COUNCIL bosses have been accused of “not playing fair” after letting a play park in Newquay fall into disrepair.

Residents and councillors are angry Reeds Way play park has been left with a solitary adult swing and a megaphone after Cornwall Council designated the site as surplus to requirement because there are “several other play areas in the immediate vicinity.”

Families have started using the play park less and less because of the lack of play equipment there following the removal of a slide, climbing frame, toddler swings, steering wheel, fireman’s pole and an animal rocker after they were deemed to be unsafe while an interactive board as well as a spinner remain broken.

Residents and Trenance Cornwall councillor Drew Creek are now campaigning to ensure the play park thrives in the future.

Lisa Camps said: “It’s so disappointing to see the play equipment being taken away and not replaced. There is just one swing left for older children so it’s no good if you have a toddler.

“A lot of parents use the play park regularly as it’s a nice quiet space. It is brilliant for that. It could be a good play park. It just needs a bit of TLC, but the council has decided it’s not worth the money. Children need space to play. It’s important they get outdoors and not just sit in front of the television.”

Lisa Butterly added: “It’s a real shame the council has allowed the park to get in this state. A lot of children use the park. I’ve even seen older children use the area for their work outs.”

Frances Royal said: “There is not a lot of play equipment for the children to use. It’s an ideal location for a play park and a lot of children have grown up using it.”

The nearby Newquay Pre School and Nursery have stopped using the play park altogether due to the lack of play equipment there.

Manager Charmaine Murray said: “We used to use the play park all the time because it’s so close by and there are no roads to cross. We don’t use it anymore because there is nothing there. The council should replace the play equipment.”

Trenance Cornwall councillor Drew Creek argues the council’s policy of moving children from playing in one area to another is wrong. He believes it should be about creating as many opportunities for children to play as possible.

Cllr Creek said: “Cormac has decided that given we have just built a brand-new play park within a very short walk of Reeds Way at Mount Wise that it’s OK to start removing old play parks that need some repair. There is lots of jumping up and down about this.

“There is a bit of play equipment that has been damaged and worse for wear. The way that Cormac justified it to me was somewhat frustrating. They said, ‘well you have just built a new play park across the way therefore we don’t feel it necessary to spend money on this play park.’

“As I quite rightly explained to them it’s about giving children more opportunities for children to play and not moving them from one place to another. We had a strong disagreement over it. We are battling it quite heavily.”

Cllr Creek added: “To be clear, this isn't the whole park. It's a single piece of equipment that Cornwall Council has judged unsafe following inspection. However, the council has confirmed it will not replace it, and that as other equipment becomes unsafe, that won't be replaced either. In practice, that means the play park will disappear piece by piece.

“I am firmly opposed to this. I've spent the past several years fighting for better play facilities for Newquay's children, and that work has just delivered the new Mount Wise play area. The suggestion that, because we now have Mount Wise, Cornwall Council can start running down other play parks is completely unacceptable. Mount Wise was meant to add to what Newquay's children have, not replace the play spaces on their doorstep.

“Play is vital for children's physical and mental health, and local play parks matter most to families who can't easily get across town. After years in which previous administrations showed little interest in play in Newquay, I won't stand by while that progress is quietly undone. I'll be pressing Cornwall Council to reverse this decision and commit to maintaining and replacing equipment at Reeds Way.”

A spokesperson for Cornwall Council said: “While there are no immediate plans to remove the play area at Reeds Way, our Open Space Strategy adopted in 2014 designated the site as surplus to requirement because there are several other play areas in the immediate vicinity.

“We are continuing to maintain the Reeds Way play area until its lifespan is reached. We have recently removed an item of equipment on safety grounds following a recent inspection.”