Kentish Express Ashford & District
Nothing unfinished about popular park
our policies respect the people”. Perhaps this is relevant to Ashford. Peter Davison Ashford Independent Association chairman The park opposite John Wesley School is called Cuckoo Park. It is in no way “unfinished” (‘Angry mum hits out over unfinished basketball court’, KE, June 16).
It was designed and constructed in partnership with Great Chart with Singleton Parish Council.
The design was put together with loads of consultation with the young people from three local primary schools and the parish youth club.
One of the main items they wanted was an area for a general kickabout with goals. This is the area the article is about, as we also added basketball hoops to the goals as an added bonus. They did not want a hard surface to play on but just grass, and this is what they got.
The park has been put together for all age groups in mind. The very young have swings and a sand pit; the older children have larger swings and the 3.3m climbing net (largest in the borough); and there is a shelter and exercise equipment for teenagers and adults.
It is used by all age groups and is always busy. Once the design was put together, the parish council made the decision to include all of the ‘wish list’ in one go, rather than construct the park in two stages. With this in mind, the park definitely did not go over budget and it certainly will not be taken down.
Our parish council is just about to sign the 30-year lease on the park, and Ashford council will then hand over a substantial sum of money for its maintenance for the first 10 years. Ian McClintock Great Chart with Singleton Parish Council chairman