Tree management works will be undertaken in Down Lane Park in the week commencing Monday 22 April. &nbsp;The works will involve&nbsp;lifting low tree canopies, trimming around lighting columns, and removing dead branches that are unsafe.&nbsp;These works have been scheduled to address residents’ and park users’ concerns about visibility and safety. They will create clearer sightlines, remove dark and obscured places created by low canopies, and improve overall visibility and safety in the park.&nbsp;We know that residents care greatly for the trees and wildlife in the park and some may have concerns about the impact these works could have.&nbsp;A Wildlife Risk Assessment will be undertaken prior to any tree pruning to ensure that the works do not impact nesting birds and other species. Where nesting is identified pruning will be undertaken at a later date.Branches from the trees that are being removed or trimmed back will be kept to one side so that they can be reused to create dead hedges and log piles, creating excellent habitat for wildlife, and supporting greater biodiversity. Once works are further progressed, we would love for residents and park users to get involved in helping to create these new habitat features. &nbsp;We will have more news on this opportunity very soon.&nbsp;If you would like to develop your green skills locally, why not join Living Under One Sun and the Orchard Project to find out how best to care for trees. These courses are supported by the Mayor of London’s Green and Resilient Spaces Programme and free to Haringey residents.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/living-under-one-sun-with-the-orchard-project-3028039" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/living-under-one-sun-with-the-orchard-project-3028039" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Click here</a>&nbsp;to find out more and book your space via Eventbrite.&nbsp;<a href="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1713538743/projects/60c752bbbda58d1ebe7b3fe2/media-upload/Down%20Lane%20Park_FAQs_V0.4_19.04.24.pdf/sbyejgx8gdrlpg3kqoai.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1713538743/projects/60c752bbbda58d1ebe7b3fe2/media-upload/Down%20Lane%20Park_FAQs_V0.4_19.04.24.pdf/sbyejgx8gdrlpg3kqoai.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Click here</a>&nbsp;for an updated series of Frequently Asked Questions, with responses to questions and queries posed by residents and park users, including those questions raised about tree works and materials used for pathways.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Phase 1 Improvements: Frequently Asked Questions, January 2024 - June 2024 (April Update)

Down Lane Park Phase 1 Site Visit&nbsp;On Saturday, 9th March Haringey Cllrs Ruth Gordon, Mike Hakata, Emily Arkell, and Sean O&rsquo;Donovan met in Down Lane Park with members of the Community Design Group, who together with the council have over the past two years co-designed improvements to the park that are now be delivered. They were joined by the scheme landscape architects from Levitt Bernstein and Catherine Barber from the Greater London Authority. &nbsp;Alongside council funding from developer contributions, the Mayor of London is co-funding the improvements through a <a href="https://downlaneparkimprovement.commonplace.is/en-GB/news/down-lane-park-secures-mayor-of-london-funding">&pound;750,000 grant</a> from his Green &amp; Resilient Spaces Fund.<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1710525773/projects/60c752bbbda58d1ebe7b3fe2/ep9iwawmstvhlejthxij.jpg" style="width: 800px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" data-uw-rm-alt-original="">L-R: Cllr Mike Hakata, Cllr Ruth Cordon, Cllr Emily Arkell, Catherin Barber (GLA)In addition to seeing the new sustainable drainage basins, wider footpaths, and viewing platforms that are currently under construction, the site visit afforded an opportunity to talk about how residents and park users can get involved in delivery of the Phase 1 improvements. &nbsp;In the spring there will be opportunities for volunteers to get involved in constructing dead hedges and log piles, installing bird and bat boxes and bug hotels, and much more, to enhance the park&rsquo;s habitat, biodiversity, and ecological value. &nbsp;It will also give participants an opportunity to gain new skills and be part of the regeneration of their local park.<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1710525640/projects/60c752bbbda58d1ebe7b3fe2/kxioyokcny7750wbgq6x.jpg" style="width: 800px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" data-uw-rm-alt-original="">CDG members discuss community volunteering&nbsp;There was also an opportunity to hear from Chief Executive of Living Under One Sun and Community Design Group Member, Leyla Laksari, about the free to access sports, engagement, and green skills activities that are being delivered by LUOS this year and next, supported by Green &amp; Resilient Spaces Fund grant funding. Residents and park users can participate in a range of courses, classes, and workshops, including arts and crafts, community gardening, tree care in collaboration with The Orchard Project, Microgreen and Aquaponics courses, cycle training, Little Buds Nature Club, social enterprise training, and so much more. &nbsp;A full programme will be published soon. &nbsp;For more information visit: <a href="http://​https://www.livingunderonesun.co.uk/">www.livingunderonesun.co.uk</a><a href="http://​https://www.livingunderonesun.co.uk/">&nbsp;</a>or find out more via Instagram @livingunderonesun or contact <a href="mailto:chloe@livingunderonesun.co.uk">chloe@livingunderonesun.co.uk</a>&nbsp; Reducing our Carbon FootprintTo construct the wider footpaths that will improve accessibility and user comfort, and the sustainable drainage basins that will help mitigate flooding and improve the climate change resilience of the park, approximately 2,500m3&nbsp;of soil has been excavated. That&rsquo;s about thirty-seven 40ft shipping containers full of a soil, which is a lot! Some of this is being reused in the park to create new viewing platforms that will provide relief and places to rest, or to create planting beds. However, that still leaves a lot of soil to dispose of which would typically involve a lot of vehicle movements, carbon emissions, and cost to dispose of.As part of our commitment to reduce council projects&rsquo; carbon footprint, we&rsquo;ve worked collaboratively and creatively with Down Lane Park&rsquo;s sister project at <a href="https://thepaddock.commonplace.is/">The Paddock</a>, where the council is collaborating with The Conservation Volunteers to deliver a new nature reserve, to relocate and reuse the excess soil there. &nbsp;By moving the soil to The Paddock ground levels can be raised to create pathways that are accessible for people with disabilities, as well as enhancing the general landscape design of the space. &nbsp;The soil from Down Lane Park is ideal for this purpose as it is locally sourced, certified contaminant-free, and has a suitable composition.<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1710527030/projects/60c752bbbda58d1ebe7b3fe2/qrsutydiu6ekmxtl6ayd.jpg" style="width: 800px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" data-uw-rm-alt-original="">Transfer of the soil took place in February resulting in reduced vehicle movements and emissions, and reduced costs for both projects in terms of disposal from Down Lane Park and import to The Paddock. By reusing soil in the local area we&rsquo;ve managed to reduce the carbon footprint of both projects. Elsewhere, we have been able to donate excess soil to Harris Primary Academy for their planters, and arisings from trees that have been used to construct dead hedges around the school pond. &nbsp; &nbsp;

Community Design Group Phase 1 site visit

<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1708450330/projects/60c752bbbda58d1ebe7b3fe2/gcrczvsisxkxe9jt2q9j.jpg" style="width: 800px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" data-uw-rm-alt-original="">Thank you to everyone who have been in touch about the Down Lane Park improvement project. We are working hard to minimise the disruption caused by the Phase 1 works, as we will in subsequent Phases. &nbsp;While we aim to keep as much of the park open as possible during the works period, safety of the public has to be our number one priority and will at times determine decisions that are made. We will continue to update the project website on Commonplace with the latest information:&nbsp;<a href="https://downlaneparkimprovement.commonplace.is">https://downlaneparkimprovement.commonplace.is</a>In the past couple of weeks residents and park users have raised a number of queries and questions in relation to the Phase 1 works, including concerning the removal of some trees, lighting and safety, and accessibility. In response we have published a number of&nbsp;Frequently Asked Questions&nbsp;(FAQs) with responses on the project website on Commonplace. You can view the FAQs&nbsp;<a href="https://downlaneparkimprovement.commonplace.is/en-GB/proposals/phase-1-improvements-access-restrictions-and-diversions/step1">here</a>.&nbsp;

Phase 1 Improvement Works: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

View the latest design proposals to improve Down Lane Park and share your feedback and insights to help to shape the final designs until Sunday 28 May.

There are several ways to get involved, from in-person workshops and drop in events in the park, to filling out the survey online. Check out 
downlaneparkimprovement.commonplace.is for more details of the events and to complete the online survey.

Have your say on Improving Down Lane Park Together!

We have set up community groups regarding our parks. Can the council contact you directly about joining?

We are doing a prize draw for a £50 ASDA voucher. Would you like to be entered into the draw?