News

Dungannon Council stops paly at Drumcoo site after vandals burn equipment, smash glass and leave swings in unusable state.

A children's play park in Dungannon has been forced to close due to vandalism. Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council has decided to close the play area at Drumcoo following ongoing attacks on the equipment.
Concerned residents of the Drumcoo estate at White city told the Courier how the local neighbourhood park has been repeatedly vandalised.

One anxious parent Claire Hayes, said: "Residents are at the end of their tether. In the past play equipment has been burnt, glass was smashed over the play area and it was left a shambles. "Swing were also damaged and had to be taken down and the only play apparatus kids could use was a round-about."

Mrs Hayes said she now has to travel a 10 minute journey to the nearest facility for her children to play at Dungannon Park.

Another worried resident said people had been afraid to take their young children to play in the area because of broken glass and vandalised equipment. Stated the resident: "Play facilities installed for the use of children in the community were continuously wrecked by unruly youths.

"It got to a stage where children could not use the Drumcoo play park." Residents said the matter had been raised with Dungannon Borough Council. The Council's Tourism and Amenities Manager Nigel Hill, told the Courier that the Council had closed the park due to heavy levels of vandalism.

Stated Mr Hill: "The Council is looking at an alternative site, however this would depend on finance available. "The remaining items of equipment at Drumcoo have been removed and an alternative play site is available at Dunavon Park."

According to Mr Hill, the area at Drumcoo play park will be made safe, resurfaced and left as an open space.

Dungannon Sinn Fein Councillor Bronwyn McGahan called on those vandalising play parks to stop. Stated the local Councillor: "Sinn Fein have been engaging with young people and other agencies on the need to provide facilities right across the council area and will be working to see a comprehensive programme of play parks built in the area.

"I would also call on communities to take ownership of these facilities and work with the local council to ensure that once play parks are provided, they are kept free from vandalism."
The sad fact is that when vandals do strike, it is the ratepayers of the borough who are left to pick up the repair bill and that includes the homes where the vandals reside!

Source: Tyrone Courier
Date: Wednesday 25th April 2012