'Grow Our Park' campaigners rally support

Campaigners Push for Expansion of Millennium Town Park

A local campaign group is urging residents to back plans to expand the Millennium Town Park — and to press their elected representatives to support the idea.

The Friends of the Millennium Town Park have spent the summer at a stand beside the new children’s playground, speaking with park-goers about how the neighbouring land should be used.

Their campaign comes ahead of a States debate expected next month, led by St Helier Constable Simon Crowcroft, which will ask ministers to reconsider proposals to build a new primary school on the former gas works site.

Bernie Manning, Chair of the Friends group, said there has been long-standing public demand for a larger green space in St Helier.

“The original petition, signed by 16,500 people, called for a park stretching from Bath Street to St Saviour’s Road,” Mr Manning explained. “The first half has been built — now we’d like to see it completed. We’ve spoken to many local residents and park users who didn’t even know a school was planned for the site — and they’re horrified.”

Feedback gathered by the group includes:

• “100% we need more green space in town.”

• “It is so needed for all the children who use this park. It’s so busy — yes, we need an extension.”

• “So many people don’t have an outside space. Children need an outside space.”

The group is calling on supporters to write to their parish constable or district deputy to make their views known.