22 May 2009

AS work continues to breathe new life into one of <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 />Lowestoft's largest parks vandals have caused hundreds of pounds worth of damage.

A community project designed to transform facilities at Fen Park started the third phase of regeneration work in February this year - but in the past few weeks it has been blighted by vandalism.

Police this week appealed for witnesses following the most recent spate of damage as safety spongy matt surfaces in the play area were ripped up and destroyed.

Graffiti has been daubed on the cycling roundabout seats and although this was cleaned, a large piece of rubber matting was cut away beneath the seats. In the sensory garden area one new tree sapling has been broken.

The contractors' safety fencing was broken down and rolls of piling were damaged by being pushed into the pond, wooden stakes for the piling were also thrown into the pond and a contractor's digger had its front window smashed.

A few weeks ago the hedge bordering the play area and sensory garden was set on fire, but firefighters were called as soon as smoke was seen in the area and a potentially dangerous situation was averted.

The Fen Park Friends - a group of local volunteers who secured £150,000 from neighbourhood management project Lowestoft Together to pay for contractors to carry out the work - have been left saddened and angry by the incidents.

Chairman Richard Jolley said: “It has been a very expensive couple of weeks for us, Waveney District Council and the contractors.

“The feeling from Fen Park Friends is sadness and anger that it has come to this.”

Police investigations are continuing and anyone with information should contact police on 01986 835300.

48 Michael Forde