Bike park project manager, John Bunny wants the public to keep an eye on the bike track after vandals damaged nine road signs on Sunday night. PHOTO/ELI HILL
ELI HILL
Vandals have attacked Masterton’s newly-built bike skills park on Dixon St leaving parents and those who constructed it angry.
On Sunday night, nine mini road signs were ripped from their posts at the park which is nearing completion after four years of planning and $80,000 expenditure.
Masterton South Rotary Club member and bike park project manager John Bunny said the signs had been bolted into aluminium and would’ve taken quite a bit of strength to rip off.
“It’s a shame that a small section of society feels the need to do this stuff. It really makes me angry.
“The park hasn’t even officially opened yet, but kids have taken to it like fish to water — some days I’ve come down and there wouldn’t be enough space to fit another child on it.”
While the Rotary club would look at installing a security fence, more lighting and security cameras to prevent more damage Bunny said they “don’t want to make it feel like Colditz”.
“People need to be vigilant and step in if they see this sort of thing happening, it’s a public space and the community need to help look after it.”
The signs had been donated by the Higgins Family Trust, so Bunny wasn’t sure how much they’d cost to replace.
Damage has been reported to the police, but Bunny said he was worried that the remaining signs could suffer a similar fate.
“I wasn’t sure whether to give these people the notoriety, but I want to get the message out there that people need to be vigilant.
“The signs they’ve ripped off are closest to the road, so it’s likely there was someone driving past at the time who might’ve seen them.”
A parent who did not want to be named said their kids used the track “all of the time”.
“It’s very disappointing, our kids noticed the signs were gone straight away. I bet the families of these people use the track too.”
What can you say,they are just scum low life,when they get caught all they get is a slap on the hand
Probably the same drop kick element of our community that likes to tag and ruin anything nice we have in Masterton. You know what they say about karma……
Sori to hear bout this, really uneccessary just stupid and u fuckn idiots have no respect or consideration for wot youve done
All very well to ask the public to keep an eye on this project but I’m usually in bed asleep when the scum that do this to property are busy wrecking it. They don’t do this in broad daylight, they prefer the cover of darkness to carry out their destructive behaviour.
You don’t mention where this bike park is…