It's not hard to understand why pubs have closed in that area. The clientele have all moved out ....
As for the park, yes, I have many happy memories. Boating for one and fishing with my dad. I recall vivdly one time I was there as a kid. For some reason, that particular time, I recall the colour 'purple'. I think because, just before we left, Purple Haze were playing on the radio. Kind of stuck in my head for some reason. Anyway, when we turned up at the park on that summers day and recall throngs of people enjoying themselves. You never felt insecure. Just everyone being happy. It's funny what you remember, isn't it? It was the same every time we went - which was a lot as most of our relatives lived in the area.
It's no surprise it has gone down. An area is determined by the people who inhabit that area.
Sorry Phil. Converting the buildings to mosques is a *good* thing then? Suggest you think a few years ahead about what our society could look like (based on what has already happened), and decide whether that is the kind of society/city/country you want. It doesn't take a genius to figure that out, me thinks.