Consultation Feedback

"Need to make access to the play areas good to ensure that the children's play equipment still feels accessible when moved" We totally agree. The new paths will improve access for all people and it will be less muddy than it currently can be. 

"Younger play equipment nearer car park" The play equipment for the younger children will be accessed just off the path from the car park.

Need to ensure a plan for ongoing maintenance of planted areas - We agree and will produce a plan. We hope the PC will support us financially and the village will come together to help maintain the quality and improve it.

How about a BBQ area? We are keen to minimise damage and injury from fire and hope instead that people will be happy to bring picnics to the Rec. 

How about a Table tennis table or boules area? Good idea, we will add these onto our list and see how they can be incorporated in the design. 

More dog poo bins and rubbish bins too - Gloucestershire County Council insist that all bins are by a roadside for easy emptying, we will however ensure that there are plenty available at GCC approved locations around the Rec.

"Please could there be a small bridge over the stream" - this is something that we plan to include.

Need to ensure that the "multi-use sports area" on the current tennis courts doesn't become a not-quite-good-enough space for many sports.  A very valid point and we will keep this in mind when in discussions over enhancements to the tennis courts, thank you.

"Alongside the meadow areas other habitats could be created e.g. ponds, stone and log piles, bird and bat boxes" - all wonderful ideas and ones that we intend to incorporate.

Can some of the picnic tables be accessible for people who are unable to move well? -Yes! We hope you find the benches that are now in place on the rec are accessible, two also include wheelchair/pushchair spaces. 

"Please don't plan to move Christmas tree without consulting produce show"  - Please be assured that the village Christmas tree is something CRAG very much wish to keep. 

Ramps and different levels of ground to run up and down. We are very lucky that the current pump track already gives us these options, we do however plan to include more within the wild play areas.

Covered seating We agree this is needed and are looking into this currently.

Where is the nearest defibrillator? On the front of the village hall.

Bike racks Thank you, again we plan to include these.

Please level off the field, its quite uneven in places. We agree that this is needed.

"Concern about shade trees blocking views including view of play area". Thank you for highlighting this. The species of tree's will be carefully considered, as will placement of them, the density will not be great enough to block visibility.

Concern about raising funds We know this is ambitious for a village of our size but we have received lots of information and advice about grants and are producing a plan. We have a fundraising programme and welcome more ideas and help for fundraising. This is a 3 year project and we will continue to strive to improve the rec as grants are received.

"What will the path be made from?" The paths will be self-binding gravel, unlike traditional loose gravel, self-binding gravel is made up of a combination of small stones, sand, and clay particles that bind together naturally. This creates a firm and stable surface that is resistant to movement, making it ideal for pathways and other pedestrian areas. 

How are you considering accessibility? Accessibility is core to our design.

Concern about increases to people coming into our village. Whilst we do see that the rec could become a destination park, especially due to its location next to the community shop which has a toilet, we do see this as an advantage to allow villagers additional socialisation opportunities. We do not anticipate anti-social behaviour as the shop shuts at 5pm and transport links are limited to those traveling by car from outside of the village.

Could the path be continued to the wild play area? We believe that the wild play area should remain wild to ensure that it maintains it's 'sense of adventure'.

"It's important that there is visible signs of progress or the growing momentum will wain" The group has a plan to make this happen and will ensure that this is better communicated

"Important that a budget and regime is in place to maintain and protect the investment" A programme will be developed and fully costed to maintain the rec. We will implement the standards of the industry suppliers and national best practise. We will report to the village via website.

"What is the timescale?" Overall, 3 years with phases.

Have you got priorities for the phases? Depends which/when funding comes in as to which areas are completed first. Play area is the top priority, the movement of the play area means that the current area can remain useable during the build.

"Is CRAG a charity?" It is a subgroup of the Parish Council. Sometimes it will apply as CRAG, others as the parish council depending on which is most advantageous.

"Will the public rights of way be respected?" Yes, they provided an important framing of the plans. The all weather surface of the paths will make them more clearly delineated and accessible.

Parking was a recurring theme during the consultation. Martin Pearcy, chair of Coaley Parish Council is organising a meeting with the key stakeholders to resolve this. Pedestrian access through the car park needs to be better defined to ensure their safety.

"Are the plans focused on the children's play area?" No, this is just one factor, the changes to the area will allow more multi-generational use of the space.

I value the open view from the village hall windows and do not approve of the path going directly in front of the windows We value this view too and please be assured that the path will be attractive.

The exercise machines are large, ugly unattractive and should all be in one place instead of spread along the path to allow users to compete Thank you, we will be approaching a personal training to ask their views on this, this will impact on the design.

The baby play area is unsuitable in proposed location due to being out of sight from parents lingering outside village hall. We believe that the proposed location will have a more clear line of sight, we will keep this in mind throughout the design process as we now take a greater focus within the 4 activity areas.

Children's play area should be fenced to keep out dogs. We intend on having the Under 5's area fenced but the equipment for older children unfenced to encourage play on the field.