Coram’s Fields

• AS adoptive mum to a spirited boy, who basically grew up at Coram’s Fields, I wish to voice serious concerns as to how matters have been run at Coram’s for the past years.

The long-term staff on the ground, interacting most with the community which the park is meant to serve, are currently facing changes of contracts threatening their job security.

Our children have been familiar with these individuals for years building trust with the community of the neighbourhood.

Meanwhile the park’s manager, Stuart Woods, has delivered his responsibilities vis-à-vis the park and the community in a way which is not always transparent to parents.

The football pitch, which is of key importance to our children on a daily basis – after school, over weekends, and during half term – has been rented out to teams and countless adults, so as to help cover costs of the park; but to the point of pushing the kids to the sidelines. Those the park was meant to serve after all.

Such practice has grown to the point of frequently making it difficult for the children to find any remaining small patch on which to play at all. This needs to change, and half the pitches always be available for incoming children under 16 years old.

Security has left much to be desired for years. People without children frequently walk in from the streets, including youths of above 16 years, representing the cut-off age allowed for the park unless being accompanied by a child.

Such trespassers take over pitches and the basketball field, partly intimidating kids around them, and inundating these with questionable language and behaviour.

Ground staff called to manage situations have been intimidated by the presence of these elements, to the point of not wishing to engage with and reprimanding them.

Many an attempt to place a guard at the door was only short-lived. More recently it took an exhibitionist in the children’s toilet area to place someone back at the door but, regrettably, again merely for a limited period of time.

Park maintenance appears minimal and often below the funding provided. It is not clear to me what happens with any remainder authorised by the council.

A big marquee covering large parts of the park has traditionally been rented out for Christmas office parties for many years now, exuding gas, which may be harmful to our children. And an adjacent building is rented out for little money to UCLH, which could potentially generate much more for this vital charity.

It would be lovely for a spotlight of attention to be placed on this wonderful children’s park in central London, with a most unique history, which appears to have silently been taken hostage by influences putting in question the park’s overall goal: to serve and provide a safe haven to London Bloomsbury’s children.

SUZANNE GRANFAR, N7