Gloucester Independents

Matson Park in dire need of repair

Following an investigation into the state of local leisure areas, the prospective independent candidate for Matson & Robinswood, Alex McKee, has called for better maintenance of Matson Park.

The Park is an important area of open space and leisure amenity for the residents of Matson but it is currently suffering from badly degraded facilities.

It’s been over a decade since the adventure playground was destroyed by arsonists but the patch where it stood is still bare and scrubby, not mowed like the rest of the park’s grass areas. Alex McKee

Footpaths which provide access to the park have become very badly damaged and a new watercourse has appeared in the park and cut through part of a playing field. It has also destroyed a section of the path.

Emergency work has been conducted immediately adjacent to Robinswood School with the construction of a new pond to hold back water from this new watercourse, but the paths and field have been ignored.

Whole sections of the footpaths have been allowed to grass over and the definition of the paths all along has become blurred.

Whilst we understand that there are plans to create new leisure space in Matson with the construction of a Multiuse Games area in Redwell Road, we feel that it is essential that existing leisure area is maintained properly.

For those of us who live in Matson, the park is more than just a park. Because it’s older than the estate it’s an important piece of heritage, and because kids are being encouraged to stop playing sports on grassy areas in the estate, the Park is more vital than ever. The park, and Matson, deserves better. Alex McKee