Parents’ fury after vandals close play park
COUNCIL SHUTS ‘UNSAFE’ AREA
PARENTS were left furious after ‘mindless vandalism’ closed a play park.
The remaining basketball hoop at Jackie Bells play area in Victoria Road, Netherfield, was torn down, brickwork was kicked up and a tree had its branches snapped.
Community leaders slammed the vandals as “selfish”.
NHS administrator Jade Maddock, 27, said: “It’s usually really busy at the time when the kids come out of school, so obviously people like it so it’s a shame for the families that use it.”
A woman, who did not want to be named, said that people’s fun had been ruined by “a few bad eggs”.
She added: “The other hoop had been gone for ages but the other one going is a real shame for the bigger kids.
“It’s just a group of older kids who have probably done it. A few bad eggs ruining the fun for other people.
“Before, I have had to move broken glass from the floor and there’s also bottles of alcohol sometimes left around.
“Or they dump it around the bin and expect the council to clean up after them.”
Andy Stewart, 53, who works as a youth worker in Sneinton, said: “This park is usually all right. It’s a shame because for the size of play area there’s not a lot of stuff in here and with the basketball hoops gone that’s one less thing for kids to do.
“We use the cage a lot for football, not really for basketball, but it is annoying that equipment isn’t here or is broken because people have been messing with it.”
Andy’s son, Shilow, 8, added: “There’s also sometimes litter round here. The zipline that used to be here is gone too but I don’t know why.”
Sally Olewe-Richards, 43, who works as a lead for the community organisation Sisterhood Support project, was disappointed by the vandalism.
“We have a four-year-old so it was really nice when we moved in to have that park there close by. “It’s disappointing to see that someone did not appreciate the space and the impact that’s had on others.
“It’s the type of behaviour that is normal for young adults, but that doesn’t make it right. It’s still sad for local people.” Gedling Borough Council closed the park after becoming aware of the vandalism.
Councillor John Clarke, leader of the council, said: “Unfortunately, due to some selfish individuals carrying out vandalism on one of our play areas we have had to close it until at least next week.
“The damage done to the equipment and flooring has made it too unsafe to use. We will carry out the repairs over the next few days.
“This mindless act could have caused harm to a child using the park and we ask that if anyone saw anything, please let us know. We will not tolerate antisocial behaviour and we will do everything in our power to catch the people responsible.”