Woonona playground vandalised

Just days after a $30,000 climbing net was unveiled at a Woonona playground, vandals attacked the park, ripping up freshly laid turf and draping it over the ropes of the new equipment. Resident Karen Forman and daughter Gabriella, 3, had been following the progress of the climbing net as it was built over the past fortnight at Nicholson Park and were saddened to discover the vandalism on Saturday morning. "My little girl cried when she saw it," Ms Forman said."These people just want to ruin everything."Ms Forman said the attack was the latest in a series of incidents, which generally occurred on Friday and Saturday nights when "drunken people" congregate in the seaside park."They go past all our houses and leave bottles and smashed glass, swear a lot and kick fences and we actually get quite scared," she said."Nearly every weekend there is some kind of damage ... and they light fires in the rubbish bins."Once they even tipped over a portaloo, spilling its contents on to the playing grounds.Wollongong City Council director of works and infrastructure Peter Kofod said the council would spend close to $2000 to re-lay the turf and install fencing to protect the lawn until it is established. "This is very disappointing for the community as children will now be unable to use the new equipment for a number of weeks," Mr Kofod said.Wollongong police Inspector Steve Hegarty said the area was patrolled by police.He asked anyone with information about the attack to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000."The police are disappointed at this attack on a community playground that is used by children and families and these people have no regard for it at all," Insp Hegarty said.