White Rock Gardens Masterplan 2002 - Objectives and Proposals

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The eight objectives of the Masterplan are set out below with proposals for achieving them listed under each.

Approximate timescales are indicated by the following denotations following each list item:

* short term: 2003 - 2005
** medium term: 2006 - 2010
*** long term: 2011 -

1. Range of attractions for all

A greater range of diverse, mutually reinforcing attractions for all age groups to create a ‘buzz’ of activity and greater security throughout the year. Integration of sports, play and leisure.

1. More play facilities of all kinds for all age groups throughout the area.*
2. Picnic areas and seating overlooking sports and play.*
3. Specially designated quiet areas.*
4. Events programme, especially during school holidays for children, but also for other age groups.*
5. More events on the Oval - markets, festivals, boot fairs, shows and tournaments - but avoiding loud amplified sound.*
6. Disabled access to all facilities including ramps around steps and possibly information boards in braille.**
7. An inspiring adventurous playground, perhaps including interactive water features and using recycled materials.**
8. Indoor children’s facilities including daycare, nursery, 1 o’clock club, creche, after school club.**
9. All year café overlooking facilities (see also 3 vii).**
10. Public art, sculpture and trails throughout the area.**
11. Imaginative new attractions such as mazes, water features, miniature railways, novelty timepieces, pets corner.**
12. Earth banked amphitheatre with seating on the Oval. This could be at the north end with the football pitch moved slightly southwards or at the south end, perhaps incorporated with the Viewpoint (see 2 viii).**

2. High quality, sustainable environment

Quality building and landscape on the West side of the Gardens to match, if not exceed, that on the East.

1. More planting including special garden areas (eg wildflower garden, winter garden, ‘secret’ garden, water garden, sensory garden, fragrant flower beds, pergolas, conservatory).*
2. Imaginative lighting scheme to make it an atmospheric and safe area to walk through at night. Use of floodlit features, solar lighting, movement activated lights and light shows for special events.*
3. Facilities for recycling rubbish, and plenty of litter and dog bins. Dog ban in certain areas (eg playgrounds, sports areas).*
4. Visible form of policing to guarantee the safety of Garden users at all times and to prevent vandalism. This could include park wardens, CCTV and emergency alarms if it proves necessary.*
5. Resurface paths, only when necessary, in sealed gravel with special paved feature areas.**
6. Restore curved steps and other historic features.**
7. Rigorous, sustainable design standards for all new buildings.**
8. Viewing tower or raised mound at the highest point to make more of the spectacular views. This could incorporate the amphitheatre (see 1 xii).***
9. Use of solar and wind power (both for energy saving and as a feature) providing it is not noisy or an eyesore.***

3. Centre of sporting excellence

Improve existing facilities and introduce new ones to make the Gardens - together with nearby facilities - a centre of sporting excellence.

1. Upgrade skate park/BMX facilities to competition standard - larger area, lighting, learner skatepark, features for street skating and separate BMX area (see 3 viii).*
2. Upgrade tennis courts with new nets, windbreak planting, lighting, resurfacing in colour, viewing areas. Investigate dual use of some courts for other activities.*
3. Reinstate basketball court as multipurpose court for basketball, kick around, rollerblading.*
4. Improve minigolf area with planting of trees and shrubs and low picket fencing to discourage people and dogs walking across the course.*
5. Use banks for viewing sports and shelter planting to reduce wind impact.*
6. Provide additional low key facilities such as a boules pitch.**
7. New sports pavilion and healthy café with viewing terraces, changing rooms, toilets, showers, clubrooms for tennis and other activities, information office and first aid point. (Minigolf then to have exclusive use of old pavilion.)**
8. Earth contoured BMX/MTB track/trail. This could either be at the north end of the Oval or incorporated as part of the main skate park area, possibly by using the terraced banks (see 3 i).**

4.Better access

More convenient and pleasurable access to the Gardens and better links within the Gardens.

1. System of signposting within the Gardens and to nearby features (eg Museum, St Thomas of Canterbury Church, Stations etc).*
2. New tree lined avenue around The Oval for walking, running and cycling (separated to avoid accidents).*
3. Marked cycleroutes and cycle parks. Cycle ban elsewhere.*
4. Improve entrance gateways with imaginative, welcoming new designs.**
5. Paved crossings across Falaise Road.**
6. Investigate using ‘head on’ parking in Falaise Road and improving layout of Falaise Road carpark to increase parking spaces. Also investigate making better use of St Margaret’s Road carpark for Garden users.**
7. Elegant bridge across Bohemia Road to the Museum for walking and cycling. Linking also to the Greenway to the station and town centre.***
8. Motorised transport system from the pier to Summerfields Leisure Centre with stops at key points in the Gardens: Possibilities include outdoor escalator, cable car, funicular railway. Possible extension to Hastings station. Minibuses or dotto train could be used initially.***
9. Access route to Magdalen Road providing more direct access to St Leonards Station. Subject to negotiation with owners of the site to the East.***

5. A Big Draw

Something regionally or even nationally special to attract locals and visitors to the Gardens. Feasibility study or competition needed to explore options. Possibilities include some or all of the following:

1. Spectacular transport system (eg cable car - see 4 viii).***
2. Tropical plant house and/or aviary (see also 6 iv).***
3. Wind turbine with revolving viewing gallery and cafe (see also 2 viii).***
4. Ice skating rink (big enough for national events) (see 6 iii).***
5. Water park with interactive displays, walk-through tunnels and perhaps flume rides (perhaps sited between skate park and landmark building).***

6. New landmark building

Incorporate all new indoor facilities required - including the already committed new indoor bowls centre - in a single new multipurpose building of quality design. Feasibility study or competition needed to explore options. Possibilities include some or all of the following:

1. Indoor bowls with facilities for national tournaments.***
2. Indoor tennis.***
3. Indoor ice rink.***
4. Conservatory for special plants and butterflies.***
5. Roof terrace.***
6. Viewing galleries for all facilities.***
7. Restaurant/café/bar with panoramic views.***
8. Function facilities.***
9. Information office.***
10. Underground vandal-proof car parking.***

7. Promotion

Comprehensive marketing and promotion of the area as a whole and the individual facilities within it.

1. Establish clear promotional identity for the area - including East and West sides of the Gardens, the Museum, Summerfields and perhaps Horntye.*
2. Layout map of Gardens and Information Boards displayed at all entrances with details of facilities available.*
3. Signposting from the seafront, Hastings and St Leonards town centres, the Old Town and West St Leonards (pedestrian, cycle and vehicle routes).*
4. Produce a Gardens Guide brochure.*
5. Include information about White Rock Gardens in other promotional literature for Hastings and St Leonards.*
6. Label plants and shrubs.*

8. Public involvement

Ongoing involvement of Garden users, facility operators and the general public in the management and development of the area.

1. Start ‘Friends of White Rock Gardens’ group.*
2. Form Steering Group of main interest groups.*
3. Support Special interest groups (eg BMX/skaters, mini golfers, tennis players, bowlers, etc).*
4. Newsletter (similar to that for Alexandra Park).*
5. Information boards at entrance points and at main facilities with latest developments (see also 7ii).*
6. Publicise progress in local media.*
7. Start volunteer scheme for maintaining gardens.*
8. Hold workshops to involve people, particularly the young, in designing and making features for the Gardens and in developing performances for the Oval.*
9. Explore introducing sponsorship or ‘adoption’ of certain features and facilities by local businesses.*
10. Establish on-site information and development office.*

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