NEWS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE USE

Vandalism at Montgomery Reserve

October 6, 2003

Vandalism continues to be a problem at many North Shore City reserves, say parks staff.

The latest park to be hit is the small suburban Montgomery Reserve in residential Belmont.

North Shore City's community services and parks committee chairperson, Margaret Miles, says the council is angry that it has to deal with wilful damage around the playground at the reserve, where new plants are ripped out, trees damaged and equipment destroyed.

Councillor Miles is asking residents around the park to report anything suspicious to police and to the council.

"The cost of this damage is a cost to the whole community. With so much rates money having to be budgeted for vandalism and repairs, we have to cut back on other improvement projects around this area and the city generally," she says.

"It's frustrating for our staff to be continually cleaning up after these incidents, and it's a disappointment for so many children to find their favourite playground equipment unusable.

"Help us put a stop to it by keeping an eye out and recording car registrations and reporting incidents to environmental services officer Natalie Managh on 486 8600," says Margaret Miles.

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