War Memorial targeted
Frustrated residents in East Kilbride Village have hit out after mindless vandals targeted plants in the Memorial Park.
The park, which was renovated in 2018 to mark the centenary of the end of WW1, is a popular attraction for locals.
But many were left annoyed after“low level” vandalism disrupted its beauty, with plant and grass areas damaged.
That saw flowers pulled from six large decorative planters and plants tossed all over the walkways.
One annoyed resident pointed the finger to youths, saying large groups are often seen gathering at nearby Kittoch Field which is linked to the memorial park by a bridge.
The resident, who did not wished to be named, added:“I was walking my dog early in the morning when I came across this mess.
“It must have been done the night before, and a lot of kids hang about nearby so it was probably some of them larking about.
“But at the end of the day this is vandalism, pure and simple, and it’s so disappointing to see this lack of respect for the town’s war memorial, especially at a time we have been remembering VJ Day and the sacrifice made by so many people in all wars.
“Despite the lockdown, the War Memorial Park has been looking really good since the new benches and planters were put in, and it’s a place a lot of people like to walk or just sit and take in the surroundings.
“A lot has been said recently about us‘all being in this together’and it’s up to all of use to keep the park nice, to show respect not just for our war dead but also everyone else who goes there.”
Our source said he wanted to bring the matter to the public attention in the hope it would encourage parents to“tell their kids to respect the place”if they are hanging about locally.
Councillor Joe Fagan said the gatherings in the woods, and the field across from the park, were a recurring problem in the summer.
He told the News:“The Memorial Park is a really unique part of the town.
“It’s special to a lot of people but it always amazes me how many people from other parts of the town don’t know that it’s there.
“During lockdown, a lot of walkers from elsewhere in East Kilbride discovered the park for the first time and were generally impressed with the work that was done in 2018 to mark the end of the Great War.
“Every summer we get these spates of anti-social behaviour to varying degrees. It’s unfortunate that the Memorial Park was targeted but well done to those who responded quickly to tidy it up.”