Nowhere to hide at town playground
HEDGES and shrubbery surrounding Ballynerrin playpark in Wicklow town have been cut back so as to prevent a hiding place for anti-social behaviour.
Bags of discarded bottles and cans of alcoholic beverages were collected beforehand, along with materials associated with drug use.
Residents living in the area had been complaining about some of the activity that takes place in the playpark, particularly after dark.
Cllr John Snell is hopeful that by cutting back the hedges and removing overgrowth, those engaging in anti-social behaviour will no longer be able to use them for cover.
‘At least now with the hedges cut back, residents will be able to keep an eye on the park. The growth had been restricting visibility.
‘Now the park is finally cleared up to an acceptable standard.
‘Those who were taking part in this totally unacceptable and anti-social behaviour no longer have a hiding place in the park.’
HEDGES and shrubbery surrounding Ballynerrin playpark in Wicklow town have been drastically cut back in a bid to clamp down on the amount of anti-social behaviour taking place.
During a clean-up beforehand, bags full of empty bottles and cans of alcoholic beverages were found discarded in the bushes while paraphernalia associated with drug use was also recovered.
In the past, soiled garments have also been found after they were thrown into the bushes.
Cllr John Snell hopes that those engaging in such behaviour at the playpark will no longer be able to use overgrown hedges as cover for their activities.
‘A lot of anti-social behaviour has been taking place at the playground, mostly at night time. Residents out walking or people passing by have reported lots of noise emanating from the park. The growth was restricting visibility, allowing people to consume drink and drugs and generally make a nuisance of themselves without being seen.
‘It was obvious people were hiding behind the bushes and it left a lot of people feeling very uneasy.
‘At least now with the hedges cut back, residents will be able to keep an eye on the park. The growth had been restricting visibility.
‘Now the park is finally cleared up to an acceptable standard. Those who were taking part in totally unacceptable and anti-social behaviour no longer have a hiding place in the park.’
It had been hoped that the services of a Tús worker might be acquired by the local authority to look after and maintain the playground. However, that plan had to be abandoned because of complications which arose.
‘We were exploring getting a Tus worker to carry out any maintenance at the playpark but unfortunately there was too much red tape and difficulties involved so that couldn’t happen,’ said Cllr Snell.