Adam Trimingham reports on plans to clean up The Level and other open spaces in Brighton and Hove.

THE Level has been one of the most important open spaces in the centre of Brighton for more than 250 years.

It has a proud history as a focal point, both for free speech and historic events ranging from political rallies to cricket matches.

But the park, which should be a green oasis away from the city smoke, is shabby, run-down and unsafe after dark, when it attracts vandals, drug addicts and drunks.

This is where Councillor Heather James comes in.

She has just been appointed to head a task force that will bring the city's parks up to scratch.

Coun James said: "I know it may not be possible to restore it to its former glory but improvements could be made to the south entrance and the dolphin feature could be reinstated.

"The trees and shrubs should be cut back to create an open feeling to the entrance and to invite people into the park.

"We need to look at play in the park for children of all ages and also look at the skate park.

"Improved lighting would help people feel safer after dark.

"The Level is the city's most central park and it would be great to see it looking good."

Council officials and the police are already working together to make the park safer.

Coun James said: "I am asking the police to consider moving the police box from the bottom of Elm Grove to a new site on the Level.

"I am sure this would not only improve safety but would also be good for the police, as it is a central location for many beats."

Coun James added: "I would also like to see bylaws prohibiting street drinking extended to this area.

"I also want other measures to make the Level safer and to make it a no-go area for drug users and pushers."

Coun James has had experience of this sort of problem before.

The city council's Wish ward, which she represents, includes Stoneham Park in Marmion Road.

The small park has had its share of difficulties, including vandalism and drug dealing in the recent past.

But people got together in the area to press for new equipment. They raised some money and the city council did the rest.

Now there are plans to introduce a community cafe in the park, which should be a popular attraction and also add to its safety.

Not far away is Hove Lagoon, where Coun James and local campaigners last year helped to raise £50,000 for a new paddling pool.

This pool has been a huge success and is packed with children on any fine day during the summer.

Now she is heading an appeal called Skate Expectations, which intends to raise £150,000 to provide a skate park at the Lagoon.

Next on her list of problems to be tackled are the difficulties with Queen's Park, where concerned parents are complaining of dangers.

They say a superloo is used by drug pushers. They want a new lavatory for children and the removal of old railings in the playground which they say are unsafe.

Coun James has arranged to meet them on Thursday at Hanover Community Centre.

There are more problems at Preston Park, where National Lottery money was approved five years ago to restore the park to its former splendour.

Progress has been painfully slow and changes to the scheme are envisaged.

Coun James has been encouraged by the work of parents in Rottingdean, who took matters into their own hands when the council could not raise money for toilets in a recreation ground. They raised the cash themselves.

Brighton and Hove has dozens of parks. They range from the rolling acres of Stanmer Park, which is almost part of the countryside, to little pocket parks.

There are historic parks such as St Ann's Well Garden in Hove and local parks such as Vale Park in South Portslade.

Some open spaces such as Dyke Road Park are in splendid condition. Less than a mile away, Pelham Square in the North Laine area is permanently closed because of problems with drunks and drug addicts.

People of Green Ridge at Westdene want their land protected and made part of the Downs. Neighbours of Davis Park in Hove want it restored to being a proper flower garden.

Coun James is calling for a survey of all the parks so a strategy can be devised and the limited cash available put to best use.

There may be some cash to be tapped from a government fund set up to improve parks all over England.

She is hoping to get people interested so groups such as the Friends of Preston, Blaker's, Queen's and other parks can become more involved.

Coun James said: "We need to have a strategy. We all value parks. I want to see our parks and open spaces improved."

She will start on the Level and from there, the only way will be up.