Elthorne Park was chosen because of its location taking into consideration the fact that the young and not so young people living around its area have nowhere near to go. Those living in the 'north' of the borough such as Greenford or Northolt have easy access and transport to the one in Harrow. Those living in the east, Acton, have the super facility provided in White City. However for the rest of them (especially for those under 11) the only way to access these facilities is if they are taken by car - as I used to do with my own son when he was that age. Besides, it has been established that there is a high demand for this kind of facility in and around Hanwell. The argument put forward that this kind of activity will attract antisocial behavior, crime and so on is the same argument that was used by the same group of people heading the Hanwell Community Forum about three years ago when they opposed the Multigame facility in Churchfield recreation ground. To date, as far as I am aware, no-one has been hurt, mugged, raped or drugged there. We had a spot of problem in the area last summer, but it was not associated with this fantastic and well used facility. If I remember correctly when the consultation for this scheme was taking place, Carolyn Brown - who at that time was already set on her campaign against it - in an article of the Gazette said that she would abide to the result of the resident's consultation. That consultation was, as we know, in favor of this scheme. Unfortunately that was not good enough. In today's Gazette the same Carolyn Brown said that that Elthorne Park "is too small for something like this". Too small? How on earth a park that only last week-end has hosted the biggest ever Hanwell Carnival, attended by about 15,000 people with all the stall and the fairground and still had room to run around it be too small? She then goes on asserting that "skateboarding is an urban sport". What does that mean? It is a sport, enjoyed by many and for whom, with nowhere else to go, the only place they have to skate are streets, pavements, public footpaths or, if they are lucky and live in central Ealing, the delivery entrance behind Ealing shopping centre. Surely our young people deserve better! Neither Walpole Park or Lammas park are an option as they are 'closed parks' with no view to a public road, therefore far more difficult to patrol - therefore where antisocial behavior will be more difficult to avert. Ealing Common is also ruled out as it is common land. Churchfield recreation ground, again is far too out of the way and it it isolated as are Cuckoo Park and Pitshanger Park. Perivale park was first considered as another option, but was soon discarded because the only possible place to put this facility was again too far away from the public highway and far too close to residential properties.  If this skate park does not go ahead the money set aside for it will end up in the 'black hole' and Ealing's youngsters will once again miss out.

Entire Thread

Topic	Date Posted	Posted By
Hanwell Carnival - A Great Success	21/06/10 10:39:00	Eric Alan Leach
Re:Hanwell Carnival - A Great Success	21/06/10 11:08:00	George Knox
Re:Hanwell Carnival - A Great Success	21/06/10 11:08:00	George Knox
Re:Hanwell Carnival - A Great Success	22/06/10 14:24:00	D Downey
Re:Re:Hanwell Carnival - A Great Success	22/06/10 18:19:00	Peter Chadburn
Re:Re:Re:Hanwell Carnival - A Great Success	25/06/10 01:38:00	Rosa Popham
Hanwell Carnival - A Great Success	25/06/10 12:16:00	George Knox
Re:Hanwell Carnival - A Great Success	26/06/10 00:59:00	Rosa Popham

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