Potential of rundown park in St Paul's Bay

In reply to Alfred Grima's kind invitation for suggestions to benefit St Paul's Bay (October 4), I do have a couple of ideas which he, as a council member, may care to take up.

Firstly, along the promenade between Wignacourt Tower and the primary school there is not a single litter or dog poop bin. How can we keep our streets clean if there are no public bins ?

Secondly, the little park playground at the back of the BOV is in a terrible state, so much so that it is no longer used by mothers and toddlers or the elderly just to have a rest in, as it once was.

The original (1983) commemorative plaque needs cleaning of graffiti and one obscene drawing. Four lamps, two at each entrance, are broken and do not work. The surrounding walls need to be rebuilt (the stones are still there). Concrete seats are mostly broken and look a disgrace, and should be replaced by wooden or metal benches.

The concrete planters need repair and replanting. Plastic litter bins are either missing, broken or in one case, burnt.

These could be replaced with metal bins. The frames of the swings just need a paint, while the wooden swing seats are cracked and dangerous; rubber replacement seats are called for.

Perhaps the owner of the waste ground plot next to the park could be found and asked to clear the area of dumped stuff, such as washing machines, boilers, trolleys and prams. Once cleared, there are some very nice palm plants growing beneath all the rubbish. The plot may then need a higher surrounding wall to prevent it happening again. The park is used by some local youths, as a meeting place, but I don't believe that they are responsible for the damage or present state of the park which is mostly due to neglect.

The cost of my proposals could be controlled by use of existing street furniture available from council storage (?), council labour and perhaps a contract with the ELC regarding the plants.

If the park were to be restored to its former glory, I would be happy to offer my voluntary services to "keep an eye" on it and to report, immediately, anything that was damaged etc. I would also be happy to ensure that any litter thrown down was placed in the bins, on a daily basis.