Northland's Park Corner Today

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I was very pleased with today's event as we got to hear from people who lived at Northlands Park.
Vin started the event rolling by asking the questions 'Can people identify with Basildon?' 'Do they feel they have a thriving community?' Also a lot of people are ashamed to say they come from the area, which is sad as it has a lot going for it including a host of famous faces and a lot of green areas.
Has rocky beginnings played it's part towards a disjointed community?
Apparently when Basildon was first a new town those who already lived in the area weren't always very welcoming to the newcomers from London. Also the people from London were from close communities and were used to lots going on, and they came to this place, away from their extended families, to a place that was starting from scrap and had very little forms of entertainment.
At Northland's Park there are a few who are working very hard to try and create some sort of community, namely the 'Events Group' who from what I have witnessed are doing a marvellous job with their 'Northland's Park Fun Day' and their Christmas Fayre.

Some of the young people today are members of the local youth council, and I was glad to hear that they have often talked about their concerns and shared some of their fantastic ideas with this group.

Ideas:
Make one of the ponds a boating lake or have activities on it.
The Cafe should sell more fruit, or make Fruit Smoothies.
There should be a toilet available all the time.
One young lady was concerned about the fishermen and wanted them to have little huts as shelter, she was quite concerned about their safety.
A swimming pool in the field behind the cafe, one where you could put a roof on in winter and have it open in the summer.
A play park area for older children like they have at Wat Tyler park.

Thanks so much Vin for starting the ball rolling and having so much to say, which was all very interesting and stimulating.