Sworders Field Masterplanincluding Castle Gardens

Sworders Field Masterplan including Castle Gardens
In February 2013, Bishop’s Stortford Town Council appointed Laurie Wood Architects and
Liz Lake Associates, Landscape Architects to review Sworders Field and Castle Gardens
and to create a Masterplan for the next 10-20 years.
A list of possible facilities was created:
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Enhanced paddling pool
Multi-use bandstand/performance area
Moorings for leisure boats
Summer café
Toilets (to include accessible toilets)
Path enhancements to connect important areas and recognise desire lines
Family picnic area(s)
Feature planting area(s)
BMX track
Dropped path to provide river access
Graffiti wall
Better drainage
Power and water for events
Community chair store
Landscaping of the moat
Northern extension to the re-watering of the moat
TOURIST INFORMATION
i
SWORDERS FIELD
Now it’s time for your say …
These information boards describe the proposals; they are being exhibited at Carnival on
22nd June and at the Tourist Information Centre (Market Square) until 31st July.
You can provide feedback verbally at the Carnival or you can take a leaflet and fill in the form. The forms can be returned at Carnival or at the Tourist Information Centre.
You have until 2nd August 2013 to provide feedback.
If you lose your form or need another one, they are available from the Tourist Information Centre,
you can download a copy from the Bishop’s Stortford Town Council website:
www.bishopsstortfordtc.gov.uk/sworders-field-masterplan, or you can contact
the Tourist Information Centre (tel: 01279 655831)
Sworders Field Masterplan including Castle Gardens
Skate Park
OSIER BEDS
Graffiti Wall
Tennis courts / netball court /
activity area
LINK ROAD
CAR PARK
BMX Track
New paths
Waytemore
Castle
SWORDERS
FIELD
Community Centre
(Markwell Pavillion)
Public toilets
PRIVATE
AREA
War Memorial
CASTLE GARDENS
Performance
Bandstand, toilets
and Paddling Pool
Riverside Café
and toilets
Leisure boat
mooring
Feature entrance
Children’s play area
Formal pond with feature
planting and picnic areas
Sworders Field Masterplan including Castle Gardens
The proposals in Sworders Field . . .
Riverside Café and leisure boat mooring
A Riverside Café adjacent to the existing children’s play area
and a boat mooring.
Glass sided with a timber terrace providing views down the
river and into the Castle Gardens. Indoor and outdoor seating
to accommodate around 50 people.
The Café would provide hot and cold food and drinks and
toilet facilities.
The adjacent bridge to Castle Gardens would be improved
visually and in terms of accessibility.
Leisure boat mooring
A timber jetty with mooring and access for small and medium sized boats
to the river; near to the bridge on the Causeway and adjacent to the
existing children’s play area. It will be integrated with the Riverside Café
surround.
An all-weather path from the entrance on the Causeway, past the
children’s play area and connecting to the improved first bridge into
Castle Gardens.
Image© www.whooshexplore.co.uk
Green Spaces
Improved footpath access around Sworders Field with a path around
the perimeter and a more direct path from Johnson’s Crossing to the
Castle Gardens.
The path on the central stretch of river would remain in Castle
Gardens only, the Sworders Field side remaining green up to the
river edge. A small pebble ‘beach’ will be created to allow
pedestrian access to the water.
The Osier Beds on the north boundary of Sworders Field managed
mainly for wildlife.
BMX Track
A BMX track near to Johnson’s Crossing and adjacent to the Skate
Park and railway line.
A Graffiti Wall has recently been installed near to Johnson’s Crossing
and adjacent to the Skate Park and railway line.
The two Tennis Courts currently in Castle Gardens would be relocated
to an area near to Link Road Car Park and the Skate Park. The new
facilities would include two tennis courts and a netball court.
Sworders Field Masterplan including Castle Gardens
The proposals in Castle Gardens . . .
Paddling Pool
The proposals include a new Paddling Pool integrated within the Castle
Gardens and away from the busy Causeway road. Due to the proximity
to Waytemore Castle this may be dependent upon archaeological
findings.
The new Paddling Pool is adjacent to the performance bandstand and
close to the Riverside Café for hot and cold drinks and food.
The existing Paddling Pool is retained and transformed into a formal
pond creating a new area of ornamental garden, feature planting and
picnic area, opposite the Registry Office and suitable for photographs.
This proposal necessitates the moving of the tennis courts to a new
location on Sworders Field adjacent to the Link Road Car Park.
Feature Entrance
A more formal, feature entrance to the Castle Gardens.
This will be at the current foot and vehicle entrance
to the Markwell Pavilion and War Memorial.
Performance Bandstand
A multi-use bandstand in the Castle Gardens, adjacent to the
Waytemore Castle mound.
The building would be modern in design with clean lines connecting it
visually to the adjacent Castle and trees and with a performance stage
adjacent to the water of the Paddling Pool.
It would be suitable for small bands and outdoor theatre or plays with
the audience viewing across the water adding an extra dimension.
The building would include toilets and service facilities for the electrics
and electronics required for evening and live performances.
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK OF THE PROPOSALS …