72% of survey respondents say Maintenance at Coronation Park has worsened in past 3 years

Thank you to those who participated in the survey concerning thoughts and opinions on Coronation Park sent out late last year.

The results have been collated and it is clear that the park remains a much loved public space that can be shared with the whole family. 

However, the results show many hard truths with 72% of participants believing that maintenance of the park has gotten worse, with only 2.6% seeing improvement. 

Based off the data, the main themes of comment were the lack of toilets, cleanliness of the brook and of course the duck pond, with one participant noting they regularly visit the park with grandchildren to feed the ducks. Flooding was also a key theme with lack of maintenance suggested to be the main cause. 

Unfortunately, many of the comments surrounding the current state of the duck pond were not positive, with one participant saying “it’s not really very inviting” and another saying “it’s the worst I have ever seen it this year”. 

Many believe the pond needs a deep clean, more regular maintenance and some form of airflow in the pond which a fountain would provide. The cleanliness plays a huge part to attract wildlife and keep it there.

Charles Berry, OWL candidate for Ormskirk West and one of the organiser’s of the survey had this to say: “It was great to see so many people getting involved with the survey, and it’s clear that the people of Ormskirk are passionate about their park. However, the growing amount of discontent surrounding the maintenance of the park cannot be ignored.” Charles lives close by to the park and often uses it as a route into the town centre. He said “It seems the duck pond is the main focus of residents’ concerns, it’s looking neglected and I’ve noticed the stagnant smell it gets in summer. There used to be a full time ranger for park maintenance and it clearly shows the reduction in ranger hours spent at the park has had a negative impact”. Charles along with Michael Crompton, Ormskirk East, will be standing in the West Lancashire Borough Council elections in May. If elected, they will push to get a thorough maintenance plan established for Coronation Park and act to rectify residents’ concerns and bring some pride back to the park.

Michael says “the lack of having a Ranger in the area has really taken its toll on the park and the community has clearly voiced this in their comments. I think it is important to address these key issues and make the park a more inviting environment for all, the concerns listed are just a starting point and there is room for improvement across the board which we will push for”.

OWL councillors have requested a meeting with the Rangers to present the detailed survey findings and discuss the priorities for improvement.  We will be seeking increased Rangers’ hours at the Park and investigating whether Friends of Coronation Park might be re-established.