Further delay to Recreation Field Play Park opening schedule

On Saturday afternoon a group of 12-15 teenagers were reported as causing damage in the Recreation Field Play Park. Initial inspection has revealed damage to at least one piece of equipment that is likely to require removal of that piece of equipment. We cannot keep using your council tax money to repair equipment that continually gets damaged with the excuse that teenagers don’t have anything to do. It is also clear that no social distancing measures are being practiced and this causes us to be really concerned about what would happen if the park were officially open. We don’t have funding available to do a daily morning clean of the park, and we need to be confident that the area remains safe for younger children to use.

We have recently reported dangerous littering (broken glass and dog faeces) and damage to the pavilion so this now seems to be an escalating trend of antisocial behaviour. The last check identified more litter and, more worryingly, used condoms in the play area. This is what is causing the park to remain closed – and not the lack of maintenance by the Parish Council. The teenagers are aware that the Parish Council have no enforcement powers and we have also been advised not to approach offenders and to call the Police.

Please remember that we only have a part-time Clerk and a part-time Maintenance Manager, so it is clear that we are not able to police these areas 24-7 and particularly at weekends. In any case, on Police advice, we have been told not to get individually involved in any incidents. The parents of the teenagers involved, or the Police are the only ones who can help us get on top of the situation and get the Play Park opened for the younger children in the community.