Quadron has been responsible for grounds maintenance in Alexandra Park since winning the nine year, 1.2m per annum contract for Hastings Borough Council in April 2005. Alexandra Park is one of a number of parks within Hastings and is viewed as the jewel in the crown. The scope of works undertaken includes grass cutting, maintenance of shrubs, bedding, waterways and playgrounds and general cleansing maintenance for example litter bins, dog bins, removal of graffiti and fly tipping and cleaning of paths.
Covering 44 hectares and stretching for 3km, Alexandra Park is situated right in the middle of Hastings and caters for a wide range of tastes and needs. The park is a grade 2 designated site in the Register of Parks & Gardens of special historical interest. Its success is reflected in the large numbers of local residents and visitors now enjoying its many features, which include a boating lake, bandstand, adventure playground, miniature railways, bowling greens, tennis courts, and rose and flower gardens.
Alexandra Park has been recognised as one of the country's best parks with particular emphasis on heritage conservation. It has won green flag awards consistently since 2004. In July 2006, it was given Green Heritage Site status for the first time. It was also declared Best Park in the South East in the 2006 Britain's Best Parks Competition and again in 2007. The park was reviewed on criteria including environment, access, maintenance and community involvement. The informal environment and the commitment to the highest standards of maintenance particularly impressed the judges. In 2008, Quadron was proud to be the winner of a BALI National Landscape Award for the Grounds Maintenance of Alexandra Park. Judges commented that "All parties involved with the success of this public amenity have good reason to be proud of their park."
Quadron currently employs a team of four gardeners providing a permanent and visible on-site presence under the supervision of a head gardener whose remit is to develop the horticultural aspects of the park and fulfil the traditional park-keeper role. The well trained multi-skilled staff are signed up to the principles of Parkforce and have developed strong links with the Councils parks ranger service, interfacing closely to deter undesirables and thus provide a secure environment for all users to enjoy. The on-site staff are supported by specialist mobile teams to manage and maintain the grounds maintenance and cleansing of the park. The head gardener also actively participates in Friends Of and other user group meetings to ensure that their needs are met as closely as possible and that feedback is both collated and acted upon to achieve future aspirations and increase usage of the park by all sectors of the local community.
Quadron uses innovative and environmentally friendly plant and vehicles to provide the service. Mobile litter teams visit the site using LPG powered vans, and an electric vehicle is permanently based on site. Environmental benefits of this vehicle include zero emissions and noise pollution and being able to move around on paths without causing damage to the edges or inconvenience to users. Quadron has also provided a FIDO machine for effective collection of dog faeces; this machine has a dual function and is able to collect litter simultaneously. A further enhancement is a pathsweeper which ensures the resin bonded paths are kept debris-free at all times. All green waste arisings from the park are composted on site. The resulting mulch is used on the beds, thus reducing the need for watering and herbicide applications. All other waste is segregated at source as far as possible and taken for recycling.
Quadron has moved its local operating base into the park, and has carried out major redevelopment of the depot and office facilities on site, 50% of which is being funded by the company. Its operational focus is therefore firmly on this flagship park. The company's central management team support the local management, and its Contract Management System, CORMS, works in conjunction with the Clients CONFIRM system to ensure that work is effectively programmed, completed and inspected with systems in place to immediately correct any non-compliances and ensure any customer complaints are dealt with promptly.