Findings

Falkland Fairfax Open Space

Consultation Day 19th October 2006
On the 19th of October 2006 local residents and users of the Falkland Fairfax Open Space were asked for their views and ideas regarding the
future of the open space and its management. There was a particular emphasis on the proposed demolition of the Log Cabins building. The
consultation was led by the Log Cabins Working Group, which is chaired by Cllr Gina Adamou and includes local residents groups, the local
Schools, the Police, Ward Councillors and Council Officers.

The consultation ran from 2-8pm in the St John the Baptist Church hall on Frobisher Road, minutes from the open space. The event was very
well attended with some 100 persons passing through the doors. The key message the local community gave us was:

The open space is highly valued by local people

Local people want the site to remain an open space

Local people want there to be regular community activities

There should be high quality play equipment

The open space should be for use by all

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 1. We asked people what they thought of the open space

60% of people thought it was a valuable asset

The grass and hedges is a bit of a waste, could be 33% thought it was poorly maintained
put to better use. But the park is a landmark and
a valuable play area 17% said it was under utilised

Great potential- a green lung in a built up

space that looks like it’s not maintained or
prioritised

Valuable resource which has not been

It is disgraceful- this could be a lovely playground
properly maintained by the Council. Log
for children but it needs new equipment, soft
Cabins were a very good thing and since
landing material and generally cleaned up and
its closure the park has become more run
maintained.
down and taken over by aggressive older
children.

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 2. We asked people if they felt safe in the open space

Just over half of people said they felt unsafe. The main reasons given were:

No, my children feel unsafe 53% Anti social behaviour

35% Poor lighting

I feel unsafe when it is 12 % Not specified

empty and at night
Yes, I feel safe and have been using
the open space for 20 years

It attracts drug dealers,

I do feel safe there but it could do
teenagers (not that I’m being
with some better lighting. I have
ageist) and prostitutes
concerns about the rubbish lying
around which could be picked up by
small children

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 3. We asked people if they knew who to report problems to?

72% of people didn’t know

4. We asked people the ways in which the open space could be better used
by the local community? They wanted:
An integrated arts centre. A place for leisure,
reflection, contemplation, pleasure, to explore 31% Improved children’s play facilities
senses and escape work stress
26% Community building
Better planting- the community 13% Community events and activities
gardens on Stanhope Gardens
shows good use of a small space 12% Improved lighting
9% Garden area
Yes, if classes were run in the log
cabins…especially like the idea of an 6% Benches
elderly tea party once a week
3% café

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 5. We asked people what type of facilities they would prefer?
(all from a set list)
Many attractions for different ages-
sport, seating, play equipment,
picnics- that way it will have presence 25 % younger children’s play area
of community and eyes of community
18 % Picnic area

Log cabins could be a classical

More trees and wildlife area 17% Improved lighting
[or other] music performance
hall in the evenings 13% Flower garden

13 % Benches
Build small new facility with
kitchen, office and meeting space 10% Older children’s play area
to be used by all ages.
2% Dog walking area

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6. We asked people what type of activities they would prefer to see?
(from a list)
Consider children with Learning centre with a
disabilities when organising mathematics laboratory
activities! 37% Fun Days

35% Older persons keep fit

Gentle cross-generational activities. 16% Football coaching

Family events to help self
networking and develop support
12% Basketball coaching

Post/Pre-natal fitness classes

Activities for older people (singing, sewing,
and clubs. Multicultural events
cards); for special needs; for health (yoga,
to support community cohesion
Pilates); for teenagers (snooker, music); for
families (crafts, playgroup)

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 7. We asked people what they thought about the idea of having a
community building at the open space? They told us:

If the log cabins are demolished I would 9 comments stated general support for the idea
like to see the original materials used to
build a new log cabin with solar panels
6 comments disagreed with the idea

12 comments offered suggestions for activities that could take place in the building
These were mainly children’s activities, elderly activities and community meeting space
This would be an ideal base for the local Police team
Make into a park only. A community
centre would be great but have we
I would like a survey carried got the money to keep it going and
Do NOT demolish. Can out and costs given to the watch over it
be used as a community community for refurbishment
centre for all and demolition
This beautiful building should be
Use the park as a park and use the school across maintained; defects put right
the road for community use- extended schools are and the building to be used by
coming and will open up schools for community use local people

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 A. Haringey Council’s response
The Council is committed to ensuring that the Falkland Fairfax Open Space is improved and better meets local resident’s needs. Through the
Working Group these finding s will be used to frame future activities and improvements. The following steps are currently being undertaken:

Recreation Services (Parks Department)

• Undertaking immediate repairs to ensure that existing play equipment is safe

• Remove the hedges at the terrace end of the open space where sex work and drug use takes place

• Upgrade ball court

• Seek funds for re landscaping, benches and new play equipment

• Better publicise contact numbers for reporting problems

Neighbourhood Management

• Deliver improved lighting at the open space through the Making the Difference programme

• Support the Friends of Falkland Fairfax Open Space to organise community events

• Facilitate a working group to oversee the phased development of the open space

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 Children’s Services
• Enable local community groups to access the new Children’s Centre annex at North Harringay Primary School for
activities and meetings

• Manage the demolition of the Log Cabins Building

Note: The decision to demolish the Log Cabins building was made following the results of this consultation and analysis by
the range of stakeholders who are part of the Log Cabins Working Group. A recommendation was then passed onto the St
Ann’s and Harringay Area Assembly who accepted the recommendation to demolish the Log Cabins and refer it on for
executive approval. The recommendation included an action plan with the following key points

• To address the fear of crime and safety of those using the open space

• To provide improved outdoor play facilities for young people

• To develop/enable more local community activities to take place in the open space

• To develop an inclusive open space to enable people of all ages and backgrounds to benefit from this community asset

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 B. Key Partners response

Metropolitan Police

• Patrol the park area more frequently

Friends of Falkland Fairfax Open Space

• Continue to organise inclusive community events and activities in the Open Space

Thanks
Thanks to all the local residents and groups who took part in the consultation and took the time to share their views and consider their
neighbourhood. In particular we would like to thank:

• Friends of Falkland Fairfax Open space • London Islamic Cultural Society

• Fairfax Residents Association • North Harringay Primary School
• Falkland Neighbourhood Watch • South Harringay Primary School
• Ladder Community Safety Partnership • Harringay Safer Neighbourhoods Police Team

The Falkland Fairfax Open Space Working group will continue to meet regularly and oversee the phased improvements of the open space.

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