Guest 654- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 169
Hello mum of 7
I reckon th truth should come out, not much of it at mo.
The council are NOT putting play area site back at clarendon
they are considering one i n winchelsea.
DONT SHOOT THE MESSENGER.
Now apart from that the silence is deafening are 25 play areas closing? if no who saved them and if its
between 1 or 25 play areaS closing will someone tell us which ones.
Guest 643- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,321
Oh for goodness sake Keith - do you bother reading other peoples posts? Sue and Nigel have told us the truth as far as they know it, the council can't afford to keep ALL the playparks running so they are building a nice new one - READ THE OPENING PAGE!!
Instead of harping on about secrets and dirty dealing (which is all in your head) be positive. It seems you just keep on and on trying to undo all the good things that are happening by putting doubts in peoples minds. You're not a councillor anymore - let those that are do their job. Seems you're never happy about anything these days!
I will await another "wait and see" comment
There's always a little truth behind every "Just kidding", a little emotion behind every "I don't care" and a little pain behind every "I'm ok".
Guest 654- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 169
Jacqui
I don't think you are reading the posts correctly, As Iv stated its not about me being happy or unhappy, I no longer have kids of an age to use these faciliities, but you watch the uproar as play areas begin to be dismantled, Mandie already mentioned the one in Northbourne Av, which was on the list for closure, I'm jut trying to inform people, this is about to happen, is it wrong then to inform people of something thats about to happen?
There are views on play areas in general, and whilst I understand the reasoning behind these closures, never the less people on here should know of these plans, shouldn't they?
Its interesting theres been no reply on which play areas will close in the future
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
It is with a heavy heart that I have to write how disgusted I am with some of Dovers teenagers.
The splendid new childrens play area is not even completed or open to the public yet but about 8 boys and girls aged 15-17 years old had clambered over the fence and were abusing the facilities.The youths were swinging as high as the could on the new circular swing,using the pulley to slide down the wire....3 at a time,smoking and drinking in the new tree house and tossing their cans and coke bottles everywhere.I counted at least 6 the other morning.
I really wanted to punch their lights out and for that I apologise...but I had Natascha with me so what can you do?.
With all the bloody money spent on the play area..£250k?..why o why can't someone on the cctv not telephone the law and get these kids pulled for tresspassing?
I give up.I expressed my concerns prior to its construction in that it was too close to the skate park but I was assured that it would not be a problem..rollocks..
Why can't we have a roaming Park Keeper who could oversee or supervise the towns parks?...No it's too much like common sense that's why..I feel sorry for the young of today I really do..they will never experience a happy carefree childhood..that so many of us remember with happiness.
Dover town Police are paid to police the area so get on with it.It's no use spending millions on CCTV cameras if the staff just ignore them.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Guest 644- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,214
Abuse of the new Pencester facilities has been going on for weeks now and this is, sadly, nothing new.
I have friends who have contacted the Police over the same issue and they didn't turn up, obviously not high priority enough. If the Police aren't interested, where are our PCSOs? Isn't this the sort of thing they are employed for?
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
i am shocked by this news, clearly the bill do not consider this imprtant enough.
marek mentions a park warden.
all this goes back to the river dour issue, it was generally agreed that our ian would be the ideal candidate, why not combine the two?
someone like ian doing his 40 hour week turning up at different stretches of the river and /0r play areas at different times each week.
eventually the riif raff will get bored with getting caught and annoyed at the on the spot fines.
in the grand scheme of things, how much would it actually cost?
the town council get a budget of nearly half a million, ian would work for only half of that.
Marek and Howard - I know the play areas are important for age-appropriate chldren - I am a Mother of Four although they are all teenage now!! - but I also think we need to reach out to and get on with our youths. My son is 16 nearly 17 and he and his friends are charming. I can see how their diffidence and adolescent difficulty with relationships and interactions could be misinterpreted as hostility, but I also know from experience that given a positive response and a listening ear they blossom and thrive. It is so hard to be a youth now - so many pressures from peers, media, elders - and so few real meaningful facilities and opportunities. I am confident that most young people would really respond to proper, adult attention and a proper listening ear. Frankly, despite the challenges, I am On Their Side!! And my daughters friends are equally lovely - just needing the right sort of attention.
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
I am sorry to say this but I did point this out to the council at a site meeting before before they went ahead with it. It was not the right place to put it, I rest my case.
Vic Matcham
Guest 648- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 258
See the other thread where I pointed out re the trouble in Pencester.What are the CCTV people doing.Its obvious no one is taking notice of the camaras I argued to have the play area in another part of the park,how ever these trouble makers would have still gone on the equipment.Where are the police.??
DT1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 15 Apr 2008
- Posts: 1,116
I disagree that moving the Play Area or Skate Park would change anything here. Only by moving them right out of the main town perhaps, which would defeat the point of investing in a central facility accessible by all. Marek I can understand your frustration, but I still stand by the fact when the park is opened properly and starts getting used by young children, the space will be claimed. I too have young children and my 3yr old son is unbelievably excited about the opening (I even took him to both consultations) however at some point he will grow up and perhaps take up skate boarding. I like to think (although I'd guarantee) that like 99% of the people that use the skate park he will be perfectly pleasant and enjoy this great facility for what it is.
This equipment is purposely robust and the teenagers of Dover are no different to any other. This type of facility is fitted in lots of parks where bored teenagers merry on cheap cider congregate and generally does not just break; if it does in the very near future it should still be the concern of the contractor. The park will obviously get used by this group in a seemingly abusive way in the twilight hours. My concern is the flammable nature of some elements of the park and unfortunately there are some nasty people out there (of all ages). I do think during the day the park will be ours and if parts of the park are being misused strategies could be put in place, preferably before the end of any agreed defect liability period (I would quite like to know how long this is councillors) and if necessary I'm sure certain elements could be locked or anchored overnight.
Policing is essential and much like so many areas in our town an authoritative presence would reduce a huge amount of the problems. Something should be agreed for the evenings even if it is just a drive by check, not outrageous as I'm sure many police vehicles pass by every hour.
To finish, I'm still not convinced that the plan concept of the dragon is apparent from ground level (that's designers for you) but I hope to be proved wrong.
Guest 648- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 258
DTI I read what you are saying the dragon idea would be more effective if we could have afforded the jets of water coming from its nose /mouth.It proved too expensive.I did write on this point somewhere else.There is onne answer which I would happily agree to but I fear there will be oposition.Fence the park and lock it at night as they do in London parks.Still im not always flavour of the month.
Guest 648- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 258
Harry will Stagecoach give me commission
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
i thought these things always had a fireproof coating nowadays.
our local teens were testing the facilities nowadays.
i hope that when it actually opens, there will be proper supervision, so that it is used only by the age group that it is intended for.
DT1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 15 Apr 2008
- Posts: 1,116
The timber is normally coated in a fire-resistant coating Howard, but is timber beneath. Some of the equipment is rapped in polyester rope aswell. But all in all as I said it all seems, and should be fairly robust, and my concern is probably irrational.
I would still like to know how long the agreed liabilty period is on a project like this Sue, just because I'm interested(nosey)!
Guest 648- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 258
Not sure of the answer .I know we had to revisit the specification as it was thought the equipment was not robust for Pencester.It was not easy as we all wanted something diferrent not just traditional swings and slides.I have not been over to Marke Wood.Like I have stated I have come off the remitt for PlaY AreAs just Housing and musuem .Cllr Collor and Cllr Ju.ie Rook .Nigel doesnt post on here only photos.
Guest 675- Registered: 30 Jun 2008
- Posts: 1,610
The teenagers were in the new playground again today, it was reported (Incident No. 1194) and the CCTV was pointed straight at them but still no sign of any police. As they get a daily report from at least one person they may turn up sometime after it is opened.
Politics, it seems to me, for years, or all too long, has been concerned with right or left instead of right or wrong.
Richard Armour
DT1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 15 Apr 2008
- Posts: 1,116
I'm not sure whether this was at the same time as I was sitting in Pencester. I saw a group of 3 teenage boys in the park along with 2 families. I had to explain to my son that we could not go in "as the fence was there for a reason." Although I must say I had to restrain myself, as everyone seemed to be having a good time.
After about 15 minutes a female PCSO turned up and moved them all on, the teenagers explained as they walked past that it was really good and even though they were 14 and 15 they found it great, they only wished it were there when they were younger.
Everyone seemed to get on fine, although I suppose they all had a commonality.
When does it open?
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
I am not being a kill-joy but until the playground is officially handed back to the DDC the area is under the responsibilty of the contractors and is governed by the health and safety at work act so should any accident occur they would be liable.I also have 2 sons 20 and 18 yrs and if I saw or knew of them acting like the yobs that trespass and break into the kids play area then I would certainly give them a piece of my mind.Its all about respect,respect for each other and respect for other peoples property and respect for our community.It is up to us parents to instill that into our offsprings.
Why don't the Police respond?..if you told them you were going down there to 'sort it out'there would soon be a reaction.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
some good posts here, we seem agreed that the teens should have not have been there, but they were not actually doing any harm.
marek
sons aged 20 and 18???
you told me that you were 33!!
the maths do not work.
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
Howard
I was never any good at ''sums''.Hope you have the opportunity to meet them as they arrive in Dover tomorrow for their annual ''lets spend all Dads money and eat him out of house and home fortnight''.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)