‘Wanton vandalism’ at Easebourne park leaves volunteers distressed

Councillor Ian Milne said the parish council would be stepping up patrols after trees were damaged at the Easebourne Community Space and Play Park last Tuesday evening.

Mr Milne said the support stakes for three five-year-old trees were removed and snapped in half, before being thrown into the park pond.

He said: “These trees were painstakingly watered over the past two seasons by volunteers who are distressed to see this wanton vandalism in the much loved, much used park.”

Mr Milne said the criminal damage had been reported to the police and urged anyone with information to either contact police on 101 or get in touch with the parish clerk at [email protected].

He added: “Security patrols have been stepped up and the parish council intend to pursue those responsible to the fullest extent of the law.”

The Easebourne Community Space and Play Park won the People’s Choice Award at the South Downs National Park’s first Design Awards last year, which recognise outstanding design projects in the first decade of the National Park.

More than 1,200 votes were cast for the scheme, which provides recreational facilities for all ages.

The project was praised by judges for being an ‘impressive mix of play area and habitat creation’ and a fine example of the power of using the National Park for health and well-being purposes’.

In September, a picnic-in-the-Park event celebrated the first anniversary of the opening of the community space and play park.

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