridge for the predators February 2021]

We recycle where possible; the trees removed from Elmore island were made into log piles for the wildlife.

We have an Elmore Park Tree Trail, hard copies are kept in the park keepers office and on the Cannock Chase Council website:

https://www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk/content-z-tags/elmore-park

We have community courses booked through The Forest of Mercia to make basketry crafts using recycled natural material from the Park, they have been postponed twice due to the Covid-19 Pandemic lockdown and social distancing restrictions

We have wildlife and tree spotting activities with the park keepers to give out on request and during activity days and events

The plans for the floating bridge will use recycled logs on two wires across the pool so that it will hold the weight of a fox or cat, but would start to sink as soon as anything heavier tried to cross it; for example, an adolescent ignoring perimeter fencing and warning signs

We will be recycling felled trees in the district during 2021 to make half log borders to raise the Elmore flower beds. This is a project planned with work experience volunteers. Building and Infrastructure Maintenance

 The park buildings and furniture receives an annual paint by the park keepers and community groups

 Any vandalism that occurs is reported via the Property Services Report IT systems, who address these issues

(19)

Section 4: Environmental Management

Managing Environmental Impact

Above is the sluice gate for the departure of the Rising Brook from Elmore Park.

Recycling bin is sited to the east of the Pets Corner building

Community display planned for May 2021 to be made from recycled materials for the Royal British Legion Centenary

Rainwater from the local area runs into Elmore Park

Solar energy options being looked at in the buildings

Air quality: alternative vehicles being looked into

Noise quality: electric equipment was purchased in 2018 and complies with noise levels, however many of the tools can not cope with the work load and made work on site less efficient with having to stop to change batteries on a regular basis

We are keeping up to date with new and alternative equipment that complies with the new guidelines on climate change. Management and the Play Area Technician attend the National Exhibition Centre show every year to assess new equipment to support climate change limitations.

Waste Minimisation  Elmore Park Compost area is behind the Pets Corner in the park keeper’s yard which is fenced off [see photographs above] We recycle all green waste on site.

 We are planning to propagate bedding plants from seeds and grafting as we develop our community groups and work with schools

Chemical Use  We avoid pesticides as much as possible, and plan projects to control pests and weeds with the park keepers and community gardening groups

Peat Use  _{Only purchase bedding plants and trees grown in compost with}

reduced peat levels and winter bedding is ordered bare root Climate Change Adaptation

Strategies

 Battery powered tools where appropriate to task

(20)

Section 5: Biodiversity, Landscape and Heritage

Above: Interpretation board 1980’s park keepers March 2021 the horseshoe shaped island Management of Natural Features,

Wild Fauna and Flora

 There is an Interpretation Board outside the main entrance to Elmore Park, but as yet we have not found any drawings to back up the historical evidence showing the old Hagley Hall on the island with the drawbridge and the old black and white

photographs are similar to what it is now, only with erosion to the island

 We will be working with local school and the Friends of group to explore the history of the original Hagley Hall and the natural geographical fauna and flora with projects planned through The Forest of Mercia

 The Fountain [left] was added May 2020 to aerate the water and disturb the Canadian Geese. We also have a ‘Feeding Waterfowl Responsibly’ pamphlet that the park keepers have to give out. Conservation of Landscape

Features

 Park keepers maintenance records [see appendices F10]

 Working with the community & schools [see Appendices F23/24]

The Rising Brook, runs into Elmore Park and the former moat, falls over several low weirs and is spanned by a small late-18th-century stone bridge. Rising Brook then is channelled into pipes underneath Rugeley Town in to the River Trent

Conservation of Buildings and Structures

 Park keepers maintenance records [appendices F1]

 Working with the community and schools [see social media and Appendices Folders 23 and 24]

[Above] Pets Corner is cleaned daily and painted annually. In 2021 we will be doing a community art project to decorate internally, each of the 4 sections will have an appropriate theme and activities for the animals within.

(21)

Section 6: Community Involvement

August 2020 Staffordshire school libraries self led story walks July 2020 painting of the play area Community

Involvement in Management and Development

Community groups linked with Elmore park have come up with innovative different ways to engage the general public during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Volunteers have been working from home to work towards making community displays for

National celebrations such as VE Day, Remembrance and the NHS 72nd Birthday

November 2020 display for Remembrance Covid Community Food Support, February 2021, donated by Morrison’s, Rugeley Appropriate Provision

for Community

 Evidence of conflicts managed (Appendices Folder page 13)

 The existing groups that provide events in Elmore Park are Rugeley and District Lions club, Rugeley Environmental Group and The Friends of Elmore Park

 Work was started to develop Rugeley as a Dementia Friendly Community in 2019, we will be aiming to register Elmore as a Dementia Friendly Park with the Alzheimer’s Society by the end of 2021

For the NHS 72nd Birthday a thank you display was made as well as a memorial to those who had lost their lives to Covid-19.

Funding was gained for the Mayors Community Weekend Event 2020 but it could not be delivered due to the Covid Pandemic, this annual event will be resumed as soon as the government guidance allows.

(22)

Section 7: Marketing and Communication

Marketing and Promotion  Through a wide variety of trying different methods of communication, Social Media and Facebook is the medium works best in connecting with our audience at Elmore Park

 The Friends of Elmore Park had a closed group until 2021, this has now been relaunched as a public group to support our community program since our Community Officer has started to work with them

Appropriate Information Channels

Above is the Staffordshire Libraries Summer Reading Challenge that was delivered in Cannock Chase main parks, Elmore was one of these parks. A new story was provided for each of the 5 weeks the project ran. The project was promoted

throughout Staffordshire.

Working with a variety of different groups through Elmore Park enables us to keep up to date with the changing and current needs of the community Each of the different groups will be promoting Elmore park on social media and will generate new stories that attract local press to want to generate positive stories. We will continue to also promote Elmore park through:

 Radio

 Training events

 Banners

 Noticeboards

 School group activities

 School holiday activities

 Mental Health stigma targeted events

 Dementia Awareness

 National event activity days

 We will also be doing physical health and wellbeing activities through our partners at Inspiring Healthy Lifestyles and Rugeley Leisure Centre Appropriate Educational and

Interpretational Information

[Left and Above] are pages from one of the online ‘Forest School at Home Learning Journals’ we produced for families to take part in during the Covid-19 Pandemic

There have been a lot of activities carried out in Elmore park with the local community. What we aim to do now the Community Officer is in post, is to manage this work into a structured program. The objective of the program is to provide an educational aspect to the events so that the public and new generations gain an understanding of their responsibility to looking after their park. By involving community groups in the program we are developing the skills and knowledge of the volunteers, which will develop the facilities available and the site as a tourist attraction.

(23)