A concerned local resident, and holiday business owner, recently wrote to the Parish Council about the Children’s Play Area on Milford on Sea seafront, next to the Needles Eye Café.
She raised some relevant issues, such as:
- The surface is dangerous with large holes which are water filled and very muddy.
- The equipment is very well worn and could do with being replaced or at least cleaned.
- The play area is generally dirty.
- The area needs landscaping.
Quite rightly, she point out that; "the current state of the playground is unacceptable. She also makes an extremely relevant point that; ‘the play area is of great benefit & pleasure not just local families, but also visitors to the area, who generate much needed revenue for village businesses and the council."
With the holiday season fast approaching, and the many ‘Milford on Sea events' drawing visitors from far & wide, the current playground is certainly not creating a great impression on anyone.
The Parish Council do their best to work in our interests, but of course they have limited funds and have to look to invest where is considered most necessary. We understand that they are both aware and sympathetic to the problem, and are currently awaiting a response to a grant application. Attempts have been made to temporarily fill some holes with rubber chipping where equipment is heavily used, however this is Milford, and the wind has a great time taking the chippings away. It is estimated that the necessary refurbishment would cost around £22k.
The ‘Great British Seaside’ is faded and tired in many places around the UK. Here in Milford on Sea it is quite the opposite, however the Children’s Playground is currently a pretty poor reflection on our village as a whole. It is unlikely in these economic times that new equipment would be feasible, but a spruce up of the equipment and play area would I am sure be appreciated by many.
Personally, I would also like to see a slide for the over 50's, but I think this is unlikely to gain the support it would require for council funding.
If the Parish Council’s grant is not forthcoming soon, does anyone has any bright ideas? Please feel free to leave a comment below.
I think the play equipment itself is actually fine, just bleached by the sun and wind (pretty inevitable in Milford) - it's the surrounding ground that needs some work.
ReplyDeleteWould it be possible to put the rubberised surface that is seen now on so many children's play areas down around the existing equipment?
Here's an example of what I mean http://www.playdale.co.uk/products/surfacing/wet-pour/
This would immediately make the playground safer and look far better for a fraction of the cost of new play equipment.
I spoke to the Parish Council in 2009 and was told that they would look into improving the playground. In 2010 one piece of equipment was repaired. In 2011 the council undertook some temporary work to fill in the deep potholes with sand and removed a piece of equipment that was broken. The sand lasted only a few weeks and the playground now looks very scruffy and reflects badly on Milford on Sea. The playground is an important destination for families and visiting grandchildren so it benefits local people as well as visitors. If the hoped for grant is not forthcoming perhaps the Needles Eye cafe might offer to help as so many of their customers at the weekend spend time in the playground and then go for refreshments. I have just read that the new bridge over the Danestream cost £11000 - whilst it is very pretty and useful for some, I can't help wondering whether some of that money could not have been used to improve the playground and would have benefitted far more people. So 3 years on and we still do not have that improved playground!
ReplyDeleteI would hope the parish council could fund it from a grant or its own resources, but perhaps we could invite sponsorship from local people and businesses, possibly match-funded by the council. (I'd be willing to make a donation). We could also invite visitors (especially at the Needle's Eye Cafe but also other cafes and pubs and shops, and at the Food and Arts and Music and Carnival events) to contribute. There could be a sponsors' sign.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, what happened to the proposal for a putting green beside the play area?
As most participants of the park are cafe customers, I do think they should contribiute to the park there. Most people I chat too think it is only for customers. They are so busy so I'm sure they could help out. I'm not sure what the parish council pay for other than the danestream area!!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Mark Jardine. The playground really needs the new floor, which not only is safer for the kids but will also stop the area becoming a mud pit when it rains.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the cafe owners should help pay towards the upkeep of the park. It is certainly mainly used by people using the cafe so they are profiting from kids using the park.
ReplyDeleteUntil the Parish Council have the political will and/or the funds to carry out the refurbishment, could not a task force of local residents get most of this done on a weekend before the season begins? Or would that run foul of Health and Safety rules etc.? Getting sponsorship from local businesses is certainly a good idea - and mine would contribute even though we all have little spare in the till these days!
ReplyDeleteAs a visitor to the Needles Eye Cafe I am aware that they already make a very high contribution to council coffers, namely through rent and rates and would therefore expect the playground to be adequately maintained.
ReplyDeleteAre you the owners of the Cafe?
ReplyDeleteDon't all shop owners pay rent and rates? Only most don't have play equipment next door to entice customers in, but clearly refuse to help with the upkeep. Mmmm a little mean me thinks?
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure anyone has said the cafe will not contribute. Indeed, the cost involved are considerable, and it would be a massive struggle for any one small business to cover the £20k+ to just do the resurfacing.
DeleteIt seems clear that this matters to people, perhaps someone would be willing to create some form of appeal in the village?
Surely as everyone in Milford knows, this park is packed on every sunny day throughout the year, not just in season. The cafe next to it is subsequently packed full of parents and grandparents sheltering from the wind or just grabbing a quick drink whilst the kids play. As this park obviously brings in many many customers to the cafe (for what other reason would they have an entrance into it from their garden?)they must feel some sort of obligation to help towards the upkeep of the area. I do not know any parents who use the equipment without at least buying ice creams etc. They should consider themselves fortunate that the postition of the park brings them such valuble custom. If they were not to have the park there , then I am sure they would feel it in their bank balance. Families would be less likly to come off the beach for lunch etc without something to keep the kids entertained and contained!
ReplyDeleteWith a bit of luck you may find they will/would contribute. I have heard the cafe is changing hands, so understandably, there is no-one to reply to any request just yet.
DeleteIs envy such a feature of life in Milford that most of the 'commentators' above are keener to have a go at the cafe owners than to make constructive suggestions (or offers of cash!)for the improvements they apparently desire.
ReplyDeleteAre they also about to suggest that the Needles' Eye should contribute to the upkeep of the car park on their other side? Without the Cafe (and lately the Marine) Milford's sea front would be dead for visitors. A few years ago the planners stopped a decent cafe being developed adjacent to the kiosk on Hordle Cliff (and then put up a very intrusive lavatory block!)Does 'Milford' - people and planners - know what it really wants? Resident Anon.P.S. I have no connection with the Needles Eye but I own a beach hut and have 10 grandchildren.
Whilst living in Milford and sympathising with the playground plight I don't have any kids. Why not, as my mum used to do, get together and have a charity event to put this right?
ReplyDeleteI was suprised when reading this thread as I had always thought the playground was part of the Needles Eye Cafe
ReplyDelete