Vandals burned and snapped some newly-planted trees in Doncaster Road Park leaving the local community pleading to ‘let the trees grow’. And in the latest incident, a bed frame was set alight in the Southmead park.
Claire Smith, a member of the group Friends of Doncaster Road Park and Embleton Playground said the surrounding lawn was destroyed after bed frame was burned last weekend. She said: “It is on-going thing.
“In December and February, 87 tree saplings were planted over two phases. Quite a few of these were damaged or snapped in a spate of incidents in the last week of May,” said Claire. This included setting fire to water bags attached to the trees, which she said, were taken off and set on fire or burned while still attached to the tree."
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Claire added a park bench was damaged, adding: “Some of the trees had melted plastic and scorch marks. The ones that were damaged were quite substantial trees. It’s very sad.
She confirmed that last weekend, the bed frame was torched on the grass, creating widespread scorching. She said: "When you are involved with planting and growing trees, you realise how much care is needed to get them to grow,” she said.
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Claire said all the vandalism incidents were reported to police. “Police have upped patrols and we have been in touch with other community groups.”
The saplings were planted along the central walking paths in Doncaster Road Park to create shady spaces. Claire said trees attract wildlife to an area and more birds had already been spotted.
Now notices have been put up in the park asking for witnesses. It reads: “Doncaster Road Park has been very fortunate to have recently had a variety of lovely new trees planted. However it is just completely awful that several of these trees have since been damaged at various times. Some have been broke and others have been burned. Please let the trees grow.”
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Councillor for Southmead and cabinet member responsible for climate, ecology, waste and energy, Kye Dudd said: “We’ve all been devastated to hear about the trees being destroyed. After all the hard work carried out by the Friends of Doncaster Road Park with the support of Cllr Brenda Massey and myself to improve the park, it seems to be a case of two steps forward one step back.
“The community is strong and determined to protect the work carried out and this act of vandalism will not reduce our ambition to make Doncaster Road park a better place for everyone to enjoy,” he said.
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Avon and Somerset Police acting Inspector Richard Jones said: “We’re aware of recent reports of vandalism and damage in the Doncaster Road Park area and we’ve increased patrols to deter further offences and provide reassurance.
“We’d encourage the public to continue reporting incidents to the Neighbourhood Policing team by calling 101 or via our website, so we can get a clear picture of where and when offences are occurring.”
Meanwhile a huge fire completely destroyed Mead Park, Stoke Gifford’s children’s play park last weekend. Witnesses saw huge flames and thick plumes of smoke with fire crews being called to the blaze and Avon and Somerset Police were also at the scene of the fire.
Read next: Anger and sadness at 'awful' scenes as blaze completely destroys children's play park
A spokesperson for Avon and Fire Rescue Service said fire crews from Southmead, Temple and Patchway had responded where they found the play area “well alight” with crews using high pressure hose reels and one 45mm jet to extinguish the flames.
The spokesperson said: “Also in use was a triple extension ladder, small gear and thermal imaging cameras. Crews spent further time damping down the area. The cause of the incident is thought to have been deliberate ignition.”
Councillors in the area, Nee DasGupta and Keith Cranney have vowed to get the play park rebuilt and reopened as quickly as possible.
