Vandals are condemned after attack

Vandals are condemned after attack

13 May 2015

ARSONISTS have targeted a major outdoor play facility at Castlewellan Forest Park just weeks after it was officially opened.

The Animal Wood children’s play space was part of a £78,000 investment in nature play facilities at Castlewellan and Tollymore forest parks funded by a number of bodies including the former Down Council.

The wooden play facility in Castlewellan was targeted on Monday of last week when equipment known as the squirrels’ drey was totally destroyed.

Newry, Mourne and Down Council chairwoman Naomi Bailie has condemned those responsible for the attack on a facility she described as a “valuable community asset.”

Councillor Bailie, who visited the forest park to view the scale of the damage, said the new play facility has been widely used and enjoyed since it was opened a few weeks ago.

“This is a brand new play space which has only been recently opened,” she continued. “It is truly shocking and very disheartening to see that people have been setting fire to the equipment and causing such devastating damage. 

“It is the actions of a mindless few that are ruining such safe play areas for everyone else. I would appeal for people to have more respect for property and for the public to pass on any information they may have to the PSNI regarding this senseless act of arson.”

Mourne Forests Recreation Officer, Boyd McClurg, also condemned the arson attack.

“The local community has been extremely supportive of this play space and the high usage by visitors and people from the area has demonstrated its popularity,” he said.

“We have seen how children have interacted with Animal Wood enabling them to truly connect with the natural environment in Castlewellan Forest Park,” he added.

The Animal Wood development is the first phase of plans to incorporate nature play into the forest marking a deliberate shift away from traditional play parks which are predominantly made out of metal.