Kildare community angered over vandalism in park
The picnic area now closed after recent damage, and KCA workers recovering a table thrown into the river.
ANGER is growing in Kilcullen about repeated and increasing instances of vandalism in the town's Valley Park, with residents and the community organisation Kilcullen Community Action (KCA) seeking garda help in dealing with anti-social behaviour.
The most recent episodes have forced the closure of a picnic area in the park for the second time this year, and park furniture has been thrown into the River Liffey.
The possibility of installing CCTV cameras in the community-owned linear park is being explored on KCA's behalf by local councillor Tracey O'Dwyer. The organisation is the voluntary umbrella group for Tidy Towns and a range of other community initiatives, and says the recent issues have coincided with large groups of young teenagers gathering in The Valley at night.
It has appealed to parents of teenagers in the town to take more responsibility for their supervision.
The now-closed picnic area was refurbished last March by KCA workers and volunteers.
Just weeks later, the table, first installed in 2020 and made of recycled plastic, was set on fire, and had to be sent away for repair.
The facility was subsequently made good again, but was damaged once more last week.
A picnic table located at the riverbank was also thrown into the Liffey last week and had to be recovered by Kilcullen Community Action CE workers.
A bin is missing, and a lifebuoy and its rope also disappeared during the last month. KCA, which voluntarily maintains the park, says further damage has been done over recent weeks in other areas of the facility.
The anti-social behaviour was discussed at a recent KCA meeting, where 'great anger and disappointment' was expressed.
"It's not just the expense, but the great amount of voluntary effort that is put into maintaining the area," one member of the group told the .
The organisation asks that any observed instances of anti-social behaviour be reported directly to the gardaí.
Anger from many in the wider Kilcullen community is also evident, with the situation roundly condemned as 'disgraceful carry-on’.
"Nothing better to do, but ruin it for everybody else," is just one of many similar comments on social media about the latest incidents. Other comments call for Garda patrols in the park at night.
The Valley Park project was begun in 1973 when the then Kilcullen Community Council purchased almost two acres of Liffey-side scrubland.
Over subsequent years, with the help of many innovative fundraising initiatives, the park was developed by the community and today is an amenity enjoyed by all, especially the increased population that has arrived in the last two decades.
In recent years, a Fairy Trail was incorporated, and a popular annual summer event hosted by KCA is geared particularly to families with young children.
Over the last few years, old tables and seats have been replaced, at significant expense, by KCA.
