COMMENT: Silence won't save your local park
AFTER years of talking about it, the council is finally starting to make some decisions on the future of our region's parks.
From the first decisions made yesterday it's obvious the council is really starting to listen to the community and involve them in the decision making process.
While the council has been criticised for failing to consult ratepayers on issues in the past, it appears it may have learnt the error of its ways.
The park rationalisation had a rocky start, but community outrage led to what can only be described as a stringent community consultation process.
When it comes to saving your local park, now is the time to stand up and have your say.
Staying silent will send the wrong message to the Park Rationalisation Committee members; it will tell them residents either don't use or don't care enough for their local park.
It's clear that some of our parks aren't being used and that there are some we could do without, but for the rest the community needs to stand up and have a voice.
For some parks the future will come down to simple negotiations, such as would you be willing to mow the park?
The councillors may make the final decision on this, but the power is with the people, the locals who use the parks - we all have the responsibility to use that power wisely.
