Protests over Hotham Park play area

The previous site has fallen victim to the widespread changes which are taking place within Hotham Park.

The two spring horses and bridge-shaped climbing frame and the adjacent seats have been torn down to be replaced by... a patch of grass.

The nearby fountain, turned on in July 1997 to mark the 75th anniversary of the town's chamber of commerce, has also been demolished. Nothing is intended to take its place either.

Mr Drabik said the removals left the park without any attractions for those with very young children.

"This is the biggest park in West Sussex and it will not have anywhere for young children to play in," he said.

"I don't think people will want to come back to the park this summer after they have visited it once. It resembles a prison exercise yard."

Mr Drabik is protesting to park owners Arun District Council about the lack of a replacement play area once the 2.2m park renovation programme is completed.

This is due to be in August. The scheme is being backed by 1.6m from the National Heritage Lottery fund.

Its main aim is to restore the disused Rainbow's End theme park site of two hectares into the rest of the eight hectare park.

This will be the first time since the early days of the park's opening to the public in 1947 that it will be one large expanse open to everyone.

Part of the changes has seen 1,500 trees being chopped down, better drainage installed and the park lodge refurbished.

Bognor resident Mr Drabik (51) has run the kiosk cafe in the park, close to the toddlers' play area, between Easter and the autumn for the past eight years on a lease from Arun. He has a further three years left on his agreement.

Mr Drabik said a new kiosk in the park was planned by Arun to open in about three years. It will be by the boating pond, which is being re-opened in the park's restoration, as the new focal point.

Miniature railway joint owner Lis Lewis, who runs the service in the park, backed Mr Drabik.

She said: "I didn't realise the toddlers' play area was going. They have got to have an area like that '“ the children liked it."

An Arun spokesman said the 'small and out-of-date' toddlers' play area had been removed, with the fountain, to restore Hotham Park House and its surrounding area to its original historic setting.

He said: "There is a much larger modern play area which is extremely popular with families and children all year round. The retention of this clean and safe facility is integral to the restoration and is sure to attract even more families."

Mr Drabik had been among those consulted in a series of talks about the park's future.