‘Improving Victoria Park’ Master Plan

Here’s an update on the works in Victoria Park.

October 2020 update

Installing 2 picnic benches near the young children’s playground, and 2 picnic benches near the old children’s playground.

The trampoline in the young children’s playground has been full of water for most of this year, so Council had to close this piece of equipment. They are going to see they we can improve the drainage. If this is unsuccessful then they will remove this equipment and replace it with something else like a small slide.

Fencing around the wisteria. This fencing has been installed to protect the wisteria, which has suffered from damage in recent years. We also plan to mulch and aerate the
compacted soil around the wisteria, to help the plant.

The Council walked around the park with the Tree Officer in July to identify
locations for new trees. The Tree Officer will be carrying out soil sampling
to make sure the right trees are chosen for each location, and they are
planning for these trees to be installed during the next six months.

January 2020 update

Playgrounds

You will have seen the main works have been completed at both playgrounds.

There are a few jobs still to be done including:

The tarmac in both playgrounds will have a rejuvenator put on it, when it is a little drier and warmer.

The hedge between the playground near the café and the path will be having a cut to make the top even, and to make it about 10cms higher than the fence

We are getting prices for new bow top fencing to run along the hedge between the playground near the café and the path.

New surfacing will be installed between the old playground area near Long Lane, and the new play area which runs along the footpath.

Resurfacing of tennis courts and new multi games area

This work has been tendered. We are currently evaluating the bids.

We are hoping that this work will be able to take place in the spring. Tennis Courts 5 and 6 will remain open whilst the work is taking place.

A bench will be installed on to Tennis Court number 6.

Park Furniture

There are about 10 new benches which will be installed in the park over the coming weeks.

The council sold The Lodge in Victoria Park in 2015 and it is a requirement that any funds raised from the sale will only be spent on Victoria Park.

Barnet Council appointed Groundwork to develop a Master Plan for Victoria Park. In March 2018, Groundwork ran consultations with the local community to come up with the Master Plan with design options.

Draft Master Plan + design options

Consultation on the draft Master Plan closed on 13 August.

Our wish list to Groundwork

Friends generated a ‘wish list’ to develop our Park for current and future generations. This went to Groundwork for consideration during the consultation phase in March 2018.

Expand current infants playground to accommodate 6 -11 year olds
Refurbish infants playground
Create a multi-game space with goals/skateboard facility to replace current teenage play area
Develop the café facility by re-building on same site in a “green and sustainable manner” to provide indoor and outdoor seating
Review all toilet provision in the park and should include toilets near the playgrounds/café
Develop the Depot by the front gate for re-use for the community, maybe as a local craft/exhibition space
Review park “furniture” including provision of park benches and seating areas
Refurbish 4 tennis courts (two have recently been done) and introduce a system for managing bookings
Install CCTV cameras in strategic areas
Improve signage, update notice boards at gates and add hoardings by the Bowling Club.
Outdoor gym for older people and/or jogging track round the park
Install new doorway from bowling club to face the café and integrate better with the park.
Improve recycling facility – need new recycle bins with easier access
Tree survey and new tree planting including another magic climbing tree -Wisteria/Fir planted in tandem
Pay-as-you-go dog wash
Wildlife/nature walk opposite tennis courts
Reinstatement of a putting green
Develop the sensory area
Replace current litter bins with larger improved design for easier access

Victoria Park master plan: subject to a full consultation

Read the official agreement about the Master Plan from the Barnet Council Environment Committee, through the implementation of the Council’s Parks and Open Spaces Strategy (PDF):

that a master plan be developed for Victoria Park
to request the release of the ring fenced funding to support the development and improvement of Victoria Park in line with the agreed Greenspaces Capital Investment Programme.

and delegates authority to the Strategic Director: Environment to procure
appropriately qualified external support to develop the master plan for the site in accordance with the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules