Union Terrace Gardens

I know what I like and I DON'T like what is being proposed for Union Terrace Gardens. 

I'm not stupid, I'm not militant, I'm not a hippie, I'm not a dinosaur and stuck in the dark ages. I really resent being called all of those by supporters of the City Garden Project just because I happen to love UTG. I want the Gardens retained and improved and our heritage preserved for future generations.
I'm all for progress where it's needed but to state that an oasis will be created when one already exists is just ludicrous. I'd much prefer any money to be spent on areas where it is needed.
Is this for real? -1 - It'll create 6,500 jobs - 2 - we'll put in an ice rink - 3 - we'll create a forest. Practically every day since the winning design was announced there have been statements like these in the paper. Are they just making it up as they go along to tempt us? Why haven't we been told about these plans before now?
1. Where's the proof that 6,500 jobs will be created? 
2. An Ice Rink - been tried before and found to be too costly, will we be charged an arm and a leg to use it?.  
3. Create a forest?- by murdering the existing trees and using them to build the pathways? I couldn't ever bring myself to walk on them if that happens. Who wants to walk through a forest once it's dark? Might as well put a sign on your forehead saying "Mug me" if you do. I did however, rather like the photo of the bird watcher in amongst the pine trees which was in the paper the other day!  Except...what birds will there be to spot? If they bulldoze the existing trees where are the crows going to go? I'd imagine that it would take years for the new trees to be big enough for birds to want to nest in them! Also, what happened to the vast open space that we were getting?
 I've passed the Gardens almost daily on my way to and from work for about 14 years now and on warm days I like to spend my lunch hour there (only if I can get a seat... my bones can't take sitting on the grass nowadays!) God only knows where the idea of it being a dark and dingy place comes from. Only from someone who has never actually sat there I guess. What about the people, young and old, who go there to sunbathe, picnic or just enjoy the fresh air? Should we tell the Council to stop planting their amazing floral displays because flowers surely can't be growing there in the dark?
...and why pick on it because it's not being used much at the moment - who in their right mind goes to a park in the winter? I don't! Mind you, I could be persuaded if there was a wee cafe down there under the arches. Parents might be too if there was a small swing park there for the kids, proper access and decent toilets instead of a portaloo which looks as if it would topple over at any moment.
No way do I want to sit up at street level and be blasted by the wind from all directions...if you've ever stood at the corner of Union Terrace and Rosemount Viaduct on a windy day you'll know what I'm talking about...or inhale traffic fumes while I'm eating my lunchtime sandwich. Maybe I'm one of the few but I actually like watching the trains from the Gardens...and let's face it, there aren't that many going past it in a day anyway. I also love to admire the beautiful buildings on Belmont Street...these will practically disappear if the Project goes ahead and the railway lines and road are covered.

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So, NO, I don't want the Gardens destroyed...their uniqueness is right there in front of our eyes already. I'm voting to retain the Gardens and, whatever temptations are thrown at us, nothing will make me change my mind.