A leading York Labour councillor has paid tribute to volunteers at Rowntree Park after hedge plants worth hundreds of pounds were ripped out and thrown into the lake, the second episode of damage to planting in the park in a month.
The latest damage, earlier this week, came just weeks after three rowan trees were destroyed by vandals in the same park.
‘Totally unacceptable’
City of York Council’s executive member with responsibility for parks, Cllr Jenny Kent, condemned the vandalism. She said: “It is incredibly depressing to see hundreds of volunteer hours wasted and valuable plants ripped up like this. I struggle to understand the mindset of someone who wants to destroy our parks and green spaces and the selfishness involved, with no thought at all for the hard work and spare time put in by dedicated volunteers for free. It’s totally unacceptable.”
She said the planting next to the lake and improvements to the lake itself were both areas the council and the Friends of Rowntree Park had been discussing and working on together.
“The Friends help make the park the special, community place it is,” Cllr Kent added. “Having given so many hours of their time, this vandalism must be soul destroying. Their perseverance in the face of setbacks like this is fantastic to see. As with all Friends of Groups looking after our parks, I thank them all for their ongoing commitment on behalf of the whole city.”
Plants fished out and replanted
Volunteers fished most of the plants out of the lake and replanted them in the hope that some can still flourish, and have reported the damage to the police.
Ward councillors say they will continue to support the park and the group’s work, including through ward funding where necessary. The Friends of Rowntree Park has around 1,300 members, and a recent survey showed how much people value its work, particularly on the gardens, biodiversity and supporting wildlife.
Micklegate ward councillor Jane Burton said: “The city relies on volunteers like FRP working alongside council teams to help maintain our parks. So, we will support volunteer groups in whatever way we can.”
She added: “I would encourage those with views on the park and how it’s maintained to go along to FRP meetings and to get involved.”
