Friends Of Ironmills Park

I was reading back through the blog and realised I had not posted the outcome to date of trying to establish a Friends of Ironmills Park group. Whilst the group has not managed to get going, it's not to say that someone might manage to get it up and running. If that does happen, here is the vision statement and the draft plan that emerged from last years meetings.

1. Vision Statement

Although a lengthy statement, the group agreed to go with the following based on the proposal from xxxxxxxxxxxx. The group considered it important that any prospective group members had a full and detailed appreciation of the objectives of the group.

Objective of The Friends of Ironmills Park 1. Aim to play a proactive role in the management of Ironmills Park: * to define and drive forward a park management strategy; * for prioritisation of work, efforts, projects whether ours or others; * for partnership with Council and other organisations (local, national or international); * to apply for funding, support others' applications and co-ordinate with sister programmes. 2. To encourage broad community involvement and to seek local mandate where appropriate and possible in the above management.  3. To consult and co-ordinate on local development plans that may affect the park, access to it or its users. Why 1.  To act for the benefit of: * local residents and other park users. * wildlife (flora and fauna). * heritage. 2. To preserve the park's current "semi-wild" naturalistic character.

Priorities for FoIP – pending approval

Priority	Initially Noted By	Relevance to FoIP	Likliehood of being tackled by FoIP	Funding Level None/ Low/High(Grant req’d)	Proposed Action / Lead Person(s)	Time Line
Improve awareness of the History of Ironmills Park		High	High	Low – small grants or donations from CC’s,	Next “Walk and Talk” event planned for 30th May.  Ongoing project.	Immediate
Eliminate Dog Poo problem.		High	Med – Midlothian wide problem	None or Low. Some funding might be expected to come from local authority budgets.	'green' solution - use biodegradable poo bags - supplied beside bins along the walks. Composting poo boxes.	End of 2010
Broken Glass and Litter problem		High	High	None	Ongoing task, utilise volunteer groups keen to do litter picks.	Immediate
Steps from water tower to Park – poor state of maintenance		High	High	None	School volunteer groups/ Green Teams.	May 18th and 21st
Steps from water tower – improve lighting		High	High	High – grant required.	Possibility of using solar power?	End of 2010

Priority	Initially Noted By	Relevance to FoIP	Likliehood of being tackled by FoIP	Funding Level None/ Low/High(Grant req’d)	Proposed Action / Lead Person(s)	Time Line
Need for long term woodland management strategy. Clearance of dead wood.		High	High	High – Grant required.	Seek grant. WIAT Woodlands in and around Towns.	End of 2011
Maintenance of the weir required.		High	Low?	N/A	Seek information and likely costs	?
Stop sewage discharge into the North Esk		High	Low?	N/A	Research status and options.	?
Restrict parking/driving on the grass		High	High	None	Seek options to prevent drivers using the grass verges. TBD	End of 2010
Improve poor state of road repairs		High	Low?	?	Seek  temporary repair  with Jet packers. Seek longer term option for road	End of 2010
Reduce invasive Japanese Knotweed		High	High	None	Assess extent and seek advice from J Cooke. TBD	End of 2010
Reduce Ivy in woodland, esp on the south side of the river		High	High	None	School volunteer groups/ Green Teams.	May 18th and 21st

Priority	Initially Noted By	Relevance to FoIP	Likliehood of being tackled by FoIP	Funding Level None/ Low/High(Grant req’d)	Proposed Action / Lead Person(s)	Time Line
Need for grassland management		High	High	None	Agree strategy with local council TBD	End of 2010
Need for community to be involved in local developments.e.g. Waverly line project.		High	High	High	Seek routes to improves communication. TBD	Ongoing
Visitors Centre to display historical info and provide hot drinks.		?	?	?	?	?
Levels of Iron in river may be harmful		High	High	?	Research subject, contact EVT.	?
Drains for houses in the Park require maintenance		N/A	N/A	N/A	Request action by local council	?
Expose the duck pond in the park		High	?	?	Research options	?