Rocket Park Lifts Off

By Caroline Lowbridge

Caroline.Lowbridge@nottinghampostgroup.co.uk

RESIDENTS have celebrated the transformation of a park which has been redesigned to reduce anti-social behaviour.

Rocket Park used to significantly dip in the middle, meaning troublemakers could hide there without being seen.

But the sunken park has now been raised to make it more visible and safer for children. New paths, litter bins and benches have been provided, and plaques have been placed on two of the benches in memory of Maureen Graham, who campaigned for regeneration of the estate.

The improvements were welcomed by PCSO Michelle Kent, who covers the Marmion and Stonebridge beats in St Ann's.

She said: "It was a run-down park before and no one used it. It was just broken bits of metal and wood. It couldn't be used for children.

"People tend to go down to the run-down areas and they think no one is paying attention so they can do what they want. Now some work has been done, hopefully people will give it some respect."

Maureen Graham, who formed Stonebridge Park Tenants' and Residents' Association (SPTRA) almost a decade ago, died in August 2007.

She and her new members gave the estate its modern name of Stonebridge Park in an effort to turn its image around.

SPTRA chairwoman Laura Summers hopes the transformed Rocket Park will be well used by families.

She said: "I remember playing on it as a child but it deteriorated over the years. It looked like a scene out of the beginning of Terminator.

"There's a lot less chance for anti-social behaviour now."

St Ann's ward councillor Dave Liversidge opened the park following the first phase of improvements. He did this at a fun day held on September 30, which was attended by dozens of residents.

Consultation is starting with residents on the second phase of the scheme, which will look at a play area for the park.

Just over £145,000 of council funds was set aside to improve the open space, which is also known as Jersey Gardens.

Mr Liversidge said: "It became known as Rocket Park because it had rocket-shaped climbing frames, but it was just used for druggies to sit on.

"It used to go right down in a dip. It used to be at least three times further into a dip. The people in the surrounding houses couldn't see people, so kids couldn't play and it became a place where druggies used to sit.

"This is what the community wanted at the time, to get it into a state we could use."

SPTRA treasurer Ben Rowson, who lives in Jersey Gardens, overlooking the park, said: "Parents couldn't see their kiddies playing because it was hidden too deep. I think it had just not been maintained and it got worse and worse. It will be good when they put new play equipment here."

Mrs Graham has been widely credited with turning the estate around.

The plaques on the benches also credit her husband. The plaques say: "In memory of Maureen and George Graham and their contribution to the work of the Stonebridge Park Tenants' and Residents' Association."