Buzzer
Languidly Clinical
- Oct 1, 2006
- 26,121
I've no axe to grind regarding Greens/The Level/Lord B or whatever but I've live just a few minute's walk from the Level, have done since 1996 and I've probably walked across the Level and back almost every day of those 18 or 19 years so speak with some experience. Yes, the Level used to be run-down although I don't think I recognise the description you gave of a place tolerant of drug-taking and a no-go area. It was full of street drinkers in certain places and it was seedy especially around the children's playground to the south.
The place is now regenerated beyond belief, this and last summer the children's area was packed every day with families - some days it was rammed and the landscaping is safe, clean, bright and fun. The cafe does a roaring trade every day and the children's area in Autumn is now a bit like the quiet area at the top of Queen's Park.
They've sorted out the drainage in the east side of the green and dog walkers and joggers and students playing footie/frisbee mix with others reading, chatting. Yes - there's still street drinkers but it's part of a wider problem that Brighton has and until we deal with that you will always see them - although I will add that I rarely see or receive much harassment from them - they tend to argue amongst themselves.
The skateboard park is the jewel in the crown, located centrally and used all the while it's lit this makes the park safer for everyone too. And there appears to be a very open and friendly crowd there. You go down on Saturday and Sunday mornings and you'll see 5 and 6 year olds on scooters or skates or boards alongside late teens and older. The only complaints I have are the drainage around the skate park is bad - although they fixed the worst of it and the other moan is that the park is only just recovering it's lush green grass after the last funfair was there and dug up huge parts of it.
In my opinion, it's changed beyond recognition and with the wonderful redevelopment of the Open Market the place has been given a new lease of life. Full marks to whoever commissioned these changed, regardless of their political persuasion.
