How could our parks be better?
READERS MAKE SUGGESTIONS FOR OUR OUTDOOR SPACES
NOW we are able to meet outdoors, residents in around Derby have had their say on how parks in the city could be improved for the summer.
Parks such as Markeaton, Darley, Allestree, Chaddesden, and Derby Arboretum make up some of the most popular outdoor spaces in the city, but residents feel they can still be improved.
Calls have been made to have more park wardens on patrol, added toilet facilities and an increase of available children’s play equipment.
The lifting of restrictions on March 29 means groups of up to six or two households are now permitted to meet outdoors.
Sammie Hawley shared her thoughts on what could be improved. The Derby resident said: “Parks should have safer, cleaner toilets and extra equipment so there’s something that makes it more fun and friendly for children of all ages. Fun trail walks would be good too.”
In a reply to a post on the Derby Telegraph’s social media channels, Mel also agreed better play equipment was need.
She said: “We need more stuff for the kids to play on and exercise areas in parks.
“Areas for dogs would also be good so they don’t scare kids and kids do not scare them. Park wardens are needed too as there are too many youths destroying play areas.”
Others have called on parks to have more bins for litter to avoid overflowing.
And an idea that could also help businesses recover from the pandemic was suggested by Vannessa Siveyer. She said: “We should allow for small businesses to set up a service for free on the park, no charge to use space, at least for a while, to support businesses after losing income through this pandemic.”
Darren Hope also weighed in on the improvements mentioned by residents with his view.
He said that “free beer tents” would be a welcome addition to city parks. If only we could be so lucky ....
Liz Jackiewcz posted: “I would plant lots of fruit trees, vegetables and herbs so people could have free food.
“They do something like this in Singapore. I think it’s great idea.”
Another thought on improvements came from city resident Pete Johnson.
He said: “Chaddesden Park could be improved by having a footpath going all the way round the park and not just three-quarters of it.
“It would be nice to walk all the way round on a solid surface and not having to walk on wet and muddy grass.”
A spokesperson for Derby City Council said: “We appreciate all of the help we can get with people taking their litter home, especially due to the increased use of parks and green spaces during lockdown, and now with the current easing of restrictions.
“We have over 80 play areas in the city that are regularly inspected, maintained and refurbished when resources allow. Our focus this last year has been on routine repair and maintenance of play areas, with particular emphasis on repairs to rubber safety surfacing beneath play equipment.
“We have also carried out some improvements at Chaddesden Park in conjunction with the Friends of Chaddesden Park and Derby Homes, to install new swings and an activity trail. We hope to install some additional play equipment in the play area at Arboretum Park during 2021.
“Other recent improvements include enhanced cleaning measures to improve toilet facilities, the re-surfacing of footpaths, upgrading of seating areas, and environmental improvements in open spaces along the river corridor.”
Parks should have safer, cleaner toilets and extra equipment to make them more fun and friendly.
Sammie Hawley