£500,000 Sneyd Green play park falling back into ruin as vandals strike
A PLAY PARK which cost £500,000 to build has been targeted by vandals.
The Repington Road play park in Sneyd Green was hit by another wave of destruction at the weekend.
The park opened in June 2009 after several years of fund-raising by Holden Lane Residents' Association.
But three years after it was built, dismayed residents claim it is "wrecked", with smashed bottles littering the site, graffiti on the equipment and youths gathering at the park to intimidate users.
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Residents' association chairman John Reynolds, aged 48, from Brocklehurst Way, said: "We raised half a million pounds to build that park and look at the state of it.
"In my opinion, Sneyd Green has become a forgotten estate."
The group dreamed of transforming the derelict land into a brand new play area for children and hoped it would last for years to come.
It included a special play area for parents with toddlers, a multi-games area and a BMX/skateboarding park.
But Mr Reynolds claims that a combination of vandalism and lack of maintenance has caused the park to fall into ruin. He said: "It has not been litter-picked and it looks like the grass has not been cut.
"The kids swings are in a state and personally, I think they look unsafe. It is just going back to an unsafe park."
Play facilities at the site were taken down in the 1990s, after an accident on a swing led to the death of a boy.
The campaign for new and safer play facilities was first launched in October 1997.
But now families fear standards have slipped again. When The Sentinel visited the park yesterday, youths, below, were seen riding round on a motorbike, swearing at visitors.
Residents have questioned whether Stoke-on-Trent City Council has been keeping on top of the maintenance after it received £25,000 from a Section 106 agreement with developers to look after the area over 25 years.
But the council insists it is doing its upmost to maintain the area.
Councillor Andy Platt, Stoke-on-Trent City Council cabinet member for city services, said: "We are not aware of concerns from members of the public about the park, but are always happy to listen and investigate issues if residents get in touch.
"Residents are welcome to form a friends group, too, to help us build a stronger working relationship with their needs.
"The park is regularly maintained, with grass cutting, litter picking, bin emptying and sweeping."
Mr Platt added: "We are aware of an incident of vandalism last weekend, and teams worked quickly to inspect the site, make equipment safe and clear debris.
"The matter has been reported to the police and we urge anyone with information to contact the police directly."
Sgt Phillip Ferns, of Stoke North Local Policing Team, said: "We continue to work closely with our partners, especially Stoke-on-Trent City Council, and the wider community, to resolve any local issues and tackling anti social behaviour."
Comments
by warren-lloyd
Monday, October 01 2012, 10:15AM
“If yo look zcraig , I suggested a fix to this problem that would involve local community groups and the council working together to improve the area. What I say is, if you don't use it, the provision of the service will be brought into question.”
by fegghayesman
Monday, October 01 2012, 9:23AM
“You two shouldn't be allowed out in public, lol.
I can honestly say that I have no idea what your ramblings have to do with this post, or with providing answers as how to fix the problems highlighted, neither do I understand how being intelligent makes me a bad person!
Jealousy is a terrible affliction Warren. Why would you want to be a tall, muscular, intelligent patriot, when you can be a short, fat, stupid socialist! lol.
I have to go, it's too early in the day to be wrestling with the machinations of the local communist regime! :)”
by Redtone
Monday, October 01 2012, 9:04AM
“But you're clearly not very bright. Sorry, but you're not!
I wouldn't call you fatty if you were skinny.”
by Redtone
Monday, October 01 2012, 8:58AM
“See how it goes? From 'genuine' English to 'genuine' Stokie. Always find a way of counting people out won't you?
No love in your heart bud.”
by warren-lloyd
Monday, October 01 2012, 8:57AM
“Let's put it this way Craig, I have a real passion for this city, and if you want to play the bull it up game. I wok in retail, as you know, and my company has what they call valued awards, witch is a card that is made out and given to you when someone as commented on you to customer sirvice, in a nice way, if they do so in a nasty way, they come and set you on fire on the spot. I have on average two a month, mostly from oil ladies who, and I'm thankful for this, go out of there way to say that nice man as ton the time to smile, packed the shopping for them without plonking the canned goods on top of the bread, the fish, chicken and so on are not packed together and ensured they have got there rightful discounts and points on there card. I could keep these cards and bring the home, reveling in the glory of being human. I don't, I have them put in my work file, show not that I'm good at my job, but that I have a heart.”
by warren-lloyd
Monday, October 01 2012, 8:33AM
“What gets me is why people like Craig save letters like that. Its like Nasty Nick a few years ago, going round with that so called invite to a Buck House Garden Party, he's got a foot long gold placard and every other one has what looks like an e-mail. Didn't do Nick much good, they still told him cart off because he's a nasty git. I think the saving of letters like this by Craig might show that he needs to prove things to himself. As for this headteacher, what has to be remembered as Craig tells that tale is that it is the job of any teacher is to work with the positive of a situation and talk of that to children o make hem feel better about themselves.”
by fegghayesman
Monday, October 01 2012, 8:27AM
“Well if 150 makes me that, what the hell does it make a couple of morons with IQ's barely out of single figures? :)
This city has been ravaged enough, and I don't understand why you would attack me over something like this, yet let your |Labour buddies on the council get away with stealing our money and wrecking our city. You two clearly are not genuine Stokies as you don't have the citys best interests at heart.”
by Redtone
Monday, October 01 2012, 7:39AM
“If he truly is one of the top 1%, I see how we are losing so much ground to China!”
by warren-lloyd
Monday, October 01 2012, 6:05AM
“I'll point out that you the one saying you can do puzzles like the rubixs cube in record time and stating you don't want to leave the house Craig.”
by Redtone
Monday, October 01 2012, 1:10AM
“Can you really be so intelligent? Hat off - you hide it well!”