The story of Chalkhill Park as we mark 10 years since the official opening

This post reflects my personal involvement but of course the most credit must go to the Chalkhill Residents' Association and especially their chair Kathleen Fraser who held on to the vision through thick and thin and played a much larger part, as well as Brent Council Parks Department and the local councillors at the time.

 

 

Early Plan 25.03.2010

 

The official opening of the new Chalkhill Park was on June 8th 2013, 10 years ago today, but as you will see there were other 'unofficial'openings.

The park resulted from a 'pay-back' arrangement when Asda took over some of the estate land for its superstore and the the site of the medical centre and car park on Chalkhill  Road was ear-marked for a park.

There were hitches on the way and at one time there were rumours on the estate that the site would be used for flats rather than a park.

 

 The site in 2011

In October 2011 I wrote:

 I think my readers deserve some (fairly) good news in the midst of the recession gloom and the closure of half our libraries.

I attended a meeting last week in my role as a school governor regarding the proposed new Chalkhill Park. The Chalkhill Residents' Association have been concerned about the park and a proposed Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) in St David's Close on the estate. The Chalkhill Pupil School Council had written to ward councillors to expression concern about the lack of progress on the park and had been told work would commence this month. In fact nothing seemed to have happened and the weeds were getting taller and taller.

We were told that work was behind schedule by 4-6 weeks and may fall further behind if soft planting is delayed by poor weather. However we were assured  that the park should open in May 2012. Bids are still awaited from contractors who will construct the park.

The residents' concerns about the budget for the project were not fully answered. It appears to have reduced from £1.3m to something over £0.8m and there was some confusion over whether the money was from planning gain following the building of Wembley ASDA on a section of the estate, and whether the money had originally been held by Metropolitan Housing Association, the managers of the estate, and late handed over to the Council.  If the latter is the case there may be an issue over the reduction in the amount.

Putting that aside, we were assured that the promised children's playgrounds (one for older children and one for younger) and an exercise area for adults would be built. There would also be a 'kick-about' area rather than a formal football pitch and a wildlife nature garden.

 Residents asked questions about the 'water feature' that had incorporated into the plans. They had never asked for one and it appeared to be an expensive item. They said that if anything had to go because of budget constraints the water feature should be abandoned. It appears to have been added as a landscape features that would extend the vista from Brent Town Hall steps, down the avenue of trees, and into the park. It was unclear whether it was purely ornamental or something the children might play in: echoes of the fiasco over Lady Di's Memorial Water Feature! 

As by 2013 the Town Hall will have been replaced by the new Civic Centre, and may have been converted into a hotel, it does appear to be redundant. It would also use electricity to generate the pumps which would involve an ongoing cost. We were told that solar panel electricity generation for the pump wouldn't be suitable. Not very green...

When the MUGA came under discussion we were told that existing installations at Poplar Close Youth Centre and Chalkhill School's play area which was shared with the community, made a new one unnecessary. However Gerry Kiefer, the new head of parks and sports services, said that she would like to 'start a conversation' about St David's Close open space. Previously that had not been developed because it was not overlooked by housing and therefore deemed unsafe for unsupervised play. However, the newly built flats in the close were now occupied and this objection no longer stood.

Ms Kiefer offered to look at the possibility of:

1. Erecting goal posts for a football pitch (size to be decided after a survey), levelling the surface and marking out the pitch. Future mowing and marking out would have to be borne by the users who were expected to be the Chalkhill Wanderers football team.
2. Restoring the overgrown BMX cycling course with help from local youth.
3. Looking at the possibility of building a skateboarding facility in St David's Close.
4. She also undertook to look at the Poplar Close MUGA, in particular the state of the pitches and whether the floodlights were working.

 The meeting was facilitated by Councillor Shafique Choudhary (Barnhill ward councillor) at the request of Kathleen Jackson, Chair of Chalkhill Residents' Association.

 

 Looking at those undertakings the BMX track was restored and a circuit installed for cycles and scooters in St David's Close (both were consulted with Chalkhill Primary pupils). No skateboarding park was built although some children use skateboards on the BMX. Unfortunately after drug-taking and other anti-social activities in the Chalkhill School community playground during out of school hours, the police advised its closure for unsupervised activities.

The water feature was abandoned although some parents told me this week that they'd love to see at least a paddling pool in the park.

 

The rain-swept site in January 2012

 

In January  2012 with little sign of progress I blogged again (extract):

 Earlier in 2011 children from Chalkhill School Council had lobbied ward councillors after repeated delays and this was taken up by the wider community of children and youth on the estate during the summer holiday. They were all angry that once again Chalkhill young people had been deprived of a park during the long summer holiday. They were determined that they would have a park by Summer 2012.

When I saw that no work had started after the forecast delay of 4-6 weeks I started nagging the ward councillor in my role as Chair of Governors of Chalkhill Primary School. 

Chris Walker, head of planning wrote to all the interested parties yesterday, January 12th 2012 ( to say that it had been anticipated that work would start in December 2011/January 2012 (more than 4-6 weeks behind) but that now the contract will be not be awarded until March 2012 with a six month contract to completion. On my reading this means that the park will not be completed until at least September 2012 leaving the local kids with no park for yet another summer.

Mr Walker explains that this is because all the tenders submitted in the autumn were unaffordable without reducing the park specification and that it became apparent that they did not fully comply with the Council's internal standing orders - so they are going out to tender again 'and hope that this time we will receive affordable and suitable tender submissions'. Even that sounds pretty uncertain...

Chris Walker  says he realises the situation will be a big disappointment but says that the Council is doing all it can to minimise delays.

Eventually a contract was awarded and there were some delays due to bad weather but the new park began to take shape. Progress was eagerly watched by children on their way to and from school, bothe primary and secondary. 

 

 The wait was too much for some and on April 25th 2013 I wrote:

 

 

25^th April 2013

 

I was greeted by whoops of excitement and shouted greetings as I passed Chalkhill Park at 6.15pm this evening. As you can see the children have taken it over and made it their own.  It is not yet officially open and a pensive child outside whispered, 'You know this is illegal'.  But a parent said, 'How can we tell them they can't go in. They have been waiting for the park for 3 years and here it is now and they just love it!'

A decision will be made tomorrow about a possible earlier opening. There are concerns that the grass sown between the gaps in the safety matting of the children's playground, which is at an early stage of growth, will be damaged but anyone wanting to keep the children out now that they have had a taste of the park  will have quite a job on their hands!

Garth McWilliams who designed the park should be thrilled by the children's reaction.

This was followed by another post soon after:

The recent warm weather has resulted in children and families making use of the new Chalkhill Park despite it not yet being officially open and still surrounded by builders' fencing.

The temptation of green grass and exciting play equipment proved too much of a temptation after three long years of waiting. A bit of low key spontaneous direct action resulted in an unofficial entrance being created.

I recently saw parents sitting chatting while their children played, a teenager doing her homework on a laptop at a picnic bench and young people chilling out. It demonstrated to me how badly the park was needed and how keen people are to get in there and use it.

Today there were 10 labourers working on the park. I checked and was told that the play equipment has received its final safety check and that a decision will be made tomorrow on whether the park should open now with any uncompleted areas being fenced off temporarily,

I think that would be a sensible decision as public use by families would be likely to deter any misuse of the park and why on earth shouldn't it be open if it is largely complete?

The official opening by the new Mayor of Brent will be on Saturday June 8th and plans include special activities, performance, bouncy castles, talent show and much more on the Saturday, outdoor gym equipment training on Sunday and Chalkhill Primary School pupils will take it over for a Carnival procession and other activities on the afternoon of  Monday June 10th.

 

Following April's activities the Council decided to open the park to the public on May 3rd 2013 ready for the Bank Holiday.

 

May 3^rd 2013

Builders' fences were removed from Chalkhill Park today after a final surge of activity to get the park ready for the Bank Holiday.

News reached Chalkhill Primary School at lunchtime and spread like wildfire around the playground to cheers from the children.

The weekly School Walking Club were the first to officially use the new facility.  A landscape gardener, stripped to the waist and pushing a laden wheelbarrow, stopped me and said, 'This makes it all worthwhile. The children's faces as they swarmed into the park were wonderful. It was amazing It was worth all the work.'

Parents and children rushed to the park after school and there was widespread praise from the former for the design. Children were too overcome with excitement and breathless from trying everything out to say very much but their big smiles told their own story.

 

June 2013 preparing for the opening

 

The plans to build a new park close to the school presented a great opportunity for work across the curriculum. More than three years ago children were involved in submitting  possible plans for the park with ideas for the kind of equipment that should be installed. They had to think about provision for all ages and safety issues.

The School Council got involved when plans for the park were delayed. They wrote letters to local Brent councillors, e-mailed them and spoke to them face to face to urge action to complete the park, emphasising how important it was for children on the Chalkhill Estate to have somewhere safe to play and the importance of exercise and play in adopting a healthy lifestyle.

When  completion neared they were again involved in putting forward ideas for the opening ceremony and pupil delegates went to one meeting where activities, within budget constraints, were planned. In School Council they came up with the idea of a Junior Friends of Chalkhill Park to litter pick and take care of the equipment. Within the school there was a competition to make posters to urge the public to look after the park, pick up litter and clear up after dogs. The best of these were placed on the park notice boards.

For the opening ceremony the children and staff worked with Mahogany Arts to create carnival costumes, the staff steelband rehearsed, a pupil samba band was formed, Bollywood dances created and the school choir chose pieces to sing on the day.

Meanwhile Year 3 pupils collaborated with the Brent and Kilburn Times  to produce a page of the newspaper about the park:

 As you can see there was the 'direct action' by school pupils that opened the park on April 25th 2013, and then the council opened it to the public on May 3rd 2013. Finally the official opening was 10 years ago today on June 8th 2013 with the Mayor attending and performances by community groups and school children. Those childen are now at work, college or university!

 

Chalkhill Primary involved the whole school the following Monday, June 12th 2023 with a Carnival Procession around the park in costumes they had made with the assistance of Mahogany and were accompanied by the staff steel pans band.

 

By August 2013 the park was contributing to the life of the estate:

August 2013

It was good  today to see Chalkhill residents enjoying their first summer in the new park. The Chalkhill Champions' Summer Camp was in session with children learning how to put up a tent. The Camp for children on the estate takes place on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays 1-4pm. It will culminate with an entertainment put on by the young people on Friday August 30th.

Chalkhill Residents' Association have organised a Family Summer Trip to Littlehampton later in the holiday.

Future 'Happy Dayz Family Fun' activities  in the park for Chalkhill residents include:
August 10th  3pm Scavenger Hunt
August 11th 3pm Family Rounders
August 17th 3pm Family Beat the Goalie
August 18th 3pm  Family Picnic/Campsite
August 24th 3pm Family Treasure Hunt
Look for the Green Tent in the park this weekend and sign up.

The new park is having a really positive impact on the local community according to one resident I spoke to. He lives opposite the park and apart from some occasional late night rowdiness, he described a friendly atmosphere where adults accompanying their children and others using the park for chilling out or exercising on the outdoor gym, are getting to know each other, chatting and then greeting each other in Asda or elsewhere in Wembley.

For me it underlines the importance of safe and beautiful public spaces which everyone can enjoy at no cost and where informal social contact can develop in a natural way. With increasing development and the privatisation of existing public spaces it is important to safeguard such neutral free spaces.

 

10 years on June 2023 

 

 I popped into the park earlier this week and talked to parents and their children about the park.  They were very positive about the facility but there were two main concerns. One was anti-social behaviour of the type that led to the closure of the school community playground to the public. Parents were used to seeing alcohol misuse but were very uneasy about drug-taking and possible dealing. I had heard that the police had been clamping down but it was evidently still happening in a thicket of trees and shrubs. One parent said that she felt safe if there were lots of others in the park but not if there were only a few people.

Another concern was maintenance of the park and especially the flower beds. Although these are not formal there were too many brambles and tree suckers amongst the flowers. There is an ongoing problem with litter.  A new parks maintenance contractor comes in this summer so it will be important for residents, the residents' association and ward councillors to monitor performance.

The park is too precious to be allowed to fall into neglect or to be taken over by one age group.

 

Kathleen Fraser, now a councillor for Barnhill ward that includes the Chalkhill estate said:

It was hard work for the Residents' Association to move the Council to give us trees and hills in the lovely park we have now.

A true demonstration of People Power.

'Green and Fit Day' Chalkhill Park Saturday 27th May - 'Cultivating Health and Nature'

 

Love Chalkhill Festival, Chalkhill Park, August 14th Noon-8pm

 

Chalkhill Park 7 years on

Chalkhill Park was opened in time for the May Day Bank Holiday weekend in 2013 - a day of great excitement for the children of Chalkhill.  I thought it would interesting to take a look at how it is doing as there were quite a few sceptics at the time who doubted that it would be looked after and thought that all the saplings would be torn down and benches vandalised.

They were wrong. The planning of the park involved the Residents' Association and children, creating a real sense of ownership and it has been well looked after.

April 2012

First plantings

May 2013

The architect was keen that planting should be tough and sustainable in future climatic conditions. As well as tree and shrub planting and flower beds a wild flower area and a copse surrounding a willow tree were incorporated into the design. The result is not the formal flower beds that you see in Edwardian Parks (although they are much less formal these days) but more natural planting, often under-stated but with splashes of colour and something of interest all the year round.

The trees as you can see have matured nicely and both trees and flowers have survived the recent very dry weather reasonable well.

Lockdown has made people appreciate the greenspaces on their doorstep, not just for exercise but a place for quiet contemplation amidst the greenery.

This is how the park looks today - with of course the playground and outdoor gymn closed off due to Covid19 restrictions.

 

 

Wild flower meadow

The mysterious copse

A pear tree

The future of children's play facilities in Quintain's Wembley development

There have been rumours circulating about the loss of a 'park' in Wembley. Some said that flats were to be built on Chalkhill Park which has only been open for a few years.

On investigation I realised that it was the children's playground opposite the London Designer Outlet where the building of flats was to take place. The playground has been very popular with local parents as a source of relief and relaxation when shopping with young children. It was always envisaged as a 'meanwhile' facility, meaning it occupies the site temporarily prior to development.

It is to be hope that the fact that it is valued as a community asset and one where parents and children representing a cross-section of Brent's diverse population can mix freely will encourage Brent Council and Quintain to consider alternative provision.

Amar Dave, Brent Council's Strategic Director for Regeneration and Environment told Wembley Matters:

In 2014 Quintain proposed the provision of the children’s play area together with some other public realm improvements as a “meantime” use of the land before it comes forward for development (through the existing outline consent) in the future.  The reference number for that application is 14/1089 [ LINK ]. 

Play and recreational facilities had been secured in other consents but hadn’t come forward yet.  Some have now been delivered (the smaller play area in the park to the north of the Civic Centre) and others are to be delivered later. 

We were very supportive of the provision of the play area as an interim use of the site – much better than keeping it hoarded up until the development comes forward. 

In terms of future provision other play areas are to be provided.  The Southern part of the new larger park (towards the eastern end of Engineers Way) includes a play are of commensurate size to the existing play area.  It also includes a Multi-Use-Games Area.   

When the plot within which the meantime playground is developed, a smaller play area will be incorporated in this location.

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Love Chalkhill Festival returns on Saturday July 14th 2pm-7pm

Always a great community event in Chalkhill Park (behind Wembley Asda).

A great eating place in Chalkhill, Wembley

A few years ago such a claim would have been met with disbelief but the Lounge Cafe at Chalkhill Community Centre has joined the amazing new Chalkhill Park (oposite the cafe),  the popular and high-achieving Chalkhill Primary School and the diverse local community in challenging the negative stereotypes that used to be attached to the Chalkhill Estate.

Maria Kuehen, Director of the Lounge Cafe says:

This is a second cafe, the first being in Kilburn which has received a Good Food Award (out of half a million food businesses we were one of 160 to achieve this) and also The Time Out Best Cafe 2105. 

Our philosophy is simple. We prepare everything on a daily basis. We make all our soups and specials, have an eclectic breakfast and brunch menu and have an 'ask and we will do our best' policy. 

My food blog mindingbellieswell.blogspot.co.uk has 500 entries which include local restaurant reviews and hundreds of recipes. 

I have also started my programme "Walk, Talk, Fork' at the cafe, aimed at individuals who want to better their health through exercise and healthy cooking lessons. 

People are welcome to book the cafe for an event, a lunch or dinner party as well and we also cater for take out food.

The Cafe is rapidly building a reputation beyond Wembley but retains its community feeling. A recent reviewer on Trip Advisor said LINK:

Of course, it's the first place you'd think of to go and have a good breakfast, not! I mean, c'mon, it's a café in a Community Health Centre. Who wants to eat in those sort of places? Well, put your pre-conceived ideas aside and check it out. Heard of hidden gems? Read on..

Light and airy space with fresh flowers on the table. Good menu choice and reasonably priced. Service was warm, welcoming and attentive. We had breakfast; smoked salmon and scrambled egg on toast for my partner and for me, breakfast burrito. Both delicious.

After settling our bill, and the owner realising we weren't locals, she took great interest in to what our plans were and also gave us a number of her personal recommendations as to where to eat in Central London. That's engaging.

We left very satisfied and what a lovely start to the day.

Visited March 2017

Here is the menu but remember the 'ask and we will do our best' policy:

Lounge Cafe, Chalkhill Community Centre, 113 Chalkhill Road, HA9 9FX  Tel:  07790 506609

Nearest station Wembley Park (Met and Jubilee) 83, 182, 206, 297 buses alight at station or 245 alight at ASDA.

Inspiring Groundwork project on climate proofing social housing landscapes - ideas for Brent?

As we have learnt from the new park on the Chalkhill Estate green spaces can have a transformative impact on how people feel about their local areas and the social relationships on the estate. This video about work being carried out jointly by Groundwork and Hammersmith and Fulham Council  on three of their social housing estates shows how mitigation of the effects of climate change through  quite small measures can have a similar impact.

There are lessons here for Brent Housing Partnership in terms of their existing estates as well as for Brent Planners when examinining the many redevelopment proposals.  I hope there are people here in Brent who will get excited about the possibilities.

Officers recommend approval for Wembley French School swimming pool

Officers are recommending that Brent Planning Committee at their December 16th meeting grant permission for the private French School, now housed in the former Brent (and Wembley) Town Hall, to build a swimmng pool at the front of the site on Forty Lane. This is presently a grassed area with around 18 trees,  including two memorial trees.

The swimming pool building will be lowered by creating a basement and thus not conceal the frontage of the listed town hall building.

It is proposed that two memorial trees will be planted in Chalkhill Park to make up for the loss, and other replacement trees planted in the school grounds. Green space will be lost but the new swimming pool building will have a green roof.

The new build will also affect the current bus stop serving the 83, 182, 206, 245 and 297 buses. The stop will be relocated but the precise site will have to be negotiated with TfL.

As part of the deal the Lycee will provide some community access to the pool which will be managed externally by a facilities company:

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• The swimming pool will be open during the week for use by local schools for four half day sessions 

• Community use of the swimming pool and studio facilities is anticipated to be before school use on 
weekdays, between 7 and 9am, and after school, between 7 and 9.30pm 

• Community access for swimming lessons is anticipated on two early evening sessions per week, as 
well as weekend mornings. General community access to the pool facilities is expected on weekend afternoons and during holiday periods. However, the opening times for the facilities during these periods are yet to be defined. 
  

Details

Chalkhill families enjoy the sunshine in their very special park

I was lovely to see families out enjoy in the autumn sunshine in Chalkhill Park this afternoon. People were relaxed and happy at this unexpected bonus at the end of the half-term holiday.

More evidence of how important these social open spaces and play facilities are. Councillors may boast about the Civic Centre but I thibk this is, in the long run, a much more significant achievement.

Help tidy up Chalkhill Park on Sunday

Chalkhill Park yesterday

Chalkhill Park is little more than a year old and has already won a place in the hearts of local residents. It is very well used, particularly on warm sunny days, and this inevitably means some littering.

On Sunday Thames21 have organised a clean up on Sunday (details below) and I hope to be there with others who recognise the huge part the park has played in improving the quality of life on the estate.

This afternoon children from the Summer Playscheme will be performing in the park.

Chalkhill Park planting comes into glorious flower

Just a year after opening Chalkhill Park is looking stunning this week as the plants come into flower. Congratulations to Garth McWilliam and the team.

(Wild flower meadow)

Chalkhill Park gets fenced in

Open Access

Fenced In

Chalkhill residents were surpised last week to see a railing fence going up around their new park. When the park was being planned many residents wanted a fence but were told no money was available. There was no planned separation of the pavement from the park with turf abutting the paving.

Shortly after the park was opened a car was driven on to the grass causing some damage to planting and seating but since then it has been relatively free from vandalism. Low roped posts were placed around the flowerbeds to stop the plants being trampled. Some parents feared their toddlers running straight into the road from the park and others were worried about children chasing miskicked footballs into the road and being hit by cars.

Although I respect those fears I confess that I really liked the open aspect of the park and the way people could wander in and out without having to find a gate, allowing  very sociable interaction between passersby and park users, particularly those on the outdoor gym equipment.  In a way it symbolised the open, friendly nature of the residents. However, there will be a gate at every point where a park path meets the pavement.

It appears that some money became available at the financial year end and the fence is being put in, at what a  person experienced at such installations, reckoned would be a cost of £30,000-£40,000. There are no plans at present for the park gates to be locked at night.