PLAYING SPACE FOR ALL

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 7, 9 July 1945, Page 4

PLAYING SPACE FOR ALL

Difficulties which have been experienced during the last fewyears in providing sufficient areas for sport and other recreational needs will be greatly accentuated when men and women in the Services are released. The great majority of exservice men and women will be looking for the opportunity to take part in all forms of organised sport, and it v/ill be the duty both of the Government and of local bodies to provide that opportunity. The action of the Government in agreeing to put Cashmere Park in order and to extend Melrose Park, and the eventual return to the city of areas now occupied for defence purposes, will go some way towards relieving the pressure, but in

view of the great fillip sport is bound to receive after the war, these measures alone are not likely fully to meet the demand. Early steps should be taken to explore the possibility of opening up new areas for recreational purposes. Wellington is at some disadvantage in this respect because of the lack of suitable open spaces, and it will probably be necessary to look beyond the boundaries of the city for additional , playing areas. While it would be preferable to cater for Wellington people within the city area, the great thing is to provide sufficient grounds to meet the demand, and if it is necessary to go to other districts to find them, this must be faced, both by the council and by the administrators of organised sport. Another matter that must not be neglected is the provision of sufficient open spaces in districts which are now being opened up for housing purposes. Each new area should have its own recreational facilities for people of all ages, and they should be sufficient to meet the needs of the future. Wellington, with its restricted open spaces (apart j from the Town Belt area), is now paying the penalty for a lack of foresight in the past; that mistake should not be repeated in new settlements.