Rickerby Park

Public consultation underway

(Date of issue: Wednesday, 14 April 2010)

Local residents are being asked their views on one of Carlisle’s largest parks.

A public consultation is underway on an action plan drawn together for Rickerby Park. An exhibition is on show at Carlisle’s Library, The Lanes Shopping Centre until Monday, 26 April, during normal opening hours.

In addition to finding out what’s suggested for the future management of the Carlisle City Council park, there is also the opportunity to complete a questionnaire and also sign up to be a member of the Friends of Rickerby Park.

The public consultation follows on from other consultation work which has included Neighbourhood Forums and discussions with local interest groups. A further public exhibition will also be on show as part of the Carlisle Spring Show (Sunday 2 – Monday 3 May), in Bitts Park.

The Rickerby Park grounds are managed by Carlisle City Council. Recent City Council schemes have included replacing and putting in additional litter bins; pond clearance; replacing the steps; installing a public information notice board; sign posting the rights of way within the site and installing steps on the steep bank alongside the Eden Bridge Gardens.

External funding been used to put in ‘nature’ sculptures (local housing developer funding); river bank erosion fencing and willow bank spiling (Environment Agency, Eden Rivers Trust and Carlisle Anglers funding); the Eden Bridge Gardens restoration work (funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and other partners) and the football pitch car parking area surfacing and wooden bollards (funded by United Utilities and Hunter Engineering). Volunteers, such as James Rennie School, also carry out environment enhancement work within the park.

The Rickerby Park Action Plan includes the following key issues:

• Public involvement in the development of the plans – including the creation of a Friends of Rickerby Park group;
• Enhancing a community asset and a gateway to the countryside;
• Preserving the park’s heritage and character;
• Make sure it’s clean, safe and well maintained/managed;
• Focus on public commemoration (Cenotaph);
• Education – a learning resource; and
• Sound grazing regime.

Proposals include:

• Repair footpaths (towards Memorial Bridge); by the Riverside car park and towards the Cenotaph;
• Upgrading the Cenotaph fencing and Brampton Road fence line;
• Tree planting work around the whole site;
• Replacing and upgrading entrance features – Brampton Road; Linstock; Memorial Bridge entrances;
• Interpretative signs; and
• Sculptures.

Using the comments received from the consultation, the plans will be properly costed and a finalised action plan will be presented to Carlisle City Council’s Executive committee in early summer.