10:46am Wednesday 17th March 2010
By Alex Hayes
A TORY councillor has called for residents to come together to improve a park in Edgware which has been the centre of a row over children's play equipment.
Work started last week to install the controversial apparatus in Stonyfields Park as part of the Playbuilder scheme, with the government committing more than £1m to Barnet Council.
However, many residents were unhappy about the decision to put it in the small park, close to the A41 Edgware Way, and raised fears it would be vandalised and lead to more anti-social behaviour there.
Councillor Hugh Rayner, who is the deputy Mayor of Barnet, is asking neighbours to help form a Friends of Stoneyfields Park group in a bid to better maintain it.
He said: “Stoneyfields Park is a little known jewel in the crown of Barnet parks, containing as it does a beautiful ornamental lake and a wonderful variety of wildlife.
“But much needs to be done to improve the Park, not the least in the area of security, before it can be enjoyed to the full by local residents.
“Now seems an excellent time to tap into the energy and enthusiasm of those who live around the park by forming ‘Friends of Stoneyfields Park’.”
He added: “This resident led group would bring together the efforts of the police, the resources of the council, the expertise of London Wildlife Trust and the ideas of the residents to provide the ‘tender loving care’ that this Park needs so that it can take its rightful place as one of Barnet’s first rate parks.”
For more information on the group call Cllr Rayner on 0208 958 3364 or email cllr.h.rayner@barnet.gov.uk.
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