Bitter hate campaign over kids’ planters
It’s just so petty. It’s for the kids
COUNCIL bosses have offered angry West End residents ac c e s s t o thei r mediation service after some complained about a popular community garden project.
Organisers of the project received an e- mail from the Glasgow City Council on Wednesday advising that the planters had to be removed from Yorkhill Park within seven days.
Residents set up the popular Bee Cafe and Herb Hotel in the park to provide outdoor activities for local families during the lockdown period.
The project consists of two small planters that local children are given the responsibility for looking after and decorating. However, some residents in the area have raised complaints with the council – claiming that those who set up the project did not have permission to do so.
Mary Redmond, 46, who helped to organise the project, claims she has been verbally abused and intimidated in the park by residents who are unhappy about the project.
Mary said, “The complaints have been so intense. The whole situation has just escalated. It’s been like a hate campaign against us, so much so I’ve had to get the police involved.”
Mary added, “It just seems like the council wants to get rid of the planters to keep the peace.”
She continued:
“We’ve got
two lovely planters. All of the kids love them. All of the families who come to the park love them. It’s just so petty.
“It’s for the kids. I cannot understand the objection to them. It makes no sense.”
Mary has also claimed that the project has been targeted by acts of vandalism.
Mary explained: “We came out one day and all of the plants had been ripped from the planters and strewn all over the park. Some of the stones the kids had painted had been chucked to the other side of the park.”
An online petition has been set up to try and save the planters with around 350 people backing the campaign.
Glasgow City Council said they had asked the project to remove the planters. A spokesman added: “We are always supportive of community groups and residents who wish to become more involved in developing their local greenspace. “Unfortunately the unauthorised siting of planters in Yorkhill Park has not been uniformly well received by the community.
“To ease tension among residents, we believe it is appropriate at this time to remove the p l a n t e r s and other items in the hope that a consensus can be found b e t w e e n those with an interest in the park.
“We have also offered access to our mediation service to help resolve the current situation. “Our officers are also willing to assist in taking any future proposals for the greenspace forward in partnership with the local community.”
The project is considering a move to another park in the area but are continuing the campaign to keep the project within Yorkhill Park. Police Scotland have been approached for comment.