General Discussion
Click on this link to get an idea of the size of the playpark, and the facilities provided in it, for kids of all ages.
Now, if that type of thing was being proposed I might have more time for the 'a playpark on the lawn in Dawlish will bring more people into the town' argument.
But it would take up the whole of the lawn.
The reason 'Bath park' came into my mind is because I remember very well, growing up as a kid in east Bristol, that a trip there was seen as a real treat. It had bigger and better facilities then anything on offer in St. Georges's park or Eastville Park. (apologies to non Bristolians for being Bristolcentric).
In otherwords its facilities acted as a draw. It was, and still is from what I can gather, a destination that draws people to it from outside of Bath.
If, however, what had been on offer was the same as what was on offer in any of the Bristol parks what would have been the point of going there? Its Unique Selling Point was (still is) its better and greater play park facilities.
So....why should people from outside of Dawlish visit Dawlish specifically to visit the proposed aimed at under 8s only and not very big at that playpark when they no doubt have something very similar much nearer to where they live?
Lynne, I know the park you are talking about. And when I was there a few years back now, it was crowded. It was a beautiful sunny afternoon, so that may have made a difference as to why it was so packed.
Maybe it’s sufficient to have a playpark that will keep families in Dawlish town centre, rather than have to travel from Dawlish to Teignmouth? This scenario is far more common than a lot of vocal senior citizens or childless people might realise.
Well the town centre under 8 offer would have to be something pretty special.
Why travel into Dawlish town centre (cost of petrol and parking) for an under 8 playground when there are, albeit small and maybe not as well provided, under 8 playgrounds all around the town already and even more being provided on the new housing estates.
If I am having to watch my money the last thing I would want to do is to take my (grand)children somewhere where they would expect me to spend money (ice-creams etc).
Inflation is increasing (things cost more to buy), there is a threat of an interest rate increase (new houses = mortgages= less money to spend), there is a benefits cap (less, if any, disposable income).
Well, at last, Diana Mond has shown her true colours, welcome, well no, not welcome, back Mrs C. Nasty is as nasty does!
Excuse me Margaret Swift. There is nothing nasty in my post. All totally factual - try reading it again in the morning.
People will come to Dawlish to see the brook, ducks and swans and sit on the lawn, regardless if there was a play park there or not.
What makes people think that more people will be attracted in their droves from surrounding areas to take their kids to a play park?
When I was a nipper and went to a resort, I wanted to play on the beach and not sit in a play park.
Totally agree with you Calamari.
Oh if we could only control our weather!
Yesterday was beautiful. It was also a very low tide. I went out for a two hour walk along the beach and around the town.
The beach was busy, the town was humming. I expect quite a lot got spent in the town yesterday. Up by Coryton Cove where the rock pools were exposed, the kids were having a great time with their fishing nets. I saw people sunbathing and even saw some in the sea.
The expression 'nature's playground' came to mind.
Oh and guess what, And this is absolutely true - I even saw a Dad playing kick about with his two young sons on the area of the lawn between the bandstand and the bowling green.
I’m not going by to get drawn into an argument with you Margaret Swift. You’re clearly reading more into my comments than there need be. My point, that was clearly too subtle, was that a number of people within a certain demographic have previously stated on here and on Facebook that they think it’s unlikely that people in Dawlish take their kids to Teignmouth to use the playpark facilities there. They do! Plenty of them/us.
In my post of 8th October 13.40 I left out the financial restrictions that are being felt, and have been felt for some time. by public sector workers, eg NHS staff, school staff, police, armed forces, fire service, My apologies to you all.
Public sector pay was frozen for two years in 2010, except for those earning less than £21,000 a year, and since 2013, rises have been capped at 1% - below the rate of inflation.
Okay, so, let's just say, for the sake of argument, that a consensus is now emerging amongst those of us who post on, and read this website, that the proposed playpark is such that it would not act as a draw to entice others into the town from the likes of T'mouth and Paignton.
But what it might do, arguably, is stop Dawlish residents taking their (grand)children to the playpark in T;mouth. So to those who presently do that I would like to ask the following questions ( and I am not being sarcastic I am genuinely wanting to know your thoughts).
1. What would the playpark in Dawlish have to offer in order for you to use it instead of the T'mouth one?
2. Why does the new playpark have to be in the town centre? For if a new playpark is what you want, then where it is located in Dawlish is surely secondary.
@Daina Mond (Mrs C), your post wasn't subtle in the least, that's why it was nasty. Your subsequent post is the subtle version, perhaps you ought to look up the meaning of subtle!
And, I think you have got the wrong end of the stick, again, I don't think anyone has said people don't take their kids to Teignmouth and Paignton to the play parks, in fact we know they do! Lynne's post is asking the pertinent questions, and what many of us have said is that they are unlikely to stay in Dawlish for a much watered down version of the Teignmouth and Paignton playparks, which is why we should be offering somethnig a bit more creative. You really do need to concentrate and try and keep up!