Park ‘stripped of play equipment’ (From South Wales Guardian)

Park ‘stripped of play equipment’

1:10pm Thursday 26th November 2009

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CHILDREN’S play equipment removed from a Tumble park must be immediately reinstated.

That’s the verdict of local residents and councillors who claim council workmen unexpectedly turned up and removed equipment at the Maes Gwern play area.

County councillors Phil Williams and Emlyn Dole have now presented a petition to the county council, signed by over 190 local residents.

“The play equipment was removed by the county council with no warning at all to the local community – council workmen simply came and removed it,” said Cllr Williams.

“This has been a major blow to the community, which established the play area itself in 1979 on the basis of a local initiative.

“The site, which had been a wasteland, was cleared and tidied by local children who wanted an area to play.

“Apart from Mr Evan Bowen, who lives near the land, all the work was done by the children.

“Following a campaign locally, the county council finally provided play equipment five years later, in 1984.”

He added that in fine summer weather, up to 60 children regularly used the site. Another site behind Tumble School only catered for children under seven.

“I have appealed to the county council to establish new equipment at the site to replace that removed, so that children can continue to play in a safe area,” he added.

Fellow ward councillor, Emlyn Dole said new legislation to ensure consultation before the loss of facilities was urgently needed.

“It is clearly unacceptable that play area equipment can simply be dismantled and removed like this with no advance warning or consultation with local residents,” he added.

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