Death of a garden

First day back to work today and by lunchtime I needed a break. I went for a walk down a road I have walked every day for 15 years but suddenly to day noticed how empty, tired and old the lovely Union Terrace Gardens have been allowed to get. 30 years ago, summer time saw these gardens full of young and old ( including me in my student days). People chatted, listned to music, read books or played draughts in the sunny days we did get (not many in Aberdeen). Also to look at the floral display showing the Bon Accord crest planted and tended by the Council gardeners. In the winter brisk walks in the cold winter air would leave you feeling alive!
10 years ago we would go to watch the ice skaters on the christmas skating rink but use it less in the summer as more and more people either high on alcohol or drugs seemed to take control of the area. Now I would never consider walking there either summer or winter but there are plans to breathe life back into the area. Although some of the plans I find difficult to accept (concrete instead of grass in a garden??) I really hope they give us back our garden in the centre of the city