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Blooming Soho
Matthew Boulton Neighbourhood Forum,
Soho Pool Wharf, Hockley.

Resources - Assessment

Birmingham City Council's CAT

Comprehensive Assessment Tool for the maintenance, management and development of Birmingham's Green Space - Draft Version

This is the Field Assessment part of a two park Green Space Assessment Tool, the second part being the Desktop Assessment.

Desirable components of green spaces are assessed for:
Presence or Absence (if present the number present should be recorded if more than 1).
Condition: considerations would include accessibility and safety and could also include if it is well maintained or the quality, in the case of a service.
Appropriateness: Is the component approprate for this green space. (A high percentage of formal flower beds may not be appropriate for a Country Park.)
Score: Taking all the above into consideration a score of 1-5 should be given to identify areas of strength and weakness.

Poor = 1, Fair = 2, Good = 3, Very Good = 5, Excellent=5.

The average score for each section is worked out as follows:- total the score for the elements in the section. Divided this by the mumber of elements receiving a score e.g. 8 elements in section 2 were not applicable so divide the total score by 6.

Any items that would require action or need further comments should be listed on the comments page.

The following form consists of 2 pages.

Site Name:
Site Description:(Country Park, Formal Park, Pocket Park, etc.)
Area of Park:(Hectares)
Location:(Grid reference)
Owners:(BCC)
Date of Assessment:
Name of BCC Assessor:
Name of independent Assessor:

1WelcomingPresent or Absent. Number Present.Condition (Safe / well maintained / accessible / quality)Appropriateness Yes / No / CommentsScore P-1, F-2, G-3, VG-4, Ex-5
1.1Good First impression approching the entrance
1.2Entrances
1.3Entrance signs
1.4Entrance lighting
1.5Uniformed site based staff
1.6"Park Watch" scheme
1.7On site information boards
1.8Car Parking (within 50m of the main entrance.)
Average = Total Score / (number of elements - NA)

2External accessibilityPresent or Absent. Number Present.Condition (Safe / well maintained / accessible / quality)Appropriateness Yes / No / CommentsScore P-1, F-2, G-3, VG-4, Ex-5
2.1Parks signposted from traffic routes in
2.2Entrances off every street around the boundary
2.3Access from public transport within 50m of an entrance
2.4Safe crossing (pelican, toucan/other) adjacemt to the site
Average = Total Score / (number of elements - NA)

3Infrastructure (including buildings)Present or Absent. Number Present.Condition (Safe / well maintained / accessible / quality)Appropriateness Yes / No / CommentsScore P-1, F-2, G-3, VG-4, Ex-5
3.1Gates / traffic calming
3.2Boundaries / fences / walls
3.3Seating
3.4Picnic benches
3.5Paths
3.6Toilets
3.7Cycle stands
3.8Visitor centre
3.9Shelters
3.10Other buildings:
Average = Total Score / (number of elements - NA)

4Other facilities Play / Sports areas / equipmentPresent or Absent. Number Present.Condition (Safe / well maintained / accessible / quality)Appropriateness Yes / No / CommentsScore P-1, F-2, G-3, VG-4, Ex-5
4.1Youth shelters
4.2Children's playground
4.3Adventure playground
4.4Multi use games area
4.5Football pitch/s
4.6Cricket pitch
4.7Tennis court/s
4.8Bowling green/s
4.9Skate park
4.10Fishing
4.11Changing rooms
4.12Refreshments
4.13Other:
Average = Total Score / (number of elements - NA)

5Other facilities Play / Sports areas / equipmentPresent or Absent. Number Present.Condition (Safe / well maintained / accessible / quality)Appropriateness Yes / No / CommentsScore P-1, F-2, G-3, VG-4, Ex-5
5.1Litter bins
5.2Litter management
5.3Fly tipping/dumping management
5.4Recycling evident on site
Average = Total Score / (number of elements - NA)

Assesment Tools

Green Flag Award
The Green Flag Award is the national standard for parks and green spaces in England and Wales. The award scheme began in 1996 as a means of recognising and rewarding the best green spaces in the country. It was also seen as a way of encouraging others to achieve the same high environmental standards, creating a benchmark of excellence in recreational green areas.

Winning a Green Flag Award brings excellent publicity. Both the media and the public are becoming increasingly aware that a site flying a Green Flag is a high quality green space. We realise that all green spaces are different and this diversity is welcomed. Each site is judged on its own merits and suitability to the community it serves.