No major design changes needed

I should like to add my voice to those addressing the Draft Concept Plan for Memorial Park.

While approving of restoring the park and making better use of it, I do not wish to see any major changes to the design and structure of the current park; only to have what needs repairing repaired and perhaps to make the base of the Peace Fountain into a garden.

This could be done by drilling holes in the base and filling it with a growing medium into which seasonal annuals such as Flanders poppies are be planted.

No need for water, potable or otherwise but still representing the flow of life, in the form of flowers.

Like many others who grew up here, playing on the swings and splashing through the Peace Fountain (when it was going) I thought Memorial Park would stand forever as a living memorial to those who served and fell and for the principles of peace, freedom and democracy which we take for granted, and luxuriate in, today.

Not only is the park an iconic feature of my own childhood, but of our collective culture and heritage of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Memorial Park commemorates all of our dead and while they are not buried there, the park honours them.

My view is to keep the park as it stands; respecting its heritage, its character and the principles and values it stood for when it was created and still stands for now.

As a community we’ve been remiss in caring for the park, so let’s tidy it up, maintain it and respect that it was created to honour those who served and fell for our country. And yes, I am making a formal submission to the plan. Margaret McQuillan