Vandals ruin sports fields
Joy-riding car thieves and motorbike riders have vandalised more than 20 South Auckland parks over the past three months.
McLennan Park in Papakura, Drury Complex and Bruce Pulman park are among fields that have been hit.
Broken barrier fences, skid marks and ripped up turf is costing ratepayers thousands of dollars to fix while holding up sports games and training.
Stolen cars have been left on site at some parks.
McLennan Park turf has been severely damaged two times this year by joy-riders. Recent vandalism in June came with a repair bill of $4000.
Damage costing $1500 was also caused to Drury Complex the same month.
Papakura City Football Club president Tony Elson says recently installed bollards should offer protection from cars but motorbikes remain a problem, he says.
‘‘It’s really disappointing from a community perspective we’re getting this.
‘‘Some people hoon through there and it’s a real safety issue.
‘‘Club members have been threatened with physical violence when communicating them,’’ he says.
Bruce Pulman Park chief executive Brian Blake says vandalism caused by vehicles driving on the grass is an ‘‘ongoing challenge’’.
‘‘We’ve recently tightened security on the park and also we’re working with police to ensure those who are damaging with the park are held to account,’’ he says.
Auckland Council sports parks manager Grant Jennings says the council is also working with police and is considering park design solutions to prevent crime.
‘‘What no one wants to see is our parks surrounded by high fences so we really want the community to work with us to get on top of this,’’ Jennings says.
Papakura Local Board chairman Bill McEntee is urging the public to report sightings of vandalism to the police.
‘‘It’s just senseless destruction and causing a lot people a lot of problems and stopping kids participating in sports.’’
‘‘This behaviour is just unacceptable,’’ he says.