Maria, Sophie, Alison, Bal and Steve assessed the green space and measured the deepest holes.
Date: 20/06/25
The green space was surveyed to find the worst holes. The holes are only visible once you get to within a couple of metres of the holes, which is a big hazard as a person could easily trip or slip in a hole as they are walking across the space. The deepest and widest holes were measured and photographed. A metre long spirit level was used to denote the ground level surrounding the hole. A solid ruler was used to measure from the bottom of the hole to the spirit level giving a measure of the depth of the hole at its deepest point. Where the width of the hole was measured, the metre long spirit level was used to measure the widest diameter of the hole.
The assessment showed that there are several deep holes in the green space which are a trip hazard for any park users. The change in level means not all users can access the space.
Proposal is to introduce a large quantity of top soil to the green space to raise the level to match the bank. Then re-turf with a hard-wearing rye grass to allow sports to be played on the field. Other measures include reaffirming the area as a no-dog area and promoting alternative local areas to exercise dogs, in order to prevent dogs from using the space.
Table 1 below shows the measurements obtained and whether or not a photo was taken of the measurement.
| Hole number | Depth (cm) | Widest diameter (cm) | Photo? |
| 1 | 15 | Y | |
| 2 | 15 | ||
| 3 | 15 | 60 | Y |
| 4 | 12 | Y | |
| 5 | 15 | Y | |
| 6 | 12 | ||
| 7 | 19 | 48 | Y |
| 8 | 20 | Y | |
| 9 | 13 | ||
| 10 | 10 | ||
| 11 | 20 | ||
| 12 | 10 | ||
| 13 | 5 |
Table 1 Showing the label, depth and width of the 13 holes surveyed at the green space at Onchan Park
 |
| Hole 3 |
 |
 |
 |
|
| Hole 1 | Hole 4 | Hole 5 | |
 |
 |
||
| Hole 7 | Hole 8 | ||
Figure 1 below shows where the measurements were made showing that the holes are spread across the green space mostly in a central area towards the back of the space.
Figure 1 Diagram showing a plan of the green space showing the approximate location of the measured holes. The overview photo was taken from point A looking towards the pavilion building.
The holes were marked with an orange ball to make them easier to see on a photo. Each ball was digitally circled to show the location of the holes on the photo. See the overview photo below, which was taken from position A marked on Figure 1 above.
Figure 2 Overview photo showing the location of the holes spread across the central portion of the green space
In addition to the holes in the central area of the grass space, there is a gully all around the perimeter of the space. This used to be a collecting gully for the bowls as the area used to be a bowling green. The ground drops down from the green space to the gully, which is around 11 cm deep, then the ground is banked up to a higher level to match the path around the green. The bank is around 30cm higher than the level of the green. See Figure 3 below.
The gully is concealed by long grass and there is erosion from the higher levels down into the lower levels. This creates another hazard as it is a concealed drop in level as well as a rise in level. This also prevents access by wheeled users or anyone of unsure footing.
Figure 3 Cross- section profile of the gully surrounding the green space