Douglas North MHKs David Ashford and John Wannenburgh have called for urgent investment in the “overlooked” Governors Hill play park.
Following the lead of campaigner Richard Little, they have described it as “old and tired” and a “health and safety risk.”
In a letter to Councillor Natalie Byron-Teare, Chair of Douglas City Council’s Regeneration & Community Committee, they highlighted the lack of capital investment in the park over the last 16 years.
They noted that a child who was five the last time there was any form of capital investment, “would now be looking forward to celebrating their 21st birthday”.
‘Shocking’
The MHKs attached photos showing the park’s “shocking condition,” noting it serves one of the larger housing estates in the capital.
They compared its funding to other play areas, which received hundreds of thousands in investment, while Governors Hill “is zero.”
In response, Mrs Byron-Teare acknowledged the park’s state, stating: “I am fully conscious that the park you have referenced is in dire need of attention.”
However, she assured that safety checks are ongoing, with unsafe equipment “immediately cordoned off, repaired where possible or removed,” and urged residents to report issues via the council’s ‘Report It’ function.
Mrs Byron-Teare did however cite challenges to improvements, including a “dramatically” cut maintenance budget and “aged stock of equipment”.
She adding: “This will take a little time to come to fruition.”
Interim measures include repairing flooring and painting works, with a broader review of all 15 Douglas play parks underway.
Ashford and Wannenburgh urged the council to act, calling for Governors Hill to “once again [be] an asset of which both the Council and our community can be proud”.
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