Local Parks by Norman Rogers (Vice-Chairman Parks & Cemeteries)
The Editor of Action Forum has kindly offered space in the magazine for me to outline the present situation in Gillingham in general and Rainham and Wigmore in particular with respect to parks and open spaces and to give you some idea of future developments. Firstly the Borough has a total of 270 acres, 3 acres per thousand of population, of parks, open spaces and playing fields, not including those playing fields owned by the Ministry of Defence that are used by some clubs in the town. This is about 60% of the desirable acreage which, taking into ‘account the ease of population growth and the difficulty of land purchase for public open space, is fairly creditable if not a reason for complacency.
In Rainham and Wigmore there are seven locations with two more in the course of development. ( The old idea of a formal park has not and indeed, in my opinion, will not be followed in the future. “Keep off the Grass” signs are very old hat. No! Public open space in future is best typified by Wigmore Park. At the present you can admire the work of our horticulturalists, kick a ball about, walk the dog, fly your kite, swing the kids silly or just sit and think. You’ll not find opening and closing times either.
All this will apply at the other end of Maidstone Road, at Cozenton Park, when the park is finished. There are two recreation grounds in Rainham. One, the largest, off Station Road and the other, Rye Top, near the Rainham/Wigmore boundary and the two childrens play areas at Holding Street Rainham, and Edwards Close Wigmore. Last of all, during the summer, ‘cricket lovers can watch some enjoyable games at the ground in Berengrave Lane.
So much for the present. But what of the future‘? Like any other aspect of life one cannot stand still, you can only go forward or backward. Gillingham intends to go forward. There are plans, ideas, proposals and even dreams extending many years ahead and it is these that I would like to tell you about in my next article.
