The council hopes the changes will make Roxbourne Park ‘safer and more accessible’
A North London park is set to undergo substantial improvement works as the council looks to make it “safer and more accessible” for residents.
The plans include upgrading and relocating the children’s playground and replacing footpaths that are showing “signs of wear and deterioration”. Harrow Council is asking for residents to give their views on the planned changes to Roxbourne Park in Pinner.
The local authority has said the proposals have been developed following site assessments and engagement with local stakeholders with the aim of improving “the long-term sustainability” of the park.
The changes put forward include improved play facilities for children and families, better quality footpaths throughout, wayfinding signs, and improved accessibility between different areas of the park. The council says the measures are designed “to enhance the park for current and future generations”.
The planned improvements are part of the local authority’s Park’s Capital Programme, which outlines the investment for parks and open spaces across the borough. The programme aims to invest more than £6m in these areas over the next three years to help “improve facilities and raise quality standards”.
The Roxbourne Park plans outline a number of proposed changes, which Harrow Council has said will create “a safer, more accessible, and better connected park” by improving its overall appearance, functionality and long-term resilience.
The children’s playground is one of the most popular facilities within the park and is well used by both local families and visitors. The plans have been developed following an assessment of the existing play equipment, surfacing, layout and safety considerations.
Under the proposals, the playground would be relocated to further into the park and away from the river corridor, which the council said will improve safety by increasing the distance between the playground and the riverbank, as well as enhancing visibility, better support ongoing maintenance of the river =bank and ensure better connections to walking routes through the park.
As part of the project, ageing equipment that has “reached the end of its serviceable life” will be replaced, whilst salvageable apparatus will be retained and incorporated into the new layout.
The council has suggested several of the park’s footpaths are “showing signs of wear and deterioration” so hope to invest in making them “safer, more accessible, and better connected routes” throughout.
The plans include resurfacing significant sections of the footpath network and car park, extending existing paths to improve connectivity, building a new link path to connect the riverside walk to the culvert crossing, and improve the routes serving Woodlands Avenue and Roxbourne Rough.
In order to create a “positive first impression” and help visitors navigate the site, the council has also proposed replacing the entrance gates, adding new park signage and wayfinding, and replacing bollards and fencing where required.
Harrow Council said: “Roxbourne Park is a valued community green space that supports recreation, sport, walking, nature, and community activities throughout the year. The proposed improvements aim to enhance the quality, accessibility, safety, and long-term sustainability of the park while protecting the features that make it a much-loved local destination.
“The proposals have been developed following site assessments, condition surveys, accessibility reviews, and ongoing discussions with key park stakeholders […] and other groups that regularly use the park. These assessments have helped identify opportunities to improve ageing infrastructure, address ongoing maintenance issues, enhance accessibility, and invest in facilities that will benefit residents and visitors for years to come.”
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