Kentish Express Ashford & District
Bulldozed play park site ‘now looks like Chernobyl’
The bulldozing of a children’s play park due to problems with anti-social behaviour has led one unhappy resident to compare the site to Chernobyl.
The play equipment in Mill Court children’s park, near the Stour Centre, has been ripped out and is set to be replaced by an ‘open meadow’.
Ashford Borough Council (ABC) workers flattened the site last week after a long consultation about the park’s future, involving the Mill Court Residents Association and Kent Police.
But one resident, who asked not to be named, said the demolition actually represented a failure in community and left the site looking like Chernobyl.
He said: “I think it is a great shame the way the playground has been summarily destroyed.
“This was a space where local people of all ages could go and socialise, from young children and their parents to teenagers.
“Walking past the fenced off, half-destroyed playground reminded me of the deserted playgrounds of the town of Prip- yat after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster of the mid-eighties.
“Although there has been no nuclear disaster here, there has been a failure of community.
“I fear, as with Chernobyl, the damage has been done, is irreversible and will impact future generations.”
An ABC spokesman said: “The consultation revealed the community’s concern with antisocial behaviour in the play area and the desire to have a safe place for children to play.
“As a result the decision was made to remove the play area and to direct children and their parents/guardians to the play area in front of the Stour Centre.
“There are superior alternative play facilities only a short distance away, such as the Stour Centre play area.
“We place a high value on the youth in our communities.
“The council has created and refurbished numerous play spaces in Ashford in recent years including The Stour Centre, Sin- gleton Park, Brisely Farm and Goat Lees.
“In addition, the council rolled out a smoke-free pilot scheme in a number of play areas across the borough to provide a smoke-free environment for children and their families, and promote positive health messages.”
What do you think? Write to Kentish Express, 34-36 North Street, Ashford, TN24 8JR or email kentishexpress@thekmgroup.co.uk