Western Sydney❜s New Playground Has Been Vandalised

By: Phoebe Ackland, ellaslist

In sad news, the brand new playground at Bungarribee Park, Western Sydney's exciting $15 million investment has been vandalised. It is the largest park in Sydney and has already proved to be quite popular with local families, but unfortunately, had some damage inflicted on it earlier this week.

We reached out to to the Western Sydney Parklands Trust, and here's what they said: 

"There has been some minor damage to some panels on the play tower. The safety and integrity of the structure has not been compromised. The playground remains open. Repair works are underway and have been scheduled at times that will minimise any disruption to visitors."

Don't Let It Spoil Your Fun

Families are still encouraged to go and check it out, as it will be restored as quickly as possible with minimal fuss. Highlights of the playground include a 50-metre long flying fox, a 14-meter tall climbing tower, slides, giant swings, and water play, which we feel sure will get a workout next Summer. When the Western Sydney Parklands shared the bad news via their Facebook page, it was understandably met with a lot of disappointment from local mums and dads.

Social media comments included:

• This is why we can't have nice things!!! I'm a local resident and was really happy they opened up a nice park finally then this happens....grrrrr
• That is terrible. So sorry to hear we have youth so ungrateful, uncreative about entertainment and selfish. I agree with security cameras or random unannounced police visits at night or the public having authority to dob people in for destruction of our beautiful facilities like we now have power to dob in litterers!
• I notice the netting above the flying fix was ripped, it's so sad that people feel the need to ruin things
• How disappointing. I'm sure a lot of hard work went into building such a great park.
• I was thought of taking little one to the park this weekend. Sad to hear this. So disappointed.

Not The First, And Not The Last

Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. Earlier this year, Livvi's Place, the awesome all-abilities super playground at Jordan Springs had to be put under 24-hour guard to deter vandals that had been running rampant over the Summer. A fire had been set alight in the toilet block, trees and garden beds were damaged, park furniture was destroyed, and even the gate to the playground was removed leaving little ones at risk. Security guards, each working a 7-hour shift now watch the over the playground around the clock, to stop what they think are groups of youths coming and causing havoc.

It's such a shame that such necessary and beloved community facilities are not always respected.