ON MAY 7, 1934 – almost exactly 83 years ago – Florence Park was built by a local building company N. Moss & Son Ltd. Cllr F.E. Moss (family connection) named the park after his sister Florence, which was then donated to the citizens of Oxford.

In the 1934 deeds it describes how the park should be used...(the park should be) equipped with swings , see-saws and other pleasure appliances... the land shall be planned as a pleasure park, with flower beds, shrubs, walks, seats and other amenities of a pleasure park and shall not be used for the purpose of organised games or for any purpose other than that of a pleasure park...

We haven’t drifted far from the Moss’s original vision, but it is important to revisit those aims sometimes to guide and steer current and future usage. The park has seen minor changes, but essentially the park remains in its original form. The more recent introduction of the children’s centre and crazy golf area have been the centre of controversy in recent months.

We are a country of animal lovers, we have 20 million pets (excluding goldfish), with half households owning a pet. The latest estimate puts the dog population at 8.5 million (approximately 1,000 dogs in the Cowley area). So a clear need to exercise dogs locally does exist. A need for dedicated areas for dogs, trails and dog friendly walks is also a must. 

In Florence Park, dog owners in the safety of the fenced off crazy golf area, unleash their dogs for their morning constitutional.

The crazy golf area has now rapidly become a dog yard, where owners and professional dog walkers transport dogs in white vans at around 8.30am for their morning walk, and then driven home. 

The nearby kiosk opens a little later, and is responsible for the letting and upkeep of the crazy golf area, which is no longer fit for purpose.

The mess left behind prevents people and young children from using the equipment, and the kiosk is clearly loosing revenue.

I think it would be good to develop dog friendly areas, but perhaps not in a children’s play area.

Moss’s original vision for the park is an inclusive one, and pet owners (or caddies) should be encouraged to use the park, but should perhaps reconsider whether dogs should play golf.

DAVID HENWOOD
City councillor, Cowley ward