Once again the City Council is in danger of repeating the woes of Phoenix Park with their expensive and impractical re-vamp plans for Kulim Park.

And once again it's the local and nearby residents of the park who have produced plans that are far more efficient and cost-saving.

They are the ones who know what works best in Kulim Park. The council's plan to build a hugely expensive road with car parking as far away from the waterfront as one can get is unbelievable!

The major attraction of Kulim Park is parking to face the water and enjoy the wonderful views. The disabled and the elderly less mobile stay in their vehicles, so if they are parked on the far side of the park they may as well stay at home or go to Fergusson Park where they at least get close to the harbour. People with a sleeping baby in their vehicle wouldn't be able to enjoy the waterfront while staying close to monitor their child. The beach is being improved – folk need to be able to see it.

The residents' group – who watch the activities in the park daily – suggest parking bays for six or seven cars at intervals along the waterfront and facing it, with bushes or trees in between. The proposal that parking is needed for 125 cars is nonsense. There are never anywhere near that number in the park on any occasion, not even for the once-a-year Big Band summer concert. There is absolutely no need for another road at great cost; simply attend to the drainage problem, get the cars off the grass with user-friendly car parking, smarten everything up with landscaping, and keep the waterfront accessible for ALL ages to enjoy.

Maureen Guy, Otumoetai