Yet another children’s play park has been closed due to vandalism over the school summer holiday period.
Rectory play park in Portadown has been closed off to prioritise the safety of children and to allow for repair works to be conducted by council.
As with other play parks in the area, the Rectory park has been spray painted and had a small climbing wall broken in half, presenting an immediate danger to children using the recreational space.
Taghnevan play park – which in 2021 benefitted from £75,000 of investment – closed to the public in May of this year to allow extensive repair works to take place after it was reported that “every inch” of the park had been vandalised or damaged – including being tagged with “racist” graffiti.
Then in July, Edenvilla play park was regrettably added to the list of parks targeted. The award-winning Portadown park saw glass panels on a bridge in the ‘secret garden’ smashed through and copious amounts of rubbish dumped in a Koi Carp fish pond, resulting in the death of fish estimated to cost “over £5,000”.
Rectory play park was relocated and upgraded back in 2021 with substantial council investment to improve the facilities.
It now features a large adventure-themed play unit for ages 4+ with three-bay swing with inclusive unit; accessible inclusive unit for ages 1+; inclusive accessible wheel spin; bumblebee accessible spring rocker and an auditory sensory play panel.
Commenting on the disappointing closure and regrettable destruction, Cllr Kyle Moutray said: “I’ve been in contact with Outdoor Spaces staff within ABC Council following the closure of Rectory play park due to vandalism.
“Health and safety of children must be prioritised, so the facility will remain closed until operatives can make it safe for play.
“This is hugely disappointing for local families, and these damaged sections will need to be replaced at expense to the ratepayer.”
Curious about the cost to the ratepayer, Armagh I sent a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to ABC Council back in June to find out the estimated overall cost of repairing damage to play parks across the borough.
In response to that request, ABC Council say they “do not hold information” that would provide the costs associated with repairing vandalism at its play parks.
They were able to say that in the last five years there has been a whopping £2,875,073 spent in revitalisation, building and upgrading of parks.
Council were also asked if CCTV has been installed at any of the borough’s play parks, to which they answered “no”.
They were further asked if any council-run campaigns were in existence to help tackle anti-social behaviour at parks, to which they again answered “no”.
Cllr Moutray has been contacted for further response in relation to the ongoing issue.
