Mother praises council for clear-up of 'unsafe' playground (From Enfield Independent)
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Mother praises Enfield Borough Council for clear-up of 'unsafe' Ivy Road Recreation Ground
3:36pm Thursday 18th October 2012 in News By Hermione Wright
Mari Warby (left) and parents Amy Dean and Alko Daley in the playground in August
A mother who claimed a Southgate playground was “unsafe” for children has praised Enfield Borough Council for taking action.
Mari Warby, who lives in Hillside Grove, told the Enfield Independent in August that Ivy Road Recreation Ground in Grovelands Court was polluted with rubbish including beer cans and broken glass.
The council pledged to arrange more frequent litter picking and to empty the bins more often in a bid to tackle the issue.
The 37-year-old said: “The council has cleaned it up, which is great. It is so much better than it was. It is not perfect, but it is a lot better – they empty the bins more often.
“It has made a huge difference to many people’s lives; they have done something about this so we are very happy.”
Mrs Warby, who has a three-year-old daughter, said the council has not contacted her about her complaints, but she said its actions are “better than a note.”
She regularly visits the playground with friends and their children and said the experience is far more enjoyable litter-free.
She had visited the area, which is behind Southgate allotments, with her daughter for the last three years as it is a two-minute walk from her house, but she claimed it had never been clean.
She said the area had become so untidy that it was unsafe for children who may play with litter strewn on the floor.
However, she does not have to worry as much for children's safety now the rubbish is kept at bay.
Cabinet member for environment, Councillor Chris Bond, said: "I am pleased that the residents are happy and content and even during Government cut backs we do the best we can for our local residents."
He apologised on August 28 for the “unacceptable state” of the recreation ground and said he was “grateful” to Mrs Warby for bringing the issue to the council’s attention.
