Ice skating, Wi Fi and a youth pavilion are just a few of the ideas students from Marlborough and Francis Bacon secondary schools plan for the future development of Verulamium Park.

Using disposable cameras, the twenty-two sixth form and year nine students spent a morning in the park creating a photo survey of what they liked and what they thought could be improved. Issues and ideas were then explored in discussion groups.

Held on 17 October the schools event is part of a wide-ranging public consultation on the future of the park culminating in a public exhibition on the master plan. This will be launched on Saturday, 3 November at the Verulamium Museum foyer with opportunities to discuss the proposals from 12noon until 7.30pm.

Valued for its scenery, safety and heritage the park is enjoyed in the summer as a place to hang out with friends. Bonfire night and snowy days draw the young people back to enjoy the park's winter landscape.
For the future, new attractions such as ice and roller-skating would be welcome together with play equipments designed for teenagers, such as an obstacle course. Special seasonal events, such as a Halloween walk would encourage more visits all year round. While low cost food stalls, a Wi Fi area and youth pavilion would keep teenagers coming back.
Extra lighting, heritage style bins, more information, better toilets, new paths for cycling and walking and the removal of eyesores would all make the park a more inviting place.
Marlborough teacher, Nerys Fielden said:" The students have got an awful lot out of the day. They have enjoyed thinking about the future of the park and expressing their views on an important issue.

Photography copyright Pete Stevens - CreativeEmpathy.com