Many years ago, I wrote to you about the woeful condition of Sunnyhill Park. Promises were made by Barnet Borough Council about improvements in the near future. Is there any change? Well, yes, there is – woeful has now degenerated into disgraceful.

Broken paths are now dangerous in places, weeds grow everywhere, trees are overgrown and make it necessary to duck and dive as you walk, some fetid water has been leaking for, at the very least, months and is now a small swampy area infested with what looks suspiciously like mosquitoes. Broken walls crumble, steps that were overgrown and crumbling are now in an appalling state, piles of cut trees and shrubs have been left on the grass for so long they have turned brown. Overflowing and broken dog litter bins, overflowing and broken human litter bins.

There are several pathways that are so overgrown you have no idea who or what might be lurking in the undergrowth and are positively uninviting to walk along alone. On my visit recently, there were three men lying asleep on benches with several cans of alcohol strewn around them.

I have no need to hear about the financial difficulties facing the council – they found money to make a modern play area, so obviously there is some money available. I often visit Victoria Park – also belonging to Barnet – and there are often gardeners and maintenance men working there. Why that park and not Sunnyhill?

I’m not necessarily asking for masses of flowers – although that would be nice – but I cannot believe it is beyond the capabilities of the council to send in some workmen to keep it tidy, make the paths safer, cut back some of the weeds and generally make it a safer more inviting environment.

It must be better to encourage a healthier lifestyle by offering local open spaces for fresh air, exercise and relaxation, rather than having people fill doctors’ sugeries.

R Wilder

Address supplied