Driving around Dulwich Park

[Alexthecamel]

Does anyone know why this facility is needed?

[steveo]

Wha?

[Alexthecamel]

Ok, I posted too carefully...

Cars with a disabled badge are allowed to drive around the park, and there are several park up spaces for them. I wondered why, I cannot see the benefit and can see several disadvantages to having cars driven round an area full of dogs and children joggers.

[steveo]

I'll hesitate a guess that it's so disabled people can get round the park

[Alexthecamel]

Evidently. I am wondering what the benefit is and whether that benefit outweights the disadvantages.

[womanofdulwich]

Maybe its so they can watch children enjoy them selves on the swings.

[Huguenot]

Doing Social Media surveys?

[womanofdulwich]

(tu)

[Guest]

Also for the army of binmen who are needed to remove the tidal wave of trash that appears on Dulwich Beach every time the sun comes out. Would be one for the irritational rage thread, except it's rational.

[Gidget]

Deliveries, pick-up, gardeners, workmen, and disabled people. What a daft question. It used to be a car thoroughfare apparently, back in the olden days.

[KidKruger]

Maybe it's so the disabled person can embed themselves in the park itself and then go through hassle of unpacking wheelchair, clambering into it etc, rather than having to do all that on the street or in the car park and then have to make the journey to/from the park areas by which time they may be exhausted depending on their disability ?

I remember when driving was allowed for everyone, albeit slowly, so they all parked in the park itself.

[Guest]

There's a car with a disabled driver that drives slowly round the park most days with an elderly little dog trotting behind it, which I find rather endearing.

[murphy]

I am sure you used to be able to drive in through Village end and out through Court Lane entrance a few years ago, a handy short cut when Village or South Circular were snarled up. Cars used to be parked all the way around the internal road. As Court Lane entrance was blocked and then at a later point cars were banned from parking on in the internal road it has been great to see the road turn into a promenade. Seems mad now that cars were ever allowed in the park.

[intexasatthe moment]

And I remember being challenged by a Dulwich Estates official ( wearing mustard coloured plus fours ) for cycling on a road in the park ( think the one from Court Lane Gate that goes down towards car park ) .

Those were the days .

Not .

[computedshorty]

I wrote this some time back when it was possible to drive around inside Dulwich Park but it had a speed limit.

I wonder how many older people are now no loner able to get there for a visit?

Have you ever given a thought to the day you will be prevented from going there because of your age?

A visit to the park.

When invited, I took the opportunity of a lift up to the Park,

the sky was overcast and heavy cloud made it almost dark.

I like to just sit here, watching all those people who pass,

I had to laugh when a kid slid and tripped on the frozen grass.

The chilly breeze is penetrating I had a tot of my Jack Daniel?s,

here comes that thoughtless dog owner of that pair of Spaniel?s.

I offer him a plastic bag, because you know what dogs will do,

what the unpleasant, ungrateful man said, was not got to Timbuktu.

A playful child grabbed my walking frame and ran across the Park,

his mother soon brought it back, and said he only did it for a lark.

An athlete in shorts & vest running around the track, must be for a bet,

his exhaling breath looks like steam, and his cold skin is bright scarlet.

Its not far for me to walk over the stream spanned by the bridge,

I am getting really cold now, I feel how it must feel in the fridge.

The water is frozen over, although not thick enough to skate.

what memories of old times, when we did skate upon this lake.

The snow is falling and its lying, I?m leaving my prints in a line,

the four small impressions my frame made so I know they are mine.

My lift has returned as he promised, to take me back to my door,

he refused my offer to pay him, he must think that I am poor.

Home now, warming in front of the roaring fire, that?s better,

ah the postman?s come, so I will just go and get the letter.

There?s several cards, it?s good to hear from them at this time,

some have a picture of Santa, most have a few words of rhyme.

Are you staying at home for Christmas Dinner? I sent some vouchers,

I am, but I have arranged for the mother in-law to got to the Vultures'.

I borrowed a stocking to hang for Santa to fill, made sure it was size XXL,

She said I did not have time to wash it! I said never mind the smell!

I tried to put some decoration, high up there above on the ceiling,

afraid I fell down twice, now my knee cap scars are bleeding.

I went to bed early last night, wondering what present will be best.

sometimes the less costly one will even if it cost the least.

I looked at myself in the mirror just before going in to my bed,

looking old now a bit wrinkly, and not a single hair on my head.

I know now why those people that I passed by cheered,

it?s so long since I shaved I have grown a long white beard.

by Computed Shorty

Friend of Longfellow.

[Huggers]

if there was a 'like' button, Computedshorty, I would be pressing it many times.