A new £40,000 play area was vandalised at the weekend before children and families were able to see the final completed work.
Families and residents, who had welcomed a £40,000 play area renovation on Thatch Leach Lane in Whitefield, were left upset as shortly before work was completed, vandals targeted the site.
Temporary security fencing was damaged and the new base layer of safety surfacing in some areas was ripped up.
Cllr Alan Quinn, cabinet member for the environment, climate change and operations at the council, said it was disappointing to know that people had tried to “ruin things”.
He said: “It is always disappointing and frustrating that a small minority want to ruin things for everyone, not to mention wasting taxpayers’ money.
"Our contractor installed all the new equipment last week, but sadly over the weekend vandals damaged the temporary security fencing and ripped up the new base layer of safety surfacing to some areas.
“However, our flooring team are on site now installing the new safety sand carpet, and the new play area will be re-opened in the next day or two.”
As part of the work four new swings, a climbing frame with a net, a springer and a stand-up spinner have been installed and repairs and renovations to existing equipment have been made.
Work also included laying a new sand carpet around the equipment, which is like artificial grass laid over safety surfacing.
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One resident said he saw the vandals inside the area throwing pieces of flooring and jumping on railings left by contractors during the renovations.
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He said: “People are annoyed that the work has taken over two weeks to complete and was closed off during half term.
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“There have been people climbing into the area and whilst it was unsafe and now this has happened to delay the opening even further which is frustrating.”
Cllr Quinn has urged anyone who has any information about this vandalism to contact the police and/or the council.
If you have any information contact police on 101.
If you have a story tweet @BuryTimes or @Heywoodharriet_ or email Harriet.Heywood@newsquest.co.uk
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