Anyone else’s area/local parks going like this?

[EmmaB101]

Really starting to see a decline and I’m wondering if it’s like this in a lot of places.

Local parks, although we do still have many wonderful green spaces. Over the past 5 years or so a lot of the play equipment has become broken/been removed and is simply not being replaced. One of our amazing country parks is a shadow of how it was 10 years ago, there is hardly any of the play equipment left.

Potholes, potholes have long been an issue, but they are becoming horrendous and they haven’t been repaired for months.

E bikes causing havoc riding on pavements and cycle paths.

Beggars outside every supermarket and at traffic lights.

Complete decline of the high street, virtually all of the shops have gone leaving only betting shops, nail bars, charity shops and takeaways.

I wonder if there anywhere left that isn’t semi rural that isn’t like this.

You need to form a Friends or voluntary group to raise money for new equipment. Your councillor will be able to advise you on getting council grants - Community Infrastructure levy should be available for this as are a number of other council funds. They aren't going to hand them you on a plate though - you need to go and tell them your community needs it.

Fundraising is not difficult - it just requires a bit of persistence and admin. There are lots of grants available. And once you get one, the others follow.

Local governments didn't just decide to give us parks and playgrounds out of the kindness of their hearts. They had to be forced by generations of mothers battering down their doors and demanding them. We (Gen X / Millennials) happen to have grown up in a brief period where there were play departments in every council. That isn't the case any more. You have to bang on some doors.