Parkwatch
The concept of ParkWatch and its operation is similar to the tried and proved Neighbourhood
Watch Scheme, whereby a group of committed householders band together with a Coordinator
and the support of the Police, to protect a valuable asset ... their house.
Park Users have similarly banded together, with the Police, and their Local Council
to protect a valuable asset ... their Park
The History and Ethos of Parks
The residents saw their Park, usually bequeathed to the local residents, as an asset
and used them as their own personal recreation ground and somewhere children could
play safely. They also saw it as an oasis of peace and sanctuary, where the trees,
shrubs, flowers and greenery could be seen and appreciated, especially by those
without gardens, somewhere to get away from the hustle and bustle and traffic noise,
and somewhere to walk and exercise the dog, cycle or jog.
Previously, Parks had a dedicated Park Keeper who kept order and locked up each
night. However, due to financial constraints, we have seen the demise of the dedicated
Park Keeper, leaving a big void. As a result, some Parks declined in importance
and were taken over by the vandal or the anti-social, forcing out the law-abiding,
thus reducing the safety of the elderly and the young.
Local residents were left with two options, do nothing or join a ParkWatch group.
Just like the committed householder who saw household crime increase, the Park users
said “enough is enough” and formed ParkWatch groups, not only in Pittville Park,
but in many areas all over the UK. Park users who join a ParkWatch scheme are not
alone as they join forces with Local Council Officers, Rangers, Ward Councillors
and the Police to reverse the decline of their Park.
It was proved in Pittville Park and it has worked well all over the UK; one ParkWatch
group in Birmingham summarised by stating:
"Previously we had seen our local park go into decline while many of us were content
to point a finger, criticise or just complain that something should be done, without
taking any direct constructive action."
Ownership of the Park
By joining a ParkWatch scheme the local residents are making a silent declaration
of ownership of their Park. It’s their first move in the arrest of the decline of
their Park. The local residents can, by attracting the law-abiding Park user, force
out the Park abuser.
Prior to the Commencement of Pittville ParkWatch Scheme in November 2003, A log
had been taken of incidents of vandalism from 2002 to 2003. It was clearly observed
by all, that the incidents were many, both in number caused and the value of the
damage/repair.
Since the start-up of ParkWatch and during the years following (2004-2008) a much improved trend has been seen with the incidents running at an almost negligible number compared to 2000-2003.
Looking to the future and recognising how exposed our Park is, especially at night, a total elimination of vandalism, no matter how desirable, would be an impossible target to achieve. Realistically we must expect that infrequent and isolated incidents will, and do, occur. But applying the same proven formula, as past years, of working closely with the Police, CBC staff and Ward Councillors and attracting the law-abiding to use the Park as much as possible, we can hold the vandalism incidents at the same past low incident rate.
The ParkWatch model, as tried and successfully tested in Pittville, has now been
introduced into three other Parks in Cheltenham.
2008 New Arrivals
The swans on the lower lake have produced a brood of nine cygnets. Lets hope they have a better survival rate than last year.
Pictures courtesy of Desmond Fitzgerald
