Surely the point is now that Nigel and Sue have told us that we are to have two fantastic play areas for the children. Is it not better to have a few good ones than 25 or so run down ones. The council obviously can't afford to finance all the existing play areas so I think they've chosen wisely to build these two.
When my kids were small we lived a bus ride away from the nearest playpark, but my kids enjoyed the ride on the bus, or we would walk which gave them healthy fresh air and exercise. The existing one in Pencester is central so easily accessible for everyone. In this day and age people should not be encouraged to have everything on their doorstep, more exercise might decrease the ever growing problem of obese children. Apart from that, what is wrong in giving them a ball, skipping ropes, hoola hoops or other outdoor toys to play on the nearest green area? Is it really necessary to have state of the art play equipment all the time. I saw a report on the local news recently, I can't think where it was now, where a school opened its playgrounds and sports equipment for kids to use after school and in their holidays - what a great idea.
Also there is in Folkestone a big, kids park ,below the Leas where people take their children, apart from the indoor play schemes both in Dover (Whitfield) and Folkestone. There is plenty out there for the children, you just have to use your legs.
Maybe I'll be slammed for saying this, but I can't help thinking that in some cases people want these things on their doorstep so they can just get the kids out of the house and out from under their feet.
So in short Mr Sansum I would say that play parks may be closed but there are others and there are always nice open spaces to take your children where they can play safely and happilly. So do stop being so negative and promote all the ways we have at our disposal to amuse our children, without sniping at the council for doing what they can.
Well done Sue and Nigel
