Camden council have undertaken work on a new play area on land near the hollow oak (site 4 on the consultation map).

Although the Friends fully support a new play area in the park in principal, they are completely opposed to it's being sited at the location chosen and imposed by Camden. There are a number of reasons for this opposition:

1. By deciding to proceed Camden are clearly going against the wishes of the majority of park users. The Friends are confident in making this assertion thanks to results from their survey which clearly indicate that whilst a play area would be supported, only one in five people agree that the Camden location is suitable.*
    
2. The impact on the park as a whole will be much greater than with alternative locations. Lines of sight extend as far as the statue of Sir Sidney Waterlow. The site is by the middle pond and principal walkways, and will impact a wider area and be more obvious than should be the case. This will significantly alter the character of the park.
    
3. The location is a beautiful and leafy green space currently well used and loved by park users. It's loss is unnecessary given the availability of several alternative locations that are currently less used, would have less impact on the park as a whole, and are still readily accessible.

There are also further concerns which at the time of writing have also either not been addressed or inadequately dealt with.

Camden have apologised for the inadequacy of their consultation, and stated that they are forced to proceed hastily as they will otherwise lose allocated funding and the opportunity to have any new play area at all. It does appear that central government target setting and budget expiry dates have put an unreasonable imperative on decision making, forcing an ill-judged outcome. The Friends of Waterlow Park understand the problems and are formally protesting about the situation. This does not alter the fact that work is set to proceed against the wishes of the majority of park users as represented by the Friends of Waterlow Park. The Friends of Waterlow Park have been asked to participate in finessing the details of landscaping etc. but believe that this would be inappropriate.

Given the historic nature of the park, the many views expressed, and the original gift of the park as a 'garden for the gardenless', the choice of location and hasty decision to proceed is particularly unfortunate. It is to be deeply regretted that this situation has arisen. There are no winners when a forced process results in inappropriate expenditure from the public purse.

The Chair and committee of the Friends of Waterlow Park

See also more information on the plans and survey results.

Read reports from the Ham & High and the Camden New Journal.

If you are a concerned park user please contact us and join the Friends.

*It is to be noted that Camden have also undertaken a survey, and their results from a similar number of responses to the FoWP survey appear to show 3 out of 5 people in support. (as opposed to the friends figure of 1 in 5). The FoWP question how the Camden figure was arrived at, and currently believe that lack of rigour in the consultation means that it cannot be accepted, and the 'true' figure is that only 1 in 5 are in full support of the Camdens plans, i.e. want a play area at the site chosen by Camden.

The location of the new play area as it appeared last autumn.

The same view on the 3rd Feb 09, just after the works were due to start.