REMEMBER
The Meetings Venue is
 The Park Lodge on Park Road.

Queens Park Newsletter No.2
 
Dear resident,
Welcome to the Friends of Queens Park newsletter. The purpose of this newsletter is to keep residents and park users informed and updated about the progress and decisions made about the park.
Friends of Queens Park are a community group which meets once a month to discuss relevant issues relating to the park. Membership is free, and anyone wishing to attend the meetings is welcome to come along. Dates and times of meetings at the Lodge can be found on the website.
However, we are aware that many people are busy and are unable to attend but would like to know what is being done in the park and why. The newsletter seeks to keep you informed on a monthly basis.
The friends of Queens Park group also meet representatives of Bolton Council on a monthly basis to discuss concerns, ask questions posed by the community and gain answers.
 
For information and dates/times of the next Friends of Queens Park meeting, or to post a comment then please visit the other pages of This website. Or visit the web site:
www.friendsofqueensparkbolton.co.uk
The news so far...
Most people will be aware of the work being undertaken around the park, this includes the restoration of the ponds at the Park Road end of the park. It is anticipated that the restoration work will be completed by the end of September, although it is difficult to give an exact date due to unforeseen circumstances and finds during this period.
The original brick work surrounding the duck pond has been restored, whilst missing stones from the original features have been replicated by new stone set into the banks around the pond. Thankfully the ducks and geese have not been put off by the ongoing work and there has been a significant increase in the broods of Moor Hen since the spring.
Work has also started on the smaller pond which had previously been the gathering place of rubbish, which appears to have come from a waste pipe. United Utilities are now responsible for further investigation of this problem as new drains laid down by Bolton Council have concluded that the problem is beyond the park boundary.
The fishing pond situated near Chorley street has now been drained of water and work is due to commence on the 2nd week in September.
The most recent Friends of Queen's Park meeting proposed that the recent restoration of the park has led to memories of how the park used to look. Therefore we would like to invite anyone with stories or pictures of the park to come along to a meeting which will be pre arranged, so that we might gather them together for future generations to enjoy. It doesn't matter how long or how recent the experience was, we are only interested in you sharing your story for others to enjoy. Anyone interested in taking part in a meeting should show interest by contacting:
Yasmin Robinson on 07807-740-815
Please leave a contact telephone number- (no withheld numbers). Or alternatively e mail at yasminrobinson65@yahoo.co.uk
with an expression of interest or even send your memories electronically.
If you have a question or query about the park then please contact the group via the Friends of Queens Park web site, or alternatively turn up at one of the monthly meetings as advertised on the web page:
www.friendsofqueensparkbolton.co.uk
 

 
Queens Park Newsletter No.1
 
Welcome to the Friends of Queens Park newsletter. No.1 Membership is free, and anyone wishing to attend the meetings is welcome to come along.
Dates and times of meetings at the Lodge can be found on the website.
However, we are aware that many people are busy and are unable to attend but would like to know what is being done in the park and why. The newsletter seeks to keep you informed on a monthly basis.
 
The friends of Queens Park group also meet representatives of Bolton Council on a monthly basis to discuss concerns, ask questions posed by the community and gain answers.
The meeting held by the Friends of Queens Park on the 26th June 2010 considered the following information:
 
• Some residents and members of the group were concerned that bats might be roosting in the park. Concerns were brought to the attention of the council and consideration was asked for in respect of the tree felling planned as part of the work currently being undertaken.
The council response has been that a bat survey has been commissioned. A previous survey on the lodge found no evidence of bats, nor is there evidence that the bat boxes in the park have been used. The council suggested that only the older trees will be surveyed as bats have seasonal roots. If the results are positive, then this will influence the criteria for further tree surgery.
 
• A visitor to the Friends group contributed an idea about building a 'World Peace Flame' in the park.
This idea was put forward to the council who are aware of the significance of this symbol, however, there is still a lot of work and planning to do for the park to achieve this icon - the first of its kind in England if successful. Discussions will be ongoing in regard to location and cost.
 
• Dobson Bridge has now been completed (apart from minor adjustments) The formal ceremony took place on Saturday the 10th July.
The council have reported that the bridge has come in on budget and there may be some masonry work to be completed.
 
• Some local residents and members have questioned the possibility of tree preservation orders on older trees in the park, the council were asked to clarify the situation.
The council reported that there are no tree preservation orders on trees owned by the council. The assumption is that the council will manage its trees in a 'responsible manner'.
 
• Residents and members had also asked for clarity on tree felling. A previous meeting with Malcolm Russell had also asked why trees were not clearly marked as to what work was intended.
The council responded by stating that no further trees have been identified for felling at present. However in response to concerns about marking trees, it has been agreed that they will be marked differently in future and the public will be advised about what each mark means.
 
• Malcolm Russell suggested a 'walk around the park' at the last meeting at the lodge, to keep residents and members informed about the progress of the work being undertaken.
 
• The friends group have established that "The 'Walk Around the Park" has been rescheduled for Saturday 21 August, starting 11.00am and hosted by Malcolm Russell, and will be advertised on the notice boards.
 
• Malcolm Russell also suggested at the meeting that the drainage work at the park road entrance would establish who was responsible for the waste seeping into the ponds and paths.
The council report that the new drains have now been installed and no 'illegal' connections were found. It is therefore the responsibility of United Utilities to investigate the source of any pollution. Furthermore, resurfacing of the path may be done whilst the contractor is on site and later a wild flower mix could be sown on the embankments. The Park Road entrance may be kept closed until all work on the ponds is completed.
 
• Residents and members have expressed concern about the well being of the fish following the move to a smaller pond.
The council have responded by stating that the removal of the fish is a temporary measure, and there appears to be a reasonable amount of plant life. Pumps are being are being used regularly to oxygenate the water.
 
• The council were asked about the possibility of the work being undertaken on the lodge and when this might start.
The council responded that work is planned for the winter and will include the new build community centre.
 
• Residents and members have asked for consideration of toilet facilities in the park.
The council has stated that the existing toilet block may be re opened at weekends on a test basis. However the toilets at the bowling green are public property and can be used by users in the park.
 
• Friends of Queens Park have asked the council about the proposed closure of the car park at Chorley street entrance and the impact on how people access the park.
The council have confirmed that the car park is to close which will allow the reintroduction of the original access point to the park. Whether the route is enclosed or not, will depend on what is built on the old car park, but this will be established as the main entrance from the town centre.
 
 

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