TEIGNMOUTH Rugby Football Club is dismayed at suggestions to turn its junior rugby field into a skatepark. Land at Milford Park, Bitton Park Road, has been used for junior rugby since 1961 but a petition by The Teignmouth Alliance of Independents is asking that it be converted for use as a skateboard park with a BMX track and clubhouse. The Alliance claim that the self-contained site with good access is an ideal alternative to plans for facilities at The Den. A children's playground at Milford Park was gifted to the children of Teignmouth by FP Milford in 1950, and they say its use by youngsters should be restored. But the news has been greeted with confusion by the rugby club, who lease the site from Teignbridge Council. Gareth Sydenham, chairman of the junior section of the rugby club, said that rugby training has been successful with about 100 youngsters playing matches or training every week. The team's success has recently been recognised with lottery grants for equipment and the formation of a new Colts team. 'The Alliance have failed to consult the district council or the club before making their proposals public. I have to ask whether they propose to evict the rugby club or yet again disappoint another generation of potential young skateboarders. Unfortunately, there is insufficient space in the park for both activities. 'It would seem to make sense for a site on or near the tennis courts on the Den be allocated for a skatepark to match the quality of the new children's play area,' he said. Teignmouth RFC secretary Maureen Powell said that Milford Park has been used for junior rugby for more than 40 years. 'Milford Park is leased to the rugby club, yet no-one had the courtesy to contact the club or the skateboarding group, Teignskate, before starting a petition, 'I fear that-ill conceived ventures like this will raise the expectations of youngsters, only for them to be dashed,' 'I believe plans are in progress for a spot near the Den play area and as most young skateboarders like an audience for their sporting prowess, surely the Den is the ideal place,' she said. Plans for recreational facilities at the Den are due to be unveiled at an exhibition at the Tomorrow's Teignmouth Information Centre, Northumberland Place next month. Early consultations by the regeneration group had ruled out Milford Park as a possible site. Minutes of meetings held by the former Teignmouth Urban District Council reveal that Mr Milford donated a total of £3,981 for a children's playground in 1950. l From page 1 In March 1956, the authority's Beaches and Pleasure Grounds Committee raised concern about continual damage to public property at Milford Park. A surveyor is instructed to look at incorporating the park into the Bitton Sports Field. In April 1961, a letter from the Devon Playing Fields Association said the 'council was quite right to remove the playground equipment from the badly sited playground in Milford Park'. In 1961, the authority's beaches and pleasure grounds committee resolved that the play equipment in Milford Park be moved to Third Avenue and that Milford Park be laid out for Junior Rugby.