Residents are urged to participate in improvements to Strand-on-the-Green Rec

Local Strand on the Green residents have formed a Friends Association to raise funds and improve facilities at the Strand on the Green Recreation Ground. The park, situated just off Thames Road and within a couple of hundred metres of Strand on the Green School, is a popular playground and playing field for local children. However, it has had little investment in recent years, the limited playground equipment is old and worn and graffiti covers walls and furniture.

Led by local mother Colette Connors and with the support of Hounslow Council, the Friends of Strand on the Green Recreation Ground (FOSR) plans to raise funds and bring together volunteers to clean up the park, improve the range of play equipment, plant more shrubs and encourage more community use and care of the park.

FOSR has set a date for the first park clean up and fun day which will take place from 10.00am on Sunday, 16 October. Volunteers are being sought to help remove weeds and litter, clean graffiti from park equipment, clear dead leaves and plant bulbs. There will also be a treasure hunt and other children’s activities.

Future plans include fundraising events in the park and the group is seeking funding for more substantial improvements in the near future. FOSR has been asked by Hounslow CIP for a wish-list of minor improvements that the Council could cost and fund from the current budget. Anyone with ideas or requests can submit these to FOSR through a questionnaire which is available from Thames Road Post Office, Strand on the Green School, other local shops and by email from friendsofstrandrec@hotmail.co.uk. A follow-up meeting to discuss the wish-list and fundraising initiatives will be held on Tuesday,18 October at 8.30pm in the Bell and Crown.

Colette Connors of FOSR commented ‘The response of local residents has been so positive but more Friends and volunteers are needed. Anyone with an interest in the park, whether as a parent, dog walker or just a local resident who likes the space, is invited to get involved.’

October 4, 2005