Vandals damage new play park
Damage to the play area at Roulston Avenue was discovered on Saturday, and after the alarm was raised by the chairman of the Bonds Street Community Association, Lloyd Magee, officials at the City Council moved in to repair the surface.
Work was completed in record time, according to Mr Magee, but the park had to be closed to the public on Monday to allow the re-poured surface to settle.
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Hide Ad“I want to thank Derry City Council for the very prompt way they came in and fixed it,” said Mr Magee.
“The damage to the rubber play surface at the nest swing was brought to my attention on Saturday night and that’s when I informed the police about it. A safety surface costs thousands of pounds to put down, and it was awful to see it torn up and pulled back like a mat with a big lump pulled out of it. I woud lsay a six feet by three feet area of the surface was damaged.
“We are all disappointed and stunned by the vandalism, but we also want to thank Derry City Council for working so quickly to have the surface repaired,” he said, adding: “If anyone has any information about how this damage occurred we woudl encourage them to let a member of the Community Association or the PSNI know.”
A spokesperson for Derry City Council confirmed that approximately four square metres of safety surface were ripped up and damaged at the play area at Roulston Avenue over July 11 and 12.
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Hide Ad“As a precautionary measure, a cradle swing directly above the affected area was removed. Repairs are being carried out and the swing will be reinstated later in the week. The estimated cost of the damage is £650,” they said.
Meanwhile, the police are appealing for information in relation the incident.
“It is believed that the damage occurred between 9pm and 9.30pm on the 12 July with more substantial damage being caused overnight on the evening of July 14,” a PSNI spokesperson said.
Anyone with information in relation to the incident is urged to contact the police at Strand Road on 0845 600 8000, or telephonoe Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.