NOTE: The “reasons” are as provided by those arguing that the Chelmsford Reserve IS a suitable alternative DEA. The “arguments against the reasons” are as provided by those disagreeing. Neither in any way represent the views of the Ngaio Crofton Downs Residents Association which has adopted a neutral position.
Information provided to NCDRA from WCC has been made available to those both wishing to keep or close the Cummings Park DEA to use as they see fit.
| Reason | Argument Against the Reason | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The DEA in Chelmsford Reserve is only 5 minutes walk from the DEA in Cummings Park. While it may not be as attractive for dog owners as Cummings Park it could be improved. It is similar in size to the DEA in Cummings Park. | See the arguments on the page giving reasons why the Chelmsford Reserve IS NOT a suitable alternative to Cummings Park. |
| 2 | It makes little sense that, given the paucity of flat, grassed areas in Ngaio, there are two DEAs within close proximity – in Cummings Park and the Chelmsford Reserve – that occupy such spaces. | Two views. (1) Since the Chelmsford DEA is little used and has three extensive flat areas it makes sense to retain Cummings Park DEA and close Chelmsford DEA, then improve Chelmsford St Reserve for non-dog activities. (2) Both are well-used, Cummings Park more so, and both are needed. |
| 3 | The Chelmsford Reserve is centrally located in Ngaio (about 100 metres from the Town Hall), has good parking, and has two adjoining flat grassed areas that together are similar in size to the Cummings Park DEA. | This makes it well suited to becoming a picnic park. |
| 4 | NCDRA has received the following information from WCC: “Chelmsford Reserve is well-suited as a DEA”. | This opinion is not shared by many dog owners who think it has serious problems and is greatly inferior to Cummings Park. |
| 5 | The Chelmsford Reserve has only recently been designated a DEA, and this greatly reduces the need for the Cummings Park DEA. greatly reduces the need for the Cummings Park DEA | Since the Chelmsford DEA is little used it makes sense to retain Cummings Park DEA and close Chelmsford DEA, then improve Chelmsford St Reserve for non-dog activities. |
| 6 | The Chelmsford Reserve DEA could readily be improved by providing seating with some shelter, and by filling any gaps in fencing if required. NCDRA has received the following information from WCC: “Additional fencing at Chelmsford Reserve DEA could be considered”. | It would require some big changes to make it a good DEA, including more ambient lighting, plus fencing and gates due to the proximity of private dwellings. It also needs improved fencing along the Heke Street boundary where dogs could slide down and straight into the path of traffic. |
| 7 | The Chelmsford Reserve has good car parking. Click here (opens in new window) to see how 11 cars can be accommodated. This is more parking than would be available at busier times in the carpark adjacent to Cummings Park. Further, WCC has advised NCDRA that there are no quarantees about what might happen if the privately-owned carpark at Cummings Park was sold or closed to public use. | Limited parking – maybe 7 cars if people park considerately. The 11 parking spaces plan does not allow for multiple turning cars and the one way driveway. |
| 8 | Entry and exit of the Chelmsford Reserve by car from Chelmsford St is no more difficult than for the Cummings Park carpark providing it is exited by turning left, and entered from the station end. | Entry to the Chelmsford Reserve from Chelmsford St with a right-hand turn, and exiting to both left and right, is hazardous because of a blind corner on Chelmsford St. Cars accelerate uphill as they exit the blind corner. There is also a private residence also needing driveway access, and a blind corner on the driveway itself. |
| 9 | Exiting left by car onto Chelmsford St adds only 2-3 minutes driving time to the main Ngaio intersections. A right turn entry is easily avoided by a 1 minute trip to the station carpark for a U-turn. Click here (opens in new window) for details. | Exiting to the left makes no difference if a car is attempting to enter at the same time. A particularly dangerous situation would be created if a car wanting to enter the Reserve just after coming round the blind corner met a car about to exit. This would be even worse if several cars were waiting to exit as reversing there is difficult. |
| 10 | The blind corner on the single-lane access to the Chelmsford Reserve is acknowledged as a problem. This can readily be improved by removing vegetation and soil that has extended over the paving on the inside corner. As well as extending visibility round the corner, this would allow cars to pass if the down-hill car put two wheels on the footpath. The road width at the corner could be extended to 6 metres by relocating a section of the footpath. | The blind corner on the single-lane access means that if cars meet one needs to reverse a substantial distance. Reversing down is difficult as backing out onto Chelmsford Street would be highly dangerous. Reversing uphill is and round the continuing bend is difficult for less experienced drivers. |
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