Burnham Beeches Management Plan 2010 - the City of London ...

4 objectives & actions - People
4.2`Objective 2: People
To encourage the sustainable use of Burnham Beeches for the recreation and enjoyment of the public; to promote public
involvement and foster greater understanding of the reserve.
4.2.1 Access and recreation
Burnham Beeches is visited by people from all
over the world and remains an important part of
the City of London’s network of green open
spaces accessible to the people of London.
Surveys have shown
that the majority of
visits are made by local
people living within 10
miles; it is an important
What Do You Like Most?
“Amount of land to
explore and sometimes
get lost in!”
2009 public consultation
part of the Buckinghamshire green spaces. It
has been estimated that over 500,000 visits are
made each year and at least 34% of visitors have
one or more dog.
It is important that
visitors enjoy the
time they spend in
the Reserve, but it
is also important
that their impact is
as light as possible.
The actions of
some visitors can
detract from the
enjoyment of
others if not
carefully managed.
Burnham Beeches will
always be a place for
quiet, informal
recreation. Although it
is not, for example, an
appropriate place to
have a formal
playground, some
facilities are provided to
enhance enjoyment.
Access for the less able
is also encouraged.
Target: ensure an accurate count of annual
visitor numbers are obtained (information
used to guide access strategies).
Achieved by: automatic car counters and
calibration every 10 years through manual
counts and checks.
Target: establish levels of visitor
satisfaction.
Achieved by: a questionnaire every five
years (if no other public consultation is held)
and actions taken from it where
appropriate; Greenstat or a customised
alternative.
34
Target: service key visitor needs.
Achieved by: café open at least 360 days
per year; toilets well maintained and open
at least 360 days per year; car parks on Lord
Mayor’s Drive and outside the Stag to be
well maintained; entrances and gates to be
well maintained and providing clear
information.
Target: ensure
that Burnham
Beeches is
perceived to be
clean and well
presented.
Achieved by:
providing and
servicing
recycling bins in
most popular
areas;
encouraging people to take their litter
home; encouraging recycling; removing fly
tipping; picking up litter weekly and when
found. Employing a specialist part-time
member of staff to lead on waste clearance
and recycling issues.