The project  began back in Summer 2007 when Hertsmere Borough Council consulted local young people across Hertsmere about their needs. Young people said that they really wanted places to meet and 'hang out' in the borough and the council identified three areas where there was a particular need for this. The young people were also given the opportunity to sketch their ideas for the kind of space or 'shelter' they would like to see. In Autumn 2008 the council was granted just over £50,000 for the community spaces project, along with additional money for other 'play' initiatives through an application to the Big Lottery Play Programme.

1.  Consultation process

2. Funding obtained

In March 2009, following an open tender process, the council selected Green Heart Partnership (GHP) to manage and deliver the project. GHP is a county-wide initiative that helps local authorities to achieve sustainable solutions in public spaces through a collaborative, creative-led, cross-disciplinary team process. GHP first established a project team made up of officers from the Parks and Amenities, Communications, and Community Services teams at Hertsmere Borough Council, Aldenham Parish Council, the Police and other stakeholders. GHP then appointed Superblue: a collaborative design group with experience or working on a variety of public projects to provide the creative lead on the project. See the team.

3. Team constructed (March 2009)

In May 2009, additional funding was put forward for the project by the Crime Reduction Partnership towards engaging the community in the development of the community spaces. As a result, Superblue are running innovative, creative activities at all three of the sites to encourage local people to discuss your ideas about the 'community spaces' and how you would use them, and share your knowledge of your local spaces. This will build upon the consultation already carried out with young people, but will involve local people of all ages, providing vital information to help the design process. The funding has also enabled us to develop this website where we can keep you up to date on how things are developing and you can continue to share your thoughts through the forum.

4. Community engagement activity days June/July 2009 a chance for you to get involved

The process - Drawing on local people's thoughts - Superblue will work with the project team to first develop concept designs for each of the structures. The team will meet at key points as the project moves forward but will also continue to keep in contact between meetings. The knowledge and experience of all the members of the team is very important in ensuring that each design is appropriate for the site and considers issues such as health and safety, noise, vandalism/ durability, maintenance, access, and planning and heritage constraints from the start. The detailed designs will follow, taking into consideration all of these aspects and the information from local people.

Designs for the community spaces will be presented on this website and will also be on display at the three parks later in the summer. You can join our mailing list to keep up to date with the latest news on the project.

The timescales - The three new shelters will then be built and installed on the sites by January 2010. We will also keep you up to date with the timetable for implementation on this website.

6. Spring 2010 Three unique shelters in three individual parks 

Hertsmere Borough Council plans to celebrate the completion of the shelters with a public event in Spring 2010. All local people and project partners will be invited to join us to mark the occasion.