Warsop park in ‘serious state of neglect’ say residents

Voluntary group Friends of The Carrs, contacted Mansfield District Council to say they are unhappy with a lack of upkeep at The Carrs recreation ground, park and nature reserve, in Market Warsop.

Warsop Parish Councillor, Adrian Hardy, wrote to the council on behalf of the group, stating “a lot of unhappiness” has been caused by the state of the park and it also has health and safety issues.

He wrote: “The group is very upset at the way the council are treating them and this is understandable considering the amount of time they put in on a voluntary basis to try to improve the area.”

“There appears to have been a serious breakdown of communication somewhere along the line.

“I am rather perplexed and dismayed that it has got to this stage, with people now having to resort to petitions to get their council to perform the necessary services to maintain local parks.”

He lists issues at the park, which include overgrown areas, thistles near pathways and an untidy war memorial, which he says is an “insult” to war heros and their families.

Cllr Hardy added that debris has left the area looking like a “rubbish dump” and even though the volunteers have offered to do litter picks, the council have refused, saying they need to carry out risk assessments.

Cllr Hardy added: “I feel this makes a mockery of the situation.”

The online petition says: “A change would ensure that the park can be enjoyed by many, at the moment the park is in a serious state of neglect.”

Mayor Kate Allsop and Councillor Andrew Tristam responded to the Warsop residents in a letter addressing the issues.

Ms Allsop outlined the council has invested £85,000 in maintaining the park and claims this has had positive feedback.

Other points in the letter are that overgrown areas are due to be cut shortly, but there are no issues with the growth of thistles, as they are “attracting bees and butterflies and provide a key food source for bird species”.

The mayor added that the war memorial was left uncut by the request of the Parish Council, as poppy seeds had been scattered there.

She also said the parks department will help volunteers with the risk assessment paperwork.

A meeting between the volunteers and the council has been organised for October 5.

For more information, visit the Friends of The Carrs Facebook page.