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One wonders just what the real agenda is with Gunnersbury Park.Clearly the last thing Ealing or Hounslow want it to be is a local public Park. Which is what it is.The management seem obsessed with it's small museum which is OK for one visit and that's it bar the odd exhibition. It is nice that some of the long neglected and derelict bits have been sorted.But for what gain?But a closer look and all the real things that made this a great park to go to and a real treat from our nearer home park have one by one gone.The Boating Pond still there but no boats. Nor when there are boats is it affordable.The proper pitch and putt, Affordable and excellent for all ages.  Gone.Now a tatty looking area for dogs to forage and devoid of the many forms of wildlife that made it one of west Londons best kept nature secrets - So much for costly 'expert' input on that one.The Cricket Pitch and original Tennis Courts. Were is a great location but dreadfully neglected for 40 years.  Now relocated but the new Cricket pitch is on an incline partially levels but a ball still rolls and so far rather expensive to access.The Pathways remain dangerous and decayed in much of the park. Renders walking and riding difficult for those who benefit the most from open outdoor access.The new facility for Sports. Way too expensive. A hideous design in what is a conservation area and insanely no adequate access for the Porsche Cayenne brigade who are it's target market.  Walk or Ride? Only applies to those who do not meet the demographic of the CICs marketing policy.  The Cayenne brigade will not be walking or cycling en masse.The Bowls club, already robbed of it's second green, almost as old as the park itself and a proper low level sporting facility for all ages and abilities. Low cost but seen by this parks management as not a cash cow.So that has to go too.  In it's place a Pizza joint with a Crazy Golf amusement.Not really affordable but at least the obese children of the Cayenne set can waddle from the car park, putt a few balls and enjoy a calzone and a sugary drink.The treatment of the Bowls Club and others like caterers has been nothing other than scandalous and vile.  Yet it seems local elected representatives are keen not to discuss or engage.  Why? It's their community and electorate getting walked over the most.So now, Gunnersbury want to start charging all who drive there. Even disabled will have to pay unless they buy something - What exactly?  To go for a walk?Surely that will drive away all those marketing targets plus locals who just want an open space.. nothing more than a decent local park with affordable amenities.  What a park should be. Effectively this Park may as well become a private estate.It is being turned into a profit centre which from it's own half cocked methods will not make a profit and will remain a cushy number for the management who get well rewarded for being rather inept at management.Deluded and encouraged by both Ealing and Hounslow Councils . Who both seem to be rapidly becoming rather ageist in their attitudes.This CIC has had a substantial income of public funds, grants and awards yet amazingly it is not even required to account for where all this money has actually gone.  And both Councils have not even taken a serious close look.Clearly it's governance is not fit for purpose. Nor is it's directorate.It does not bode well for Boston Manor Park and the Lammas Park Pavillion may turn out to be another Pitzhanger manor wheeze.

Raymond Havelock ● 1062d