Mum's anger after broken glass and lighters found in Boundary Park, Ramsgate
10:20, 09 February 2023
updated: 15:35, 09 February 2023
A playground blighted by unruly youths swigging discount wine and beer is no longer safe for children, a concerned mum says.
Laura Grantham fears her little girl, Terra, could pick up "something dangerous" at Boundary Park in Ramsgate, after discovering smashed bottles and lighters strewn across the turf near the swings.
The 30-year-old says issues at the play area are "just never-ending", as she fears her toddler, aged two, could step on a shard of broken glass during their regular visits.
"It’s not safe for children," she said.
"I definitely worry about her picking up or stepping on something dangerous in the park."
Ms Grantham says the facilities at the St Luke's Avenue park are also "unusable", and that she only lets Terra play on the swings
She thinks her toddler is safer on the grass than on many of the pieces of equipment, as they are "warped, uneven and old".
"It’s becoming unusable. It’s got to the point where the only thing I let her use is the swings," she added.
"All the playing surfaces around the equipment are so warped, uneven and old.
"She’s actually safer on the grass – if there’s not glass in it.
"I’m so nervous of the rubbish on the floor and what she might pick up."
The mum is urging Thanet District Council to improve the park. She also reported the smashed bottles and lighters to the authority last Wednesday.
Officials say they have cleared up the mess, and are urging witnesses of any further vandalism or anti-social behaviour to report it to them or the police.
"We were made aware of the debris and broken glass in Boundary Park, and our open spaces team has since cleared the area," a district council spokesman said.
"Unfortunately, due to the irresponsible behaviour of a small minority of people, incidents of vandalism, littering and other anti-social behaviour do occur in our open spaces.
"Each time we receive a report of vandalism or littering across Thanet we respond quickly, but this has a financial implication and diverts resources away from planned activity.
"We would advise anyone who witnesses vandalism or other anti-social behaviour taking place to report any incidents to the police as soon as possible using 101 or if it is persistent, to our community safety team online."