New group sets sights on the recycling issue

The resiting of the glass and waste paper banks is likely to be the first result of a new users' group for West Park.

A meeting to gauge the level of interest in forming the Friends of West Park produced an enthusiastic response.

Eleven people came forward to become a Friend. Arun District Council's senior community parks officer, Dee Christensen, will be arranging their first meeting in early February. She said she was delighted with the amount of interest which showed how much the 40,000sq m area was loved.

The meeting at the nearby Russell Hotel saw 48 people attend on January 24. Ms Christensen said the noise from the recycling facilities and their position was one of the issues raised.

"From Silverston Avenue, you can't get into the park without having to walk around the recycling facilities and across the car park. That is a nuisance and for the guests from the Russell Hotel, who are blind and partially sighted, it is really difficult.

"I will try to get the recycling moved really quickly." There was also the issue of some anti social behaviour around the recycling banks. But the overwhelming mood of the meeting was positive towards the park.

From 86 responses out of the 225 circulated, it emerged most people used it for walking.

This was the favoured pastime of half of those who took part. A further third visited the park for exercising their dogs.

The single most popular aspect of the site was the children's play area.

The idea of the Friends is to provide those interested in the park with the chance to get involved in its planning and practical management. Ms Christensen will act as their contact within Arun for matters which need to be raised. This could be grass cutting, car parking or anti social behaviour.

The West Park group will join eight existing Friends around the district. They cover sites such as the neighbouring Marine Park Gardens, Longbrook in Felpham and Aldwick's Bluebell Wood.