Plans to close Maryon Wilson Animal Park in Charlton

Curb_It · January 23

Signed. Many generations of families have enjoyed that park. Something free for everyone to enjoy.

Gribbo · January 23

Got another story about the Mount, will tell it later when I got a bit of time

Bournemouth Addick · January 23

Leuth said:

A little theme of the modern world: nice things cost us money. You can't have nice things. Yours, Those In Charge

I don't know the park in question, and it's obviously very sad that this might happen, but it's just yet another community facility to add to the list of libraries, sports clubs, youth clubs, swimming pools, groups for the elderly, toilets, playing fields and open spaces, etc, etc. that have had the plug pulled (literally in swimming pool example!) over the last decade or more.

Hal1x · January 23

DaveMehmet said:

AllHailTheHen said:

My family parked in Flamsteed Road for decades when going to games. Walking through the park and seeing the animals is such a Charlton related memory for me. Be such a shame to see it go. Plus when younger if the ducks quacked on the way down to a game I'd take it as a sign we'd win!

Didn't know mute ducks existed

They don't like to shout about it.!

Hartleypete · January 23

As someone who was born and breed in Greenwich I really would love to say what I thought about Greenwich council, but sadly if I did it would go into meltdown on here.

SoundAsa£ · January 23

Hartleypete said:

As someone who was born and breed in Greenwich I really would love to say what I thought about Greenwich council, but sadly if I did it would go into meltdown on here.

Not really interested in your sex life Hp. 🫢

Gribbo · January 23

From memory, pretty sure there's been a few times the parks come under threat over the last 40 odd years and, as mentioned earlier, because of its status back then, it's always managed to keep going. Whether that's all changed now, not too sure

paulbaconsarnie · January 23

ValleyGary said:

Now you can’t park within 80 miles of the valley, I walk through the park every home game. Be absolutely gutted to see it go. Why’s everyone involved in councils always total and utter wankers?

..none taken.

Six-a-bag-of-nuts · January 23

Although I was born into a Woolwich SE18 address, we were just up the road from Maryon Park and Maryon Wilson Park and Mum and Dad would take us there regularly as kids back in the 50s.
Lots of happy memories.
Actually walked through Maryon Wilson park with my son before a home game last season just for old times sake. Was thrilled then to see the deer were still there.
Will be a sad day if they disappear, but I am not altogether surprised. All our councils are on the verge of bankruptcy and desperate for any quick win savings. Sign of the times.

Clem_Snide · January 23

Sadly all local authorities are in a similar position and having to make decisions of this nature. The cost of living crisis has had an unprecedented impact on local authority budgets and many have burnt through their reserves and are on the brink of bankruptcy.

There are statutory services which have to be provided and quite frankly local authorities cannot afford to deliver them.

Comments like "it only saves them £70k" are ridiculous. The situation is so bad that literally every penny counts.

Rest assured no one at Greenwich will want the Park to close and there will no doubt be a hope that the story leaking out will attract private funding or assistance.

Er_Be_Ab_Pl_Wo_Wo_Ch · January 23

Signed. On occasions when we drive to games I divert our walk to the ground through the park so the boy has a stop off with the animals. Be a great shame for the local community if it goes.

Hal1x · January 23

Clem_Snide said:

Sadly all local authorities are in a similar position and having to make decisions of this nature. The cost of living crisis has had an unprecedented impact on local authority budgets and many have burnt through their reserves and are on the brink of bankruptcy.

There are statutory services which have to be provided and quite frankly local authorities cannot afford to deliver them.

Comments like "it only saves them £70k" are ridiculous. The situation is so bad that literally every penny counts.

Rest assured no one at Greenwich will want the Park to close and there will no doubt be a hope that the story leaking out will attract private funding or assistance.

so why the £85k Political Advisor spend then? Community and local benefit or reinforcing dogma and petty political bollocks.

jimmymelrose · January 23

Clem_Snide said:

Sadly all local authorities are in a similar position and having to make decisions of this nature. The cost of living crisis has had an unprecedented impact on local authority budgets and many have burnt through their reserves and are on the brink of bankruptcy.

There are statutory services which have to be provided and quite frankly local authorities cannot afford to deliver them.

Comments like "it only saves them £70k" are ridiculous. The situation is so bad that literally every penny counts.

Rest assured no one at Greenwich will want the Park to close and there will no doubt be a hope that the story leaking out will attract private funding or assistance.

Oh, here we have it again, that word ’crisis’ illused for something which is now habitual.

When will people ask why we are fobbed off with ’crisis’ now but not in years ago when facilities like these were kept open? I don’t believe it. It’s just bullshit to appease the masses. The root cause is simply worsening wealth distribution, and the wealthy being more in control than government.

shirty5 · January 23

stoneroses19 said:

Sometimes, Greenwich Council make it very easy to dislike them.

The park is a unique community, council should actually be looking at how to preserve and improve it.

They made their own bed in 1990 when it came to the dislike stakes

Petition signed.

DA9 · January 23

signed and shared on my book face for my childhood friends to do the same

Hal1x · January 23

Just signed, alongside 4507 others.

R0TW · January 23

Used to live in Flamsteed Road and cut through the park when venturing down to Charlton on a Saturday afternoon.
Would have preferred to drive and leave the car around my mums, but some inconsiderate git and his duck sounding son used to park across my drive

See they are advertising for an interpreter at £25 per hour.

https://www.royalgreenwichcareers.com/interpreter-linguist-health-and-adult-services-sessional-language-interpreters-rolling-advert/18697.job

would it be too much to ask to learn English, or pay for your own interpreter? This is how it works in Spain after having to deal with mother in laws death. Saddens me that we can have diversity, race, equality, inclusion bollocks, but something your average Joe enjoys, no fuck that can go.

lolwray · January 23

Signed

Bilko · January 23

Six-a-bag-of-nuts said:

Although I was born into a Woolwich SE18 address, we were just up the road from Maryon Park and Maryon Wilson Park and Mum and Dad would take us there regularly as kids back in the 50s.
Lots of happy memories.
Actually walked through Maryon Wilson park with my son before a home game last season just for old times sake. Was thrilled then to see the deer were still there.
Will be a sad day if they disappear, but I am not altogether surprised. All our councils are on the verge of bankruptcy and desperate for any quick win savings. Sign of the times.

Like myself I lived at Woodhill and as a kid we used to go to Maryon Park regularly, another bit of my childhood who be gone if it went 😡 I did sign the petition.

Arsenetatters · January 23

What animals do they have in there now? I remember deer.

clive · January 23

Arsenetatters said:

What animals do they have in there now? I remember deer.

There are now 93 animals in the park, including eight deer, five sheep, four goats and two pigs.

The park is home to domestic animals like chickens, geese, horses and ducks

https://greenwichwire.co.uk/2025/01/22/maryon-wilson-animal-park-faces-closure-under-greenwich-council-cuts/

O-Randy-Hunt · January 23

They might be able to squeeze a big block of flats there once they boot the animals out.

willieduff · January 23

Signed

KBslittlesis · January 23

clive said:

Arsenetatters said:

What animals do they have in there now? I remember deer.

There are now 93 animals in the park, including eight deer, five sheep, four goats and two pigs.
https://greenwichwire.co.uk/2025/01/22/maryon-wilson-animal-park-faces-closure-under-greenwich-council-cuts/

Goats!
Signed!

Mr. Happy · January 23

Signed. Used to walk through it to infant school every day and then to The Valley for about 20 years of home games. Still a great place to take our young daughter when I'm visiting my parents in Charlton.