*sigh* - here we go again..

I've just heard that there has been a significant *new* instance of mindless vandalism within the children's playground area of Meersbrook Park :(

I'm aware that similar posts have been made in the past - specifically relating to broken glass on the floor etc.etc. This time they (the vandals) have gone one further and set alight a(nother) blue recycling bin actually within the playarea.

How big.. and clever of them.

I have yet to see the extent of the damage myself, but my informant (aka wife!) informs me that it was within that weird "roundabout" / wheel contraption and this piece of aparatus has basically been ruined by the fire damage (including the protective rubber floor, which is actually more dangerous due to the damage from the fire too..)

I know there is no easy answers here.. but I felt compellted to flag this up again, as it's a dreadful shame that such an overwise well used and popular (not to mention recently refurbished..) facility is gradually being taken apart by the minority of idiots, who find it entertaining to set alight wheelie bins where young toddlers and children play during the next day.. :( :(

For what it's worth, we'll be phoning the council to report this. I actively encourage anyone else local (or not..) to the area of Meersbrook Park to do the same - particular in light of the fact that the most recent (and severe) act of vandalism has left one area seemingly unsafe to play in/on/near.

Further comments and support welcome. There must be *something* (legal+constructive..) that can be done to cut down on this?

This must be heartbreaking after all the hard work that goes into making it a nice place to play.

I'm not quite sure of the answer. When our park was built we consulted the children and local young people from the planning stage forward - the result has been that we have had no vandalism at all and they really take care of it.

Do you have any young peoples forum there, I know there is youth work happening in the area.

There is a youth worker in the area, a regular youth club and a youth shelter in the park - the young people are relatively well-served and consulted about their services as far as I know. Trouble is the kind of kids who do this sort of thing (assuming it was kids) aren't the sort to take advantage of these services - and probably dislike the kids that do!
Meersbrook is a really mixed area - all kinds of people live here and so many of the young people are brilliant, just a shame about the few that aren't.

I can relate Sheffette - we have our fair share of naughty kids but surely if the Meersbrook residents liaised with the youth workers they may be able to come to some solution.

edit: However, a thought. The last time we had issues with damage (prior to the refurb) it transpired it was a group of YP from another area. They came down intentionally to damage the park. Ergo it wasn't the fault of the local YP

I thought Meersbrook was quite posh, I guess it's not.

I thought Meersbrook was quite posh, I guess it's not.

Posh and bored young people is a feasible combination Nick2, you I'm sure know that having some money doesn't mean you can't fall into the wrong crowd/behaviours.

you I'm sure know that having some money doesn't mean you can't fall into the wrong crowd/behaviours.

madam, what are you incinerating, that I'm a posh delinquent of some type ?
I assure you nearest I get to the "wrong crowd" is watchging Donal MacIntyre in TV.

Just heard that not only was the mini-roundabout wiped out, but the youth shelter and some of the surface of the new skate park have also been damaged by fire roundabout the same sort of time.
:(

This kind of vandalism really cheeses me off, especially after all the time and effort that people put into the fundraising for all the new equipment and bouncy tarmac.
I can't recall seeing equipment trashed in this way in Graves, Millhouses, or Endcliffe Parks - do you think this is just a Meersbrook Park problem?

I can't recall seeing equipment trashed in this way in Graves, Millhouses, or Endcliffe Parks - do you think this is just a Meersbrook Park problem?

It must be, the playgrounds in Norfolk Park are also un vandalised (or they were last time I went for a go on the death slide)

From memory, isn't the park entirely surrounded by housing?
Lots of folk....
Isn't there a possibility of some rota system, with locals keeping tabs on the park?
Other than that, I'm afraid it's probably a case of getting your broom out and getting rid of the glass....

It must be, the playgrounds in Norfolk Park are also un vandalised (or they were last time I went for a go on the death slide)

They have been vandalised (panels ripped off the climbing frame), but they do have CCTV protection.

What youth club is this? We live near Meersbrook Park. What Youth Leader? Don't remember my children ever meeting anyone. Can't be very obvious. As for vandalism. Is it necessarily local? Could be someone from another area though to be honest there has always been problems with fireworks users.

I think you'll find Duckweed that a lot of youth work is detached and not necessarily in a building :) and youth workers work with young people of 13 and up.

.......
I can't recall seeing equipment trashed in this way in Graves, Millhouses, or Endcliffe Parks - do you think this is just a Meersbrook Park problem?

I think that this instance involved a wheelie bin burning (correct me if I've heard wrong) and Meersbrook will have a larger number of blue bins put out within a shorter distance of the playground.

I know a youth leader may move around but since I have three teenage children you'd think one of them would have met the youth leader. Also I have not heard of a youth club in the vicinity. I only know of scout and cub groups. Where is this youth club? Who runs it? I assume you don't mean Woodseats.

I know a youth leader may move around but since I have three teenage children you'd think one of them would have met the youth leader. Also I have not heard of a youth club in the vicinity. I only know of scout and cub groups. Where is this youth club? Who runs it? I assume you don't mean Woodseats.

Duckweed, if you phone Connexions they will point you in the right direction as to what youth provision there is in that area.

The youth club operates out of Meersbrook Park pavilion and my husband has met the youth worker. It may have been out of action for a bit in the past, as in the Yorkshire Post's article about the new skate bowl in the park it remarks that:

"Meersbrook Park Users Trust...has so far helped to fund a new playground, youth shelter and re-establish a youth club."

Not very well publicised is it? The only group I know of is the Watch run by the Park Rangers from Meersbrook Park. My children used to go there when they were younger. I know the Pavilion was refurbished but wasn't aware of any groups other than the Watch, the playgroup, and the afterschool club using it.