Lib Dem Survey Reveals Strong Support for Closure of Frimley Playground

5.49.45pm BST (GMT +0100) Sun 6th Jun 2004

Residents near to a playground in Longmeadow in Frimley have raised a petition to Surrey Heath Council to close it. Survey results from Parkside Liberal Democrats shown that there is widespread unhappiness with the current state of the playground, and general support to closing it. The most common suggestion is that the ground be incorporated in the area used by an adjacent Scout Hut.

Longmeadow Playground - vandalised and not used by under 7's.

The playground in Longmeadow is dedicated to the use of the under-7's, but it is accessible only down an alleyway, is not signposted, and is generally little known outside the immediate area: "I've lived in Warren Rise for 24 years and did not know there was a play area there!" said one resident. Residents in the immediate area of the playground who monitor its use say that the area is simply not used by children of the age for which it is intended, and that the playground just acts as a focus for vandalism and anti-social behaviour.

The playground has indeed seen repeated acts of vandalism, especially in the summer months. A particularly destructive incident happened on 29th August last year when several wooden fence panels of neighbouring properties were destroyed. Other acts have involved destruction of play equipment and setting fire to a bench.

Parkside Lib Dems have circulated a questionnaire to more than 500 houses around the area. An analysis of the responses shows that most people (77%) were unhappy or very unhappy with the current state of the playground, and even more (82%) would support its closure. Of those responding, 50% said they used the playground at least occasionally, and some 58% reported evidence of inappropriate use of the area.

Some positive suggestions were made by residents in their responses to the survey. The most common suggestion was that the land could be made part of the area controlled by the adjacent Scout Hut. It could also be used as a wildlife area. The equipment itself could be transferred to the much larger Evergreen playground, or to an area in Southcote Park.

Objections to the closure tended to come from the parts of the survey area furthest from the Evergreen Road playground.

Local Lib Dem Councillor Bob Smith said: "I welcome residents views on this - for and against. Whilst the number of residents responding to our survey was relatively low, the opinions expressed were very clear. My view is that if the area is not used, then there is little point in spending money keeping it open. Our efforts to control vandalism should be focused on maintaining facilities that residents value".