WE must take issue with Tony Kelly's assertion (HAS, Nov 25) that the restoration of Hardwick Park, Sedgefield, has erased a whole array of natural habitats.

We "knew and cherished the park" with our children more than 30 years ago; we now bring our grandchildren, who feed many, many more than the "occasional duck" and take part in bug hunts and pond-dipping.

Did Mr Kelly not see any of the plentiful coots, moorhen, swans, geese, or heron?

What Mr Kelly harks back to was actually the result of the development in the 1750s of Hardwick as a ‘pleasure garden’, in what became known as the ‘English natural style’, when the whole idea was to work with nature.

The site was originally “scarcely more than a bog”; the ponds and springs were formed into a long thin winding serpentine river which fed a 17 acre lake held up by a great earth dam. The lake silted up and an area of fen carr eventually developed at one end.

The restoration of Hardwick Park has actually rescued the habitats Mr Kelly remembers, but made them more accessible, as demonstrated by the large number of visitors.

Anna and Michael Rudd on behalf of The Friends of Hardwick.

I WASN'T aware of Hardwick Park in its past tense so am unable to comment on Tony Kelly's remarks.

All I do know is he obviously hasn't visited it recently as wildlife abounds.

The swans, various species of geese, ducks, moorhens, coots and other migratory birds make up for the gulls.

I also think the large lake, be it artificial or not, is a great asset for many including the hundreds of photographers who visit every year.

If I had visited the park before these alterations had taken place I also may have thought differently but, with ample parking and ease of use, especially for the elderly, I stand by my comments.

Now it brings pleasure to so many rather than so few.

The park is a great achievement and the upkeep and facilities are excellent - keep up the good work.

We all know what happens to the many unkempt local parks that fail to be monitored and looked after - they end up being rubbish-strewn dog excrement -covered rodent ridden no go areas.

Its what we have, not what we had, that counts. It could be a lot worse - it could have been sold of by the same idiots responsible for giving away Windlestone Hall for the price of a decent second hand Bentley .

John Cumberland, Rushyford.