Sworders Field Masterplan Brief History Bishops Stortford Town

Sworders Field Masterplan – Brief History © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Sworders Field masterplan - Background n Dec 2012 - £ 20000 allocated for masterplan n Jan – May 2013 – 3 options created n n n Council selects ‘Option 2’ to go to consultation, with ‘Option 3’ as a fallback Diagrams appear later on in materials Option 2 requires considerable cooperation from EHDC June-Aug 2013 – Consultation n n List of facilities included and excluded specified “No expenditure other than essential maintenance until Masterplan adopted” Feedback predominantly positive Aug 2013 – E&PA Committee recommendation Sep 2013 – Council refers back to E&PA Committee n Recommendation neither accepted nor rejected © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

E&PA Recommendation Aug 2013 n Recommended n n Either refurbish the paddling pool or rebuild it in the proposed new location, all subject to a full feasibility study once the decision on location has been taken. Commission a design for the ‘Youth area’ to include an extended skate park, a BMX track, the existing graffiti wall and play equipment. Construct new pathways and a jetty in the locations proposed in the plan. No decision or recommendation: n n n Adoption of a masterplan or the further steps necessary to adopt one The overall layout of the area The location of the paddling pool Provision and location of Café and Toilets Provision and location of Bandstand/Performance area © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

List of Facilities n Included for consideration n n n n Enhanced paddling pool, larger pumphouse Multi-use bandstand Linear or offline narrowboat moorings, Winding hole (turning point) for narrowboats Summer Café – maybe a ‘pop up’ or alternatively in a ‘developed’ Markwell Pavillion Toilets including disabled toilets Accessible paths, desire line path northern bridge to Johnsons Crossing, Dropped pathway alongside river (west side? ) Picnic area(s) for families ‘feature’ planting/area, probably associated with picnic area or other facilities Enhanced skatepark BMX track (however it was noted that a track already exists as Ash Grove) Grafitti wall Better drainage Opening up all or part of the culvert which flows east/west across field Power and water for events Community Chair store/Chairs to be used by Field/park users – possibly linked to the Bandstand/Café. Landscaping of the moat perhaps to include wildflower planting. Northern extension to the re-watering of the moat (ie extension of the ‘re-watering’ into the area owned by the District Council) The Osier Bed - to be included as part of a landscaping plan subsequent to masterplan Excluded from consideration n n n n Changing places facility Bridge from paddling pool area and play area unless required as part of the masterplan. A firepit for youths Facility for winter ice rink Mountain bike trail from Sworders to the Meads Trim Trail Model Boating Pond Wild swimming area Outdoor Gym. © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council