Sustainable Parks: Sustainable Futures
02.03.10, Liverpool
Merseyside Maritime Museum, Albert Dock, Liverpool, L3 4AQ
A conference focusing on creating and managing environmentally sustainable parks and green spaces.
Booking information
Post: Complete and return the conference booking form.Fax: Complete and fax the conference booking form to 0118 946 9061.
Telephone: Call Caroline Carsey on 0118 946 9068 to make a provisional booking.
Online: Complete the online booking form here
Programme
0900: Coffee and registration0945: Chair’s introduction and welcome
Michael Rowan, Director of Mile End Park, London Borough of Tower Hamlets
0950: Adapting public space to climate change
Nicola Mathers, Advisor, CABE
Sustainability has been at the forefront of CABE's recent work, with a particular emphasis on adapting public space to climate change. Nicola Mathers will share examples of best practice from both the UK and overseas, including parks and green spaces that are effectively managing water to alleviate flooding and drought, embracing the latest in sustainable design and providing cost-effective environmental benefits city-wide.
1025: Building environmental issues into park management
Paul Hyde, Freelance Consultant, In-Place
Improving a park service's environmental performance is about more than considering peat and pesticides. Paul Hyde will explore practical examples of how best to conduct an environmental review, and how to share the outcomes with internal and external stakeholders.
1055: Q&A and coffee
1130: Providing park facilities that improve environmental and financial sustainability
Andy Barnard, Superintendent of Burnham Beeches, City of London
The City of London was the first local authority to develop a climate change adaptation strategy and at their Burnham Beeches site this underpins work being carried out to ensure the long-term sustainability of the ancient woodland. Andy Barnard will explain how, on a tight budget, it was possible to create two new cost-effective and sustainable park buildings using only local subcontractors and incorporating solar power, water saving mechanisms, recycled materials and green roofs to minimise the impact on the surrounding environment.
1155: Achieving sustainability service-wide
Dennis Clarke, Head of Parks Services, The Royal Parks
Having gained the internationally recognised ISO14001 environmental standard, The Royal Parks are committed to ensuring environmental issues are at the heart of their management strategies. Dennis Clarke will explain how this affects how the parks are run, why it is important, and how The Royal Parks plan to achieve sustainability across their whole service.
1220: Q&A
1230: Lunch
1330: Increasing energy self-sufficiency
Maryann Harris, Senior Executive Parks Superintendent, Dublin City Council
Father Collins Park is Ireland’s first public space to have the capacity to be entirely energy self-sufficient, with five wind turbines powering the park’s lighting, water pumping system, changing rooms and maintenance depot. Maryann Harris will discuss how this was delivered and how it forms part of a wider initiative to encourage the use of renewable energy sources and improve energy efficiency in Dublin City Council’s service delivery.
1400: Improving sustainability for the Green Flag Award
Mel Henley, Parks Manager and Green Flag Judge, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council
Sustainability is the main area of the Green Flag Award that applicants most struggle to achieve high scores in, with parks managers failing to demonstrate that a well-informed environmental policy and environmentally sound methods are in place. Using his experience as a Green Flag judge, Mel Henley will discuss what can let a site down and use examples of best practice to explore how to avoid this.
1430: Taking a strategic approach to water management
Cathy Johnston, Group Manager - Development and Regeneration Services, Glasgow City Council
Glasgow has suffered severe flooding in recent years, which has highlighted the city's need for a more efficient and sustainable drainage system. Cathy Johnston will explore how the Glasgow City Council and Glasgow and Clyde Valley (GCV) Green Network Partnership is committed to providing a network of quality green spaces that will enable a strategic approach to the area's water management, with parks and green spaces playing a lead role in fulfilling the partnership's long-term vision of creating a truly sustainable metropolitan region.
Delegates may choose to attend a site tour instead of the afternoon presentations
Site Tour 1: Croxteth Hall and Country Park
Croxteth Hall and Country Park is one of Liverpool’s most significant heritage assets. Delegates will have the opportunity to learn how the use of traditional management techniques has helped maintain a sustainable and educational space.
Site Tour 2: Stanley Park and Walton Hall Park Closed Loop Recycling Depot
Stanley Park has recently undergone extensive restoration, which included the transformation of a derelict glasshouse into a new events venue and the creation of a filtration drainage system for the site. Delegates will have the opportunity to hear about nearby Walton Park Closed Loop Recycling Depot to learn how Liverpool City Council recycles all organic material from its parks and reuses the material as compost or mulch across the city.
1500: Coffee
1530: Panel discussion
1600: Summary and close