FRP members survey 2024
Things highlighted (considered noteworthy): and things to consider:
Those here are a combination of responses and the things highlighted most:
- Children’s events are great as creates community and engaging children with nature
- Gardening
- Council liaison/holding them accountable
- Make Space for Girls Project – creating safe spaces
- Getting rid of geese
- Creating a wildlife haven and conservation
- Possibly planting more trees
- Preserving the park for future generations
- Projects like art and events
- Continuing to make this a lovely community space through gardening and events
- Pond health needs looking at
- Fundraising to and assets council can’t afford
- Adapting to climate change/mitigation
- Lodge as a community space
If the FRP had more funds and capacity – what would you like them to develop/focus on:
- Get rid of geese
- Clear up the lake
- Zero waste sessions for children
- Food growing
- Weekend events for adults who work in the week
- More nature based crafts like the woodwork, willow and foraging
- More music events
- Children’s skate sessions
- More plant diversity
- Improved toilets (NB: This is aCYC responsibility)
- More pond dipping
- An orchard (NB: we actually have one!)
- More things like Forest School and all the children’s events linked to nature and the seasons/traditional festivals
- Community sessions for wildlife area and ponds
- Covered picnic table areas
- A park keeper!
- Propagation of plants and selling to raise funds
- More regular kids clubs
Additional comments:
- I think you are unrecognised heroes. It’s a considerable enterprise now with a lot of background challenges and hard slog eg making sure you have the right policies in place and are practising them, for instance.
- I think you are unrecognised heroes. It’s a considerable enterprise now with a lot of background challenges and hard slog eg making sure you have the right policies in place and are practising them, for instance.
- Push for more regular hedge/ bush trimming to prevent areas getting badly overgrown.
- Would maybe pay more membership if park was cleared of goose droppings
- The goose poo is a barrier to us enjoying our time round the pond with our small grandchildren
- I know it’s not your responsibility but I think the only thing about the park that lets it down is the toilet block on the river path side – it doesn’t feel very clean or well looked after. I only use it as a last resort. I realise that’s the council’s responsibility though. I wonder if they could be encouraged to improve the facilities.
Some of the lovely comments:
- There are many varied events in the park. Thank you.
- I appreciate all of the hard work to keep the park vibrant and somewhere people enjoy visiting.
- Take care not to overdo things – a beautifully kept, peaceful park in which to relax is enough
- Appreciate the effort and support offered along with a variety of activities.
- I think the Friends of Rowntree Park do an excellent job in maintaining the park, organising activities for the community, and keeping members informed
- I think the friends do an amazing job with limited funds and resources!
- You are all super ace and do a wonderful job – thank you very much x
Note:
Most respondents were clear on what the FRP responsibilities are – though there were some misunderstandings by some such as maintaining/clearing playgrounds, not aware we have an orchard, toilet responsibility, that food growing isn’t suited to a park that floods, opportunities to get involved in wildlife/conservation work.
