Harrogate Borough Council
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New entrances for Jacob Smith Park, Scriven
1 October 2008 - JACOB Smith Park in Scriven,
near Knaresborough, originally opened in January this year
following the bequest of
30 acres of private walled parkland for public use by Miss
Winifred Jacob Smith.
Following a number of public consultations, Harrogate
Borough Council has now proposed two new pedestrian entrances to be
created through the wall at Jacob Smith Park.
These are to be located at the top of Scriven Road,
just beyond the junction of Scotch George Lane, and Woodpark
Avenue. In deciding these locations
the views received as part of the consultation were considered and
risk assessments for each suggested entrance were
undertaken.
In addition it was necessary to consider the location of
existing roads so that the bins at these locations could be
regularly serviced. The current temporary
entrance will in future be used for maintenance vehicle access only
as its location is considered too unsafe for permanent pedestrian
use. It will be locked when not in use by the
council's parks' service.
The new entrances will be subject to planning permission as
the park is in a conservation area and obviously there will be
further opportunities for the local community to comment at that
time.
Whilst areas of the park will be cut regularly, longer grass
will be left to grow naturally in others so as to maintain the
natural feature of the land. However there are
plans for these to be cut occasionally through the year to
encourage wildflowers and ensure accessibility to the park.
Councillor Pat Jones, Cabinet Member for Cultural Services,
says there was a mixed response about whether or not footpaths
should be created. She said:
"Many people believed that the parkland should be left as natural
as possible but with some action to help people keep to routes that
will avoid spoiling the tranquillity of the land and, indeed, the
wildlife that have or will make it their home.
The best way we think to respond to this is to 'mow' footpaths that
will be cut on a regular basis. They will be at
least one and a half metres wide to allow people walking in
opposite directions to pass.
"We know this park is popular with dog walkers and would ask
them to make sure they pick up after their pets so that everyone
can enjoy this wonderful facility. We will be
providing bins for this. We will also be asking
our dog wardens to make regular checks to make sure that owners are
being responsible."
The council also plans to start a 'Friends' Group' and once it
is established, other features for the park will be
discussed. In the meantime, the council will be
providing wildlife boxes to be erected this autumn in readiness for
next spring. ENDS
FURTHER INFORMATION:
Councillor Pat Jones is available for comment on 01423
872466. Further technical information is
available from Patrick Kilburn, Head of Parks and Open Spaces on
01423 556704.