Management Plan for Firth Park - MP4-Interreg

Communication between all these groups takes place in a variety of meetings, formal and
informal correspondence. The First Start Manager acts as a central point through which all
the information flows.
A2.15 ACCESS & BARRIERS TO USE
An inclusive approach has been taken to making the park as accessible and enjoyable as
possible for all visitors, including those with a wide range of disabilities. The First Start
Centre in the park was built to be as accessible as possible with the installation of flat
entrances; Internal lifts to all floors, disabled toilets with baby changing facilities, Braille
signs and nursery sensory room.
A Parks and Countryside Service “Barriers to Use Audit” has been carried out on the site
as part of a whole service programme. This audit is included within this plan as appendix
C4.
A2.16 STAFF & MAINTENANCE
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 (North) the
Parks officer North and then the First Start Centre Manager who is present in the park and
deals directly with the management of the Buildings and key features in the park. The First
Start manager has three caretakers who work a shift system to provide seven-day cover
and operations of all the buildings. The park’s gardener carries out the day-to-day
maintenance of the park with only the large grass areas cutting sub-contracted to
Streetforce, the council’s direct services department. The local community is engaged
through the Ranger Service, which work with the “Friends of” group and local schools to
run events and contribute to the sites development. Finally, the woodland section of the
Council ensures that the trees are safe and well managed.
. POLICY CONTEXT
A3.1 SITE CATEGORISATION STRATEGY
The Site Categorisation Strategy for Sheffield’s parks and green spaces identifies Firth
Heritage 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
A3.2 SHEFFIELD PARKS REGENERATION STRATEGY
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
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