A community campaign has been launched to save a much-loved play park in Grouville amid concerns it could be closed permanently if not enough parishioners turn out to support it at a key vote next week.
Located at the northern end of Longbeach Car Park, the Sandy Park play area has until now been maintained by the Government’s Infrastructure Department.
However, that lease is set to expire later this month on 24 June – and the Parish of Grouville is hoping to take over to safeguard the future of the area.
“Up until now the States Department for Infrastructure has had this lease and therefore been responsible for its maintenance and upkeep. They intimated last year that they were considering withdrawing from this responsibility and the Chef Tenants, who manage this area, needed someone else to take it on,” Grouville Constable Mark Labey explained.
“…I gathered the political representatives of St Martin and Grouville, Deputies Labey, Luce and Rose Binet, to a meeting. The conclusion of this was that the Sandy Park Play Area must remain open and so options were discussed with all parties and the conclusion of this was for the Parish to apply for this current opportunity.”
He added: “Other Parishes in Jersey maintain the play areas within their borders, especially Elephant Park in St Brelade, so we feel that this is the way forward.”
But not everyone agrees.
According to Grouville parishioner Kat de La Mare, “a number of people living close to the park are opposed to the park being there and want to see it closed for good”.
She is now urging fellow residents to attend the meeting and vote to save the park, warning: “If more people oppose it than support the notion to take it over THE PARK WILL CLOSE FOR GOOD!!!”
She added: “This park is an essential and beautiful park and we have to come together to ensure that enough people attend the Parish Hall next Thursday to vote for us to keep it open!”
Only ratepayers in Grouville can vote, but campaigners are calling on everyone to raise awareness.
“If you are not a parishoner of Grouville, please spread the word and talk about it with everyone you know,” added Ms de La Mare.
The meeting is due to take place at Grouville Parish Hall on Thursday 19 June at 7pm.
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