Youngsters at a Ramsgate play area may now be left without a major attraction, after vandals attacked it, causing just under £30,000 worth of damage.
The main pirate ship unit of the play area at Ellington Park
The unit has been completed gutted and the rubber surface around it will also need replacing. The unit will have to be removed and disposed of and a new one put in its place.
The council has been given a cost of replacing the unit, which runs to £27,000, but unless the council can successfully claim on its insurance, it will not be able to afford to replace it, as it does not have the funding available.
Whilst the play area caters for different ages of children, the large play unit destroyed is designed for toddlers and younger children. Other equipment for older children is also featured within the site.
Cllr. Iris Johnston, Cabinet Member for Community Services, said: “It’s heartbreaking to hear this has happened and I can imagine that the parents of the young children who use this area must be devastated by the news. Why on earth would someone do something like this? I know how popular this was with the local community and I understand that children loved playing on this ship. Now that’s been taken away from them by a mindless act of vandalism.”
She added: “Sadly, the council just doesn’t have the money set aside to make such a huge replacement like this. Much as it pains me to say it, I can’t see how we can replace it, unless we can make a successful insurance claim. I hope those responsible will think about how much they’ve cost the community.”
Kent Police are appealing for anyone with information about the fire, or who saw people acting suspiciously in the park yesterday evening, to call them on 101 or Kent Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555111 quoting crime number ZY/6555/12.
Bring back the birch.
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