Woking Park
Encyclopedia
Woking Park is a large park and leisure complex in Woking
, Surrey
, operated and maintained by Woking Borough
Council. Which is part of the Hoe Valley.
The current Leisure Centre was opened in 1976
1989: The main pool of what is now the Pool in the Park swimming complex was opened. Three years later in 1992 the leisure lagoon was opened.
2003: A fuel cell
based combined power and heating
system was installed behind the Pool in the Park.
2004: As part of a council project covering four ponds in the Hoe Valley area, a major restoration was undertaken to the duck pond area
2008: It was proposed that the Woking College be relocated to Woking park in order to expand. This was opposed by local residents, who pointed out it was in breach of the original covenant gifting the land to the town.
2010: Significant development work began on Woking Park as part of the Hoe Valley scheme. This included the felling of a large number of trees, clearance of waste land, derelict greenhouses and the construction of new facilities.
2011: As part of a ten year deal with Woking Borough Council, Freedom Leisure
took over the running of all council run facillities at Woking Park.
in the middle of the park. It has three pools, the competition pool that is three metres deep, which opened in 1989, a learner pool and the leisure lagoon which includes three Water Slides which vary in speed (Fast, Medium and Slow). The Medium slide or Zoom Slide had a interactive feature were you press light up parts up of the slide and you get a score at the end. Although this feature does not work today , a 'river rapids' ride, a wave machine, water cannons and a "mushroom" water fountain. The outside design of Pool in the Park is based on an ancient Roman Coliseum.
opened in 1976 and is accessed via a pedestrian bridge over a small river. It has a number of sports facilities, including 6 squash
courts, a gym
, martial arts
studio and two halls. The main sports hall is used for badminton
, football and also a number of non-sports related activities, including antiques fairs, flea markets, and the annual Woking Beer Festival
. The second, smaller, hall is called the Wurlitzer hall. There is also a kids' indoor softplay area, called the Pick'n'mix playstore, a restaurant
, creche
, licensed bar
and a
Sensations Multi-Sensory Suite.
pitch, cricket
square, bowls
lawn, putting green and a number of tennis
courts. The tennis courts are occasionally open to the public, whereas the bowls lawn is restricted to members of Woking Park Bowls Club. The cricket pitch is only used for cricket games, but is open for people to use at other times. There is clubhouse for the cricket players. The football pitch is located behind the leisure centre.
for smaller children (Which had some improvement work), a crazy golf course and a skate park which is very popular with locals aged around 11-19.
Throughout the park are a number of gardens with statues and similar decoration.
Wildlife
In the ponds and gardens there are many different types of wildlife-Some rare and some common. In the ponds the wildlife includes a family of swans, about 20 ducks, and many other different species in the pond. There are many other types of wildlife in the ponds. In the gardens there's not a much wildlife. There are many small species that live in the gardens.
and Air Cadets
, Sea Rangers, Girl Guides
, Westfield Football Club and Woking Boxing Club, who are currently located in Westfield Avenue. A number of derelict greenhouses are also to be demolished to provide space for new training pitches. Some of the other improvements consist of adding extra pathways, improving facilities there and also adding new ways of access to the park.
based combined power and heating
system which was implemented in 2003 in a joint venture between Woking Borough Council and Thamesway Energy Ltd which is a company owned by Woking Borough Council.
The system chemicaly reforms natural gas into hydrogen using oxygen from the atmosphere. When converted to electricity in the fuel cell this produces 50% more energy than conventional means and produces pure water as a byproduct, which is reclaimed for other use. Heat is also produced, which is used to power the pool in the park air conditioning system. This provides for all of Woking Park's energy requirements, is self sufficient in electricity and is a net exporter of power to other council sites.
The main component is a 200 kWe fuel cell along with four smaller 60 kW units and one 836 kW unit. Total combined heating and power capacity is 1.2 MWe and 1.6 MWth. The system is on display to the public with information and educational resources provided.
Work began in 2001, and was the first system of its kind in the UK. It was part funded as part of a larger scheme to showcase how such technology could be used in the UK to meet environmental targets.
Woking
Woking is a large town and civil parish that shares its name with the surrounding local government district, located in the west of Surrey, UK. It is part of the Greater London Urban Area and the London commuter belt, with frequent trains and a journey time of 24 minutes to Waterloo station....
, Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
, operated and maintained by Woking Borough
Woking (borough)
Woking is a local government district with borough status in the west of Surrey, England.It was formed in 1895 as an urban district under the Local Government Act 1894. The present-day borough was established in 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972, and is one of two districts in Surrey to...
Council. Which is part of the Hoe Valley.
History
In 1902 the Brettell Family and associates, who were known as philanthropists, gifted the land to the town on the condition "said land shall not be used for any other purpose than a public park, public walks, gardens, recreation grounds, pleasure grounds, and baths."The current Leisure Centre was opened in 1976
1989: The main pool of what is now the Pool in the Park swimming complex was opened. Three years later in 1992 the leisure lagoon was opened.
2003: A fuel cell
Fuel cell
A fuel cell is a device that converts the chemical energy from a fuel into electricity through a chemical reaction with oxygen or another oxidizing agent. Hydrogen is the most common fuel, but hydrocarbons such as natural gas and alcohols like methanol are sometimes used...
based combined power and heating
Cogeneration
Cogeneration is the use of a heat engine or a power station to simultaneously generate both electricity and useful heat....
system was installed behind the Pool in the Park.
2004: As part of a council project covering four ponds in the Hoe Valley area, a major restoration was undertaken to the duck pond area
2008: It was proposed that the Woking College be relocated to Woking park in order to expand. This was opposed by local residents, who pointed out it was in breach of the original covenant gifting the land to the town.
2010: Significant development work began on Woking Park as part of the Hoe Valley scheme. This included the felling of a large number of trees, clearance of waste land, derelict greenhouses and the construction of new facilities.
2011: As part of a ten year deal with Woking Borough Council, Freedom Leisure
Freedom Leisure
Freedom Leisure is the largest provider of community leisure in Sussex.Freedom Leisure is a not for profit organisation with a strong company ethos on providing value for money. The company does this by reinvesting surpluses back into the centres to ensure this happens...
took over the running of all council run facillities at Woking Park.
Facilities
Woking Park has a number of facilities and sport pitches. There is also a large car park near Pool in the Park.Pool in the Park
Pool in the Park is a purpose-built swimming complexSwimming pool
A swimming pool, swimming bath, wading pool, or simply a pool, is a container filled with water intended for swimming or water-based recreation. There are many standard sizes; the largest is the Olympic-size swimming pool...
in the middle of the park. It has three pools, the competition pool that is three metres deep, which opened in 1989, a learner pool and the leisure lagoon which includes three Water Slides which vary in speed (Fast, Medium and Slow). The Medium slide or Zoom Slide had a interactive feature were you press light up parts up of the slide and you get a score at the end. Although this feature does not work today , a 'river rapids' ride, a wave machine, water cannons and a "mushroom" water fountain. The outside design of Pool in the Park is based on an ancient Roman Coliseum.
Leisure Centre
The Leisure CentreLeisure centre
A leisure centre in the UK and Canada is a purpose built building or site, usually owned and operated by the city, borough council or municipal district council, where people go to keep fit or relax through using the facilities.- Typical Facilities :...
opened in 1976 and is accessed via a pedestrian bridge over a small river. It has a number of sports facilities, including 6 squash
Squash (sport)
Squash is a high-speed racquet sport played by two players in a four-walled court with a small, hollow rubber ball...
courts, a gym
Gym
The word γυμνάσιον was used in Ancient Greece, that mean a locality for both physical and intellectual education of young men...
, martial arts
Martial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
studio and two halls. The main sports hall is used for badminton
Badminton
Badminton is a racquet sport played by either two opposing players or two opposing pairs , who take positions on opposite halves of a rectangular court that is divided by a net. Players score points by striking a shuttlecock with their racquet so that it passes over the net and lands in their...
, football and also a number of non-sports related activities, including antiques fairs, flea markets, and the annual Woking Beer Festival
Beer festival
A Beer Festival is an organised event during which a variety of beers are available for tasting and purchase. Beer festivals are held in a number of countries...
. The second, smaller, hall is called the Wurlitzer hall. There is also a kids' indoor softplay area, called the Pick'n'mix playstore, a restaurant
Restaurant
A restaurant is an establishment which prepares and serves food and drink to customers in return for money. Meals are generally served and eaten on premises, but many restaurants also offer take-out and food delivery services...
, creche
Day care
Child care or day care is care of a child during the day by a person other than the child's legal guardians, typically performed by someone outside the child's immediate family...
, licensed bar
Bar (establishment)
A bar is a business establishment that serves alcoholic drinks — beer, wine, liquor, and cocktails — for consumption on the premises.Bars provide stools or chairs that are placed at tables or counters for their patrons. Some bars have entertainment on a stage, such as a live band, comedians, go-go...
and a
Sensations Multi-Sensory Suite.
Sports pitches
Outdoor sport pitches include a football/hockeyHockey
Hockey is a family of sports in which two teams play against each other by trying to maneuver a ball or a puck into the opponent's goal using a hockey stick.-Etymology:...
pitch, cricket
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
square, bowls
Bowls
Bowls is a sport in which the objective is to roll slightly asymmetric balls so that they stop close to a smaller "jack" or "kitty". It is played on a pitch which may be flat or convex or uneven...
lawn, putting green and a number of tennis
Tennis
Tennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
courts. The tennis courts are occasionally open to the public, whereas the bowls lawn is restricted to members of Woking Park Bowls Club. The cricket pitch is only used for cricket games, but is open for people to use at other times. There is clubhouse for the cricket players. The football pitch is located behind the leisure centre.
Play areas
Near the middle of the park there are two climbing boulders with a spider's web between them. These are intended for 13–19 year-olds, though a lot of other age groups play on them. There is also a a playgroundPlayground
A playground or play area is a place with a specific design for children be able to play there. It may be indoors but is typically outdoors...
for smaller children (Which had some improvement work), a crazy golf course and a skate park which is very popular with locals aged around 11-19.
Ponds and Gardens
In the centre of the park is a set of three wildlife ponds with a timber decking viewing area. This was extensively renovated in 2004, as the two existing ponds were badly overgrown and in decay. This involved the removal of 300 tonnes of sediment, and architects Upton McGougan were awarded runner up in the Sustainable Designer of the Year competition in 2005 for the project.Throughout the park are a number of gardens with statues and similar decoration.
Wildlife
In the ponds and gardens there are many different types of wildlife-Some rare and some common. In the ponds the wildlife includes a family of swans, about 20 ducks, and many other different species in the pond. There are many other types of wildlife in the ponds. In the gardens there's not a much wildlife. There are many small species that live in the gardens.
Community Centre & Ongoing Improvements To Woking Park
As part of the Hoe Valley scheme a new community centre is being built on land adjacent to the leisure centre. This will including facilities for the Scouts, ArmyArmy Cadet Force
The Army Cadet Force is a British youth organisation that offers progressive training in a multitude of the subjects from military training to adventurous training and first aid, at the same time as promoting achievement, discipline, and good citizenship, to boys and girls aged 12 to 18 and 9...
and Air Cadets
Air Training Corps
The Air Training Corps , commonly known as the Air Cadets, is a cadet organisation based in the United Kingdom. It is a voluntary youth group which is part of the Air Cadet Organisation and the Royal Air Force . It is supported by the Ministry of Defence, with a regular RAF Officer, currently Air...
, Sea Rangers, Girl Guides
Girl Guides
A Guide, Girl Guide or Girl Scout is a member of a section of some Guiding organisations who is between the ages of 10 and 14. Age limits are different in each organisation. It is the female-centred equivalent of the Scouts. The term Girl Scout is used in the United States and several East Asian...
, Westfield Football Club and Woking Boxing Club, who are currently located in Westfield Avenue. A number of derelict greenhouses are also to be demolished to provide space for new training pitches. Some of the other improvements consist of adding extra pathways, improving facilities there and also adding new ways of access to the park.
Firework display
Every November Woking Round Table hold a bonfire night Fireworks display in Woking Park, along with a funfair This has been described as one of the best displays in Surrey. It has a about an hour long display with many never seen before fireworks.Fuel cell power and heating system
Behind Pool in the Park is installed a fuel cellFuel cell
A fuel cell is a device that converts the chemical energy from a fuel into electricity through a chemical reaction with oxygen or another oxidizing agent. Hydrogen is the most common fuel, but hydrocarbons such as natural gas and alcohols like methanol are sometimes used...
based combined power and heating
Cogeneration
Cogeneration is the use of a heat engine or a power station to simultaneously generate both electricity and useful heat....
system which was implemented in 2003 in a joint venture between Woking Borough Council and Thamesway Energy Ltd which is a company owned by Woking Borough Council.
The system chemicaly reforms natural gas into hydrogen using oxygen from the atmosphere. When converted to electricity in the fuel cell this produces 50% more energy than conventional means and produces pure water as a byproduct, which is reclaimed for other use. Heat is also produced, which is used to power the pool in the park air conditioning system. This provides for all of Woking Park's energy requirements, is self sufficient in electricity and is a net exporter of power to other council sites.
The main component is a 200 kWe fuel cell along with four smaller 60 kW units and one 836 kW unit. Total combined heating and power capacity is 1.2 MWe and 1.6 MWth. The system is on display to the public with information and educational resources provided.
Work began in 2001, and was the first system of its kind in the UK. It was part funded as part of a larger scheme to showcase how such technology could be used in the UK to meet environmental targets.