Shelters coming soon

 Special shelters will soon be installed at The Moatfield in Bushey, Furzefield in Potters Bar and Phillimore Recreation Ground in Radlett.

It had been hoped that the shelters would be ready by the end of January but problems with sourcing materials have meant that the timetable has slipped slightly.  Councillor Brenda Batten, Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture and Health, explained: "Since the designs were agreed the price of steel has increased and therefore we have agreed to slightly change some of the materials in order to keep the project in budget.  This has caused a minor delay."

Arts and environment organisation Green Heart Partnership is leading the project and has advised the shelters will be in place by April.

The unique structures have been designed so the whole community can use them and have been funded by the Big Lottery Fund.

 

Phillimore Recreation ground is a park with a number of provisions and is used by all parts of the community and by all age ranges.

Existing provisions at Phillimore Recreation ground are:

  • Alloments
  • Existing play areas - secure and unfenced natural play. The play areas have recently been enhanced and contain facilities for a large age range.
  • Woodlands
  • Open area used for football and casual summer sports
  • Games court
  • Bowls area

Phillimore is considering developing a youth centre and have carried out a consultation via a fun day at the Phillimore Recreation Ground. The outcome of the Radlett consultation was that the Phillimore Recreation Ground was considered the most desired place for a meeting shelter for young people.

The Hertsmere Community Spaces project joined up with the Radlett Fun Day on 14 June 2009 and held a community engagement activity for local people to discuss what they wanted from their shelter.  Images can be seen in the gallery from this day.

 

Location for the shelter

The shelter will positioned close to the existing park facilities and area of existing high foot traffic. Many people already gather and use the existing bench on this site and the shelter would add to these facilities. The space is close to the carpark and away from houses on the periphery of the recreation ground.

Care must be taken that the shelter is a safe distance from the football pitches or allow access into the tractor yard.

Key considerations for the positioning of the shelter:

  • Place where young people are already meeting
  • Away from immediate houses
  • Easily accessible to the community police via the car park
  • If the youth center is set up in the park it will be a resource for this facility
  • Looks over the park and playing field
 
Photograph of Phillimore Recreational Ground and the proposed site

 Front view showing the transparent front screens
 
 Rear view showing shelter, seating and bike stands
 
The space is designed to provide a theatrical and performance space for specific and controlled events within the recreation ground.

There are a number of formal events taking place in the park throughout the year which could benefit from a focused staged space. The space could also be used by local theatre groups for small outside performances.