DETERMINED primary school pupils are making sure
changes are made after their local play area was vandalised within weeks of
opening.
The youngsters from Potters Green
Primary School in Ringwood Highway,
Potters Green, were so angry about damage caused to the new Woodway Open Space
play area, they wrote to their local councillors with suggestions on safety
measures and how to tackle anti-social behaviour.
Joe Marsons, aged 10, of Foxford Crescent, Alderman’s Green, said:
“I think if the council listens to our ideas it would make the park safer and
that’s why we got the councillors to help us.
“The park needs to be safer for young kids to use
but at the moment there’s too many older kids hanging around.”
Monesha Staples, aged 10, of Hilmorton Road, Wood End, said: “I felt
very sad when I heard about the damage because it’s not fair.
“We need to stop motorbikes getting through to
the park and the entrance and fences need to be better.”
The play area in Woodway Lane, Potters Green, was part of
a £1.2million project by Coventry City Council to create 20 recreational spaces
across the city.
But two months after opening, vandals caused
thousands of pounds worth of damage and parts of equipment had to be removed
for safety.
Clare Gardiner, the pupils’ teacher, said: “The
kids absolutely loved their playground. They would talk about it constantly,
but when it was vandalised, they were very upset.
“They feel the teenagers have ruined their area
by riding their motorbikes there, drinking in the park and littering.
“So they wrote to their councillors in the hope
some of their ideas for improving the park can be taken to the next council
meeting, and something can be done about it.
“Hopefully some of the ideas will make a
difference to the future of the park.”
Councillors Ed Ruane and Lynnette Kelly (Lab, Henley) will take the letters to a meeting between police
and council officers.
Some of the suggestions include installing CCTV
cameras, removing graffiti, putting in extra bins and cutting grass more
regularly. They have also asked for a separate area for older children and
younger ones, and picnic areas.
“I’m delighted the children have taken a keen
interest in protecting their new play area,” said Cllr Ruane.
“This just shows community ownership. It is their
play area and is for everybody to enjoy. I just hope we deliver and meet their
list of demands.
“It is pointless the council spending thousands
on playing areas if they are all just going to get damaged. They need to move
away from the fact they are building these play areas for teenagers. Which
16-year-old wants to hang around in a playground?
“Teenagers just want somewhere to sit and talk to
friends. These areas should be for younger children to have somewhere to play.”
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