Hooley Place/ Southpark Drive Play Park

For years residents have been trying to find out who is responsible for the up keep of the play park at Hooley Place/ Southpark Drive. The park has been slowly deteriorating from lack of maintenance and vandalism, and is now a serious risk to the safety of any child wishing to use it. 
Residents have tried themselves to improve the park by using their own funds and time, but these efforts have also been destroyed by vandalism.

At last, The Varrier Jones Foundation have stepped in to repair the park. It is going to take time.

They have assured us that they are doing everything that they can to ensure that the play park is reopened as quickly as possible, however they do rely on others regarding timescales for inspection etc. and the safety of the children is paramount.

Varrier Jones Foundation

Recently the Varrier Jones Foundation has taken responsibility of the play park on Hooley Place just off South Park Drive. The initial inspection raised concerns of the state of the equipment. It was decided in the interest of safety it would be best to close the Play Park until a qualified inspector could examine the equipment and submit a report on what needs to be done. The Play Park was closed off last week and signs were put up asking people not to use the equipment. Since then, the barriers have been vandalised twice, the most serious over the weekend where part of the fencing was destroyed. This added expense will now have to be addressed concerning the cost of reopening the Play Park. The Varrier Jones Foundation are asking people, please do not use the Play Park and please respect the fact, it has been closed off for children’s safety.

pictures taken by local resident Fatih Unal