A much-publicised project to provide a new skateboard park in Church Stretton has been suspended following an outbreak of vandalism and obscene graffiti daubing in Church Stretton Park.
The current skatepark equipment was recently condemned by Rospa as being unsafe, so the town council carried out repairs to allow the equipment to be used until plans for a new park were finalised and funding secured.
Town clerk Christine Harvey told the Journal the latest vandalism meant the council had to reluctantly take away the equipment. “It had become a severe hazard with broken sides and nails sticking out,” she said. “We are very sad to have to take this action as we have been working with the Mayfair Youth Group in working up plans to refurbish the BMX area and skate park.
“The Youth Group has worked very hard and has already managed to secure some external funding towards this,” added the clerk.
A notice erected by the town council at the Park continues: “The recent obscene graffiti and vandalism on the skate park equipment has led to the need to remove the equipment on health and safety grounds.”
“The current project to provide a new and improved skate park area will remain suspended until such time as those using the area can prove that they respect it and the council staff who are charged with maintaing it to the required health and safety standard.
The notice concludes: “The council apologises to those who use and respect this area – as always it is the few who are spoiling it for the majority.
In April young people were celebrating after getting an It’s Your Community award of £1,000 to kickstart the fund-raising campaign to repair and refurbish the dilapidated BMX and skateboard tracks.
The tracks are key areas of recreation but over the years have fallen into disrepair. Parents had started a fundraising campaign and were hoping to attract additional financial awards.
Town mayor Councillor Bob Welch said he was very saddened by the outbreak of vandalism.
“We’ve effectively had to close the skate park and I’m very sad that visitors who did use it will no longer be able to do so.”
He added that the council is working with the Mayfair Youth Group to raise cash for the new BMX track and the next project was to be the new skateboard park - the vandalism had jeopardised this project too, he added.