Aaryanna Smith, 13, wants the council to revamp Whitchurch Library Gardens play area
A 13-YEAR-OLD schoolgirl’s petition to improve the playground in Whitchurch Library Gardens has soared past its target of 400 signatures.
Aaryanna Smith wants the council to repair and improve facilities for the “under-used and neglected” play area so that it can serve as a “welcoming hub for the whole community”.
The Whitchurch High School pupil started the campaign after noticing the playground had become worn down and damaged.
Climbing ropes, a spinning table, parts of the climbing frame and a hammock from the toddler area are either missing or have been removed. The surface of the play area has also begun to deteriorate.
Young people ‘avoid Whitchurch park as much as possible’
Miss Smith said people “want to go out with friends to the park to socialise” but that young people “avoid Whitchurch park as much as possible” as they feel the library and playground are geared more towards toddlers and the elderly.
People visit Caedelyn Park as it “looks nice and everyone likes it”, she said.
But going to Caedelyn Park is more risky for young people as they have to cross the busy A470, and the traffic lights at the pedestrian crossings do not always work, Miss Smith said.
‘A lot of people are really excited’
The budding politician is hoping her appeal will reach 1,000 signatures.
Since launching her petition on change.org, it has received 735 signatures in just two weeks and has been shared across social media platforms.
“A lot of people are really excited,” she said.
Miss Smith is now in contact with Councillor Kate Carr to discuss the next steps.
“Whitchurch Library Garden park and playground is a much-loved and valued green space,” Coun. Carr said.
“I’ve met with Aaryanna and was impressed with her passion for wanting better facilities for young people locally, something we as a councillor team are looking forward to working on with her.”
People are being encouraged to put forward ideas for what they would like to see at the playground. Current suggestions have included swings, a zipline, benches and a new climbing frame.
Miss Smith is also pushing for accessible play equipment so people of all abilities can enjoy the park.
Looking to the future, Miss Smith has her sights set on pursing a career in politics and is focused on “changing everything that’s not quite right”.
She believes starting locally is the best way to do this and is hopeful her petition will ensure that Whitchurch Library Gardens and its play area can be “somewhere everyone in the community can access rather than a last resort”.
