Playford Park Approaches Decided On

Chronicle (Levin), 7 September 1949, Page 4

Playford Park Approaches Decided On

> ^ 7 The main entrance to Playford Park will be from Queenwood Road extension and an elaborate 18-chain approafch has been p anned, the road from Bath Street providing for a double carriage way with palms and a 24-foot grass verge as the division. A decision 'to this effect . was made at a meeting of the Levin Borough Council on Monday night, it being stated that the 18-chain approach wou'd cost an additionai. £750 on normal road formation. This extra expense will not be a cost on those purchasing the sections, .but will probably be raised by way of loan, provision being made in the Act for such a contingency. As a result of discussions on Monday night the Playford Park Committee is to be instructed - to proceed with recommendations as to the final layout of the park on the basis of the main entrance being via Queenwood Road. George Street will provide another wide approach into the park by way of the campihg ground. There tvi 1 be no entrance from Bartholomew Road.

The decision was not reached without considerable .discussion and some opposition, Cr. R. -.A. Frederikson criticising what he described as a rush to provide drives into the park before the actual layryt was decided. "Why build a super driveway into an open paddock? Develop the park first. The whole thing will look farcical until the park is there. We don't want to use all our funds before we get started," he said. The Mayor, Mr. H. B. Burdekin, said thak before the layout could" be decided upon the council had to know where the entrance was to be. "The whole layout will fan out from there," he added. "We must look towards what Playford Park will be in the fifiure and do it justice." In regard to the additionai finance, the council had power to borrow. * Supporting Mr. Burdekin, Cr. R. S. Antcliff said the council had to look ahead and the palhis would require time to grow. He

was all m favour of the enhanced approach, providing it did not cut into the funds for the develop - . ment of Playford Park. Cr. A. W. Parton said that an attrac'tive approach was necessary, but he would prefer it if the centre formation was left until 'ater. Cr. A. J. H. A'.len said he thought the council should do the job properly or not at all. The chairman of the Playford Park Committee, Cr. W. Telford, remarked that the main thing was to get the two 66-foot roads formed and decide later which was to he beautified.

. On being put to vote it was decided that Queenwood Road should be the main entrance and that it should be beautified. "Leave It To Committee." At the commencement of the discussion Cr. Frederikson objected to a decision being taken that night in regard to which should be the main entrance, slating that the question should first be referred to the Playford Park Committee. He moved an amendment in this direction and was supported by Cr. Parton. "I disagree with the amendment," commented Mr. Burdekin. "The committee is a minarity and we don't want a minority report to dictate to the council. This is an important matter. We have got to decide one way or the other as long as we are unanimous. Cr. Antcliff said he supported the Mayor's contention that it was a matter for the council to decide. The Mayor then moved from the chair that the entrance be from Queenwood Road. Replying, Cr. Frederikson said he opposed not only the Mayor's motion, but also his reasoning. "Why have a committee if you are not going to use it?" he asked. "All committees are minority committees. You are tying the hands of the committee by saying 'there is your entrance and you must work from it.' " "I am only trying to get urgency on this matter," said Mr. Burdekin. "The scouts want their site on the park as soon as possible and there are also the future users of the park to consider. I cannot see the objection to the council deciding now what it will be asked to decide at some future time. The committee has to come back to the council to get final approval and it might be that the council will reverse the committee 's recommendation. I only want to save time." Cr. Allen said he agreed with Cr. Frederikson that it was a committee matter. "Give them a chance to chew it Over and we can arrange to have a special meeting to 'decide," iie added. When put to vote the. Mayor's motion was passed. At the conclusion of the discussion Cr. Antcliff said that an important stage had been reached in the developmental plans for Playford Park and he felt that compliments were due to all those who had had anything to do with the colossal amount of work involved. i Reply, Mr. Burdekin said that all those from Mr. F. E. Parker, a past councillor, onwards woui'd apprqciate Cr. Antcliff's remarks.