Whitfield residents today hit out at the state of a local playpark after declaring it “a jungle”.
The new facility, which was installed more than six months ago, has largely remained unused as weeds and building debris surround the area.
Catherine Hodge, 62, has lived in Whitfield Avenue for the past 30 years and said access to the park’s facilities was too unsafe for kids to use them.
She added: “The whole area could do with some tender loving care but this park was installed earlier this year and I can’t believe how dilapidated the area is surrounding the park.
“The kids call it ‘the jungle’. It’s probably an appropriate name.”
The grandmother said she did not know why a park facility was installed without maintaining the surrounding grounds.
She added: “I know there is the new facility up at Lothian Crescent but this park is literally outside our back doors and with them only installing the equipment this year you’d think they would want the area to be safe for kids.
“At the very minimum, they should put some fencing around the playpark but the weeds and debris surrounding it is awful. It’s an eyesore. It needs to be landscaped and they need to remove all the hazards.
“There has been rubble on the road that has sat there for more than three years.”
The site on Whitfield Avenue was previously occupied by flats, which were demolished a number of years ago.
Plans had been drawn up last year to incorporate nature trails, flower patches, picnic benches and the new playpark.
Catherine added:“Although the park is small, the equipment there is brand new but you wouldn’t feel comfortable letting your kids go there.
“My granddaughter Kherys doesn’t use it and I wouldn’t feel comfortable letting her play there without my supervision.”
Fellow resident Marc Robertson, 31, who has lived in the area for the past 25 years, also condemned the park and added: “I certainly wouldn’t let Jack use the park and I haven’t see any other kids using it either.
“The equipment currently there is largely a waste of money.”