Richmond Park: Playground and Horse Track Management Plan - Research Paper Example

?Richmond Park acid grassland & Broomfield Hill Horse Track management plan History Introduction Site Location Transport Parking Cars & Pedestrians access points Site details Ground cover Description Landscape character Management Plan Definition Objectives of Current Management Plan Aims of Long Term Management Plan Management Opportunities Richmond Park Landscape Management Strategy Key Management Issues Lawn Turf & Acid Grassland Management Broomfield Hill Horse Track Management: Monitoring and Assessment History Richmond Park: Richmond Park originated as a royal hunting ground for Charles I. It was built in 1637 and originally covered about two and half thousand acres (1000 ha) in area and was encircled by an 8-mile long brick wall. Through the years since it first use, several developments have transpired mainly driven by the changes in its status and management. Most important of these are the actual physical transformations of the park contributed by additional installation of facilities, buildings and the cultivation of additional trees and animals. For instance, drainage has been added and that buildings are constantly being built, renovated or torn down as new replacements are erected. The park has also seen massive tree planting initiatives, the introduction of deer farming and game preservation. By the turn of the twentieth century, the park has been opened to the public and the ensuing transformation during this period was mostly done to accommodate the invasion of people and traffic. These changes, however, were always faithful to what the park has stood for in years of existence. In 1843, Rowton commented that “the utter quieted and solitude that reigns in its distant recesses – the poetical character of its scenery, its softy swelling lawns, its noble trees, its placid lakes, and the herds of deer that wander, its noble trees, its placid lakes, and the herds of deer… all combine to render it a place to those who would see nature in her sunny and poetic garb.” (p187) This observation still rings true today. Thanks to the meticulous management of the successive park administrations despite the different issues and challenges they faced during their times. One could consider the Richmond Park’s continuous development as some form of evolution that is required in order for this outstanding public space to survive. Indeed, it is still very much in use today and is actually considered by many as an island of natural landscape, and a remnant of old England, deserving of recognition and preservation. The changes have been and will be endured through the initiatives guided by the successive management plans such as the one being outlined by this paper. Introduction: Today, Richmond Park is still the largest of all the Royal Parks in the United Kingdom occupying more than a total of 955 hectares. It is situated in South-West London in Richmond-upon-Thames. The outer fringes of the parkland are bordered by mostly residential and commercial areas, in addition to other public spaces such as the local Boroughs and the Wimbledon Common Conservators. Its main utility lies in its facilities for passive recreations and activities for visitors. For example, the park boasts of an educational centre, cafe, golf courses, ballet school, several refreshment points and the Pembroke Lodge, which could accommodate staying visitors as well those who want to avail of its conference facilities. It is important to underscore that the Park is part of the chains of spaces that are open to the public, strategically placed in West London. The Park is also an internationally significant location because of its nature conservation value. It is specifically recognized for its work on wildlife, particularly in areas of sanctuaries, the preservation of its grasslands as well as its existing sanctuaries for biodiversity. Currently, it has numerous local and national designations such as being part of the English Heritage Register of Parks and Garden of Special Interest, a Site of Specific Scientific Interest (SSSI), National Nature Reserve as well as Special Area of Conservation for Stag Beetles. (Wikipedia 2011) It is best known for its deer herds, ancient trees, acid grassland and rich diversity of invertebrates. The landscape of the core area of the Park is characterized by its informal, natural and wilderness qualities – from the acid grasslands, lakes and ditches to the abundance of several invertebrates and other animals. These components constitute a harmoniously fluid landscape recommended for leisurely walk and other recreational activities. It attracts significant numbers of visitors, who are able to enjoy other facilities in the park such as the Isabella Plantation, several lodges and gardens, the golf courses, the Tamsin Trail leisure path, views from King Henry’s Mound and other play areas. Location: Richmond Park is located in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. Transport: Tube/Rail: Through the Richmond Station, a visitor can take the British Rail or District Line. He or she could then take the 371 or 65 buses that ply the Petersham route. Bus: 190 Hammersmith - Richmond 391 Hammersmith - Richmond 419 Hammersmith - Richmond R68 Bushy Park and Richmond Northside: 33 Hammersmith - Richmond 337 Richmond - Clapham Junction 485 Richmond - Wandsworth Southside: 85/N85 Putney - Kingston 265 Putney - Tolworth K3 Roehampton Plough - Esher Eastside: 72 Roehampton - East Acton 493 Richmond - Tooting Westside: 65 Kingston - Ealing Broadway 371 Kingston - Richmond Parking: There are seven parking areas around the park that visitors cannot use, five of which are located near the main gates while one can be found near Pembroke Lodge and another near the Lawn Plantation. Cars & Pedestrians Access points: Kingston Hill Road: Robin Hood gate (Pedestrians), Ladderstile Gate (Pedestrians) Queens Road: Kingston Gate, Bishop’s Gate (Pedestrians), Cambrian Gate Ham Gate Avenue: Ham Gate Richmond Hill Road: Richmond Gate Sheen Lane: Sheen Gate, Bog Gate (Pedestrians) Priory Lane: Roehampton Gate Petersham Road: Petersham Gate (Pedestrians) Site Details: Area: The park is around 955-1000 hectares Vegetation & Water: 25% of the park (about 218 ha.) is canopy woodland 10-20 trees per acre* 25% of the park is acid grassland 10% Lawn Turf 1,387 Veteran trees 9000 Parkland trees Bracken trees 22 Water Bodies *The tree age, distribution and species are strictly controlled according to the centuries-old Park Management plan that has been wherein trees are planted according to three categories: parkland (scattered and clustered together), woodland (fenced and open)and the old trees that has stood for many centuries already. (The Royal Parks 2009, p34) Site description: As previously mentioned, the periphery of the Park is lined with residential and commercial areas but this human habitation and the activities that transpire within these confines did not significantly alter the physical landscape of the park, including its flora and fauna. To this day, the gardens and grasslands that have hosted the hunting party of Charles I are still wedged between old oaks and hawthorns, among other parkland, woodland and veteran trees. They dominate the plains and hills that constitute the physical demeanor of the park. Essentially, the Park is a combination of grasslands, woodlands, bodies of water and pruned gardens that especially cultivated for their aesthetic and recreational purposes. Landscape character The landscape framework of the Park is not static, but has continually changed over time. Old areas of woodland have thinned out and become wood pasture and open parkland; open Parkland has been enclosed to become recognized as woodland. The natural, informal and fluid character of this landscape is an essential aspect of the Park. However, due to the increasing diminution of semi-natural habitats nationally, the Park is becoming increasingly significant for both biodiversity and historical importance. The challenge therefore is to maintain the Park’s essential character borne from an inheritance of changing distribution of trees and open ground. The park administration's objective is to conserve the essential character of the Park against changes in its character and fabric while resisting fossilization, recognizing that flexibility has been fundamental in the evolution of the Park’s landscape. Ground cover Description: Grassland predominantly covers much of Richmond Park’s bracken parts. Then there are the woodland areas, which are peppered with oaks, hawthorn, beech, sweet and horse chestnut and a wide mix of other species of trees. The soils in the Park vary from sandy to clay loams. All are of low fertility and most are badly drained. Several streams have cut down into the clay, creating distinct valleys, the most important of which include the Beverley Brook, Pen Ponds, Isabella Plantation and Conduit Wood. Most of these still contain running water, at least in winter. Some areas also feature extensive outcroppings particularly with London clay, which, for its part, is overlain by sandy and gravelly terraces around Richmond Gate/Pembroke Lodge, Kingston Hill/Thatched House Lodge, East Sheen Gate and Holly Lodge. The sandy and gravelly deposits have resisted erosion to a greater degree than the London clay, and now form the hills and higher ground of the Park. Site Biodiversity: The length of time by which Richmond Park has functioned as a deer park makes the location a national biological treasure. This has been noted by the NNR, SSSI and SAC, which, respectively, cited the richness of the biodiversity that has been cultivated in the entire process in which the park has been maintained to serve its purpose. To this end, the Royal Parks is currently vigorously protecting the Park from deterioration of its biodiversity value and continuously seeking enhancements wherever possible, and especially where this can help meet Biodiversity Action Plan targets. The Park is legally compelled to follow the guidelines set out for SSSI’s and ensure, as a responsible body with delegated powers, that operations and activities therein do not harm the habitats or wildlife in any way. Management Plan Definition: A management plan involves the systematic collection of information which helps inform proposed strategies or actions in order to achieve a desirable outcome (Cardno, 2010) Objectives of Current Management Plan: The importance of Richmond Park is defined by its cultural, scientific and biological contributions. These three variables have been prominent in previous operational management frameworks that have been adopted by the park administrations throughout the centuries of the park’s existence. Changes to it and its design as well the addition and renovation of park components were aimed to work around these parameters. If new management plan is needed, it is pursued in accordance to the long-standing emphasis placed on the park’s roles. And so, for the current management plan, the objective is still in keeping with this aspect and can be generally expressed in the purpose being pursued by The Royal Parks, the agency tasked with managing Richmond Park, which is to manage the park “effectively and efficiently; balancing the responsibility to conserve and enhance these unique environments with creative policies to encourage access and to increase opportunities for enjoyment, education, entertainment and healthy recreation.” (Royal Botanic Gardens 2011, p11) This objective underscored the aesthetic/cultural, scientific and biological mandate that has been pursued for so long, only to be modified if alternative methodologies or frameworks are available to pursue the original objective more effectively. It is within this line that the specific objectives were formulated: Echoing the same goal that the Kew Garden pursues, the Richmond Park will interpret the Gardens as a palimpsest of landscape design and changing attitudes and values in respect to its scientific program, collections and taxonomic display. (Royal Botanic Gardens) To identify phased programmed of actions that may still be effective, is achievable and flexible enough so that they contribute further to the conservation of the park as well as in the understanding of its outstanding universal value (Gross 2011). To maintain a park land that is able to provide for scientific research besides the horticultural aesthetic display and interpretation just so it underscores the importance of plant diversity to the future not just of the UK but of our planet. To outline a strong sustainable strategy and management model for the whole Richmond Park acid grassland and Broomfield Hill Horse Track that is characterized by a balanced values and needs, particularly, of world heritage, scientific research, visitor experience, nature conservation and environmental education all at the same time. (World Heritage Site) Aims of Long Term Management Plan: Richmond Park needs several innovative and flexible ideas that could withstand the length of years and the changes in administration. This variable is necessary in order for strategies to be constant, consistent, and achievable. This has been already demonstrated in the way centuries-old plans were enforced even until today, implemented by new administrations faithfully to the great benefit of the park. The following long-term management plan has been developed with aims of replicating previous successful ones. Most of which were posited by Emery (1986) and that this author strongly advocate their implementation: 1. Organize seasonal work in order to minimize disturbance of existing wildlife. Usually, seasonal work is often carried out in late autumn, winter and early spring because oftentimes wildlife biodiversity is often at its peak. 2. Maximize wildlife biodiversity by increasing the number of species on site wherever possible. Continual management of site will help prevent species becoming species poor. 3. Rejuvenate the site occasionally by “small-scale” disturbances over a limited number of areas. For example, this may involve clearing woodland openings, thinning scrub and cutting grassland. 4. Maintain small areas manually rather than mechanically (where possible) in order to promote community involvement. 5. Avoid the use of chemicals for vegetation manipulation or pest control. 6. Compromise between users of the site and wildlife protection. Management Opportunities: The sheer expanse of the Richmond Park makes it a unique destination in itself. The diversity of the landscape and the biological species that thrive in it make the park unique or, if not, make it much more important because they magnify the contribution of such kind of public space for visitors and for the environment alike. This ensures the significance that the park will claim in the point of view of the British public and the state policymakers. Support for initiatives, therefore, will certainly receive enthusiastic support. Other opportunities include the potential for the management to initiate and conclude successful co-operation and partnerships with several administrators of similarly aimed public spaces and park lands. For instance, it could develop a wider and single visitor strategy with the rest of the administrators of public spaces that make up the chain in West London. This initiative can aim for an increase in visitor traffic, promote environmental themes and causes, and so forth. There is also the aspect of the educational role of the park for the general public. There is the question with regards to how the administration could utilize the park and its resources in order for the public to understand environmental issues such as climate change and the importance of biodiversity. Finally, the park administration is still faced with the complexities of maintaining and preserving a wildlife sanctuary amidst all that is happening around it, especially with the increased human activities. This can be viewed as a problem but it can also prove to be an opportunity for the management. All in all, management opportunities for the Richmond Park are actually in abundance. The current situation just calls for creativity and innovative ideas in order for all the potentials and the benefits they entail to be realized. Richmond Park Landscape Management Strategy: The Long Term Vision for Richmond Park The Park’s contribution to national heritage and biodiversity is paramount and, as has been highlighted previously, must be used as bases for management models and the development of long-term strategies in achieving the park’s objectives. In this regard, it has become imperative for the park management to vigorously protect the Park from deterioration or loss of its historic integrity and biodiversity value. Wherever and whenever possible, the park administration will formulate ways and implement plans that aim to preserve and enhance these. The management strategy also value the way the Park functions as a place to learn about the environment through actual experience. It is particularly important as a community resource, but is also recognized as a national resource with national appeal. The management plan will highlight several concrete actions and policies that will emphasize how visitors can not only appreciate the sense of natural wilderness and tranquility but understand their value. For this purpose, Richmond Park, will preserve and enhance these qualities, will favor natural elements over human artifacts and will retain the strategic and open views from the Park to surrounding areas. Guiding Principle: When the management plans states “preserve” and “enhance”, it is referring to the way informal and natural landscape must be maintained. That is, Richmond Park is created by the fabric comprising a mosaic of grassland and bracken, extensive areas of parkland trees (in particular the ancient trees), more clearly defined woodlands, numerous ponds and ditches and the deer themselves. It is expected to be a sanctuary, above all, - for the wildlife that seek refuge in it and for people who seek peaceful and natural space within the cacophony of the urban jungle. Key Management Issues: A fundamental challenge for the Richmond Park is to respond to the increasing complexity of requirements placed on Park Management. These include the need to protect and enhance its in areas of biodiversity and history. This role must be performed while the park strives to accommodate the various expectations of visitors, their experiences and education, especially about the park’s role, function and character. An excellent example of this latter factor is the opening of a horse track in the park more than two years ago. The additional facility took years of planning in order for it not to affect the environmental requirements of the wildlife. The park management took pains in ensuring that the increase of activity that it would create does not affect the wildlife and diversity of the park. In addition, a range of external pressures and stresses also affects the Park. For example the likely impacts of climate change on the Park will be immediately felt as warmer winters become frequent, more extremes in drought, gales and local flooding with potential repercussions for the parkland ecosystems. (London Climate Change Partnership 2002) There is therefore a need to monitor the Park and install or build the necessary mechanisms in order to address adverse changes. The management of any park or open space is a complicated and sometimes very difficult job. The park is important for wildlife, it is an important heritage resource too and people use the park for so many different things. The Royal Parks try to manage the park for wildlife, heritage and people. Decisions about how to manage the park will often be good for one thing but not so good for another! Managing the park is a constant balancing act. Because Richmond Park is a National Nature Reserve looking after the wildlife in the park is a very high priority. English Nature noted “An overarching NNR management objective is to maximize their contribution towards delivering Government’s responsibilities and targets under the Natural 2000 and Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) programmers.” (The Royal Parks 2000) The Royal Parks Agency has a clear statutory duty under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, s28G “to further the conservation and enhancement of the features for which the site is of special interest” (APIS 2011) Most ‘natural’ environments in the UK must be managed to conserve or improve the ecosystems and species that live in them. All the ecosystems in Richmond Park have to be managed in one way or another. The following paragraphs highlight specific management issues faced by the park, these are arranged under headings which relate to preceding sections of this plan. Grassland Management: On Parkland Ground Cover: Much of the acid grassland in the Park assessed by Natural England has been found to be in unfavorable condition. The extent of bracken areas needs to be managed in order to aid grassland improvement (particularly according to SSSI status requirements) but this needs to be balanced with the need to retain some cover for wildlife grazing particularly in the more exposed areas of the Park. Cattle grazing in acid grassland: A recent management initiative was a plan to reintroduce cattle in Richmond Park. This plan is being implemented in cooperation with Natural England. The objective is to generate further diversity because the way deer and cattle graze results in the emergence of different sward structures and plant communities. Cattle, particularly, is expected to facilitate the diversity of the bracken areas with its role in encouraging grasslands. For this purpose, the park administration will also: 1) safeguard the areas of unimproved grassland to maintain the plant communities and associated fauna present; and, 2) prevent any significant increase in the area covered by bracken areas. Cultivating Acid Grassland: Richmond Park management is also planning to widen the coverage of acid grasslands, a type of sward or long stretches of grass patches that grow on acidic soil. This plan is being pursued due to its numerous benefits, but the most important of which is the fact that it encourages more acid grassland to spread and, in the process, result in greater biodiversity since it attracts numerous animals and insects such as meadow ants (which, for their part, makes distinctive mounds that affect the landscape it lives in), six spot burnet moth, shrews and voles, among others. It must be underscored that acid grassland and its cultivation will lead to the kind of succession that takes place wherein a particular habitat can still become home to new scrub and woodland enhancing that particular area’s wildlife value. It is laudable for the current management plan to include a desire to pursue the maintenance of acid grassland. However, there is still not reference whatsoever to the cutting regimen required for the entire affair to be effective. Maintenance could lead to phototropism, the process that results in the grass achieving its optimum height. The new management plan will include this. The cutting system for this type of grassland would follow the method posited by Emery’s option (B), with its single autumn cut (with cutting removed). Lawn Turf Management: There is also the need for more effective Lawn Turf Management. Current management plans involve simply redistributing box clippings back onto the lawn with the aid of a Zero emissions ride on move. It appears, however, that this is not enough. The cutting method that must be implemented is the so-called Emery’s option (F) 2-4, which prescribes cutting the grass biannually (with cutting removed technique). The reason for this is simple: Lawn turf needs more intense cutting techniques due to the fact that grasses that grow in this area are intended for moderate to extensive use to keep the lawn healthy because the soil no longer require fertilizers even the natural or the organic kind since the soil is actually free draining. Broomfield Hill Horse Track Management: In September 2008, H.R.H. Princess Alexandra led the opening of the Broomfield Hill Horse Track. (Royal Parks 2008) It is found in the southern part of Richmond Park next to the Isabella Plantation. The planning that went with this new facility made sure that it does not harm animals and plants in the park that are sensitive and maybe endangered by intense activities and human traffic. It is easy to understand, hence, how the guiding principle in the management of the facility works. To demonstrate how the park intends to manage the horse track, the following rules were adopted: Richmond Park Horse Track Rule 1. Horse riders must proceed at a pace no faster than a hand canter: galloping is prohibited 2. Horse riding is restricted to horse rides, roads and rings on weekdays from 1.00pm to 7.00pm or close: on weekends and bank holidays from 11.00am to close; and at any time when notices are erected that riding is "on tracks" 3. Horse riding on the perimeter path is not permitted at any time 4. No led horses may enter the Park unless bridled 5. Horse riders must not cause their horses to jump any obstacles 6. Racing, riding more than three abreast, showing, trying and breaking in horses is prohibited. (Horse Riding 2011) The above rules have so far been effective and the management plan is better off implementing it to the letter. The design for a diverted horse ride also emphasize the conscious attempt of the park administration to balance the interests of all affected. To this end, a closure of the badly eroded and often impassable section from Broomfield Hill to Robin Hood Gate was enabled. Such design was also subjected to the approval of the Natural England. . It should be noted that the opening of a horse track meant the confinement of such activity to one place, hence, limiting if not preventing the damage it can cause to the flora and fauna. There is a need to mention the fact that horse riding has already been introduced in the park in 1938. However, the park management put a stop to it as concerns were raised when it was reported that more than 700 horses a day trample the grounds of the park. To avoid the same experience, management of Broomfield Hill Horse Track must be characterized by more stringent limitations as dictated in the rules and regulations cited above. In addition, education and orientation for riders will also be strictly imposed in order for visitors to be consciously aware of the negative effects of their presence as well as their responsibility with regards to the potential damage they may cause in the habitat of the wildlife. Central to this initiative are the riding schools present in the park, which include Barnfield Riding School, Kingston Riding Centre, and the Stag Lodge Stables. (Horse Riding) Monitoring and Assessment As with any plan, there is a need for the assessment of performance of the Richmond management plan in order to determine whether it is effective and, hence, still applicable for future use. For this purpose, the Royal Parks Key Performance Targets would serve as a benchmark in addition to the specific objectives outlined in this paper. There are also the number of experts standards who continuously monitor the performance of Richmond Park such as the Independent Assessment of Soft Landscape Quality, Landscape Maintenance c requirements contract , the result of visitor survey and ISO 14001 requirements, among others. References Air Pollution Information System (APIS) 2011, "The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CROW Act)". APIS. Available from: [April 7, 2011] Emery, M 1986, Promoting Nature in Cities and Towns: A Practical Guide. Croom Helm Ltd., Kent. Horse Riding, 2011, Totally Richmond. Availabe from: [April 5, 2011] London Climate Change Partnership 2002, London's Warming: The Impacts of Climate Change on London. CCAP. Available from: [April 7, 2011] Wikipedia 2011, Richmond Park. Wikipedia. Available from: [March 30, 2011] Rowton, F 1843, The City of London magazine. Smith, Elder and Co., Cornhill. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: World Heritage Site Management Plan, 2011, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew . Available from: [March 31, 2011] The Landscape Institute and the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment 2002, Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment. 2nd Edition. Spon Press, London. The Royal Parks 2008, Royal Launch for New Horse Ride in Richmond Park. The Royal Parks. Available from: [April 8, 2011] The Royal Parks 2000, Richmond GCSE Geography Resource Pack-1. The Royal Parks. Available from: [April 11, 2011] Read More