SIR – It was good to see some positive publicity for Bradford during the recent opening of the City Park. I hope it becomes an ongoing success and is well-used and managed.

However, I was surprised to read the letter from Councillor Dale Smith claiming some credit for his vision some years ago in supporting the initiative amidst opposition from doubters and sceptics (Letters, March 28).

Let us not forget it has cost us £25 million-plus to create and it will not solve the much greater challenges Bradford must face up to.

Is this the same Councillor Smith who was part of the Conservative administration that presided over the demolition of the Broadway/Forster Square complex, handing over the site to Westfield without any built-in guarantees or penalty clauses for failure to deliver, resulting in the now famous Hole in the Ground?

I wonder if his visionary approach extends beyond the immediate surrounds of City Hall? Could the same superlatives and colourful language he uses to describe the Mirror Pool be applied to any other part of the city centre?

Could it be that he is using the City Park as a launching pad for his year in office as the incoming Lord Mayor for 2012/2013?

Tony Culley, Nicholson Close, Bingley