AS I walked along Treharne Road on Halloween with my son, it struck me at the amount of neglect that Treharne Park has experienced.

It has been dismantled bit by bit.

Once, the park had a lot for children to do.

Then, when something was damaged, instead of replacing it the council took it away.

Treharne Park sits in a prominent position in Court Ward – a ward that I think everyone would agree, could do with a little bit of TLC and attention from the Vale of Glamorgan Council.

Over the years many such areas for children to play have disappeared and along with them many open field areas.

This means that there are far less places for our children to play and in doing so learn.

It is clear that other areas of Barry and the Vale have been given priority and the investment to follow at the expense of other areas such as Treharne Park.

In my view Treharne Park is a missed opportunity.

A missed opportunity for those who reside in Court Ward, their children and their healthy development.

For many years the importance of play has been recognised as vital in the development of children.

The importance of play is also recognised and given prominence by the Welsh Assembly.

Why then is it that the only people that appear not to be getting this message are those at the Vale of Glamorgan Council?

Surely something needs to be done.

Jeffrey Heathfield Treharne Road Barry