As a user of our Parks I have noticed that those on the tourist trail (ie Botanic Gardens, Pollok Park) are all well maintained but small local parks show distinct signs of neglect.

My local one in Kings Park is an example of this.

It has a lovely walled garden which in the early part of summer was very neglected but has been spruced up I'm glad to say - but other parts of the park are not so lucky.

Children's play areas are shabby and in some cases the apparatus is faulty.

Basically local parks have been given over to the ever increasing number of dog owners.

Why do we not employ those offenders who have been given Community Payback orders to help restore our parks. Working in the community for the community could be a worthwhile scheme and could benefit both the offender and those of us who love our parks.

H. Dickson

Well done Lesley

Congratulations to Lesley Anne Williams who shed 3.5 stone in 10 months, combatting her diabetes (Evening Times, August 24). Not only does she look great, more importantly she is happier and healthier.

Joan Green, Moodiesburn

Good day for Clyde workers

It has to be said that it has been a good day for the Clyde ports (Evening Times, August 31) with the Ferguson deal and with Faslane also securing 6700 jobs.

On a note of caution I notice that they will not be in a position to finalize the award of the contract till later in September.

I wonder why they chose today to prematurely announce this deal. A little political manoeuvering with George Osborne perhaps Nicola? Nonetheless a good day for Clyde port workers

David Duckworth, via Facebook

Time for answers over Clutha crash

Surely it is time that the families of those killed in the Clutha helicopter crash are given answers? The Fatal Accident Inquiry for the bin lorry crash, which happened a year after the Clutha tragedy, has now been held.

I support any moves, such as those taken by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, to speed up this process.

I hope that the UK Government's transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin replies to Ms Sturgeon to say that the report into the crash - which was supposed to be published this summer - will be published as soon as possible.

John Crawford, Bellshill