GROUVILLE residents are concerned for the future of a much-loved play area near Longbeach Car Park.
A community campaign has been launched amid concerns the Sandy Park Play Area could be closed permanently if not enough parishioners turn out to back its future at a key vote next week.
The meeting comes as the area has previously been under the management of the Government’s Infrastructure Department but, due to the expiry of the lease on 24 June, the Parish of Grouville is hoping to take control of the site.
“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.”
Constable Labey 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.”
The meeting with parishionners is due to take place on Thursday 19 June at 6:45pm at Grouville Parish Hall.
However, 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 local residents to attend the public meeting and vote to save the park, which looks out onto the Grouville Bay.
In a post on social media she warned: “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 Ms de La Mare is 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.”
The meeting at the Parish Hall will start at 7pm.
