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Playgrounds saved in planned new scheme

From the Echo, first published Tuesday 29th Oct 2002.

CONTROVERSIAL plans to close 26 Bournemouth playgrounds have been scrapped in favour of a scheme which would shut only 10.

Bournemouth Borough Council is to consult the public over its alternative proposal, which would also create 19 new play areas.

The council provoked protests earlier this year with its plan to close some of its less popular playgrounds so dwindling cash could be spent on the best-used and to create several more.

One of the objectors was seven-year-old Marcus Johns, who became the youngest person to address a meeting of Bournemouth Borough Council when he spoke out against the proposals. His local playground, Cucklington Gardens in Muscliff, is among those now set to be reprieved.

Roger Brown, the council's head of leisure services, hoped the public would approve the latest plan. "We hope they'll be seen as a balanced set of proposals that try to adjust the supply to the distribution of the population in an objective way," he said.

He said the earlier strategy had been based around "a smaller number of strategically placed, large playgrounds". The new scheme would retain more playgrounds even if less money could be invested in each.

Under the latest plan, the number of play areas in the borough would rise from 73 to 82, including five new areas aimed at children aged nine and over and offering skate zones and BMX tracks.

The public will be consulted from November 10 to December 13, with a road show set to visit Kinson, West Howe, Townsend, Westbourne and Muscliff.

Residents will also be asked what should happen to any play areas which are closed.

But Muscliff councillor Ron Whittaker predicted problems. "Some of the new areas they're planning are going to cause objections," he said.

"I've got two closures in my ward which I think will probably overcome any objection but they've got to look now at exactly what they plan to do with the sites. One of them is very big and they can't just remove the play equipment and leave it open. They've got to take some new precautions to make sure it doesn't become a dumping ground."

PLAY AREAS TO BE REPRIEVED:

Blackfield Road, Muscliff; Brassey Road, Winton; Cadnam Way, Strouden; Cheshire Drive A, Strouden; Cucklington Gardens, Muscliff; Durdells Gardens, Kinson; Gunville Crescent, Muscliff; Helyar Road, Strouden; House of Bethany, Boscombe; Jewell Road Flats, Townsend; Kinson Picnic area; Knowlton Gardens, Muscliff; Michelmersh Green, Strouden; Moore Avenue, East Howe; Riggs Gardens, Wallisdown; Singleton Drive, Ensbury Park; Turbary Common south; Wishart Gardens, Muscliff.

EARMARKED FOR CLOSURE:

Cheshire Drive B, Strouden; Chesildene Avenue, Strouden; Colehill Crescent, Muscliff; Durweston Close, Muscliff; Elizabeth Gardens, Muscliff; Fritham Gardens, Muscliff; Godshill Close, Strouden; Sway Gardens, Strouden; Tytherley Green, Strouden; Wallisdown playing fields;

PROPOSED NEW PLAY AREAS:

East Howe playing fields; Firbank Road (Fampoux Gardens); Landford Way; Meyrick Park; Overcliff; Queen's Park West; Redhill Avenue; St Catherine's Green; St James Square; Durley Chine; Springbourne Day Centre; Iford Playing Fields; Lower Gardens; Boscombe Gardens; Southbourne Green

PROPOSED "9+" ZONES:

Central Gardens; Fernheath playing fields; Kinson Manor; Stone Gardens buffer strip; Townsend; Beaufort Community Centre car park; Kingsleigh First School site.

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