Weston Park Management Plan - University of Sheffield

Weston Park Sheffield
Green Flag Management Plan
2009 - 2012
“To conserve, enhance, sustain and explain the heritage of
Weston Park, while providing a safe, accessible and enjoyable
experience for the local and wider community.”
1

WESTON PARK
Management & Maintenance Plan
Part A – The Plan
A1. INTRODUCTION
A1.1. The Purpose of the Management & Maintenance Plan.
A1.2. Remit of the Plan
A1.3. Outcome of the Plan
A1.4. Period covered by the Plan
A2. PRODUCING THE PLAN
A2.1. Development of the Plan
A2.2. People Involved in Preparing the Plan
A2.3. Consultation
A2.4. Vision for the Park
A2.5. Reviewing the Plan
A2.6. Political and Community Support
THE PARK
A3.1. Location
A3.2. Local Context
A3.3. General Description
A3.4. Site Statistics
A3.5. Topography and Geology
A3.6. Landscape Character
A3.7. History & Development
A3.8. Chronology
A3.9. Historical Significance.
A3.10 Facilities
A3.11 Site Access
2

A4. LEGAL AND PLANNING ISSUES
A4.1. Land Ownership
A4.2. Leases, Licences & Agreement
A4.3. Byelaws
A4.4. Planning Designations
A5. POLICY CONTEXT
A5.1. Sheffield City Council Strategies and Policies
A6. USE OF THE PARK
A6.1. User Profile
A6.2. Park Use
A6.3. Customer Survey
A6.4. Current Stakeholders
A6.5. Access & Barriers to Use
A7.
STAFF & MAINTENANCE
A7.1. Maintenance overview
A8. AIMS & OBJECTIVES OF THE MANAGEMENT PLAN
A8.1. Creating a Welcoming Place
A8.2. A Clean and Well Maintained Site
A8.3. Preserve and Promote the Heritage of Weston Park
A8.4 Market the Site to Increase Awareness and Usage
A8.5 Ensure a Healthy, Safe and Secure Site for Recreation
A8.6 To Manage the Site through Sustainable Policies
A8.7 Maximise Community Involvement in the Management of
Weston Park
A8.8. To Ensure That Weston Park is Effectively Managed
3

A9. MANAGEMENT
A10. MAINTENANCE
A11. MARKETING & PROMOTION
A12. FINANCE & RESOURCES
A13. MONITORING & REVIEW
4

Part B - Operational Appendices
B1. STAFF CONTACT LISTS
B2. GREEN FLAG POSITION STATEMENT
B2.1 Presentation of the Management Plan
B2.2 Health, Safety and Security (Including Risk Assessments)
B2.3 Maintenance of Equipment, Buildings and Landscape
B2.4 Litter, Cleanliness and Vandalism
B2.5 Environmental Sustainability
B2.6 Conservation of Heritage & Nature
B2.7 Community Involvement
B2.8 Marketing
B2.9 Overall Management
B3. ANNUAL MANAGEMENT ACTION PLAN
B4. ANNUAL MAINTENANCE PLAN
B5 ANNUAL MARKETING & PROMOTION
5

Part C - Site Related Appendices
C1 Band a Report
C3 Site Risk Assessment
C4 Barriers to Use Audit
C5 Weston Park Environmental Policy
C6 Maintenance Information
C7 Weston Park Ecological Report
(Appendices will be available on site for inspection during the site
visit)
Part D - Sheffield City Council Appendices
Website Link to Part D Appendices
D1 DEL Health and Safety Policy
D2 Safe Removal of Needles and Syringes
D3 Byelaws
D4 SCC Environmental Policy
D5 SCC Use of Pesticide Policy
D6 SCC Use of Peat Policy
D7 SCC Events Section Aims and Objectives
D8 Corporate Feedback Leaflet – Tell Us What You Think
6

WESTON PARK SHEFFIELD
Management & Maintenance Plan
Part A – The Plan
A1 INTRODUCTION
A1.1. Purpose of the Management & Maintenance Plan
Weston Park is one of Sheffield’s oldest and most important historic parks. This Management &
Maintenance Plan has been developed to ensure that the park’s historical landscape is protected
and managed whilst the modern day needs of park users are met.
The Management and Maintenance Plan is designed to reflect the specific needs of Weston Park
and to ensure the appropriate management and maintenance regimes are implemented. It has
been compiled to provide a comprehensive approach to the management and maintenance
today and in the future and contribute towards the strategic and service objectives of the Parks
and Countryside Service.
The Plan covers all aspects of the site, including horticulture, arboriculture, structures, facilities,
events, and activities, whilst keeping the heritage of the park as its primary focus. It has been
written in accessible and “hands-on” style and has been designed to meet the criteria set out
for a Green Flag Award submission and to satisfy the requirement of the Heritage Lottery Fund
(HLF) for a 10 year Management and Maintenance Plan.
It is a dynamic document that guides the Park Manager and all those involved in achieving the
vision for Weston Park. It will be reviewed each year to enable feedback from park staff, users
and stakeholders to be fed into the management of the park and to ensure that any changes in
council policy and legal requirements are addressed.
A1.2. Remit of this Plan
The remit of the Plan is wide ranging and seeks to guide the park forward after the completion
of the restoration programme, setting out strategies to ensure a successful and sustainable
future, both in terms of the management and the maintenance of the park.
In order that the Plan achieves its goal, there are a number of aims, detailed below:-
• to develop a framework to allow for Weston Park to be managed and
maintained in a manner that will safeguard its significant heritage, cultural and
social values.
• to clearly define the roles and responsibilities of those who will be maintaining
and managing Weston Park.
• to act as a central information source for the park, and one which will be
updated on a regular basis.
7

• to monitor improvements to site management & customer service in accordance with
the Green Flag criteria
A1.3. Outcome of the Plan
The Management & Maintenance Plan for the park will be considered a success if it meets the
following aims:-
• That the management and maintenance of Weston Park meets the expectations of the
stakeholders and wider community.
• That Weston Park provides a safe and attractive public park for formal and informal
leisure and recreation.
• That the facilities in Weston Park remain accessible to all whilst protecting its historical
features and landscape for future generations.
• That Weston Park and Weston Park Museum work together to provide a seamless
experience for all users of the park and its facilities.
• That Weston Park achieves and maintains Green flag Status.
A1.4. Period covered by the Plan
To satisfy the conditions of the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Weston Park Management and
Maintenance Plan will cover a period of 10 years, starting after the completion of the restoration
work in late 2008. This also covers the requirement for a Green Flag management plan.
8

A2. PRODUCING THE PLAN
A2.1. Development of the Plan
In 2001, an “Historical Survey and Restoration Management Plan” was commissioned by
Sheffield City Council Parks and Countryside in preparation for the submission of a Stage 1 bid
to Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). In October 2005 a Stage 2 bid was submitted to HLF and
notification of its success was received in April 2006. Restoration work started in April 2007 and
was completed in September 2008. The Management and Maintenance Plan for the park has
been developed from work carried out during the preparation of the Stage 1&2 HLF bids for
the park between 2001-5.
A2.2. People Involved in Preparing the Plan
The restoration of Weston Park involved consultation with a number of individuals and
representatives of interest groups from within the local authority and from external stakeholder
groups over a considerable period of time. The proposals for the park were shaped by
comments and input received at public events and through more focussed sessions with the
Friends of Crookes Valley and Weston Park, the operational staff of Parks & Countryside (P&C),
the Sheffield Galleries and Museums Trust (SGMT), the University of Sheffield and the Sheffield
Children’s Hospital.
The Management and Maintenance Plan has built on this work. An internal working group
within the local authority developed the initial framework of this document. This group included
relevant representatives from the Parks & Countryside Section, Rangers Section, Trees &
Woodlands, Premises & Assets and other members of the Weston Park Project Development
team.
The Project Development Officer has been responsible for co-ordinating the plan and ensuring
that there is communication with other parties with a wider interest in the whole project, such
as the Friends Group, the Area Panel and local members.
The Management and Maintenance Plan working group comprises of the following core
members:
• Andrew Phillips P&C Park Manager
• Jon Barker P&C Parks Officer
• Steve Adams Premises and Assets
• Peter Jones District Parks Officer
• Beth Ritson Project Ranger
• Andy Catling Project Development Officer
• Amanda Stokes Heritage Parks Officer
Details of public consultations and the results of user surveys are contained in the Appendix X
to the Plan.
9

A2.3. Consultation
Good consultation practices and communication are key aspect of a successful Plan. As this
document will essentially be a public document it will be made available to all those who have
an interest in Weston Park via the council’s web site.
A2.4. Vision for the Park
The contributors involved in the production of this Plan proposed the following vision for
Weston Park, which has been agreed by the various stakeholders:
“To conserve, enhance, sustain and explain the heritage of Weston Park, while
providing a safe, accessible and enjoyable experience for the local and wider
community.”
A2.5. Reviewing the Plan
It is important that the Management and Maintenance Plan is a ‘living document’ and that it is
regularly updated with information that will affect the management of the park. In accordance
with good practice the Plan will be regularly reviewed every 12 months by the Park Manager
with Senior Managers and Park Staff. Key performance indicators, including feedback on visitor
surveys, will be reviewed.
Every 3 years there will be a more detailed review of the Plan in conjunction with key
stakeholders at workshop organised by the Park Manager. These reviews of the Plan will take
place using the following process:-
• Consultation with staff and Services on the contents of the Plan
• Individual services and staff will be consulted to assess whether the intentions
of the Plan are realistic, i.e. does it happen in practice
• Analysis of performance indicators
The intention is that the review process will be short, so that the Plan is kept up
to date and the Plan will be printed in a manner which allows relevant sections to be
removed, replaced or inserted as needed.
There will be a change control procedure in place to manage amendments to the Plan, under
the jurisdiction of the Park Manager which will provide evidence for justifying change. Any
alterations which arise from this review and are accepted will be then incorporated within the
revised document. It will be the responsibility of the Park Manager to ensure that hard copies of
the Plan in circulation are up to date.
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A2.6. Political and Community Support
Sheffield has developed a well-established infrastructure of Area Panels, engaging all of the
city's 84 Councillors in 12 corporate areas. The Panels are an integral part of the Council's
political management structure and are at the heart of the Council’s aim to create a network of
quality green spaces throughout the city.
Parks and Countryside Area Action Plans have been developed by each of the city’s 12 Area
Panels, and each Panel has identified the priority themes and green space sites in their area for
development and regeneration when opportunities arise.
Weston Park features as a priority site within the Walkey, Hillsborough and Netherthorpe local
area action plan. Further information and downloads are available on our website at:
www.sheffield.gov.uk/in-your-area/area-action/netherthorpe-hillsborough-walkley-area-action
In 2009 the Area Panels will be replaced by 7 Area Assemblies. These will have larger budgets
and enhanced powers and aim to reflect more closely local priorities, which could relate to the
upkeep of green and open spaces in the area, but this remains unclear at the moment.
The Friends of Weston Park and Crookes Valley Parks have been a corner stone of efforts to
restore the park and ensure that the legacy of Robert Marnock is preserved for the people of
Sheffield.
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A3. THE PARK
A3.1 Location
Weston Park is situated 2 kilometres west of Sheffield City Centre. The park lies on the
boundaries of the areas of Broomhill, Netherthorpe and Crookes, in an area generally known as
Crookesmoor. The southern side of the park is bounded by Western Bank, the A57, which is
one of the principal routes into the city from the west.
A3.2. Local Context
• The Surrounding Area
Weston Park lies in a heavily built-up area of the city and many of the principal academic and
administrative buildings of Sheffield University, Sheffield’s Children’s Hospital and Weston Park
Hospital are immediately adjacent to the park.
12

The wider surrounding area is densely populated with the residential areas of Netherthorpe,
Broomhall, and Crookesmoor lying to the North, South and West respectively. However, within
a 300 metres distance of the park boundary, the only significant area of residential property is a
swathe social housing in the Netherthorpe area. This fact emphasises that the use of the park
is dominated by staff, occupants and visitors of the large institutions that surround the park, the
University of Sheffield, the Sheffield Children’s Hospital and the Weston Park Museum.
• The Crookesmoor Parks
Immediately to the north - west of Weston Park are two further parks, Crookes Valley Park and
the Ponderosa. Whilst these three parks all have separate and distinct identities, they provide a
wide range of complimentary facilities, habitats and recreational opportunities. They are
collectively known as the Crookesmoor Parks and the maintenance of all three parks is
managed by the staff based in Weston Park.
Crookes Valley Park, the facilities on this site include two bowling greens, a children’s
playground, and a lake where fishing and water events take place.
There is also a privately run restaurant on site which caters for the general public and Park
visitor’s needs.
The Ponderosa (Crookes Moor East)
There are two playgrounds on this site and a large grass area which is available for informal
play and events.
A master plan is currently being produced for all green spaces in this area and these two sites
are included in the public consultation exercise.
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A3.3. General Description
Weston Park covers approximately 5.1ha, much of which is given over to open grass areas
which are shielded by groups of mature trees and shrubs. The park contains a number of
historic memorials, monuments and structures, together with several small operational
buildings. The City Museum and Mappin Art Gallery, now renamed the ‘Weston Park Museum’,
is a large classical building which sits very prominently at the highest part of the park just
within its western boundary of the park. Weston Park also lies directly adjacent to Firth Court,
one of Sheffield University’s oldest buildings.
Weston Park is an important historic park within the city and is Grade II registered on the
English Heritage ‘Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest’. It is on also the
Sheffield City Council local register of heritage parks.
The park has a strong planting structure, including a variety of mature tree species, giving form
to the wide expanses of grass. The park sweeps down from the Museum to a small lake on the
eastern edge of the site and to a set of tennis courts towards the northern end of the site.
Weston Park is a popular oasis in a very busy area of the city for a range of people seeking
informal recreation and relaxation including students, hospital visitors and patients, those
working in the area, local residents and city visitors.
The main access point for vehicles is located at the junction of Mushroom Lane and Winter St.
14

Crookes
Valley Park
Weston
Park
Museum
S-W Gates
Mushroom Lane
Weston Park
S-E Gates
Sheffield Children’s Hospital
15
Geography
Firth Hall
Winter St.
University
Library
Arts Tower
University of
Sheffield
Western Bank (A57)

A3.4. Site Statistics
Name of Site: WESTON PARK
Address: Weston Park, off Mushroom Lane, Sheffield, S3 7ND
Location: 2 kilometres west of the City Centre
Grid ref: SK 3487
Size of whole site: 5.10 hectares
Site Owner Sheffield City Council SCC
Site Management:
Sheffield City Council SCC
Parks and Countryside Service
Designations a) The Park is designated as “Grade 2”on the English Heritage Register
of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest.
b) Parks and Countryside Service listed as a City Park and Heritage Site.
c) Locally listed on the UDP Schedule of Historic Parks.
d) In addition to the Weston Park Museum, formerly known as the
Mappin Gallery which is listed as Grade 2* by English Heritage, the
park contains 7 other Grade 2 listed monument and memorials. In
addition the University Edgar Allen Building and the University
Library are both listed as Grade 2* and face directly onto the park.
Constraints: a) Sheffield City Council Byelaws with respect to Pleasure Grounds.
b) Contracts with HLF.
c) Weston Park Museum Lease
A3.5. Topography and Geology
The landform in Weston Park is undulating with a general west-east slope from the highest
point on the Museum terrace with a height of 135m A.O.D. in the east to the lowest point
adjacent to the Winter St entrance in the west with an elevation of some 115m A.O.D. On the
western boundary of the park lies Firth Court, one of the Universities oldest buildings, that
overlooks the lake, lying on another high point of the park at 128m A.O.D. The central area of
the park is largely given over to grass lawns interrupted by informal groups of tree or shrub
bends. The landscape is dissected by a series of paths and a carriageway which runs from the
entrance of the museum westwards to the site of a former main entrance now occupied by the
University Library.
The park contains a small lake covering some 1,800m 2 towards the northern eastern side of the
park which lies at 122.m A.O.D. and receives much of the surface water from the higher parts
of the park to the west.
The soil within the park is generally loamy and varies in depth across the park. The highest
parts of the park coincide with the areas where the underlying fractured Silkstone shale and
sandstone rise up. The Museum and Firth Court are both built directly on sandstone outcrops
and the soil covering in these areas is particularly thin. The ground underlying the lake is largely
composed of fractured mudstone overlain by grey clay.
16

A3.6. Landscape Character
The landscape character of Weston Park is predominantly that of informal parkland. It was laid
out in the 1870 in the “Gardenesque” style which favoured a natural layout with curved paths
following the undulating form of the landscape. Open grassed areas are broken up by irregular
clumps of trees and shrub planting, designed to frame and reveal different views to the visitor
as they move through the landscape.
There is a network of broad paths through the park, linking the northern and southern sides of
the park. Originally the main driveway came from an entrance on the eastern side of the park
close to the existing Winter St. entrance. This ran westwards through the park to Weston Hall,
a large private family house, part of which occupies the site of the current museum. A sinuous
perimeter path runs around the park linking in with the small lake which is a major feature of
the park.
The character of the park landscape changes from the more formal and regular terraces
adjacent to the Museum, across open lawns to the more intimate and informal lightly wooded
area around the lake.
A3.7. History & Development
In 1873 the site was purchased by Sheffield Corporation and the gardens were adapted for
public use by Robert Marnock, one of the leading landscape designers of the time. The Park
was the first public park in Sheffield. In Weston Park, Marnock, who was also the curator of the
Sheffield Botanical and Horticultural Gardens, used much of the existing layout of the gardens,
with his ‘Gardenesque’ style including features such as broad expanses of grass, careful
planting of trees to simulate informal parkland, curvilinear paths with seating and shelters and
the creation of small scale landscapes to create beauty, animation, variety and mystery. In
particular, it was intended that all plants would be given the space to reach their full aesthetic
potential.
In 1887 the Mappin Art Gallery was constructed, altering the structure and layout of the park
and sometime between 1899 and 1905 a further structure was added in the form of the
Bandstand. Further changes included the erection of several important monuments, the
addition of the tennis courts around 1905 – 1910 and the asphalting of the main carriageway.
• Sheffield Parks Regeneration Strategy (1993/1999)
Sheffield’s Parks Regeneration Strategy is the long-term plan for the regeneration of Sheffield's
green space. The strategy aims to continuously improve the management of green space for
people, wildlife and heritage by:
• working in partnership with others
• supporting communities to become actively involved with the management of their
green spaces and assisting us in determining standards
• making the best use of existing resources
• securing additional resources to improve services
The recent restoration of Weston Park is seen as a flagship example of the success of this
strategy. Further information regarding this strategy can be found on our website:
http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/out--about/parks-woodlands--countryside/all-about-us/parksregeneration-strategy
17

• A Strategy for the Heritage Parks and Green Spaces of Sheffield (1996/ 2002)
Notes that Weston Park was added to the National Register of Parks and Gardens of Special
Historic Interest in England (as a grade 2 site) in 1995.
• Site Categorisation Strategy (2000)
The Site Categorisation Strategy for Sheffield’s parks and green spaces identifies Weston Park
as a City Heritage site.
Further information regarding this strategy and its methodology, can be found on our website:
http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/out--about/parks-woodlands--countryside/all-about-us/sitecategorisation-strategy
• Sheffield City Strategy 2005- 2010 (Updated 2007)
Produced by the Sheffield First Partnership, one of the 6 Big Ambitions is for the city is for
“Every Neighbourhood to be a successful Neighbourhood”. This highlights the need to value the
distinctiveness of the city’s different areas – and the need to maintain its character and identity.
• Sheffield First ‘Environmental Excellence’ Strategy (2007)
In 2001, the City Council set up a Local strategic Partnership, with responsibility for ensuring
that the social, economic and environmental well being of the city is delivered in an integrated
way. The Sheffield First for Environment Partnership produced an environmental strategy for
the city, during 2007. A key element of this is to “Sustain Sheffield’s Distinctive Character and
Enhance the Quality of its built and green environment”. This notes the significance of high
quality public realm as an essential part of successful regeneration. A copy of the present
strategy can be found at; http://www.sheffieldfirst.net/our-partnerships/sheffield-environmentpartnership/key-documents
• Unitary Development Plan (UDP) 2007
The Unitary Development Plan (UDP) is the statutory development plan for Sheffield,
adopted in March 1998. Following consultation with the Council, the Secretary of State the Plan
amended and updated with effect from 28 September 2007.
Weston Park is included on the Local Schedule of Historic Parks and Gardens in Sheffield as part
of the City’s Unitary Development Plan. This document is currently being reviewed and a new
Sheffield Development Framework will be produced to guide future planning and developments
across the city.
UDP policy BE21 states “The character, setting and appearance of Historic Parks and Gardens
will be protected”
Further guidance is provided in the Supplementary Planning Guidance on Sheffield Historic
Parks and Gardens (1998)
Further details are available via the Planning Service website:
http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/planning-and-city-development/planning-documents/udp
or on the Planning Portal website. Unitary Development Plan
18

• Draft Sheffield Development Framework - Preferred options for City Policies
(2007)
Policy PHE 6 states “Historic Parks, Gardens and Cemeteries will be protected, and wherever
possible, their restoration and enhancement encouraged.”.
Sheffield Culture – a Strategy for inclusive Cultural and Sporting Development
(2006)
One of its 7 ‘intents’ is to enhance the cultural image of Sheffield. To increase Sheffield profile it
is recognised that the city need to be
“Promoting the ‘Sheffield Culture’ brand, building upon our excellent institutions, facilities, open
spaces, new public spaces and programmes, which define Sheffield.
Celebrating Sheffield’s industrial, architectural and green landscape heritage, celebrating a
sense of place and important landmarks”.
• Sheffield Parks Regeneration Strategy (1993/1999)
Sheffield’s Parks Regeneration Strategy is the long-term plan for the regeneration of Sheffield's
green space. The strategy aims to continuously improve the management of green space for
people, wildlife and heritage by:
• working in partnership with others
• supporting communities to become actively involved with the management of their
green spaces and assisting us in determining standards
• making the best use of existing resources
• securing additional resources to improve services
The recent restoration of Weston Park is seen as a flagship example of the success of this
strategy. Further information regarding this strategy can be found on our website:
http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/out--about/parks-woodlands--countryside/all-about-us/parksregeneration-strategy
• A Strategy for the Heritage Parks and Green Spaces of Sheffield (1996/ 2002)
Notes that Weston Park was added to the National Register of Parks and Gardens of Special
Historic Interest in England (as a grade 2 site) in 1995.
• Site Categorisation Strategy (2000)
The Site Categorisation Strategy for Sheffield’s parks and green spaces identifies Weston Park
as a City Heritage site.
Further information regarding this strategy and its methodology, can be found on our website:
http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/out--about/parks-woodlands--countryside/all-about-us/sitecategorisation-strategy
• Sheffield City Strategy 2005- 2010 (Updated 2007)
Produced by the Sheffield First Partnership, one of the 6 Big Ambitions is for the city is for
“Every Neighbourhood to be a successful Neighbourhood”. This highlights the need to value the
distinctiveness of the city’s different areas – and the need to maintain its character and identity.
19

• Sheffield First ‘Environmental Excellence’ Strategy (2007)
In 2001, the City Council set up a Local strategic Partnership, with responsibility for ensuring
that the social, economic and environmental well being of the city is delivered in an integrated
way. The Sheffield First for Environment Partnership produced an environmental strategy for
the city, during 2007. A key element of this is to “Sustain Sheffield’s Distinctive Character and
Enhance the Quality of its built and green environment”. This notes the significance of high
quality public realm as an essential part of successful regeneration. A copy of the present
strategy can be found at; http://www.sheffieldfirst.net/our-partnerships/sheffield-environmentpartnership/key-documents
• Unitary Development Plan (UDP) 2007
The Unitary Development Plan (UDP) is the statutory development plan for Sheffield,
adopted in March 1998. Following consultation with the Council, the Secretary of State the Plan
amended and updated with effect from 28 September 2007.
Weston Park is included on the Local Schedule of Historic Parks and Gardens in Sheffield as part
of the City’s Unitary Development Plan. This document is currently being reviewed and a new
Sheffield Development Framework will be produced to guide future planning and developments
across the city.
UDP policy BE21 states “The character, setting and appearance of Historic Parks and Gardens
will be protected”
Further guidance is provided in the Supplementary Planning Guidance on Sheffield Historic
Parks and Gardens (1998)
Further details are available via the Planning Service website:
http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/planning-and-city-development/planning-documents/udp
or on the Planning Portal website. Unitary Development Plan
• Draft Sheffield Development Framework - Preferred options for City Policies
(2007)
Policy PHE 6 states “Historic Parks, Gardens and Cemeteries will be protected, and wherever
possible, their restoration and enhancement encouraged.”.
Sheffield Culture – a Strategy for inclusive Cultural and Sporting Development
(2006)
One of its 7 ‘intents’ is to enhance the cultural image of Sheffield. To increase Sheffield profile it
is recognised that the city need to be
“Promoting the ‘Sheffield Culture’ brand, building upon our excellent institutions, facilities, open
spaces, new public spaces and programmes, which define Sheffield.
Celebrating Sheffield’s industrial, architectural and green landscape heritage, celebrating a
sense of place and important landmarks”.
http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/your-city-council/policy--performance/cultural-strategy
20

Significant developments in the Park are tabulated below:-
A3.8. Chronology
DATE EVENT
c.1800 Weston Hall erected first few years of 19 th century – date uncertain
1871 Godfrey Sykes Memorial erected
July, 1873 Weston Hall and grounds purchased by Sheffield Corporation for £15,750
(12.5 acres)
1873-1875 Robert Marnock redesigns and adapts the Park for public use
May 4th, 1874 Park opened to the public
September 29 th , Committee agrees to close Park in order to change layout
1874
1874 South-Eastern gateway designed by James Gamble; ironwork and layout
design by EM Gibbs
1874 Winter St. gates constructed M. H. Blanchard & Sons (specialists in
terracotta) from models executed by Godfrey Sykes
1875 Bandstand designed by E. M. Gibbs
1875 Ebenezer Elliot monument moved to Park from the Sheffield Market Place
September 6 th , Weston Park re-opens
1875
July, 1887 Mappin Art Gallery (Grade II) opens.
1880 Observatory opened, erected to ‘show telescope owned by the late Mr
Thomas Rawson Barker’
1883 Meteorological station privately established at Park
1895 Repositioning of South-West entrance further to the East. Erection of
new gates (top of Weston Bank)
December 1899 The bands sub-committee select a site for the bandstand
c.1900 Bandstand built
1903 University of Sheffield founded
1910 Wall and railings on Western Bank frontage gifted by Sir John Bingham.
1905 – 1912 Grass tennis courts introduced (exact date unknown)
1922 Yorkshire and Lancashire Regiment war memorial (Grade II) erected.
1931 Tennis pavilion erected
1934 Reconstruction and enlargement of the Museum resulting in the present
building
January, 1937 Meteorological station taken over by the Sheffield Corporation Museums
Department
1951 Conservatory built to mark the Festival of Britain.
1952 A land swap of 1554m2 to allow construction of the University Library.
1952 – 1953 Demolition of the original Park gates (designed by Sykes), lodge and
outbuilding on the Winter Street frontage as well as green house and the
construction of the University Library in the North-East corner of the Park
and Park supervisor’s lodge on Winter Street
c.1960 University of Sheffield new Library Building constructed
1961 Redesign and construction of Winter Street entrance
1963 Tennis courts asphalted
21

1982 Godfrey Sykes Memorial moved to a new location within the Park
1971 The construction of the University’s Geography building
1990 Removal of the Festival of Britain greenhouse
1996 Edwardian Tennis Pavilion destroyed by arson
November, 1999 Festival of Britain glasshouse removed
November 2004 Winter St lodge demolished
March 2001 Restoration Management Plan produced
2005 Demolition of the Winter Street Lodge
2006 Major refurbishment of the Weston Park Museum completed
September 2008 Park restoration complete
22

A3.9. Historical Significance
Weston Park was the first municipal park in Sheffield and remains one of the most intact
examples of Robert Marnock’s later work in the country. The landscape is remarkably
unchanged in both extent and character since it was laid out in 1875 and its original intention to
provide a respite from the busy world around is even more significant now.
Weston Park is nationally listed as Grade II on English Heritage’s “Register of Parks and
Gardens of Historic Interest” and on the Sheffield City Council’s local register of ‘Historic Parks &
Gardens’. It is also the setting for 7 other Grade ll listed historical features and memorials. A
copy of the listings is kept at the Park Manager’s office on site.
The Park has been identified as a City Park within Sheffield City Council’s Parks categorisation
strategy indicating its value to the City as a whole, and has also been designated within the
Sheffield Unitary Development Plan (UDP) as an area of Special Character.
In addition, Weston Park links with the nearby General Cemetery in the Sharrow area of the
City and the Botanical Gardens as one of the three important Marnock landscapes all within
easy access of one another.
A3.10. Facilities
Weston Park has a number of facilities for park users, some of these are under the control of
the Sheffield Galleries and Museum’s Trust, and these are freely available to park users. The list
below outlines the principle amenities:-
• Museum
The Weston Park Museum is leased and managed by the Sheffield Galleries and Museums
Trust. It is Sheffield’s main museum, housing a wide range of collections and attracts visitors
from across the region. It was extensively refurbished in 2006 and redesigned to provide
additional gallery space. It is open 7 days a week and in 2007 attracted some 400,000 visitors.
The museum’s main entrance was reconfigured with fully accessible ramp to leading upto the
main doors so that most visitors access the Museum via the park. A new loading bay and
delivery entrance for the Museum are situated directly off Mushroom Lane, dispensing with the
requirements for vehicles serving the Museum to have to enter the park.
A marked-up drop of point for coach parties arriving for the Museum is situated at the northern
end of Mushroom Lane.
• Cafe
A Café is situated in the Museum. This facility is available for park users during the opening
times of the Museum.
• Toilets
Public toilets are located inside the Museum. These are available for park users during the
opening times of the Museum.
• Bandstand
The bandstand was completely refurbished in 2008. It is available for hire and is the venue for
regular band concerts over the summer. The nearby stores contain folding chairs for use at
events, together with a lightweight sectional ramp which can be used to provide assisted access
to the bandstand.
23

• Tennis Courts
Two all weather tennis courts are located at the northern end of the park adjacent to the
Mushroom Lane entrance. They are open at all times and available at no charge.
• Disabled Parking Bays
Three marked up disabled parking bays for park visitors are located at the northern end of
Mushroom Lane
A3.11 Site Access
There are five main access points to the park:-
• South West Gates: The South West gates adjacent to the Museum on Weston Bank are
the busiest gates of the park and the main entrance for museum visitors. The use of
these gates is restricted to emergency vehicles and pre-arranged drop-off for vehicles
with passengers who have disabilities or special needs. This is also the designated
access point for patients being transported by the emergency air ambulance.
• South East Gates: The South East gateway onto Weston Bank is for pedestrian use only
due to the delicate nature of the gateway and its restricted width.
• Mushroom Lanes: These are situated in the northern corner of the site immediately
opposite entrances to Crookes Valley Park and the Ponderosa. They provide the main
vehicle access point to the park.
• Winter Street Entrance: The Winter Street gates lie between the University’s Geography
building and Library. These gates are usually restricted to pedestrian access
• Back Lane: Situated between the University’s Library and Firth Court buildings is a fifth
access point. This consists of a stepped pedestrian access path and a service road. The
latter is solely for the use of University vehicles servicing the Firth Court buildings and is
controlled by an access barrier.
24

A4. LEGAL AND PLANNING ISSUES
A4.1. Land Ownership
Weston Park and its neighbouring parks, Crookes Valley Park and the Ponderosa, are owned by
Sheffield City Council and managed by the Parks and Countryside Section of the Development,
Environment and Leisure (DEL) directorate.
The operational management of these parks comes under the remit of Parks and Countryside
Service and is managed on a day-to-day basis by the Crookesmoor Park’s Manager under the
direction of the West Area District Parks Officer.
• Charitable Status
The park was given to the people of Sheffield in 1875. It is held in trust with the Cabinet of
Sheffield City Council acting as sole trustees. Several charities which related to different parts of
the park have been consolidated into one charity which was registered as a single charitable
trust with the Charity Commission in 2006.
This reflected the changed situation of the City Park and Mappin Art gallery, which is now to be
known as the Weston Park Museum, and operated by the Sheffield Galleries and Museum’s
Trust. A copy of the plan show the extent of the land registered with the charity commission is
kept at the Park Manager’s office on site.
• Boundaries
Weston Park is approximately diamond -shaped with the main axis lying in a north- south
direction. The park is bounded on the north-west side by Mushroom Lane, the south - west side
by Western Bank and on the north - east side by Winter St. The south - eastern boundary is
more complex and has been slightly modified since it’s original layout, mainly due to land swaps
and alterations along the northern boundary designed to allow the University to build new
facilities. As a result, the curtiledge of some of the University buildings projects into the public
open space with no physical boundary to define the extent of the various land ownerships.
The registration of the park with the Charity Commission clarified this situation and defined the
boundary between University and City Council land and this has subsequently been delineated
with a line of marker stones.
The park ownership also extends outside the wall at the S-E and S-W gates to include the stone
aprons behind the footway.
Copies of these plans are kept at the Park Manager’s office on site.
25

A4.2. Leases, Licences & Agreements
Copies of all the various agreements listed below are held at the Park Manager’s office on site.
• Weston Park Museum
The Weston Park Museum is situated within the historic boundary of Weston Park. The area
occupied by the Museum building, its entrance a and the fenced weather station compound are
leased by Sheffield City Council to Sheffield Galleries & Museums Trust with the Museum having
rights of access through the S-W gates into the park and to the weather station.
• Sheffield University Access road
In 2007 the University surrendered a covenant giving access through the park to allow for the
servicing of Firth Court in exchange for a lease on a strip of land which allowed for the
construction of a service road along the edge of the park adjacent to Firth Court.
• Yorkshire Air Ambulance
A rolling licence has also been granted to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance Service to allow for the
landing of emergency helicopters in order to facilitate the rapid transfer of patients to the
nearby Sheffield Children’s Hospital and Royal Hallamshire Hospital. The Standard Operating
Procedure (SOP), which controls this arrangement, is reviewed annually.
• Ice- cream Concession
A three year concession to operate an ice-cream van was licensed in 2008 This relates to a
pitch outside the S-W gates which is on park land although outside the boundary wall.
• Marriage and civil partnerships
The Bandstand has been licensed by Sheffield City Council as approved premises in which
marriage and civil partnerships can be carried out.
• Joint Management Agreements
An Agreement has been draw up between Sheffield City Council and Sheffield Galleries and
Museums Trust to formally set out the management and maintenance responsibilities for those
areas of the park which both organisations share. A copy of Joint Management Agreement is
kept at the Park Manager’s office on site.
Parts of the publically accessible park belong to the University, a joint plan has been agreed
with the University to share and define the maintenance responsibilities of each party for these
areas.
26

A4.3. Byelaws
Weston Park is covered by the SCC byelaws which cover many of Sheffield’s parks and open
spaces. The existing byelaws relating to the park were made in 1966 (amended in 1971) and
relate to the powers in the Public Health Act 1875 and Open Spaces Act 1906.
A variety of powers do exist to protect the public and the environment from possible conflicts of
interest, misuse and abuse. The byelaws cover such things as vehicular use, cycling, ball
games, events, picking flowers and many others.
It is widely recognised that some of the existing byelaws are now irrelevant in today's society
and consequently some byelaws are no longer enforced as they do not pose any problems or
issues. However, overhauling the existing byelaws is a considerable and expensive legal task
and until such a time that the relevant byelaws are fully reviewed and amended, the existing
powers remain in place, and are enforced as and when appropriate.
A copy of the byelaws is kept at the Park Manager’s office on site or can be found on our
website at:
www.sheffield.gov.uk/out--about/parks-woodlands--countryside/all-about-us/byelaws
A4.4. Planning Designations
The following designations apply to Weston Park and its surroundings:
• English Heritage
Weston Park is nationally listed as Grade II on English Heritage’s “Register of Parks and
Gardens of Historic Interest” and on the Sheffield City Council’s local register of ‘Historic Parks &
Gardens’.
It is also the setting for 7 other Grade ll listed historical structures and features:-
• The South-Eastern Gateway which consists of four Minton terracotta pillars
• The South-Western Gateway
• The York and Lancaster Regiment Memorial 1914-1918
• The York and Lancaster Regiment Boer War Memorial
• The Ebenezer Elliott Monument, a bronze statue by N.N. Burnard
• The Godfrey Sykes Memorial
• The Bandstand
In addition, the City Museum and Mappin Art Gallery, now known as the Weston Park Museum,
are listed as (Grade II) and (Grade II*) respectively. Firth Hall and the University Main Library
which directly abut the park and the Arts Tower which is visible from within the Park, are all
Grade II* listed buildings. A full copy of the listings is kept at the Park Manager’s office on site.
27

• Sheffield Unitary Development Plan
Weston Park is locally listed in Sheffield Unitary Development Plan as an historic park.
• Heritage Parks and Greenspace Strategy
Weston Park is designated with Sheffield City Council’s Parks and Countryside Heritage Parks
and Greenspace Strategy as a Heritage Site.
• Sheffield City Council
Within Sheffield City Council’s Parks categorisation strategy Weston Park is designated as a City
Park indicating its value to all the people of Sheffield in addition to local residents
South-East Gates
28

A5. POLICY CONTEXT
A5.1. Sheffield City Council Strategies and Policies
A range of inter-connected policies and strategies relate to Weston Park. Many of these strands
will be pulled together in emerging Sheffield Green and Open Space Strategy which will be
made available for public consultation in 2009. The draft Framework reinforces the value of
local character and heritage. These strategies are available on the web link below and a hard
copy is available on site.
http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/out--about/parks-woodlands--countryside/green--openspace-strategy-development
29

A6. USE OF THE PARK
A6.1. User Profile
The use of Weston Park can fluctuate quite dramatically throughout the year as it is heavily
influenced by the use of surrounding institutions. Unlike many of Sheffield ‘s parks there is only
a small stable residential population within the park’s natural local catchment area and
consultation about developments in the park has had to take account of this fact.
A visitor survey carried out in 1997 by Sheffield City Council indicated that Weston Park has
approximately 150,000 visitors per annum. In 2006, the first year after its refurbishment, the
Weston Park Museum recorded nearly 400,000 visitors, many of whom accessed the building
through the park. In order to better assess the numbers of users and any changes in the use of
the park following restoration work electronic counters were installed at two of the park
entrances in 2005 and regularly recorded until the completion of the restoration works and data
from these was downloaded every month and held on site.
It is clear that the weekday use of the park is heavily dominated by users, including staff,
visitors and students from the large institutions around the Park. Significant employers in the
vicinity of Weston Park are the University, the three local Hospitals and the Weston Park
Museum.
• Weston Park Museum, which actually lies within the park boundary, has a staff of about
40. Since the reopening of the Weston Park and redesign of the Museums’ front entrance,
virtually all visitors to the Museum now enter via the park entrance. In 2007 nearly 400,000
visitors were recorded visiting the Museum.
• Sheffield University has 6,000 staff and 24,000 students, a considerable proportion of
these live and work adjacent to Weston Park.
The Weston Park Hospital, which is situated near to the Park, has 140 beds and employs
around 1,000 staff.
The Children’s Hospital which is situated opposite the Park has 110 beds and employs
1,050 staff.
The Royal Hallamshire Hospital and the neighbouring Charles Clifford Dental Hospital
are situated less than one kilometre from Weston Park. Between them the hospitals employ
4,500 staff and have 700 beds.
Sheffield City Council estimate that the population of the 1 kilometre catchment area
expands by more than 50% during working hours.
30

A6.2. Park Use
The following have been identified as different ways in which the park is used:
• Passing through – the parks serves as a through–route to the University, museum and
hospitals. This is an important function and helps encourage use of the site throughout
the day.
• Cultural events - Weston Park, because of its location and facilities has been a venue for
a range of small to medium sized cultural events over the years. The Museum holds a
number of activities every year, some of which take place in the park. In addition the
Ranger Service organises a number of activities and events throughout the year mainly
aimed at families and younger children.
• Picnics – many people like to come along and have their lunch in the park, either during
work days or with their family and friends during social hours.
• General relaxation – sitting and having some quiet time, sunbathing, chatting with
friends – this is a favourite pastime within the park for most people.
• Sport – consultation has indicated that the tennis courts are valued by local people.
They are a free resource and add to the park’s ability to be a space for healthy activities.
Joggers also use the park as part of their exercise route.
• Therapeutic activities – some of the Occupational Therapists from the Children’s Hospital
use the park to help the children learn to negotiate the outdoors in wheelchairs. It also
offers a peaceful place for hospital visitors.
• Bandstand – a range of musical events are held in bandstand over the summer concerts.
The bandstand is licensed to hold wedding and civil ceremonies.
• As a route through to the museum for groups using the designated coach drop-off point
on Mushroom Lane.
31

A6.3. Customer Survey
An annual survey is undertaken by staff to gauge the satisfaction of park users with the
facilities and the way in which the park is run. This is usually undertaken in the late spring. The
comments made are fed back into the annual park review.
Questions are based on the Green Stat survey format, but the first survey undertaken in 2009
contained additional questions aimed at gauging the public’s reaction to the completed
restoration project. A copy of the questionnaire and the public responses is kept on site and the
results will be made available on the Council’s website.
A6.4. Current Stakeholders
Due to the multi-use nature of Weston Park there are many groups and organisations that have
a direct involvement in the park.
Listed below are the main stakeholders:
• Sheffield City Council - Parks & Countryside Service
• Friends of Crookes Valley and Weston Park
• Sheffield Galleries and Museum Trust
• University of Sheffield
• Sheffield Children’s Hospital
• The Hospitals Trust
Communication between all these groups takes place in a variety of meetings, formal and
informal correspondence.
32

A6.5. Access & Barriers to Use
A Parks and Countryside Service “Barriers to Use Audit” has been carried out on the site as
part of a whole service programme. As part of the 2005 submission to the Heritage Lottery
Fund for funding to restore the park a more detailed Access Audit was also commissioned from
external consultants.
Two surveys were carried out in Weston Park by the Sensory Trust in August 2004 and April
2005. The initial audit was carried out using a Site Access Checklist tool from the Sensory
Trust’s Evaluation Toolbox and identified barriers to access in a range of categories. This was
followed by a more detailed survey of the park and the opinion of groups with a particular
interest in access issues was also canvassed.
All the recommendations contained in these audits were fed back to the Design Team and
incorporated into the final proposals for the capital works. The final design proposals were also
presented for comment to the Access Liaison Group, a local multi-stakeholder group chaired by
the Local Authority’s Access Liaison Officer.
• Braille guide
A Braille guide and plan of the park can be borrowed on request from the Museum Reception.
The main signboards around the park have a Braille strip informing users of this arrangement.
A further “Barrier to Use Audit” has been undertaken in early 2009 following the completion of
the restoration work. A copy of this report is kept on site.
33

A7. STAFF & MAINTENANCE
A7.1. Maintenance Overview
The vision for Weston Park is to place a far greater emphasis on horticultural standards and
maintenance regimes; striving to improve skill levels, enthusiasm, motivation and pride of staff.
The focus in Weston Park will be to continually develop and create horticultural interest whilst
seeking to preserve the park’s heritage and meet the demands of today’s society. In addition to
remove the last remnants of the old maintenance operations’ shaped by demands of
compulsory competitive tendering in the 1980s, setting the staff free from its negative
influence.
The Park maintenance is frequency based (see page 37) however the Park Manager has the
authority on a day to day basis to change the schedule/frequency to meet service demands.
34

A8. AIMS & OBJECTIVES OF THE MANAGEMENT PLAN
A8.1 Creating a Welcoming Place
First impressions are important when visiting a park and visitor expectations are set by their
initial experience as they enter the park.
AIM: To maintain a high quality visitor experience
Objectives
• Provide good pre-visit information.
• Ensure signage is clear and informative.
• Maintain attractive entrances.
• Ensure all staff are customer focussed.
• Work closely with Museum staff to achieve a positive visitor experience.
A8.2 A CLEAN AND WELL MAINTAINED SITE
The appearance and overall upkeep of the park is very important and Weston Park staff pride
themselves on maintaining a high standard throughout the park.
AIM: To provide a safe and clean environment.
Objectives
• Constantly to look how improvements can be made.
• Deal with vandalism and graffiti promptly.
• Ensure litter and other waste collections match demand.
• Develop staff skills to an appropriate level.
A8.3 PRESERVING AND PROMOTING THE HERITAGE OF WESTON PARK
Weston Park is one of the most important historic parks in Sheffield and is the custodian of
many of the cities significant monuments and memorials.
AIM: To conserve the historic, natural and built character of the park for enjoyment by
the public.
Objectives
• To ensure that future developments are in keeping with the park’s historic
character.
• That repairs and maintenance are carried out using appropriate materials.
A8.4 MARKETING THE SITE TO INCREASE AWARENESS AND USAGE
35

Weston Park, in conjunction with the Museum, has traditionally been the venue for a wide
range of medium sized events attracting people from across the city and the region.
AIM: To provide a varied programme of events appropriate to the park.
AIM: To increase usage of the park and its facilities.
Objectives
• Undertake annual customer surveys to understand their requirements
• Arrange a varied programme of events to appeal to a wide audience
• Ensure promotional material about the park is upto date and widely available.
• Seek new partners to promote events.
• Enter the park for appropriate awards.
A8.5 ENSURE A HEALTHY, SAFE AND SECURE SITE FOR RECREATION
As Weston Park is open at all times, ensuring that users and staff feel safe using the park at all
times is a priority.
AIM: To provide a safe and secure environment for park users and staff
AIM: To maintain a high quality standard of care for visitors to the park
Objectives
• Staff are aware of hazards and are proactive in reporting them and taking
appropriate action
• Ensure regular inspections are undertaken.
• Faults in CCTV and Lighting system are promptly dealt with.
• Regular liaison with other stakeholders and the police takes place.
• Unauthorised vehicle entry is minimised.
A8.6 TO MANAGE THE SITE THROUGH SUSTAINABLE POLICIES
Weston Park aims to optimise the balance between high quality maintenance and minimising it’s
environmental impact and use of resources wherever possible.
AIM: To minimise the environmental and financial impact of the park while
maintaining high quality standards.
Objectives
• Minimise use of pesticides.
• Use natural substitutes wherever possible.
• Reuse material generated from within the park wherever applicable.
• Review running costs to identify potential savings.
36

A8.7 TO MAXIMISE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN THE MANAGEMENT OF
THE SITE
Weston Park, although a very busy park, has relatively few long-term residents who live close
to the park and want to become involved with the management of the park. The staff have put
a lot of effort into supporting and working with the group to build their capacity and confidence.
AIM: To ensure the Management of the park responds appropriately to local
community aspirations.
Objectives
• Ensure the Friends group is supported
• Ensure ongoing liaison with stakeholders.
• Encourage new user groups to become established.
A8.8 TO ENSURE THAT WESTON PARK IS EFFECTIVELY MANAGED
AIM: To ensure that Weston Park becomes a flagship park for Sheffield, setting and
maintaining the highest standards.
Objectives
• To obtain and retain Green Flag status.
• Review the Annual Management Plan in consultation with the stakeholders
and prepare new work programme.
• That Weston Park is managed and maintained to meet to meet the
expectations of the stakeholders and wider community.
• That Weston Park provides a safe and attractive public park for formal and
informal leisure and recreation
37

A9. MANAGEMENT
The Parks and Countryside Manager has a city-wide remit and therefore carries overall
responsibility for the site. This then cascades down to the District Parks Officer, the Parks
Officer and the Park Manager who will be dealing directly with the management of the park on
a day to day basis.
The Organagram below details all the relevant staff and their relationship.
38

In addition to the parks management service:-
• The Premises and Assets Section of Sheffield City Council’s (SCC’s) Development,
Environment & Leisure Directorate, maintain hard landscape features, including the
memorials and monuments.
• The Outdoor Events Team, work closely with the Park Manager and the Ranger Service
to organise and facilitate the events which take place in the Park.
• The Trees & Woodlands Manager has responsibility for overseeing the management of
the site’s trees.
39

A10. MAINTENANCE
Parks and Countryside are responsible for maintaining Sheffield’s Parks and take the lead role.
They are supported by other organizations where appropriate.
Area of Responsibility Organisation undertaking the work
Landscape Park staff
Trees and Woodlands Woodland P/C Street force / external contractors
Buildings, Footpaths &
Structures.
Kier Sheffield / external contractors (as instructed by the
Premises and Assets Section).
The maintenance program demonstrates how the park will be maintained to a standard fitting of its
newly restored status. The frequency tables set out below details Daily and annual maintenance
tasks and are to be used as a guild by park staff.
FORMAL FLOWER BEDS
OPERATION Summer April to October FREQUENCY
Strip beds and bulbs 1 Occ
Add slow release fertiliser 1 Occ
Dig 1 spit deep 1 Occ
Rake & shape beds 1 Occ
Half moon 1 Occ
Plant bedding 1 Occ
Border shear (weekly) 28 Occ
Hoe & weed (weekly) 28 Occ
Dead head 4 Occ
Water, plus liquid feed As required
OPERATION Winter FREQUENCY
Strip bedding 1 Occ
Incorporate organic matter 1 Occ
Dig 1 spit deep 1 Occ
Rake & shape 1 Occ
Half moon 1 Occ
Plant bedding 1 Occ
Border shear 5 Occ
Hoe & weed 5 Occ
Remove leaves from beds 10 Occ
Remove leafs from Lake As required
41

FLOWER CONTAINERS
OPERATION Summer FREQUENCY
Strip plants 1 Occ
Remove & replenish compost 1 Occ
Add fertilizer 1 Occ
Add water retaining granules 1 Occ
Plant bedding 1 Occ
Hand weed 28 Occ
Dead head 4 Occ
Water plants As required
Liquid feed 14 Occ
OPERATION Winter FREQUENCY
Strip plants 1 Occ
Remove & replenish compost 1 Occ
Plant bedding 1 Occ
Hand weed 5 Occ
Water plants As required
GRASS AREA - MAINTENANCE REGIME 1
OPERATION Summer – April to October FREQUENCY
Cut grass & box off using pedestrian
Cylinder mower
28 occ
Border shear & clear up 28 occ
Application of selective herbicide 1 occ
Scarify 1 occ
Strim obstacles 28 occ
OPERATION Winter – November to March FREQUENCY
Mow, box off using pedestrian mower 5 occ
Half moon 1 occ
Border shear 5 occ
Remove leaves 5 occ
Strim obstacles 5 occ
GRASS AREA - MAINTENANCE REGIME 2
OPERATION Summer – April to October FREQUENCY
Cut grass & box off using ride on
Cylinder mowing machine
28 Occ
Border shear & clear up 14 Occ
Aerate grass area’s 1 Occ
Strim obstacles 28 Occ
42

OPERATION Winter – November to March FREQUENCY
Cut grass & box off using ride on
Cylinder mowing machine
2 Occ
Aerate 1 Occ
Border shear & clean up 5 Occ
Half moon 1 Occ
Strim obstacles 5 Occ
GRASS AREA - MAINTENANCE REGIME 3
OPERATION Summer – April to October FREQUENCY
Cut grass using pedestrian rotary
Mower & box off
28 Occ
Border shear & clear up 14 Occ
Strim obstacles 28 Occ
OPERATION Winter – November to March FREQUENCY
Cut grass using pedestrian rotary
Mower & box off
5 Occ
Half moon 1 Occ
Border shear 1 Occ
Clear leaves 10 Occ
Strim obstacles 5 Occ
BULB AREAS (MOWING)
OPERATION Summer – July to Oct FREQUENCY
Cut down July with rotary mower 1 Occ
Rake off 1 Occ
Mow with pedestrian rotary mower
And box off
8 Occ
Strim obstacles 8 Occ
OPERATION Winter – Nov to March FREQUENCY
Clear leaves 5 Occ
SHRUB BEDS
OPERATION TIMING FREQUENCY
Half moon March 1 Occ
Border shear & clear up 16 Occ
Fork & weed 4 Occ
Hand weed 2 Occ
Prune individual shrubs to best
Horticultural practice.
1 Occ
Remove weeds 2 Occ
Mulch 1 Occ
43

HERBACIOUS AREAS
OPERATION TIMING FREQUENCY
Half moon March 1 Occ
Fertilise beds March 1 Occ
Fork & weed March 1 Occ
Mulch beds March 1 Occ
Border shear & clear up 16 Occ
Support/stake plants April 1 Occ
Hand weed May – Sept 5 Occ
Dead head plants 3 Occ
Cut back plants Nov 1 Occ
Remove stakes/supports Nov 1 Occ
Divide plants 1/3 per year
Nov 1 Occ
(start 2012)
Fork & weed Dec 1 Occ
Clear leaves 2 Occ
TENNIS COURTS
OPERATION TIMING FREQUENCY
Sweep courts 12 Occ
Spray for moss 2 Occ
Paint court lines 1 Occ
Clear leaves Oct to Dec 12 Occ
LITTER
OPERATION
Empty bins - empty
TIMING
Throughout the
year
FREQUENCY
7 days per week
Additional as required
Litter pick grass, paths, shrub beds 7 days per week
PATHS & ENTRANCES
OPERATION FREQUENCY
Blow sweep paths 104 Occ
Spray cobbled edges of
Paths with herbicides
2 Occ
Clean out gulley grates 2 Occ
PARK FURNITURE
OPERATION FREQUENCY
Inspect & wash park benches Weekly
Wash signs, interpretation boards, bins etc Monthly
44

MONUMENTS
OPERATION
War Memorials, Elliott & Sykes
FREQUENCY
Spray for moss & algae 2 Occ
Spray flagged areas with herbicide 2 Occ
LAKE
OPERATION FREQUENCY
Litter pick edge of pond & revetment 7 days per week
Hand weed dry stone revetment 2 Occ
Cut back marginal planting 1 Occ
Clean pump filters Annual
45

A11. MARKETING & PROMOTION
Weston Park is a city park and the presence of the Weston Park Museum also attracts visitors form
across the region. All of Sheffield’s Parks form part of a wider “offer” to visitors to the city and are
promoted corporately.
The park is promoted in a number of ways. A range of leaflets have been produced about different
aspects of the park and these are available across the city in Libraries and other public places, such
as the Museum foyer and at other tourist information points.
Forthcoming events are publicised on the park notice boards that are situated at all the major
entrances to the park and kept regularly updated by the park staff. The Weston Park Museum has
a plasma display screen in the foyer and items relating to park events are periodically included in
the display. Joint activities with the Museum staff are run throughout the year and these are
publicised through the Museums’ own leaflets and website.
Ranger events are listed in the seasonal Ranger programme produced and distributed city-wide.
Specific events or programmes of events are promoted in local newspapers and announcements
are made in the local media. The council website contains information about the park and events
are listed on the event Sheffield website. http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/out--about/parkswoodlands--countryside
The Friends of Crookesmoor Parks publish a regular newsletter with
information about forthcoming events.
In terms of attracting new audiences to the park, there is a programme of summer concerts these
are designed to appeal to a wide range of musical tastes. Other events which will encourage new
users to visit the park are promoted wherever possible.
An activities pack and DVD have been produced specifically aimed at attracting younger children
and their carers to the park and suggesting a range of activities which can be carried out in the
park.
Weston Park Events
46

List of events staged in Weston Park in 2008
1 st June Celebration event
8 th June University Wind Orchestra
15 th June City of Sheffield Youth Festival Band & Bannerdale Band
22 nd June University of Sheffield Samba Band
29 th June Rodger ( 70s Rock Band)
6 th July Loxley Silver Band
13 th July Silver Spectrum Wind Band
20 th July Sun, Sea and Sand Steel Band
27 th July Deepcar Brass Band
3 rd August Treebeard (Rock, Pop, folk music)
10 th August Eloise Short Quartet (Jazz)
17 th August Fade2Black (Blues)
24 th August Problem with Marie (60s Rhythm & Blues rock Band)
31 st August Outlandish Knights (Energetic Modern ceilidh Band)
7 th Sept Sheffield Concert Band
Ranger Events
15 th June Design event with Mum and Dad
21 st June Sol day with Sheffield Astronomical Society
12 th July Family Fun Day (National Archaeology Week)
23 rd July Tree Tales
30 th July Western Willow Weaving
6 th August Bugs Alive
13 th August Wind Power
20 th August Brilliant Birds
26 th August Victorian Children’s Games
28 th August Discover Weston park
14 th Sept Weston Heroes’
47

A12. FINANCE & RESOURCES
A12.1 Site Expenditure
The figures below are a summary of the rates in the existing grounds maintenance contract and
other current costs for 2008. it is anticipated that costs will rise by 2.5% each year.
Description Budget Notes
General salaries pay £96,600
General salaries National
insurance
£6,000
General salaries
Superannuation
£16,200
General wages pay £16,160 One gardener and one apprentice
General Wages National
insurance
£970.00
General wages
Superannuation
£2,343
Staff Employment costs Total £138,273
Weston Park operational expenditure
Description Budget Notes
Telephone £760.00p Phone plus internet connection
Electricity cost £1440.00p Mess room , store and lighting system
Water services £1,200.00p Meter cost
Window cleaning £ 200.00p Band stand
Waste disposal £1,500.00p
Other Services £3,000.00p Day to day Repairs
PBX Rental £420.00p Contribution towards alarm cost
Machinery lease hire
Machinery repair
Seasonal bedding
Replacement planting
Consumables
Uniforms
Landscape contingency
Staff training
Band concerts
£10,000.00p
£2,000.00p
£6,200.00p
£700.00p
£3,750.00p
£900.00p
£4,100.00p
£2,700
NET EXPENDITURE £38,870
48
Pesticides, fertiliser etc
Income
Band stand hire Nil Charges to be levied in 2009
Weddings I only in 2008 Income to events section £600
Ice cream concession £4,000

A 12.2 Site Income
Events can have a net cost and should be viewed as adding value for the park’s users, rather than
as being income generators. Events that are arranged within the city council aim to cover their
costs and plough back any additional money to expand the event.
The ice cream income offset’s the revenue costs associated with maintaining the Park.
The only wedding that has taken place to date was in 2008, shortly after the bandstand was
renovated. However the Events section within Park and Countryside are working on a
marketing strategy to increase the usage of the bandstand for weddings.
A13. MONITORING & REVIEW
This Management Plan forms an active agenda for managers and employees to implement
appropriate management techniques and methods to ensure the continued success and a
sustainable future for Weston Park.
The Plan is not intended to be inflexible but be dynamic, and accommodate new information,
altering circumstances, pressures, trends and processes whenever they arise.
Progress will be kept under active review throughout the course of the year via monitoring at staff
meetings, and in response to representation from stakeholders.
A13.1 External Monitoring and Assessment
Weston Park has been externally assessed as part of the wider community entry in to Yorkshire in
Bloom in 2008 and also awarded a silver standard in 2006/2007.
The park has also been internally assessed by officers based on the Green Flag judging criteria
during 2007
The Parks and Countryside Service, was awarded Charter Mark accreditation. In December 2006
and the accreditation has been retained from that date.
A13.2 Public Use and Satisfaction
Park users are encouraged to give feedback to park staff either through the Friends of Weston
Park, directly to staff on site or through the SCC corporate feedback process (know as “Tell Us
What You Think”) By using this approach it ensures that the Park continues to meet users needs.
Additionally, Site Surveys and regular meetings with the Friends of Weston Park and other
stakeholder groups ensure that the management of the site remains receptive to community and
visitor needs.
Copies of the customer surveys are held on site.
49

.
Part B. OPERATIONAL APPENDICES
B1. Staff Contact List
A full list of staff and contacts numbers can be found below.
SERVICE / POST
PARKS AND
COUNTRYSIDE
SERVICE
NAME PHONE MOBIL
E
District Parks Officer Peter Jones 0114 0780
(West)
2735599 2299556
Parks Officer West Jon Barker 0114 0780
2735066 1166194
Weston Park Manager Andrew 0114 0782
Phillips 2679544 3533298
Gardener Peter Marks 0114 0797
2679544 4943688
Gardener Ann Plant 0114 0797
2679544 4943688
Gardener Philip 0114 0797
Addison 2679544 4943688
Seasonal Gardener Richard 0114 0797
Nicolle 2679544 4943688
Apprentice Daniel 0114
Community Service
Section
Hill
2679544
West Ranger Team Richard 0114 0780
Leader
Saunders 2686196 2299568
Outdoor Events Officer Kevin 0114 0780
Trees and Woodlands
Section
Cheetham 2736433 2
299562
Woodland Manager Nick 0114
Sellwood 2736387
Tree Officer (West) Richard Gill 0114
2053541
50
0770
3768776
0780
2299563
E-MAIL
peter.jones@sheffield.gov.uk
jon.barker@sheffield.gov.uk
andrew.phillips@sheffield.gov.uk
-
Richard.saunders@sheffield.gov.u
k
kevin.cheetham@sheffield.gov.uk
nick.sellwood@sheffield.gov.uk
richard.gill@sheffield.gov.uk
PREMISES AND
ASSETS SECTION
Planned Minor Works Steve 0114 0771 stephen.adams@sheffield.gov.uk

SERVICE / POST NAME PHONE MOBIL
E
E-MAIL
Manager Adams 2734060 218802
Management Officer / Richard 0114 0771 richard.megson@sheffield.gov.uk
Security Services Megson 2734078 1218805
Services delivery Bob Mosely 0114 07711 robert.mosley@sheffield.gov.uk
Manager
Building Maintenance
Management)
2735832 153659
Management Officer Nigel 0114 07711 nigel.marsden@sheffield.gov.uk
(Building Maintenance
Management)
Marsden 2735666 218806
Technical Assistant Dave Jacks 0114 - david.jack@sheffield.gov.uk
(Building Maintenance
Management)
2734055
51

B2. GREEN FLAG POSITION STATEMENT
B2.1 PRESENTATION OF THE MANAGEMENT PLAN
This management and maintenance plan has been based on the 10 Year Heritage Lottery
Management Plan, produced for the Heritage Lottery grant.
This is the first year of this plan, which is reviewed annually.
The Plan has been produced to:
• Support & contribute to the aims & objectives for managing & maintaining this site is in
Section A8
• Monitor improvements to site management & customer service, based upon the 8
Green Flag criteria.
It is a dynamic document that guides the site manager and all those involved in achieving
the vision for the site.
Format of the plan loose leaf to enable amendments, electronic copy kept on council central
computer system.
52

B2.2 HEALTH, SAFETY AND SECURITY (including RISK ASSESSMENTS)
Ensuring the public and staff feel safe and secure while using and working in the park is a primary
concern of the Plan. The restoration of the park gave the opportunity to address many long
standing issues concerning the health, safety and security of both staff and users.
Many of these issues were remedied by the careful redesign of elements in the park or the
additional of new facilities such as lighting and CCTV. In addition the opportunity was taken to
reduce unauthorised vehicle usage of the park, by barring all vehicles except park maintenance
vehicles from entering the park.
B2.2a A Secure Place
With low boundary fencing and walls around Weston Park it is impossible to secure the park and
close it at night. The option was therefore taken to make a safe route through the park to
encourage use of the park throughout the day and night in order to deter anti-social activity which
tends to seek out quiet and underused places.
To help achieve this aim the main access path between Weston Bank and Mushroom Lane is light
at night for people using the park as a cut through to the Hospitals, Universities and communities
that border Weston Park there is also a CCTV and loud speaker system. The CCTV footage is
recorded on site and is also monitored and recorded at the councils central control room.
The staff are readily identifiable by their uniform and all wear official council uniforms of Green
with the parks and countryside logo on sweatshirts all officers have name and identify cards.
All staff are issued with promotional cards giving telephone details of service numbers should a
member of the public contact them when they are out on site.
There is a mobile phone for the gardening staff and also two way radios as required, and a
telephone in the mess room in the park. The park Manager also has a mobile phone to be
contacted at all times. The museum reception staffs are also on duty seven days per week.
The Park Manager has regular meetings with the Police and representatives from the
Neighbourhood Action Group which acts as an early warning system and enables the various
agencies involved to identify problems and act in a concentred manner.
B2.2b Vehicular Access and Movement within the Park
Prior to the restoration of the park, conflicts between vehicles and pedestrians were identified as a
problem and potential hazard. No cars are now allowed in the park, except in support of events or
when essential parking is required.
All entrance gates are locked and are stringently controlled by park staff. The Museum and
Children’s Hospital reception which is opposite the park have an entrance key for emergency
access by ambulance crews meeting the Air Ambulance or for the maintenance of the museum.
A new access road has been built for the University to service their building around the perimeter
of the Park; access to this is controlled by a locked barrier with the university being the key holder.
A coach drop off point and three disabled parking bays have been created for park user at the
Mushroom Lane entrance to the park.
53

The park has its own dedicated maintenance vehicle, a John Deer Gator In bright green and yellow
with a constant flashing yellow light this is used in Weston Park, Crookes Valley Park and the
Ponderosa. Staff are trained to strict driving codes of conduct and speed restrictions. Occasional
use of a small transit pick up is available if required from an adjacent parks mobile maintenance
team.
In the case of events, designated areas are determined and marked out together with access
routes. Full risk assessments for events are carried out by the Parks and Countryside events team
and on site meetings arranged with organisers prior to the event.
B2.2c Control of Dogs
Dogs under control are permitted in to the park and the area is covered by the Dog Fouling
legislation. The city council Dog Wardens visit the park periodically to deal with persistent
offenders, enforcement and issuing fixed penalty notices. There are 4 dog waste bins in the park
situated close to the main entrances. These are emptied twice per week through out the year by
Environmental services as the waste is classified as clinical Waste.
B2.2d Tree stock
The Trees and Woodlands Team, (Parks, Woodlands and Countryside) manage and undertake an
annual tree inspection of all the trees on site and deal with any work that arises from the survey
Copies of Tree surveys are held on site
54

B2.2e Health and Safety Policies
It is the City Council’s and Parks and Countryside Service’s duty to provide and maintain a working
environment which is so far as is reasonably practicable, safe, without risk to health and adequate
as regards facilities for the welfare of all its employees and visitors to the park.
All the maintenance and public usage of the site is carefully monitored for health and safety. The
main policies are available on the council’s web page with a hard copy available on site:
The full DEL Health and Safety Policy document web link can be found on page 56 listed as
Appendix D.1.
The Parks and Countryside Section undertakes an annual site risk assessment, a copy of the site
specific one for Weston Park is available on site.
Further Health and Safety information, policy, procedures and guidance notes for staff is available
via Sheffield City Council’s (SCC’s) internal intranet system (as above) and our service’s shared G
Drive: at: G:\DEL\PWC\PWC\A-Z\H\Health & Safety
All staff and seasonal gardeners are given a full induction training, which outlines Council policies
and procedures. Each employee is given a staff development plan, which is assessed each year and
forms the basis of future training needs. The service maintains training and skills records for each
employee, which is used as part of the employee appraisal process.
All staff receives corporate training in Child Protection, Equality, Valuing diversity and Customer
care.
In order to comply with the control of vibration at work regulations 2005 Staff are monitored for
HAV and all equipment is tested and tagged which gives the vibration exposure times and staff
have to complete a weekly sheet which outlines the time they have spent on using machinery.
55

The park complies with the control of Asbestos at Work regulations 2002 regulation 4 and a
register is kept by the Park Manager who records all contractors carrying out repairs to buildings
and infrastructure within the park.
The park also complies with the Pesticide regulations in respect of the use and application of
chemicals. Only registered and certificated staffs are allowed to apply chemicals, pesticides, and
insecticides if they have PA1 and PA6 qualifications. A small amount of chemical is stored in locked
chemical containers with appropriate signage and a pesticide register is kept up to date in the
office. The Park Manager is the only key holder.
Fuel and machinery are securely stored in the Maintenance Store with the required notices and
procedures in place.
Staffs receive appropriate training on the safe use of all relevant machinery.
All staff are checked through the Criminal Records Bureau to ensure they are allowed to work with
children.
Safety at events is controlled by the Parks and Countryside Events Officers who check the
suitability of the event and ensure that the applicant has the necessary liability insurance cover and
full risk assessments are undertaken before an event is allowed to proceed.
Additionally:
• Our Safe System for the removal of needles and syringes can be found in Appendix D3.
• Dog walkers are frequent visitors to the park and Sheffield City Council (SCC) welcomes and
promotes responsible dog ownership. SCC’s policy and practices relating to dogs can be found
at http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/environment/how-we-work/environmental-serv/animal-wardencontrol/responsible-ownership
• Emergency contact numbers are displayed on the park notice boards.
B2.2g Safe Equipment and Facilities
The park has permanent staff based on site five days a week with weekend rota staff through out
the year. Thus regular checking of the site is undertaken and members of the public are able to
readily bring to the attention of staff any problems they are concerned about.
The Weston Museum facilities including toilets, café and shop are under the control of the Museum
staff and inspected regularly to ensure the highest standards are maintained. These facilities are
available seven days a week. Additionally, close liaison between the Park Manager and the Front of
House Team ensure that any problems reported to Reception Staff concerning the park are quickly
brought to the attention of the Park staff and dealt with.
Tennis courts are inspected daily and are regularly swept.
All buildings are inspected annually to comply with the new fire regulations and there is a weekly
fire alarm test. The Park Manger carries out a full site risk assessments each year and an Action
Plan is developed to deal with any risk identified.
The Park Manager carries out Legionella inspection of water supplies testing water temperatures;
this is then recorded to ensure that all building water supplies are free from the legionella bacteria.
Examples of these inspection forms are available on site.
56

B2.3 MAINTENANCE OF EQUIPMENT, BUILDINGS AND LANDSCAPE
B2.2a Equipment
Day to day maintenance of the machinery in Weston Park rest with the onsite Parks and
Countryside staff under the direction of the Park Manager. All the Park staff have received a high
standard of training in machinery use and routine daily maintenance, checking oil, water, security
of machine guards, etc.
Machine faults are reported to Street Force workshops where trained mechanics either repair the
fault on site or arrange to have the machine taken into the workshops. All machines are given an
annual service during the winter months.
B2.3b Buildings and Structures
The maintenance and repairs of the buildings and structures in Weston Park are arranged through
the Council’s Premises and Assets service.
Premise and Assets Officers carry out a yearly assessment of building conditions and outline a
schedule of maintenance. This includes routine maintenance such as Portable Appliance Tests, Fire
Equipment Test, etc. as well as ad-hoc repairs.
They are also are responsible for the condition of all walls, fences and footpaths and oversee a
yearly tarmac resurfacing programme is carried out across the Cities parks.
The repairs are assessed using a set of criteria in order to prioritise work. these are based on
Health and Safety risks, level of use and classification of sites.
The service operates an emergency repair works programme in partnership with Kier Sheffield.
Orders are routed through a call centre. This centre operates a 24-hour emergency call out system.
B2.3.c Landscape
Weston Park aims to be amongst the best maintained parks in Sheffield. In such a relatively small
park, all areas are on display to the public and have to be of an equally high quality; however the
Management Team recognises that visitor expectations are set by their initial experience of the
park and considerable effort is given to ensuring the entrances remain in pristine condition.
First impressions are important when visiting a park and in attracting new users and the Park
Manager works closely with the Weston Park Museum Front of House team to ensure that,
although the park and Museum are managed by two different organisations, they work in a
complimentary and harmonious manner to provide visitors with a seamless experience.
57

B2.3d Staff Skills
The dedicated staff within the Park attend a number of training programmes each year to improve
their skills and expertise. Staffs are given personal appraisals to determine their individual training
needs.
The training Officer within Parks and Countryside holds all training records centrally.
The staff skill audit below outlines the level of experience in years in horticulture.
Job Title Name Experience
District Parks Officer Peter Jones 40 years
Parks Officer Jon Barker 38 years
Park Manager Andrew Phillips 26 years
Gardener Peter Marks 30 years
Gardener Ann Plant 26 years
Gardener Philip Addison 28 years
Assistant Gardener Richard Nicolle 15 years
Apprentice Gardener Daniel Hill 1 years
58

B2.4 LITTER, CLEANLINESS AND VANDALISM
The appearance and overall upkeep of the park is very important. Weston Park staff pride
themselves on keeping the park free of litter and graffiti and responding quickly to any problems
that arise.
B2.4a Policy on vandalism and graffiti
The park is one of the areas that contributes to the Sheffield in Bloom entry and as such has
adopted a proactive approach to controlling vandalism and removal of graffiti and fly-posters.
Graffiti and fly posters are remover immediately buy on site team wear ever possible or specialist
team to be called in from street force when necessary. The on site park staff respond to vandalism
by undertaking a repair themselves or making the items safe until a repair can be carried out by
others.
A8.2.b Litter and other waste
Waste bins are provided throughout the park and are emptied daily or as often as required
dependant on the level of users which can vary greatly throughout the year.
There are 14 standardised litter bins with a 93 litres capacity these have been sited through out the
park at strategic points. These are supplemented by additional bins are supplied for large events
with extra litter picking taking place if required.
There are also two additional litter bins on the adjacent University land.
Litter picking takes place every morning and litter as seen is removed throughout the day by Park
staff. All black bin liners used in the park are bio-degradable. All litter collected is placed in a locked
skip in Crookes Valley Park and is emptied on request using the councils waste disposal contractor
Veolia. All the waste is taken to be incinerated at Sheffield’s green heat recovery recycling centre
providing heat and power to various buildings around Sheffield including Weston Park Museum.
There are four dog waste bins provided, these are at all main entrances, and are emptied twice per
week by environmental services All waste is incinerated. Dog fouling is kept to a minimum and
enforcement officers with the power to fine offenders are called in if required.
59

B2.5 ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
Weston Park aims to optimise the balance between high quality maintenance and minimising it’s
environmental impact and use of resources. The restoration of the park created the opportunity to
explore in more details ways of reducing the park’s use of resources while maintaining high
standards.
B2.5a SCC Environmental Policy
In terms of wider sustainable management, the current SCC Environmental Policy is adhered to and
can be found in Appendix D4.
This builds on policies related to the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS). All the service’s
staff were given training on EMAS in 2000. The Service was EMAS audited in 2002, scoring well but
with some scope for further improvement. The latter is currently under review and being further
developed.
On a site-specific level:
• There is a site specific environmental policy for the Park and surrounding parkland together
with actions for greater sustainability, see Appendix C4. This policy links directly to SCC’s
broader environment policy and has been agreed by all partners and stakeholders.
• One of the Parks and Countryside Service plan targets for 2009/10 is to reduce the
environmental impact and become more environmentally friendly in the way that we work. This
initiative is far reaching and aims to question and review how we are carrying out the
management and maintenance of our service and look at ways to reduce the environmental
foot print and make our actions more sustainable.
B2.5b Pesticides
Parks and Countryside have reduced the number and quantities of pesticide used across the city
and in the case of Weston Park have reduced chemical application to a very minimal level which
includes selective herbicides on formal lawns in the flower bed area, spot spraying in stone sets on
paths with Glyphosate and the treatment moss and algae on War memorials
All staff handling pesticides are trained in their use to the level required by the “Control of
Pesticides” regulations 1986.
The Pesticide Policy and Code of Practice can be found in Appendix D5
B2.5c Peat
It is SCC policy not to buy or use peat based products. The committee report passing this
recommendation, dated 1991, can be found in Appendix D6.
Peat free potting compost is used to fill containers and we endeavour to buy new shrubs and plants
grown in peat free compost. Bedding plants are currently grown in peat based compost, but we are
trying to find a solution to this with suppliers. It is our intention to add compost recycled on site to
annual bedding scheme to aid water retention and to improve soil quality.
60

B2.5d Fertilisers
We have changed the type of fertilisers we use and have introduced natural compounds which are
more environmentally friendly and easily broken down avoiding contamination of water courses.
Turf fertilisers include bio-digestive nutrients with stable humus, microbe activators, proteins and
seaweeds.
B2.5e Waste materials
All green waste generated in the Park is recycled on site. Three compost bays for all soft green
waste including weeds, grass clippings and leaves have been constructed. Shrub pruning’s are
chipped and composted with the waste stored in compost bays the material is then used as mulch
or used as a soil improver. This process reduces the need to transport material across the city and
reduces waste going to landfill.
Any harvestable timber which arises from major thinning or felling operations will be sold and
removed to help off-set the costs of operations and to make good use of this renewable resource.
Smaller timber is chipped and retained for use in the park as a weed suppressant.
B2.5f Energy Reduction.
A number of energy saving schemes has been introduced as part of the Park renovation project
including low energy lighting on the main path through the park. These columns use the latest
technology to give a long beam of light along the paths thus reducing the number of lampposts
and power required. The lamps are also designed to minimise light pollution. Low energy lighting to
the band stand and up lighters at entrances has also been incorporated.
The new water fountain and filtration system introduced to improve water quality and the aesthetic
look of the lake are fitted with a seven day timer to optimise energy usage.
The refurbished staff facilities and office building have been insulated, double glazed with low
energy lighting, room stats and A rated Energy efficient equipment fitted.
B2.5g Water management
The water supply to the park is now metered and lockable water points have been incorporated
across the park to prevent tampering. Low water use toilets and taps have been installed in the
Staff Mess Room.
The lake is filled by rain water through a series of drainage pipes collecting rain water from gullies
in paths and from the Museum roof, thus minimising the requirement to top up the lake from town
water supplies and reducing run-off to the sewage system.
Gullies throughout the park are cleaned out twice per year to aid water collection and quality for
lake. The lakes filtration system is checked and cleaned out once per week. An annual maintenance
contract is in place with a fountain maintenance company to service and remove silt and debris
from the pump chamber.
Regular cleaning of the filter baskets, annual removal of silt from the chamber, regular removal of
leaf and litter from the lake and fountain system, couple with the lake recirculation system all aid
the quality of the lake water. Marginal planting has been introduced to the lake edges and further
Planting is planned to improve the biodiversity of the lake. Barley straw is also to be added to
reduce the effects of algae.
61

B2.5.h Vehicles
During 2006/07 a range of dedicated machines for the park have been introduced, these include a
John Deere Gator Utility vehicle which uses the latest EURO 3 Tddi diesel engines that runs on low
sulphur fuel. A John Deere 500 ride on cylinder mower with a grass box is to be purchased in 2009
to meet the high standards now required at Weston Park. A programme of small machinery
replacement is underway and all new machinery will meet the latest noise and vibration standards.
B2.5i Green Waste
Parks maintenance vehicle
All green waste on site is composted in three compost bays, with the compost turned quarterly by
tractor bucket loaned from the nearby parks team. The aim is to use all compost as a soil
conditioner and planting medium for new planting to make sure no green waste is removed from
site. All pruning material is wood chipped using one of three wood chippers available to parks
teams. The chippings are used as weed suppressant mulch on shrub beds and to reduce water loss
around planting.
B2.5j Transport
Weston Park is situated in a very busy part of the city. With the large number of visitors coming to
the Museum and surrounding institutions, there is a heavy demand for the limited amount of
parking available locally; therefore visitors coming to the park are encouraged to use public
transport whenever possible.
The park is well served by public transport with bus stops adjacent to the main Park entrances on
both Weston Bank and Winter Street. In addition, the nearest tram stop a few minutes walk at the
University tram stop, this directly links Weston Park to the City centre and to Sheffield’s northwestern
suburbs.
62

Information about these services is publicised in the park, in events leaflets and on the Council
website to encourage visitors to make best use of these facilities.
Three disabled bays have been created at Mushroom lane entrance for park uses and cycle racks
are provided at the Museum gate entrances.
Local Bus frequency
51 City Centre, Lodge Moor Every 10 mins
52 City Centre, Crookes, Walkley Every 5 mins Mon /Sat. 15 mins Sunday
80 City Centre, Hunters Bar, Fulwood Every 10 mins Mon/Sat. No service Sunday
94 City Centre, Walkley Every 10 mins Mon / Sat. 30 mins Sunday
95 City Centre, Walkley Every 10 mins Mon /sat. 30 mins Sunday
63

B2.6 CONSERVATION OF HERITAGE AND NATURE
Weston Park is one of the most important historic open spaces in Sheffield and the park is the
custodian of many of the cities significant monuments and memorials. It’s historic character is
protected through a number of planning mechanisms and by undertakings given to the Heritage
Lottery Fund. The conservation of its heritage was carefully considered during the preparation of
the restoration proposals and future work in the park will be guided by the principles set down in
the bid document.
“Queen Victoria” at the reopening event June 2008
B2.6a Interpretation
An important first step in promoting conservation is to ensure users understand and realise the
value of the parks’ assets. Seven interpretation boards have been placed through out the park at
key points in accordance with the advice obtained from an interpretation consultant to add to the
value and enjoyment of park visits. These explain important elements within the park and have
been designed to link in with educational material available in the Museum. These are
supplemented by maps and information boards at the four main entrances.
B2.6b Biodiversity
A number of measures were incorporated within the restoration proposals to increase the value of
the park for wildlife. Although considerable clearance of over-mature shrub specimens and
understory took place during the restoration, a wider range of plants were introduced to increase
the food sources and the variety of habitats.
64

The water recirculation system in the lake is designed to keep water quality high in order to
support a wider range of amphibian live. Marginal planting has been included around the lake edge
and two floating duck rafts have been incorporated to provide a refuge for wildfowl.
In addition a bird table has been provided adjacent to the Museum. This enables visitors in the
“What on Earth” natural history gallery to make a direct link between the museum’s displays and
animals and birds in the park.
The bird table is due to be installed in February and will therefore be in place for the green flag
inspection in 2009
B2.6c Education
The Ranger team works in conjunction with the Museum staff to organise a number of educational
events throughout the year which usually relate to natural history or craft topics.
A range of leaflets have been produced to better explain the park, including a general guide to the
park and a tree trail leaflet. These are available from the Museum foyer.
The Interpretation Boards contain educational information designed to be in accessible format for
adults.
The close proximity of the University of Sheffield means that the park is used by many students.
The Landscape Department regularly use the park for free-hand drawing practice, construction
exercises and plant identification. In addition Weston Park has been used by research student
studying everything from the effect of noise on park use to factors effecting of tree growth.
An education pack is being developed for use by primary and pre-school children later this year.
This will feature a short video and booklet with a range of games and activities that group leaders
can use around the park.
An Annual Heritage walk is organised by members of the Friends group during the annual
Architectural Heritage Week.
65

B2.7 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Weston Park, although a very busy park, has relatively few long residents who live in the
immediate vicinity of the park and want to become actively involved with the management of the
park. A sensitive balance has to be struck between helping to support and enable local people and
ensuring that the few enthusiasts willing to become involved are not overburdened.
B2.7a The Friends Group
The involvement of the Friends of Crookes Valley and Weston Parks started in the late 1990s. They
have supported and shaped the restoration plans for the park since that time. In addition they
have raised funds for the project and ensured that the tradition of music concerts has continued in
the park even throughout the restoration period. In February 2009 the Friends of Crookes Valley
and Weston Parks enlarged their role to include Crookes Valley Park. To reflect this change the new
group has now become the “Friends of the Crookesmoor Parks”. This change was made to
reflect the way in which the Council now manages all three parks together as one unit.
The Friends meet every two months with the Parks Officer and Park Manager at an open public
meeting at which all users of the parks are invited to attend. The main role of the Friends Group is
to work with Park Manager to plan and co-ordinate the summer music programme and give regular
feedback to the manager on the state of the parks. Members of the Friends also lead an annual
heritage walk through Weston Park and the surrounding area.
The Friends of Crookesmoor Parks launched their new website in early 2009.
http://crookesmoorparks.wordpress.com/
B2.7b Other Stakeholders
To ensure the park responds to needs of users and neighbouring establishments a Stakeholder
Group comprising of representatives from the surrounding institutions is held on an ad-hoc basis.
During the development of the park restoration proposals specific topics, such a safety and
security, were explored in more detail with this group to help shape the final design proposals.
Regular liaison meetings are held with the University and the Museum to ensure that issues of
common interest are identified and quickly resolved.
B2.7c Community Events
Weston Park has been the venue for a wide range of eclectic cultural events, due to it’s proximity
to the University, the former Mappin Art Gallery and the city centre. Some of these events are
supported by the West Area Ranger Team where appropriate. Samples of the type of events and
community engagement exercises that take place within the park can be found as a download on
our Ranger website at:
http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/out--about/parks-woodlands--countryside/ranger-service
Throughout the summer months regular band concerts are held in the park, which are organised
by the Park Manager in conjunction with the Friends Group.
Larger events are facilitated by the Outdoor Event Section of Parks and Countryside and the aims
and objectives of this section can be found in Appendix D.7. They respond to requests made by
external organisations for suitable venue for events, rather than organise events in their own right.
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Health walks often use the park as a destination for walks starting from the nearby Healthy Living
Centre at Upperthorpe. A programme of walks are organised by the Health Walk Rangers
throughout the year and are attended by a cross section of the local community.
B2.7d Feedback
During the development of the proposals to restore the park a wider ranger of public opinion was
canvassed through a number of methods, including user surveys. It is planned to repeat these
surveys on a regular basis.
Comments on any aspect of Sheffield City Council’s work can be made at any time via the
Corporate Feedback Leaflet: “Tell Us What You Think”. Further details can be found in
Appendix D8.
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B2.8 MARKETING
• During 2009/2010 a marketing strategy for Weston Park will be developed.
• This marketing plan will be discussed and circulated around all key partners who use the park
and it’s facilities.
• Weston Park is a major ‘City’ Park and as such is the venue for a series of events, e.g. The
annual Remembrance service Band Concerts, Family fun day etc.
• A series of small-scale events, led by the Ranger Service also take place on the site.
• The Friends of Weston Park are looking to re-write and update existing leaflets, although this
is dependant on securing the necessary funding.
• Further information about the Park, Friends and events can be found in the reception area of
the Museum.
B2.8.a Promotion
The promotion and marketing of Western Park starts with the preservation and enhancement of
the park reputation. The management plan has sets out to value the park within the local area as a
place which is safe, clean, well maintained and providing a range of community based events which
will meet the needs of all age groups within the community.
Weston Park is featured along with other parks and open spaces on the Sheffield City Council’s web
site and it is hoped to enhance the information about the park in the coming months to have its
own dedicated page, which will be used to link in to an activity and events calendar. It is our aim
to regularly update the information, opening times of facilities and provide management
information.
B2.8.b Facility pricing and promotion
In a bid to make the park facilities accessible to all the city council considers that price should not
be a barrier to participation and therefore the tennis facilities within the park are free use. The
band stand can be hired for community use if requested.
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B2.9 OVERALL MANAGEMENT
B2.9a Well maintained
The grounds maintenance work within the park is carried out by the Parks and Countryside
dedicated gardening staff that are based within the park together with a Manager who is also
responsible for Crookes Valley Park and Ponderosa Park. The appearance and the overall upkeep of
the park is very important, and staff pride themselves on the high standards in such a high profile
park. The team have their own maintenance machinery which is based in a machinery store in a
secured compound within the park and do all the maintenance within the three parks except for a
large grass area in the Ponderosa, this is cut by Street Force tractor units
Weston Park is a very high maintenance park with standards set extremely high with a very skilled
and motivated workforce, with large formal bedding displays, striped lawns, colourful hand weeded
borders all edged off regularly. There is a small woodland area left more naturalistic to encourage
wildlife habitat development. The newly restored lake area also provides more areas for
encouraging wildlife and provides a very popular place to sit and relax.
• The on site day to day management presence in the park is provided by the Park manager
who acts as a central contact points for complaints and enquires for park visitors and user
groups.
• Best Value was introduced to Sheffield City Council in April 2000, replacing Compulsory
Competitive Tendering for grounds maintenance.
• Where specialist contractors are required, tenders are normally invited for the work from
companies who are included in the Council’s relevant list of preferred contractors. The
Corporate Contracts Consultancy Team in DEL approves this list.
• Any associated contract specifications which have been drawn up between the Parks and
Countryside Service and the Contracts Consultancy Team include a wide range of contract
clauses related to methods of work, health and safety, insurance, protection of environmental
features, etc. Each individual project tendered includes a detailed specification of work
required, including timescales.
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B3. ANNUAL MANAGEMENT ACTION PLAN
CRITERIA 1 - WELCOMING PLACE
Topic Task 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 Lead
Signs
Entrances and
Gates
Safe pedestrian
egress and exit
from the park
Safe Cycling
within the park
Notice Boards
Parks
information
To maintain high standard
of signage
To maintain the high
standards of horticulture
and to keep the gates in
good working order and in
a clean condition
To keep the entrances
clear of vehicles to avoid
pedestrian/vehicle conflict
To ensure that cyclists use
the park in a safe manner
To ensure information is
Kept up to date
Ensure Web page and Park
leaflets are kept up to date
Community Increase use of Park for
events, concerts etc
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PM/Staff
PM/Staff
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PO
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CRITERIA 2 - CLEAN & WELL MAINTAINED
TOPIC Task 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 Lead
Bedding Displays
maintenance
Shrub Beds
Ensure that the high
standards of bedding
displays and standards of
grass cutting around the
beds is maintained
Up grade shrub beds and
planting
Lake Remove leaf debris in
autumn, and clear shallow
areas out if required
Shelter Continue CCTV
monitoring to minimise
anti social behaviour
Paths Ensure paths are clean
and safe and maintenance
Litter
Tennis courts
Winter Street
Entrance
South East Gates
schedules are adhered to
Ensure park is kept litter
free and work with
museum to improve
recycling
Mark out court lines
Improve planting, to
create a more attractive
entrance
Improve planting to create
a more attractive entrance
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PM

CRITERIA 3 - CONSERVATION & HERITAGE
Topic Task 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 Lead
Ecology Survey Carry out a ecology
survey now that the
development of the
park is complete
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Carry out an
energy audit of all
buildings in the
park
Carry out energy
efficiency survey
Lake area Ensure that the lake
is kept clean and that
the ecological area is
Trees on site
Historic
Statues/memorials
maintained
To assist the
arboriculture section
in maintaining the
trees on site and to
carry out visual
inspections on a
regular basis
Ensure that the
statues and
memorials in the Park
are kept clean and
maintained to a high
standard
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PM/Staff
PM
PM/Premises
and Assets

CRITERIA 4 - MARKETING
Task Task 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 Lead
Web Site
Leaflets
Local Promotions
Update the
dedicated page
for the park to
outline facilities
and events
Up date and
produce new
promotional
leaflet
Up date all notice
boards within the
park on a weekly
basis
Weddings Market the Band
stand for
weddings
Bandstand Encourage use of
the bandstand by
a sponsor for a
large event which
would off set the
cost of paying
bands to use the
facility
Events Programme
Link in to Rangers
Activity Programmes
Establish a site
specific events
programme for
the park
Develop a list of
ranger activities
within the park
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EVENTS TEAM
DPO/PO/PM
PO/EVENTS
TEAM
PO/FM/Rangers

CRITERIA 5 - HEALTHY, SAFE & SECURE
Topic Task 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 Lead
Health and
safety risks for
park visitors and
staff
using the
footpaths within
the park
Levels of lighting
on the main
footpath through
the Park
Ensure that a site
assessment is carried
out and suitable actions
taken.
In addition to this a daily
walk round the Park to
check for risks
To check that all lights
are in working order
Dog fouling Check that dog owners
clear up after their pets
and that park is kept free
from dog faeces
Overgrown
shrub beds
Ensure that all the shrub
beds on site are kept well
pruned to reduce any
hidden area’s
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CRITERIA 6 - SUSTAINABILITY
Topic Task 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 Lead
Building
Efficiency Audit
Pesticides
Recycling
Reduce the
Emissions on
maintenance
vehicles and
mowing
machines
Carry out audit of
buildings
Review use of
pesticides used in park
Increase amount of
waste recycled from
litter bins
Introduce Low sulphur
Engines on all new
equipment
CRITERIA 7 - COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
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PO/DPO
Topic Task 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 Lead
Friends Group
Park visitors
Schools
Weston park In
Bloom
Partnerships
Develop a number of
Projects for the friends
group to carry out
Carry out visitor/ user
survey
Establish links with local
schools to use the park
for events
Continue to play role in
future competition entries
Develop the partnership
with local groups to
develop a range of
activities and events for
the park
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PM
Ranger
Team
PM/PO
Ranger
team/PM

CRITERIA 8 - MANAGEMENT
Task Task 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 Lead
Management Plan
Grounds
maintenance
Non User Survey
Increase
involvement of
Friends Group
Develop management
plan further and review
each year
Ensure that the original
maintenance plan for
the Park is followed and
amended as required
Identify hard to use
residents and carry out
survey
Ensure attendance at
Friends group meetings
to jointly work through a
yearly activities
programme
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PM/PO
PO/PM

B4. ANNUAL MAINTENANCE PLAN
a) Southbank Confirm
The Parks and Countryside service employs the CONFIRM Environmental (Southbank Systems)
CONFIRM is a suite of ICT products designed for the maintenance and management of all
environmental assets, including, grounds, trees and playgrounds and property. The system’s
Customer Services module is also utilised to track and monitor service responses to all customer
contacts made by telephone, letter, email etc.
Maintenance Contracts, Schedules, Rates and Site Works are generated using the system and our
maintenance staff/ contractors receive work tickets, as appropriate.
Fig B4.1: Example of CONFIRM System Site Record
Following the restoration of the Park the data is currently been validated prior to it being placed on
the Confirm system.
The Park Manager and site staff will then hold relevant copies of the paper printouts and reports
relating to the maintenance of the site, which are generated via the system.
Further details of the Park maintenance are available on site.
In addition to the maintenance of the Park, the building receives maintenance from SCC Premises
and Assets section, who then arrange for a contractor to undertake repairs. Premises and Assets
also programme annual fire equipment and portable appliance test and a five yearly repainting
programme for the Park’s infrastructure.
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B5. ANNUAL MARKETING & PROMOTION PACK
Following is just a few examples of information used to promote the site
WEBSITE LINKS
Examples:
SHEFFIELD CITY COUNCIL WEBSITE
http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/out--about/parks-woodlands--countryside/parks/a-z-city-district--local-
-parks
FRIENDS GROUP WEBSITE
http://crookesmoorparks.wordpress.com/
Sheffield in Bloom
http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/environment/in-bloom
WESTON PARK EVENTS
PRINTED MATERIALS
LEAFLETS
• Available from the Museum reception
IN THE NEWS –
SHEFFIELD STAR PRESS ARTICLES ARCHIVE
http://www.sheffieldtoday.net/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=58&ArticleID=1117161
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PART C. - SITE RELATED APPENDICES
C1 BAND A REPORT
C2 SITE RISK ASSESSMENT
C3 BARRIERS TO USE AUDIT
C4 WESTON PARK ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
C5 MAINTENANCE INFORMATION
C6 WESTON PARK ECOLOGICAL REPORT
(Appendices will be available on site during the site visit)
C2 WESTON PARK MASTER PLAN
• Master plan Site Map
• Master plan consultation
(Appendices will be available on site during the site visit)
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PART D. - SHEFFIELD CITY COUNCIL APPENDICES
The Appendices listed below are available as a single download from our website
D1 DEL HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY
D2 SAFE REMOVAL OF NEEDLES AND SYRINGES
D3 BYELAWS (via our website link)
D4 SCC ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
D5 SCC USE OF PESTICIDE POLICY
D6 SCC USE OF PEAT POLICY
D7 SCC EVENTS SECTION AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
D8 CORPORATE FEEDBACK LEAFLET – TELL US WHAT YOU THINK
Website Link To Part D Appendices
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