A popular public park in Portadown is not receiving the attention it deserves, with parts left overgrown and dilapidated, it has been claimed.
Brownstown Park is generating more and more complaints from users, forcing one local representative, continually being lobbied on the matter, to demand action.
DUP Councillor Kyle Moutray – speaking at ABC Council’s monthly meeting in October – said there was a growing feeling and sense amongst some local people that “this public amenity is being neglected and overlooked”.
He said: “It’s come to my attention that there’s a pathway running from the Armagh Road through the park towards Kids United Playgroup. This is one of the key entrances into the park itself and there is a really badly overgrown hedgerow here.
“It’s been like that since July. We’re now approaching November and it’s still encroaching most of the pathway there.”
Unfortunately, said Councillor Moutray, this was not an “isolated concern”, as he also flagged “outdated signage, weeds and overgrown grass”.
“These are all things contributing to the perception that Brownstown Park is not receiving the attention that it deserves,” added the local representative.
“I appreciate that the Brownstown Park may be smaller than some of the parks in this borough, but that should not mean that it receives a lesser standard of maintenance and that is my concern at the minute.
“It’s still an important public amenity that serves a lot of people in the urban area in Portadown.”
Councillor Moutray sought a commitment that the hedgerow would be cut.
But, beyond that, he added: “I would ask that a programme of routine inspections is carried out and that maintenance alongside this is in place to ensure that these issues do not continue to arise time and time again, and that councillors do not have to raise them.
“I just want to see Brownstown Park given the attention that it deserves. I want to see it reach the potential that it can reach and I hope that we can secure a commitment that action will be taken.”
Deputy Lord Mayor, Alderman Lavelle McIlwrath, said he “couldn’t agree more”.
“Hundreds, if not probably several thousand people, use the park for the two pitches every week and the first thing they’re struck with is the entrance,” he said. “If we could even get a lick of paint on the entrance and the sign tidied up, that would be a really good start.
“For years the road down in was really bad and DfI got the road tarred and road users now have a good way in, but when they reach the entrance it just looks dilapidated.”
