Dear Editor,
My entire family go on a regular basis to the National Park for a decent evening of family time and much needed exercise. I am certain that the founders of this much needed facility intended for it to be used with minimum fuss and difficulty for the patrons and in a safe and secure environment.
However, there are quite a few happenings with the National Park which often leave users frustrated and with a general impression that they are given very little thought when management makes decisions regarding its use.
For starters, on a too-frequent basis, regular users are locked out of the Thomas Lands car park because of some event or the other in the park stands. This is utterly frustrating because those folks that come out in the afternoons to exercise have absolutely no interest in whatever is the event in the stands. All we need is a place to park so we can go and have our relaxation in peace. We are then forced to park along the busy Thomas Lands road and then bundle our energetic kids along the hazardous road to get into the park. Can’t there be a plan which can benefit both users of the park stand as well as those of us using the fields? Certainly a manager worth his salt can devise such a mutually beneficial plan. Do not wait until there is an accident to act on something that simply needs a bit of common sense and understanding.
Another point of concern is the access into the Carifesta Ave car park. When the government decided to upgrade the Carifesta Avenue road, they constructed a median which made it impossible for east bound traffic to enter the gate of the car park without making a sharp U turn into the westbound traffic. Those who use this road regularly know the high speed at which vehicles travel here. It is an absolutely high risk to manoeuvre this turn. The amount of glass shards on this turn is testimony of the risk to life and limb to make this turn. The only folks who do not see the risk is the management of the National Park who, in their infinite wisdom, only use one access gate even though it is very clear that the government made provision for the east bound traffic by creating an opening directly in line with a second gate to the park. Unfortunately this gate is never opened. So the U turn is the only option. Again it must be asked, why does the management of the National Park put its users under such high risk? Why can’t both gates be opened? The simple act of opening that second gate will make life immeasurably easier and safer for users of the National Park.
Finally, over the past few days my family has noted some shady looking elements lurking in the dark near the manatee pond. We are not certain of their intentions but it has made us aware of the lack of security measures in the park. There was once a time when security personnel traversed the park on an ATV. It made us all feel safer. However, it has been a while since these officers were seen patrolling. It is urged that they recommence this activity again since signs are emerging that criminals may be lurking.
I am sincerely hoping that the management of the National Park sees this letter of frustration and goes about implementing simple changes that will bring huge relief, safety and comfort to its patrons.
Yours faithfully,
Michael Abraham