Spend money on social problems, not park developments
I have recently learned that it is proposed to make McAdam Park into a theme park.
McAdam Park’s present charm and value is in its casual meandering paths and unregulated plant life (one can pick the odd wild rose or stalk just for a sniff and not feel guilty). Great for dog walkers and lovely to see the dogs themselves enjoying a good run around and frolic, or chase a rabbit with other dogs.
Children can enjoy a paddle in a real wateway, pick up pebbles and use their imagination to make various thins and even, if they are lucky, catch sight of some aquatic animal or fish.
In other words, a bit of countryside in the middle of a town.
We had to put a 20 foot fence around the existing playground around the pre-school. A great pity, because now the younger children can’t use it while the older siblings play football. Will vagrants respect a theme park?
Left as it is, McAdam Park is a rare and unique thing — a rural park in the middle of a city.
I also find it somewhat obscene that we are proposing to spend money on such a luxury while we have homeless people, need food banks, children going to school hungry, warnings that food is going to cost more, together with the fact that local taxes will be increasing.
I understand there may be a grant (paid by us through income tax!) towards the initial cost of the theme park but its future maintenance will be footed by our local taxes ad infinitum. Or will there be an entrance fee which many of us cannot afford?
Doreen Sieja
Duncan