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Dereliction and Redevelopment
Use and abuse of facilities
The great popularity of the Country Park means that all of its facilities are heavily used, and at times, over-used. This causes considerable wear and tear. Footpaths get eroded by the feet of thousands of visitors, but pressure of numbers causes very little friction between visitors who come for quiet relaxation and to enjoy the wildlife, and those who come to engage in more energetic, even boisterous, pursuits. There is plenty of room and scope for both.
The magnificent play area was not erected until 1996. It cost £180,000 and was Rushcliffe Borough Council’s greatest contribution to the Country Park’s amenities. The three year wait was well worthwhile, and children of all ages delighted in it from the day it was opened. The splendid, modern equipment is immensely popular. It attracts large numbers of children and escorting adults, throughout the year.
Unfortunately in 1999 the central structure with its three towers and two covered slides was destroyed overnight by a fire that was started deliberately. It cost over £14,000 to replace but this was an isolated event, and the only serious one to date. The head ranger points out:-
“Vandalism has not been the problem it is elsewhere, perhaps because there is such a strong sense of community ownership of the Country Park. Visitors provide informal but effective surveillance as they walk round. Minor incidents of wilful damage and graffiti have occasionally occurred, but they have usually been the result of youthful mischief which got out of hand. There have been two or three periods when small grass fires have been ignited with the intention of causing a blaze, but they have usually been dealt with promptly by the rangers and extinguished even before the fire engine arrived.”
Theft of cars from the car park, and of property left by visitors in parked cars increased in 2001, and a security firm is now employed to protect this area.
The Story > Chapter 10 > Section 10.04