ASHBOURNE’S park is being repeatedly hit by vandals, according to district council bosses, who say they are ‘routinely’ fixing damage caused in attacks.
Last week fence panels protecting the construction site of a new roundabout were thrown into the nearby Henmore Brook and damage has been caused to buildings including the park’s band stand.
However Derbyshire Dales District Council is staying upbeat about the problem and insists the vandalism is being ‘balanced out’ by the positive work that is being carried out by its staff and volunteers to keep the amenity looking its best.
A spokesman for the authority said: “Sadly vandalism in our parks by a small minority of people is a regular occurrence and incidents of the type reported in Ashbourne Park in recent times are routinely sorted out by District Council staff who work hard to maintain the Derbyshire Dales’ reputation as one of the cleanest and greenest places to live, work and visit in the whole of the UK.
“The great news is that the vandalism that occurs is more than balanced out by the help we receive from local people, particularly Friends of the Park groups, who make a really worthwhile contribution to the many superb parks, gardens and open spaces the District Council maintains throughout the Derbyshire Dales.
“Indeed, the Friends of Ashbourne Park are working closely with the District Council, Ashbourne Partnership, the local British Legion and Ashbourne Town Council to transform the park into a more vibrant and popular area for residents and visitors.”
