UNCHARACTERISTICALLY Coun Hill attempts to be humorous in relation to the closure of Rowntree Park on Sunday (Letters, October 26).

Readers will judge how funny Coun Hill was, but they should also know that he was wrong. Rowntree Park was not closed because of high winds, but because of the danger of flooding.

In the light of the high river levels, council officers took the decision to close the park on Sunday due to flood risk.

Temporary signs were put on the gates to inform residents. Large parts of the park are surrounded by a 2ft-high flood wall which, if it were to fail, would create the possibility of a sudden and very substantial surge of water into the park.

Personally, I would rather protect children from injury or worse should such a surge occur than allow the park to remain open, even if this means less enjoyment in the short term.

As of Tuesday lunchtime, the park reopened but river levels will continue to be monitored.

If this is a deliberate attempt to change the public image of the Greens from the austere to the flippant, it would be best to check the facts first.

Coun Keith Orrell,

Executive member of leisure and heritage,

Trent Avenue,

Huntington,

York.

Updated: 08:36 Saturday, October 30, 2004