Strength and Weaknesses
The participants were divided into five groups to identify the strengths and
weaknesses of Victoria Park relating to the following five themes:
1. People
2. Green spaces
3. Facilities (buildings)
4. Activities
5. Park management
The participants were also required to agree three key priorities which they felt
needed to be addressed.
The following tables present the findings whereby three priorities are presented in a
separate column.
Topic 1: People, Equality and Diversity
Strengths
Weaknesses

felt that there is a diverse mix of users
on age, gender, ethnic and cultural
grounds

access – often difficult for disabled and
elderly people; lack of facilities for disabled
people

the park is a ‘core park’ which draws
people in from different communities,
with relatively good access to most
other areas

activities – not enough for
teenagers/young people; people do not
know about the existing provision of
activities

range of activities brings people to the
park at different times of the year

night-time – do not feel safe/welcome in
park at night

plenty of places to sit – encourages
people to talk to others and enjoy the
space, creates a welcoming and
sociable environment
Three Priorities

Teenagers tend not to come to the park other than at night – should be more activities
available for them;

the provision of free activities for all is a strength, but there is a lack of information –
advertising of events should be increased within/around the park; and

the park draws people from different areas so it is important that they are involved in
contributing to the action plan for the park.
Topic 2: Green and Open Spaces
Strengths
Weaknesses

open spaces – well designed, plenty of
open spaces, used for health benefits
(mental and physical)


blaes area – huge potential if
redeveloped
maintenance of park and facilities – not as
well maintained as it used to be; often
uncoordinated; ponds not particularly wellmaintained

good variety of flora and fauna,
interesting bird life
lack of information on the facilities and
events which are on offer in the park

blaes area – not used consistently, prone to
flooding

wildlife – not meeting biodiversity
opportunities, no rangers to help manage
the space properly


pride/heritage of the park – strong
historic landscape, community active
and willing to help with maintenance of
the park
Three Priorities

blaes area – has enormous potential but currently in a bad state; needs an end use;

maintenance of the park is uncoordinated and should be addressed; and

the park and its features serve the community, not all facilities are well advertised or
maintained - if resolved, the park could serve local communities better.
Topic 3: Facilities and Buildings
Strengths

A number of facilities and buildings
within the park were identified – Fossil
Grove, Curling Clubhouse, Pavilion,
historical significance of gates and
clock, toilets, play areas, etc.
Weaknesses

toilets – unhygienic, disabled access (key
required), modular toilets look out of place
with historic features of the park

facilities – café needed, lack of indoor
space in the centre of the park, pavilion
and Fossil Grove poorly maintained and in
need of investment

signage – could be improved both
internally and externally

lack of transport facilities to the park,
potential for tour buses to visit.
Three Priorities

build upon the strength of the Fossil Grove – lot of potential there but it has been neglected
and needs investment, currently in poor condition and risk deterioration;

toilets – some strengths, but need a key for disabled toilet, and would like to see disabled
changing facilities. Toilet facilities in general are not well-kept; and

pavilion building – good potential resource but not well maintained, suffering from vandalism
etc. Should be an asset/attraction to the park, but not in its current state.
Topic 4: Range and Type of Activities
Strengths
Weaknesses

diversity of use – welcomes all age
groups

condition of existing facilities – Fossil
Grove and tennis courts

facilities - a number of green areas for
undertaking various activities; sports
areas, fossil grove, play-park

lack of other facilities – café, cycling area,
bandstand, boating in the pond

lack of leisure/educational facilities

no corporate/commercial users of the
park

inflatable activities – these have a cost
which some consider unsuitable for the
park, discourages some park users
Three Priorities

investing in the Fossil Grove as a key feature of the park;

access and maintenance to/of the park; and

information and promotion of the park and what is in it and what is on.
Topic 5: Park Management
Strengths

relationship with Council – FOVP meet
with park management staff (though
infrequently); staff support local
volunteer groups

willingness of local people and groups
to address issues

track record of investment in the park –
gates, footbridges, monuments, clock
etc.

Weaknesses

budgets and finance – lack of budget for
maintenance; income generated should be
reinvested in the park

roles and responsibilities – no public
knowledge of who to approach; too
fractured and fragmented, not one
clear/identifiable leader; lack of
transparency

lack of communication – stakeholders do
not seem to communicate with each other;
no real community involvement in
decision-making

lack of park plans - no conservation,
management, parking, or public transport
plans for the park

no security patrols within the park

posters and information on noticeboards
are often not kept up to date
features of the park – well-designed
landscapes, protected areas
Three Priorities

no coordinated development and/or management plan for the park, which needs to be
addressed;

management of the park is too fractured and there is not one identifiable person who is
responsible for the park; and

any income which is generated in the park has to be reinvested in the park.