Proposals include:
1. Floodlit MUGA pitch (multi use games area) gated court, with
CCTV and enhanced lighting around the area;
2. Running / Cycle Track around perimeter of Taylor's Meadow (2
lanes x1 cycle x1 running);
3. Café / Tea room alongside current changing room
facilities;
4. Outdoor gym facilities; and
5. Improved playground facilities for younger children
Background:
The Council has invested in playground equipment across Harefield in recent years, which has been well received and is well used by younger children. However, there is a notable lack of facilities for older children to keep fit through exercise in a safe environment.
There are no readily accessible health and fitness facilities in Harefield which has lead to an increasing number of inactive older children, with poor general health and fitness levels. This has been particularly prevalent throughout the pandemic. Alongside improving the wellbeing of Harefield Residents, research has proven that access to sport and physical activity sites can play a positive role in tackling youth crime and violence which has been on the increase in the area. Almost a quarter of residents in Hillingdon are under the age of 19, and applying this percentage to Harefield indicates that there are over 2,000 young people in the local area.
Harefield residents currently have to drive out of the local area to access multi-purpose/ surface facilities such as Goals in Ruislip, Hillingdon Leisure Centre, Maple Cross Youth Centre pitch, and Rickmansworth school. Pitches are available to hire from Harefield Academy, however these are at a premium which is not viable for a number of children and families in the area. Multi-game surfaces can enable a range of sports to be played, including tennis, football, basketball, netball, hockey and exercise classes.
Current Facilities:
The current facilities at the gated court site incorporate a
concrete basketball / football court on one side, with a large
moss-covered area unsafe for play and uneven floor through tree
root damage on the other side. The courts can be easily accessed
via the pathway from Hill End Road walking past the bowls club and
nursery.
On reaching 20 signatures it will be formally considered by the Council and relevant Cabinet Member. Local ward Councillors will also be made aware of the petition. The Council's Democratic Services Team will keep the lead petitioner updated on progress.
This ePetition ran from 02/12/2020 to 02/03/2021 and has now finished.
One person signed this ePetition.