Waverley Borough Council has received a fantastic response to its community engagement activity at Broadwater Park, with almost 2000 residents completing the online survey.
The engagement started on 1 February 2023 and ran for 6 weeks. As well as sharing information in the park and across Godalming, the project team met with key stakeholders including sports clubs, local schools, and students to discuss their ideas for Broadwater Park.
84% of respondents feel positive about the regeneration of the site and several additional ideas for the space have been suggested by users of the park.
Feedback from secondary schools suggested a bike park track, a skate park, pump track, dog agility, outdoor gym and benches and the youth centre suggested a nature reserve, crazy golf, trampoline park, and a park for teens. In almost all the feedback received there was a mention of café or kiosk facilities, public toilets, and the need for open space.
Waverley Borough Council Executive Head of Environmental Services, Chris Wheeler, said:
“The information received during this community engagement activity is extremely interesting. We are delighted so many people have taken the time to get involved. There are some great ideas from a range of age groups using the park and a wealth of information here that we can use”.
“It’s important that we have creative, imaginative, relevant, and sustainable open spaces in our borough for the wellbeing of our communities. The ideas we have received, particularly from the younger members of our community, are amazing and I look forward to seeing how this project progresses”.
Waverley Borough Council will now analyse the data and formulate plans for the park based on the responses received. Consultation on those plans is likely to take place later this year.