What we locals have used as a playing field, a place to walk the dog, fly a kite, play football or cricket, practise the golf swing etc; is now going to be turned into a formal park. The site is about 10 acres and with the exception of a hedge at one end and a dozen trees along one side the only things on the field have been a pair of old and dangerous goal posts.
Locals got a letter telling us when the work would be taking place, who the contractors are and contact numbers etc: The work started 1 week late. We were told that we would be informed if any weekend work was to take place but we weren't and the contact number for the contractors is wrong. When the Porta-Loo was delivered it was left outside the compound and got turned over by yobs and the second weekend some kids got onto the site and used the windscreen of the earth mover for mud ball target practise.

Well it's now over 18 weeks into the construction of the park, and still no sign of the safety fence coming down. This last week has seen schools, bringing students to help with the planting and a flyer was posted around the neighbourhood inviting interested volunteers to spend Saturday helping with the planting. Even with the attraction of free refreshments I think the turnout was about 7, yes seven.

Just before Christmas we had a public meeting to discuss the height of the mounds and some security issues and that was attended by about 15 local residents, most of us attempting to convince the council that the mounds are to high. The manager for the areas parks said he would get some details of the cost to lower the mounds and then call another meeting. Several of us have chased him and his colleagues but no meeting has been announced, but they have carried on and planted/mulched a large area of the mounds. Call me cynical if you wish but the more work that is carried out, and the more involved the students and families are, the harder and more expensive it will be to lower them.
Well, on the 13 June 2006 the Park is open once more to the public. The mounds did not get lowered and no meeting was called or contact made to explain why.
Plenty of people are using the park, and the new colourful toddlers area is very popular. I haven't seen any kite flying as yet and I can not imagine were the cricket enthusiasts will put the wickets as all, but the football pitch, has been contoured or the grass has been left rough.
A local Grandmother, concerned for the safety of the kids, has had a quarter page of editorial in the local paper. As you will see from the shots I took today, 18 June 2006, there are some problems that will need sorting out.
I will keep you informed of progress.