N.B. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO WORK IN THE SPINNEY - FIND OUT MORE ON THE SPINNEY PAGE

This page has the latest on developments in and around Canons Park. The big project of the past few years has been the Park Restoration which is now complete, and now the Friends are moving on to new projects to keep up the momentum of improvements. Below are explanations of what has changed, and what is happening now and what will change in the future.

The Park Restoration Project is now completed. See the separate page on Park Restoration to find out what was done to improve the amenities and general attractiveness of the park. Nearly everyone agrees that more people now use the park than before thanks to the changes. The other main change that has happened in the past year or so is the new police presence in the park. The Police Safer Neighbourhood team for Canons Ward has its base in the Lodge (the house just inside the park by the Donnefield Avenue entrance). Sgt. Mark Manners-Jones and his team patrol the local streets (and the park of course!) from the Lodge. This presence should enhance the feeling of security by park visitors.

Unfortunately a setback has occurred - thieves have attempted to remove lead flashings from the roof of the temple in the park. In the process a number of tiles were ripped off. This is particularly sad after the restoration work that so improved the park.

The Friends are now moving on to further projects which will continue the efforts to upgrade aspects of the Park. One project already started involves Groundwork (West London) working under the umbrella of British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV) overseeing work to manage the Spinney area of the park. Please see the Spinney page for more details and Works Pics for photos.The Spinney is the wooded area extending from Whitchurch Lane to the boundary of the School grounds along the east side of the park. We are looking for local volunteers who would be willing to devote a few hours on a few days in 2008 to helping in this work (see events 2007/8 for more details) - the work will be designed to improve the woods in terms of biodiversity and to manage the mixture of young and old trees, clear intruding ivy, etc. If you would like to register your interest please e-mail using the link at the top right of each page.

Other future projects include a new Children's Playground in the park (although funding of this is currently uncertain there are hopes that this could happen in 2008/9), some new planting of spring bulbs, introduction of picnic tables in the Orchard area, and restoration of the ha-ha (concealed fence) on the south side of the mansion.