Issue - meetings

To present the Committee with an updated proposal for a Solar System Exploration Walk in Nonsuch Park.

The Committee received a report providing an updated proposal for a Solar System Exploration Walk in Nonsuch Park.

The Committee considered the following matters:

a)            General Information. The representative of the Ewell Astronomical Society provided an opening statement:

·                     He stated that the Ewell Astronomical Society had considered the use of information boards versus QR codes for the walk, recognising that information boards would be more visual impactful, with the QR codes being less costly. He advised that a hybrid approach would be best, with information boards at either end of the walk and QR codes in between. He explained that QR code usage could be tracked in order to gauge popularity.

·                     He explained that the Ewell Astronomical Society had recently entered into collaboration with Whistlestop Arts, who would be providing artistic visuals and other enhancements to the project.

·                     He explained that Ewell Astronomical Society had submitted an application to Your Fund Surrey to fund the project.

·                     He explained that the walk could be done in either direction, with arrow markers along the way to direct people, with one end of the walk proposed near the London Road entrance car park, and the other near the Mansion.

·                     He stated that the walk would also provide people with historical information relevant to Nonsuch Park, with respect to astronomy and the solar system.

b)            Accessibility Consideration. A Member suggested that, depending on the height of the large notice boards, some people such as children or wheelchair users may have difficulty reading the information on them. The representative of the Ewell Astronomical Society stated that the notice boards do not have a predetermined height and that he would seek advice on the most appropriate height for them.

c)            Digital/Physical Content Considerations. With respect to the QR codes for the solar system walk, the Committee considered that mobile data can oftentimes be unreliable in certain parts of the Park. The Interim Assistant Head of Service (Streetcare) advised that investigations would be conducted to ascertain the viability of QR codes along the proposed route for the walk. The representative of the Ewell Astronomical Society stated that if QR codes proved unviable, printed information leaflets could be provided as an alternative. The Interim Assistant Head of Service (Streetcare) explained that the leaflets for the tree trail were printed at Epsom Town Hall, and the cost of leaflets for the solar system walk could likely be covered within existing budgets. The representative of the Nonsuch Voles stated that the leaflets for the tree trail had proven very popular, with the dispenser needing daily refilling. The Interim Assistant Head of Service (Streetcare) stated that the leaflets produced by Whistlestop Arts, with whom the Ewell Astronomical Society had recently entered into collaboration, also had a track record of popularity and success.

d)            Timescale. In response to a question from a Member, the Interim Assistant Head of Service (Streetcare) stated that the cut-off date for applications was the end of March, and that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33