Yahoo News Festival Gardens vandalised again
Volunteers have shared their “dismay” after Otterspool’s Festival Gardens was, once again, vandalised.
Over the weekend, members of Friends of Festival Gardens were alerted to more damage done to the Riverside Drive green space. A viewing platform, which had only just been fixed recently, was “trashed” and trees were cut “to make a den”.
This is just the latest incident in a long list, according to the volunteer group.
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A spokesperson for Friends of Festival Gardens told the ECHO: “We are dismayed with the latest spate of vandalism. In order to make a den, trees have been cut and the viewing platform trashed.
“It is unlikely the platform will be reinstated. This is all the more senseless as there are many fallen branches in the wooded area. No one should be bringing axes and saws into parks. One has been recovered if any parents are missing one.”
Another spokesperson claimed the responsibility for the upkeep of the space fell with Liverpool City Council but said the group "felt let down" as it hasn’t been able to get a response - something which the council denies.
They added: “The gates are left open all night which does not help the situation. The council claim they have no funds to lock the gates but in the long run, it will cost more to fix the problems.
“The Chinese pagoda for example is starting to deteriorate and despite being warned numerous times the council have done nothing and it now has various bushes growing out of the roof.
“The lake has also been leaking for many years and wildlife is suffering but again there is no movement in getting this fixed. It is so sad that they won't engage with us and help us out, at the end of the day we all want the best for the gardens.”
Liverpool City Council said it "greatly values the work" the group does and is "deeply concerned at the vandalism". A spokesperson confirmed the council is providing skips throughout the next few months on clean-up dates and CityWatch continues to monitor the site.
The recent vandalism comes two months after a rare tree likened to Sycamore Gap, found in the gardens and given to the city by Japan decades ago, was destroyed.
At the time, members said they were “heartbroken” to find the 40-year-old tree hacked up. The snake bark maple tree, situated in the Oriental Gardens area, was gifted to the city by the Japanese government as part of the International Garden Festival in 1984.
In the same week in April, another separate occasion saw “an eagle-eyed member” spot a fire being made in the Japanese Garden.
Kate Parry, secretary of the Friends of Festival Gardens Association, previously told the ECHO: “This behaviour has gone on for a few years. It's become a popular place for people to congregate, and it can be quite intimidating. They'll often come drinking here, leaving food packets and drink cans behind."
Both incidents of arson and trespassing were reported to Merseyside Police, which said it was working with partners to reduce incidents, claiming patrols had been stepped up in the area as the force looks to offer reassurance to the local community.
Local Policing Inspector Jemma Shaw said: “Offences including arson, trespassing and causing damage can be extremely dangerous and reckless. The actions of children, or anyone, who commits anti-social behaviour or more serious offences won’t be tolerated.
"I would also urge parents to make sure they know where their children are when they are out and about in the local community. No parent wants the police to be knocking on their door because their child has committed a crime.
“Furthermore, if parents are aware that their child has committed an offence, they should do the right thing and contact us.”
If you have any information about anti-social behaviour in your area, you can DM @MerPolCC on X or ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ on Facebook or ring 101.
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