Normanston Park Sports Facilities Provision Survey Insights

Sports Facilities Provision Survey NormanstonPark

NormanstonPark 119 people responded about Fen Park (out of 192) Of those, 4 said they never visited with 2 stating they lived too far away, 1 saying their were no facilities for them and 1 saying they were unaware of the park. Of these people who have never visited, 1 wanted better or more varied facilities Additional comments from this group included: I m not sure what s there

NormanstonPark Of the 115 who do visit the park, most (49) visit on a monthly basis, followed by 34 visiting weekly. The one person who selected other commented I used to play tennis every week before they were included . Age categories of visitors: How often do you visit Normanston Park? Under 18 | 2 18-24 | 2 25-34 | 17 35-44 | 36 45-54 | 22 55-64 | 19 65 and over | 21

Normanston Park A higher number of visitors to Normanston Park use their car. The next most popular method of transport (nearly 50% reduction, is walking. The other comments were bike and car , scooter and included several people who run . How do you usually travel to Normanston Park? What do you use Normanston Park for? People were allowed to select multiple answers for this question. Personal Leisure was the most popular answer, followed by Exercise. The 17 responses for other can be categorised as watching sport activities, use of caf and coaching.

Normanston Park What is your favourite part about Normanston Park? People were welcome to submit multiple answers to this question. Location came out as the top response with 40% followed by Sports Facilities with 21%. The response for other included Well kept grounds and secure safe car park , Skatepark , How large it is , Open green space paved walk and Large space for running .

Normanston Park What could be improved at Normanston Park? General facilities were high priorities, alongside sports facilities. Other received 14 responses. These included: Leathes Ham Toilet Facilities Clubhouse required for tennis space for cricket team to provide clean drinking water butterfly area walking around the park and through it to Oulton Broad Lighting. Uncontrolled dogs Add run path that avoids having to run through the car park

Normanston Park Use of existing facilities Equipment Frequency of Use Amount of Use (4 weeks) Equipment Frequency of Use Amount of Use (4 weeks) Daily 0 Daily 0 More than once a week 6 (7.5%) More than once a week 2 (2.8%) Weekly 4 (5%) Weekly 2 (2.8%) Play Area 102 times Table Tennis Tables 37 times More than twice a month 4 (5%) More than twice a month 0 Monthly 30 (37.5%) Monthly 13 (18.3%) Never 36 (45%) Never 52 (76.1%) Daily 0 Daily 0 More than once a week 2 (2.9%) More than once a week 4 (5.6%) Weekly 2 (2.9%) Weekly 7 (9.7%) Gym Equipment 48 times Football Pitches 75 times More than twice a month 7 (10%) More than twice a month 2 (2.8%) Monthly 10 (14.3%) Monthly 11 (16.7%) Never 49 (70%) Never 47 (65.3%) Daily 0 Daily 0 More than once a week 9 (10.8%) More than once a week 4 (5.7%) Weekly 3 (3.6%) Weekly 1(1.4%) Tennis Courts 110 times Cricket Pitches 41 times More than twice a month 4 (4.8%) More than twice a month 1 (1.4%) Monthly 18 (21.7%) Monthly 3 (4.3%) Never 48 (59%) Never 61 (87.1%)

Normanston Park Use of existing facilities (continued) Equipment Frequency of Use Amount of Use (4 weeks) Equipment Frequency of Use Amount of Use (4 weeks) Daily 0 Daily 1 (1.3%) More than once a week 2 (2.8%) More than once a week 6 (7.8%) Weekly 3 (4.2%) Weekly 7 (9.1%) Basketball Half-Court 40 times Cycle Path 137 times More than twice a month 0 More than twice a month 5 (6.5%) Monthly 12 (16.7%) Monthly 23 (29.9%) Never 55 (76.4%) Never 35 (45.5%) Daily 3 (3.9%) As part of the survey, people were asked to give a guide on how often they used these (i.e. daily, more than once a week, weekly, more than twice a month, monthly, never). More than once a week 6 (7.8%) Weekly 10 (13%) Running Track 189 times More than twice a month 5 (6.5%) Monthly 7 (9.1%) Never 46 (59.7%) Amount of Use is calculated based on a four-week cycle based on the frequency of use (i.e. one vote for daily equates to 28 uses in a month and a vote for more than once a week equates to 8 uses etc.) Daily 0 More than once a week 4 (5.9%) Weekly 3 (4.4%) Skate Park 50 times The running track proves to be the most used facility in Normanston Park, followed by the Cycle Path. The least used facility is the table tennis tables. More than twice a month 0 Monthly 6 (8.8%) Never 55 (80.9%)

Normanston Park Opinion on new facilities People were asked for their opinion on some example facilities to install in Normanston Park and how often they would use them (i.e. daily, more than once a week, weekly, more than twice a month, monthly, never). Equipment Opinion Strongly Agree 31 (30.7%) Agree 23 (22.8%) P tanque Piste Neutral 23 (22.8%) Disagree 7 (6.9%) Strongly Disagree 17 (16.8%) Strongly Agree 31 (30.4%) Agree 29 (28.4%) Pickleball Courts Neutral 29 (28.4%) Disagree 1 (1%) Strongly Disagree 12 (11.8%) Strongly Agree 34 (35.8%) Agree 26 (27.4%) Pump Track Neutral 22 (23.2%) Disagree 3 (3.2%) Strongly Disagree 10 (10.5%)

Normanston Park Equipment Frequency of Use Amount of Use (4 weeks) Use of new facilities Amount of Use is calculated based on a four-week cycle based on the frequency of use (i.e. one vote for daily equates to 28 uses in a month and a vote for more than once a week equates to 8 uses etc.) Daily 4 (4.3%) More than once a week 3 (3.2%) Weekly 8 (8.6%) P tanque Piste 202 times More than twice a month 8 (8.6%) Monthly 18 (19.4%) Never 52 (55.9%) Daily 3 (3.4%) In summary, it is clear that all of the suggested pieces of equipment would be popular. All of the suggest facilities would be highly popular with more estimated use than any of the existing facilities. More than once a week 8 (9.1%) Weekly 9 (10.2%) Pickleball Courts 223 times More than twice a month 6 (6.8%) Monthly 27 (30.7%) Never 35 (39.8%) Daily 3 (3.7%) More than once a week 7 (8.5%) Weekly 7 (8.5%) Pump Track 197 times More than twice a month 7 (8.5%) Monthly 15 (18.3%) Never 43 (52.4%)

Normanston Park New facilities People also offered a range of comments on other new facilities or improvements they would like to see. These have been sorted into categories Running Track (12) Miscellaneous Sport (14) Padel Tennis Courts rollerskating area. Calisthenics bars 5 a side pitches and goals possibly a wall for children to hit balls against when learning tennis -all continental tennis clubs have a wall where part of the fencing is More skateboard ramps Padel tennis courts, outdoor table tennis table Like to see an extension to the skate park as this is all ways full of the young people Full sized basketball court football cage Volleyball court or net facilities. Football goals with nets Paddle courts Full size basketball court (like at Carlton Colville, Lowestoft Road) Lowestoft needs a 400m running track Running track improved, resurfaced and dedicated for exercise. Currently it is utilised by all with multiple hazards, including running through a car park - the car park should be avoided Proper running track , currently have to run through car park which is dangerous Proper Run Track New athletics track A running track as the field gets used only for dog walkers or football Resurface of the path that can be used for a running track Better paving for run track area Running track Need a proper 400 metre running track in the town, although Normanston Park is probably not the ideal venue. Athletic running track Running track

Normanston Park New facilities (continued) People also offered a range of comments on other new facilities or improvements they would like to see. These have been sorted into categories Facilities (12) tennis clubhouse Improvement of changing facilities for sport Better changing room pedestrian paths clearly marked so walkers are not bowled over by cyclists possibly fence an area off as a dog park Lighting and up keep of the paths made more safe new cafe with better opening hours More lights. More seating areas A small gazebo Dog friendly facilities I would love to see a splash pad, or a much bigger children's play equipment area. The sloped area above the tennis courts isn't used at all so would be good to have more play equipment in this area as this is the main reason we come to the park Toilet Facilities (13) Public toilets Improved toilet and changing facilities. Much improved toilet facilities. Toilets. Decent toilets better toilets Toilet facilities Toilet facilities which open daily. 24 hour toilet facilities Toilets. Improved toilet facilities Better toilets as the ones there are disgusting. Completely unhygienic for children better toilets

Normanston Park New facilities (continued) People also offered a range of comments on other new facilities or improvements they would like to see. These have been sorted into categories Play Area (5) Better play park for children Dramatically improved play equipment. Bigger park one for older children and for younger Update and enlargen the play area, there's so much space but so little for children to play with. Decent swings for children & So much grass, so little for kids to do. Sand pits, water sprinklers look at places like Brighton Other (1) General tidying keeping it free from litter

Normanston Park Changing Rooms As an additional section for Normanston Park, people were asked about their use of the Changing Rooms and future plans Would you be in favour of Lowestoft Town Council repurposing or refurbishing the Changing Rooms? Do you use the Changing Rooms at Normanston Park? The comments for other were refurbish if they need it , don't we need them for football? -enlarge them and do both , used for 3rd and 4thteam cricket matches , not sure what you mean , Either but there needs to be better toilet facilities. Changing rooms aren t really needed and Improve as a facility overall, toilets for public, clean up for football use .

Normanston Park Changing Rooms As an additional section for Normanston Park, people were asked about their use of the Changing Rooms and future plans What would you like the Changing Rooms repurposed into? This question received 10 responses: Toilets (received four comments) Indoor roller skating rink Changing area for babies Disabled changing facilities or icecream booth Bar Covered seating area Indoor play area Cleaning, laundry and postal services for the homeless

Normanston Park Accessibility and Inclusion People were offered a chance to leave comments on how Normanston Park could be more accessible and inclusive. talk to Suffolk FA around refurbishments.... there needs to be usage vs investment into the changing rooms to attract Football Foundation investment. Better toilet facilities Play equipment upgrade in such a Central Park is urgent. It should be given the same flagship status as Nicholas Everett s park. More toilets Keeping it clean and tidy Better toilet facilities and baby changing Need decent public toilets It seems to be a multi purpose amenity as it is and seems well used whenever I visit Add all weather football pitches add public toilets at the park Out of control dogs and their respective owners stopped and educated so it s safe for young children, walkers and other people exercising in safety Lighting for evening use New athletics track Make it more safer for ever Improved lighting for the pathways and cctv for car park. Better run track signage Improve lighting and surface for running and make separate from cycle path to avoid car park Allow more refreshment provisions Toilets!!!! Badly needed More food drink options Better toilets Expand the play equipment offering. Refurbish the toilets. More car parking More toilets, ideally near the play area to help the little ones out Comment categories: Facilities (5 comments) | Public Conveniences (9 comments) | Parking (1 comments) | Park Safety (5 comments) | Other Comments (5 comments)

Normanston Park Additional Comments People were asked to also submit any additional comments about the park. Below is a cross-section of the comments Lowestoft needs a 400m running track It s a really boarding park with little for kids who don t like skating. Needs a wider range of offerings for teens. Need a better park. Better access to Leathes ham, boardwalk and bird hides Make more use of it! Big park and very little play area etc provide shelters The groundsman Steve is great! Helpful, friendly and great with people! Consider public safety and security e.g. lighting on the running and cycle paths, lighting near the skatepark (to discourage illicit activity at night by illuminating the area. definitely sort out the trees between the courts and the lake as they shade the courts creating slippery moss in winter and shed their leaves onto the courts in autumn This is an excellent community space and a timetable of activities should be encouraged as it s a great place. Increasing the skatepark size would be awesome too or even utilising large warehouses outside of the town centre itself would be great. We love this park. It would be lovely to be able to use it more. Play equipment please!