I received a letter from Gold Coast City Council's Parks and Recreational Services this morning. In it Tony Duffy (Acting Executive Coordinator of Parks) solicits comments from residents re: the removal of the playground on Kentucky Crescent - the one located in the nature area that leads upwards towards Cash Place. Apparently this playground is seen by Council as a "poor use of resources" because (they say) it is rarely utilised and they are considering its removal.
CLICK IMAGE FOR LARGER VIEW
The playground is - in fact - used on a daily basis - especially so during term-time. Kentucky Crescent is where many parents park (there are at least 30 cars) while they wait for their children at the end of the school day.
These parents' younger children utilise the park which is safely tucked away from the road, thus providing them with a safe place to play as opposed to being around their parents' cars.
When the school aged children leave school, they often join their younger siblings at the park, so it is well used, especially so at pick-up time, five days per week.
Importantly - from a property safety point of view - in a cul-de-sac that doesn't get through traffic, it is beneficial to the residents of Kentucky Crescent that people congregate and linger in the street at a time when most residents are out to work because the presence of others (i.e. witnesses) obviously deters criminal activities such as burglaries etc.
For those who think purely in monetary terms - to remove the park would remove an additional positive selling point that attracts people when considering buying property in Cash Place, Oregon Way, Kentucky Crescent and the top half of Riversdale Road.
You have until 29th October to let council know your opinion on this and you can address your written opinion to Tony Duffy, Acting Executive Coordinator of Parks, Gold Coast City Council, P.O. Box 5042, Gold Coast MC Qld 9729 or by emailing gcccmail@goldcoast.qld.gov.au and adding 'F.A.O. Tony Duffy - Surfers Paradise Office' to your email's subject line. You may also call 5581 6984.
Share this post
ADDENDUM
ADDENDUM
Received an email from our Division 2 Cllr John Wayne who is on our Neighbourhood Watch e-mailing list: it is self explanatory...
Dear Dominique,
Unfortunately I have received several of these Park Playground Equipment removal requests. I am not happy with this new policy at all. Please relay to your readers that I would rather see our parks remain as they are, until the the playground equipment is beyond repair. All City parks are undergoing the same review (some sort of vague cost cutting exercise), so any feedback to my office as well in regard to residents views on keeping these little favourite 'pocket; parks going would be greatly appreciated.
I want to make sure we get an accurate gauge of the feelings of the community.many thanks
Cr John WayneDivision 2 RepresentativeGold Coast City Council833 Nerang Southport Road, NerangPh: (07) 5582 8555 Fax: (07) 5582 8545PO Box 5042 Gold Coast Mail Centre Qld 9729
Click here to email Cllr Wayne division2@goldcoast.qld.gov.au
