What would you like to see on the Fields?

[Mark Wellband]

self evident really.

[lillam]

I have a few ideas I thought I would post - soem more feasible than others.

It would be nice to see more biodiversity on the hill - perhaps a few more trees and other fauna. A meadowed area is easy to create.

Having a "water feature" greatly increases biodiversity, even if it is a mucky little pond.

it may also be nice to have an artwork on the hill - how about a totem pole...perhaps designed by local kids at Stillness School?

One other thing that would be great is more seating that isnt directly on the path - that would be great.

Thanks

[David French]

I would like to see a cafe; toilets and a FEW spaces for parking. Ideal site for cafe would be close to highest point with toilets built into cafe enclosure so that when cafe is shut toilets are shut. That should help to minimise possibility of vandalism and molestation. Cafe should also offer outside seating to capitalise on views over city. Cafe should be self-funding and possible could be run by volunteers as a charitable company where pay is within limits permitted by sales and any sizeable excess is ploughed back into developing the park. Parking would probably fit best into bottom of bowl where road access at bend would be sensible. No more than 7 spaces just to ease roadside parking.

Rationale: Toilets are essential for visitors even local residents with children like myself. Cafe helps support/protect toilets fund developm't

[Patricia]

I'd like more areas suitable for families and fewer dangerous dogs bouncing around everywhere. The Horniman gardens have the right idea, where only one part of the park allows dogs to be walked off the lead, and everywhere else they must be on leads. I have now had to leave BHF three times in the past two weeks with my baby due to dogs being walked off the lead and running up to us: one incident was a staffy whose owner was completely unaware of where it was while it was bouncing round me trying to jump up at the baby in my arms (we had been picnicking under a tree but I had to scoop the baby up as the dog bounded over), the other two incidents involved large dogs that I would consider dangerous to a baby, running about directly outside the children's playground area with owners turning a blind eye - yesterday a doberman, which could easilly have bounded over the fence. The number of irresponsible dog owners who let their dogs just run up to you (regardless of whether or not you have a baby with you at the time, although this obviously makes a difference as it's a potentially very dangerous situation if the dog decides to "play" with the baby) has really put me off using the park with my baby and I now make the much longer walk to the Hornimans where I know I can sit out safely with her without being terrorised by other peoples' dogs.
In my three trips in recent weeks I have seen the following dogs walked off the lead the BHF: 1 doberman, 1 rottweiler, 2 pit bulls, 4 staffordshire bull terriers. In my opinion these dogs should not be mixed with children.
I think making one of the lower fields a "dogs may be walked off the lead in this part of the park only" area would be a great idea, keeping other ideas for families/kids/play areas etc. and keeping dogs on leads and on the paths.

[Emily]

I would like to see some lighting in the park to make it safer at dusk and in the evening in winter time. Those of us with dogs need a safe place to exercise them in the evenings, particularly for those breeds that need more exercise than a good walk. There are few choices in the wintertime as it is already dark when most people get home from work. Lighting would also make it safer for those residents who walk through the park on their way to/from work.

With regards to a previous posters suggestion re: limiting dogs to a certain area. While I understand and appreciate her concerns, parks are one of the few places where dogs can be exercised off lead, particularly for high-energy dogs which require a 'good run' to burn of energy in addition to regular walks. A large number of dog owners walk their dogs in BHF for the very reason that it is a great field large enough to exercise their dogs, as well as to socialize their dogs with other dogs, which in turn creates happier and more well-adjusted dogs. Restricting dogs to a confined area would take away the majority of the advantages of going to BHF with our dogs, and restrict our ability as dog owners to ensure our dogs are well socially adjusted with both dogs and people so that they don't behave the way the previous poster suggests. Dogs behave that way because they don't know how to behave otherwise. Perhaps a compromise here would be to establish a 'dog-free' area where families can picnic with young children without worry - I've seen this in other parks in the area, and it seems to work quite well. The area across the path from the playground could be a good spot for this, given the proximity to the playground.

Thanks!

[Matthew Birch]

In short, tennis courts. I emailed Glendale about this proposal, and they forwarded the email to the Lewisham Green scene Department, but also told me that Blythe Hill has a very active friends group, and so I am contacting you. This is the email I sent to Glendale:

Dear Glendale, I understand that you may not hold the authority to plan the building of some more tennis courts in Blythe Hill park, but I tried contacting Lewisham council and they were unable to help me, so therefore I am contacting you.
My only reason for contacting you is that I believe there should be at least 2 tennis courts available to play in at Blythe Hill. The reason I believe this is that a lot of people visit Blythe Hill, and Lewisham council have supplied a great deal of money( Total scheme cost £1,404,500.04) to Ladywell fields, and the bare minimum to Blythe Hill.
If Blythe Hill had tennis courts, there would be no visual pollution, because a nice area of the park-to the north of the children's play area by the old building- has no facilities and no views, and therefore would be a perfect place for tennis courts. It also means that people living south of Blythe Hill don't have to walk to Honor Oak or down to Ladywell, and it means more people would use that park, which could in turn create more business for the Blythe Hill tavern, and other local businesses. The idea of building tennis courts in the Blythe Hill open space is environmentally friendly(no trees have to be cut down to create room for the courts), socially sustainable (more people would visit the park), and economically sustainable, as the added number of people in that area would benefit the economy of local businesses. As a keen sportsman and tennis player, I vehemently believe this should take place. Please could you contact me back about any queries or whether or not you believe it is a good idea. Contact me by email at:
[e-mail]
I hope you take into consideration my proposal, as it would definitely benefit the community.

[Park user (age 12)]

Dear friends of blythe hill fields,
I suggest that we introduce a table tennis table.
This would expand the average age of the park.
I hope you consider this,
Blythe hill park user

[Marian]

Hi, I would love a baskeball hoop or 2. Just discovered my son can play! would be great to be able to have somewhwere local to play