Oram's Play Area - TrustNews Sept 03
The Parks and Recreation Department of Winchester City Council have decided that the play area and equipment on Oram's Arbour should be upgraded. A laudable and welcome decision which will be generally welcomed by the parents of the children who use this recreational facility to let off steam and amuse themselves.
However, the alternative schemes recently displayed in St. Paul's Church give rise to concerns about the environmental impact that the adoption of any one of them will have on one of Winchester's principal green and open spaces. The garish colour schemes, including those on the ground covering, and the metal structures are not at all in sympathy with this area that forms an important and historic part of the Winchester Conservation Area.
It would be more in keeping with the surroundings to make a much greater use of timber in the construction of the various items of equipment and to paint them, where necessary, in a dark shade of green or other neutral colour. Oram's Arbour is not a 'theme park' but an informal recreational facility for the use of the citizens of Winchester and their children. The need to fence the area is also questionable. Not only will it serve little practical purpose as the gates may not always be closed by the users of the equipment, but will serve to draw attention to the site. A previous play area here was fenced but some users preferred to climb over it rather than use the more conventional access. This lead to unsightly damage and incurred further expense over and above the normal maintenance costs.
There is another factor that may have escaped the Councils notice. After dark the area is used as a meeting place for older children and young adults. In an attempt to minimise this rubbish generating activity, the equipment installed should be that appropriate for the younger age groups. This might discourage the older ones from congregating there and playing on the more adult equipment. The residents of St. Paul's who live beside the western wall of the former hospital might also favour this approach. Past experience of the previous fenced play area showed that the fence acted as a litter collector and proved difficult to mow right up to the margins. This was a constant source of annoyance to residents facing on to the Arbour.
The Parks and Recreation Department have been written to voicing these concerns. Copies have also been sent to the Chairman of The Planning Committee, the Ward Councillors and the Conservation Officer. If you feel strongly about this issue please let the Parks and Recreation Department have your views in writing.