I went for an early walk this morning and passed through Southern Town Park – a large, enclosed park with basketball court, and lots of grass and young woodland.
There are still some methane vent pipes along the side by the houses of Andersey Way to show it was once a waste tip. Remembering back to twenty five years ago, there was a rather poor swing and a seesaw which were not enclosed, and then emptiness like you were at the end of the world.
Nowadays there are giant sand pits, a net swing, various climbing frames, picnic tables, and a zip wire, although this morning the cradle was not there – so probably being repaired.
There is also the area where the original play equipment was, although that was improved, and then refurbished again about eight years ago.
Woodland next to the park has become well established, and the rugby/football/ tennis clubs are opposite; the marina and marina park are close, as are walks by the River Thames.
The park is managed by the local Vale of the Vale of the White Horse District Council (VWHDC), while Abingdon Green Gym regularly hold work parties there. I see they will be there on March 24th, wild flower planting and litter picking.
At one time this used to be a rubbish tip. Yes the play areas are nice now and my grandchildren liked the area. The play areas are dog free so no chance of picking up dog mess when using the play areas. We are worried on the Drayton Road allotments as we are adjacent to the sewage works. With the thousands of new houses planned to be built we think that they will have to extend the sewage works to accommodate all the extra sewage and may want to take the allotment land for this purpose. The population of Oxfordshire is set to increased by 25% leading to a strain on services such at G P surgeries and hospitals, to say nothing of the traffic on the roads.