Richmond Park - Playground & Horse Track Management plan Research Paper

Richmond Park - Playground & Horse Track Management plan - Research Paper Example Most important of these are the actual physical transformations of the park contributed by additional installation of facilities, buildings and the cultivation of additional trees and animals. For instance, drainage has been added and that buildings are constantly being built, renovated or torn down as new replacements are erected. The park has also seen massive tree planting initiatives, the introduction of deer farming and game preservation. By the turn of the twentieth century, the park has been opened to the public and the ensuing transformation during this period was mostly done to accommodate the invasion of people and traffic. These changes, however, were always faithful to what the park has stood for in years of existence. In 1843, Rowton commented that â€Å"the utter quieted and solitude that reigns in its distant recesses – the poetical character of its scenery, its softy swelling lawns, its noble trees, its placid lakes, and the herds of deer that wander, its nobl e trees, its placid lakes, and the herds of deer†¦ all combine to render it a place to those who would see nature in her sunny and poetic garb.† (p187) This observation still rings true today. Thanks to the meticulous management of the successive park administrations despite the different issues and challenges they faced during their times. One could consider the Richmond Park’s continuous development as some form of evolution that is required in order for this outstanding public space to survive. Indeed, it is still very much in use today and is actually considered by many as an island of natural landscape, and a remnant of old England, deserving of recognition and preservation. The changes have been and will be endured through the initiatives guided by the successive management plans such as the one being outlined by this paper. Introduction: Today, Richmond Park is still the largest of all the Royal Parks in the United Kingdom occupying more than a total of 955 hectares. It is situated in South-West London in Richmond-upon-Thames. The outer fringes of the parkland are bordered by mostly residential and commercial areas, in addition to other public spaces such as the local Boroughs and the Wimbledon Common Conservators. Its main utility lies in its facilities for passive recreations and activities for visitors. For example, the park boasts of an educational centre, cafe, golf courses, ballet school, several refreshment points and the Pembroke Lodge, which could accommodate staying visitors as well those who want to avail of its conference facilities. It is important to underscore that the Park is part of the chains of spaces that are open to the public, strategically placed in West London. The Park is also an internationally significant location because of its nature conservation value. It is specifically recognized for its work on wildlife, particularly in areas of sanctuaries, the preservation of its grasslands as well as its existing san ctuaries for biodiversity. Currently, it has numerous local and national designations such as being part of the English Heritage Register of Parks and Garden of Special Interest, a Site of Specific Scientific