Committee Meeting
Friends of Larkhall Park Committee Meeting
Wednesday 3rd April 2024 7 pm
Join in person, at the Courland Grove Baptist Church, SW8 2PX (entrance opposite the hire bikes & tennis courts).
Alternatively online on Zoom - email info@larkhallparkfriends.org.uk for the link.
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Items for the agenda include:
New playground
Children's gardening project
One O'Clock Club
Larkhall Depot Development
Progress on toilet installation
Changing room cleaning & use
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Please contact us with any items you would like included.
Spring in the Park
Check out photos of the park, and find out about some events going on locally - in the park, and nearby.
We'd love to see your photos - send them to info@larkhallparkfriends.org.uk, to be uploaded to the Friends instagram site, or tag us #friendsoflarkhallpark on instagram
LPPB Meeting
Larkhall Park Partnership Board Meeting
Tuesday 9th April 6.15 - 7.45 pm
Venue: to be decided
Attended by Lambeth Parks, local councillors, residents & the Friends of the park, to oversee the development and spending for the park and immediate surroundings.
All are welcome to attend.
Join in person.
Alternatively, online on Microsoft Teams.
Email adraper@lambeth.gov.uk for the link.
Asbestos update
Asbestos update 27.02.2024
Remediation work has been carried out by replacing contaminated soil with fresh earth, where it was disturbed in the trench that was dug to replace cabling, now behind the Heras fencing. This is in two areas - along the path by the all-weather football pitch, and along Priory Grove.
This has been sown with fresh grass seed, the heras fencing removed, and replaced by low level plastic fencing (as round the bed by The Surprise pub), until it has grown.
An new quote is also being requested, to do further testing on the main grass football pitch, flower beds and other areas, to see how widespread the problem is.
In the meantime, an agreement has been made with DCUK, a firn that specialises in safe asbestos removal, that whenever work needs doing in the oark that requires movement of earth, in contaminated areas, they will be present to do/oversee the work. This will be paid for by Lambeth's Health and Safety Fund.
The Friends of Larkhall Park are keen to get planting again.
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Asbestos update 15.06.2023
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Whilst digging channels for cabling, last autumn, small pieces of asbestos were found. Work was stopped immediately, and Heras fencing put around the disturbed ground. This is by the MUGA football pitch, and near Priory Grove.
Subsequently, an asbestos ground survey has confirmed the occasional presence of asbestos material can be found at depth under the ground in the park. Most of the asbestos encountered is derived from asbestos cement which is a once commonly used building material.
Asbestos cement is a more stable bonded form of asbestos containing materials (ACMs) and carries a far lower risk level. The presence of this ACM is most likely linked to the pre-war residential and light industry land use of the area prior to it being landscaped as a park in the early 1970s.
We understand the risk to health is currently extremely low.
We have specialists involved in advising us to ensure however we proceed is done so in best interests of users and workers within the park. Arrangements for the safe remediation of the fenced off areas in the park are being arranged for October this year, autumn being the best time for this type of groundwork.
If you require more information, please email parks@lambeth.gov.uk
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Playground Extension
New Playground Under Construction!
In early 2021 following persistent complaints about the scope and age of the current playground next to the tennis courts, a group of residents, and members of the Friends of Larkhall Park undertook several months of research, to find out what people wanted.
This was done in conjunction with Helen Firminger, on behalf of Lambeth, and Max Mueller, an outdoor play specialist, rom London Play. Many local families, children and teenagers gave their opinions, face to face, through surveys, and workshops at Oasis, and with Big Kid at Dexters.
A brief was drawn up, based on the findings that included more challenging play equipment, and also an area to hang out in.
This was given to four playground specialists in 2022: Wicksteed, Duncan and Grove, Apes at Play and Earthwrights.
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Earthwrights won the bid based on their imaginative proposal, natural style, that suits the environment, and how much they offered for the budget. You can see their proposal here.
Work was due to start on this in September 2022, next to the existing playground - but just before it could, asbestos was found in the park!
We all know how much that has stopped / slowed everything down any development in the park.
Now, eighteen months later, in the Spring of 2024, this project is starting to see the light of day.
Earthwrights have been very patient.
Costs have risen, not least because different ways of attaching the equipment to the ground had to be devised to take in to account possible asbestos, and ensure minimal earth disturbance. DCUK will be onsite for the the days it is secured in place.
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Get Involved
Litter-picking your thing?
Regular sessions - litter pickers and gloves provided. All welcome.
Email info@larkhallparkfriends.org.uk for details, or check out their facebook page (Friends of Larkhall Park cleanup team!)
Promote your business, event or service?
If you are a local business and would like to advertise here, in our newsletter, on social media, or on one of the five noticeboards in the park - contact us.
We'd love to find out about & feature what you do!
Love writing? Taking pictures? Social Media?
Want to help promote Larkhall Park?
The Friends of Larkhall Park are looking for a volunteer social media coordinator, and newsletter contributor / editor.
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Corporate volunteers wanted
Corporate volunteers stripped turf and laid and matting seeded with wildflowers that is now blooming, by the tennis courts. If you know of any company that would like to become involved be in touch.
For these, or any other enquiries, email us:
info@larkhallparkfriends.org.uk
Join The Friends
We are keen to have more members so that we can be sure that we're representing all the varied communities around the park. You can join our mailing list here. You can also become a member for £5 a year, and you will receive regular email newsletters. Sign up at the top of the home page here.