Barnes Green relaunched as a “Friendly Park for All”
The borough’s first official “friendly park for all” was launched yesterday in Barnes.
As part of the ‘Friendly Parks for All’ project, the Council held a consultation in partnership with the Richmond Dementia Action Alliance to look at how the Council can encourage everyone, including people with dementia, to enjoy local parks.
In response to the consultation, Richmond Council has transformed Barnes Green into a friendly open space for all, especially those users with dementia.
Paths have been levelled and resurfaced, additional benches installed and access to the pond improved. A wooden carved ‘chatty chair’, pond themed totem pole meeting point and carved entry / exit markers depicting animals living on the Green have been installed.
New interpretation boards relating the pond and the history of the Green are also planned to be introduced later in the summer.
Ishbel Murray, Assistant Director for Contracts and Leisure, said:
“The Friendly Parks for All Programme aims to make our parks accessible to everyone. We hope that the improvements we have made at Barnes Green will benefit the health and well-being of people with dementia so they can continue to enjoy our parks and open spaces.”
