Friendly Parks for All Project

Overview

As part of Richmond Council’s continued commitment to improve our parks and open spaces, the Parks Team are seeking to understand how blind people or those with visual impairments and their families currently use our parks. We are interested in understanding what you like about our parks, any barriers to visiting them, and what would improve the quality of the experience of using our parks.

Improvements such as clear signage, unobstructed pathways and multi-sensory displays will benefit all park visitors, but we are seeking to understand how these can be designed to include blind people or those with visual impairments. This consultation forms part of the Friendly Parks for All Project managed through Richmond Council’s Parks Department.

What is the Friendly Parks for All Project?

The Friendly Parks for All project supports multisensory visitor experiences in Richmond Parks through:

• Encouraging more use of parks and open space in the borough
• Working with partners to help improve the quality of everyone’s experience of parks
• Increasing the number and diversity of people inspired by and enjoying them
• Better understanding the issues, barriers and priorities of residents to help improve engagement in parks

Have your say

We are seeking the views of blind people or those with visual impairments and their families in particular, as well as relevant groups or organisations. Please complete our Friendly Parks survey by clicking the online survey link below.

However, should you require a paper copy of the questionnaire, please email consultation@richmond.gov.uk .  Paper copies are also available in large print.

NB. Council-managed parks do not include Richmond and Bushy parks which are managed by the Royal Parks or Marble Hill Park which is managed by English Heritage.

If you have any queries please contact the Parks Team at Parks@richmond.gov.uk.

What happens next

As part of a project to make local parks more accessible - Barnes Green, Ham Village Green and Heathfield Recreation Ground have been included in the Friendly Parks for all project to date. As part of the next stage we are looking to develop a design for our parks and open spaces that will ensure that more people, especially those with visual impairments, will feel welcome and supported in their visit. All feedback will be carefully considered to inform the design. The model will be trialled in Kneller Gardens, Twickenham in 2020 and any learning will be incorporated into the programme of the future Friendly Parks for All project design.