Park is a disgrace

I wish to place on record my extreme dissatisfaction with the state of cleanliness of our local park at Pin Green, near Lonsdale Road and Webb Rise in Stevenage.

I have two grandchildren aged between three and five years, who live in Vardon Road and who I mind every afternoon. With the summer approaching, they enjoy being taken to the park to use the swings and to play ball. I took them there last Monday afternoon and I was appalled at the litter and general filthy state of the area, and at the presence of loutish teenagers and dishevelled adults who were smoking what smelt like marijuana, and the continual foot traffic to and from some occupied cars in the parking area.

I have three small grandchildren coming to visit me for a holiday in July from overseas, and it would be nice to know that I need not be ashamed to take them to our local park to play with their cousins, as they are coming from a Third World country to our so called 'First World' country. Considering the increase in council tax, I would expect that I am entitled to a clean and safe area in which my grandchildren can play. This is the only park within walking distance of my home for small children.

The fences and gates surrounding the children's play area are in disrepair - the gates do not work.

The safety matting (ground cover) is unserviceable and weeds are growing through it.

The safety swings for the little ones are so filthy with bird droppings that they are not safe to use and pose a health risk.

The swings for the older children no longer exist - only the frames are there.

The kiddies' slide has been removed and all that remains for the children to play on are some very dangerous hoops of metal.

The park seems to be the area where a criminal element has become resident and I do not feel safe there. Is this an indication of the general decline in the living standards of Stevenage?

Mrs N J SERRETTA, Lonsdale Road, Pin Green, Stevenage