LDW 2011 | Q&A's - Parks
Parks
What could be possible improvements on the subway? Cerys, 15, Barry
Response from Cllr G Cox
The subway has historically suffered from a lot of vandalism and graffiti and we regularly have to employ additional resources to ensure its continued cleanliness. There are no plans to improve the subway but I will ensure that it is cleaned and any litter or debris, including overhanging foliage, removed.
________________________________________
Can there be more lights in the parks? Chloe, 15, Barry
Response from Cllr G Cox
We do not generally encourage the use of our parks after dark, though we have installed lights in specific parks where we feel that children can play safely after dark and where the noise levels will not be a nuisance to residents who live nearby. In most cases such lighting is controlled by a time switch which restricts the amount of ‘after dark’ time for play.
________________________________________
The school subway is now overgrown and smelly. Is it possible to have it cleaned up and cut the overgrown plants? St Richard Gwyn pupils
Response from Cllr G Cox
Yes, I will arrange for this to be cleaned and the area to be tidied up.
________________________________________
Can there be more bins for public use in Penarth as well as more dog bins? The Crib youth club (Penarth Leisure centre).
Response from Cllr G Cox
We no longer install bins specifically for dog waste, instead we install general litterbins, as these bins have a dual use i.e. they can be used for bagged dog waste and general litter. We have a process for the installation of new bins that ensures they are installed where needed most e.g. at the site of a identified litter problem, areas of high pedestrian activity, known dog walking sites. If the youth club could be more specific as to where they would like to suggest for new bins to be placed then this will be considered by the Council.
________________________________________
The public parks need to have better fitted gates for night as some young people tend to use them to camp and to vandalise the area. Can you do anything about this? The Crib youth club (Penarth Leisure centre)
Response from Cllr G Cox
Cabinet Member for Visible and Building Services
Public parks are there for the enjoyment of all people in the community and it is unfortunate that a small minority of users cause damage and act irresponsibly within them. Locking park gates can stop people entering the park but it often does not stop anti-social activities. In most cases it just moves this behaviour on to another location. It also would not be possible to lock every park due to the absence of fencing at some sites and also the staffing resources needed to lock the gates. The Parks department will however continue to work closely with the police when any anti-social problems are identified.
________________________________________
Some of the Penarth parks need new and better facilities e.g. better climbing frames, astro turf and swings. Are there any plans to do this? The Crib youth club (Penarth Leisure centre)
Response from Cllr G Cox
Cabinet Member for Visible and Building Services
We agree that some of Penarth parks and opens spaces could do with new and better facilities; unfortunately this is the case with many of our locations. Our limited funding is mostly spent on maintaining our existing equipment to ensure it’s safe and there are no plans to install any new equipment in the area. If young people are keen to improve their play opportunities there are ways in which they could raise funds as a group to assist the Council in providing new equipment. This is how the skate park at the Knap in Barry was built.
