How do i lobby local council regarding improvements to local swing park, so that they actually LISTEN

[lucyellensmum]

I live in an OK area. A good mix of incomes etc, not rough i guess is what i'm trying to say. There is a local recreation ground, it could really be a valuable resource for local families. It is used for football, and there is a basket ball court but that doesnt get used much. The thing is, the swing park is relatively well "stocked" as it were, but is generally in a poor state of repair, the stuff is safe i guess, but not brilliant. It also doesnt really have anything, IMO suitable for young toddlers, apart from two baby swings. The slide and climbing frame is too high and getting knackered. It tends to be more of a gathering place for teenage hangerouters. It really seems swayed towards older children and as a result does end up being a place i am not comfortable taking my DD (2.2). There is another park, about 20 minutes walk away and we go there alot, but this park is in the next road and would be lovely as a place for DP to take her while i got dinner ready etc. So, that can't just be me who feels that way and there are a high number of, lets say, alpha mummy lead families in the surrounding roads, but funnily enough never see anyone in the park. I think it is because there is nothing really for the little ones and the bigger kids that hang around.

I feel that if there is a place, set aside for younger children that it would be well received and much appreciated. I would certainly value it.

So for me there are two issues, disuading the teens (and sometimes older ) dubious characters from the area. (Iwouldnt say this is a major issue to be honest) and the most important issue for me : provision of a good quality play area for under fives.

So, where do i start? They are clearly not going to listen to one bored mummy's mad rantings and i really am clueless as to how to approach it, after all i am going to be trying to persuade the council to spend money!!!!

I was thinking of putting together a questionaire type petition and circulating it around M&T groups etc, just to see if there is the interest there. That way, i could present the results to the council and they might, just might consider doing something. Or do you just think im wasting my time, and ultimately that of others?

start by talking to your councillor. if they are on your side it'll be much easier. are all the parks in your local authority area crap or just this one - ie is it just not a priority for them?

Start a friends of your local park group? I

"They are clearly not going to listen to one bored mummy's mad rantings"

Yep, you're on track. You need numbers. Your questionnaire (or even simpler, a list of names supporting a statement made by you after having a brief chat with parents) is a good way to go about it.

Then talk to your councillor and keep banging on about it.

Write to your local MP - that usually tends to help with local issues, i.e. councils, local health trusts, etc tend to stand up and listen when an MP is on their case. Good luck

swing parks are a local concern. You want to try to work with local govt rather than central.

could you get a petition going? get people from local mums and baby groups etc to sign it and then submit that to your local councillor. you can find your councillor details at www.direct.gov.uk

Second hallgerda.
Am on the Committee of the local Friends group - friends of the park, that is.
Is big news, insofar as Council's are increasingly trying to delegate much decision making about parks to those who use them.
As a result of the Friends group we have been able to organise events, get funding for additional play equipment and have noticeboards etc put up. Also have a hotline as it were to the local council to raise issues about maintenace and so on.
Vandalism is a big problem. Here we are also in a relatively affluent area but with a dearth of facilities for older kids and teens. It has a knock on effect. The best thing to do is to enter into dialogue with young adults and teens about what they want to see/do in local parks. Alas, there does tend always to be a destructive element, at least round here. But for example, the swings were burnt to a crisp on Friday night. Reported by the Friends on Saturday. Replaced on the Monday.

love the name pooka (its my nickname for DD), friends of the park sounds a bit scary, but possibly worth investigating. I am going to start asking questions at play group etc. I do go to a general play group that happens to be run by homestart, i may try and get them on board too - thanks everyone.

Our local park's Friends group started with a big meeting - advertised on the park notice board and to various user/interest groups - the one o'clock club, tennis court regulars, footballers, local schools and their PTAs, the church up the road, dog walkers, the local councillors and the police were all represented. That may give you some idea of the range of people you would need to approach.

Ours started a little over a year ago in the same way Hallgerda. Then from the initial meeting, a committee was formed. I take my hat off the the people who started it off, and the effort they put in, because I really do think it is making a difference. I also rather like the social side of it - i.e. getting to recognise faces from the area and to get the inside knowledge about developments in the management of our and other parks.

I'd be scared if I'd been the mastermind behind it, but probably because I do find it easier to take a back seat rather than be a doer/manager. Like working from instructions rather than being the instructor IYSWIM.