Japanese Knotweed is being treated in Goonhavern Park. Our contractor is spraying as this is the recommended most effective treatment. We’ve installed fencing to keep visitors away from the sprayed area and prevent spread of the Knotweed by footfall to the rest of the park.
Signs are in place: ‘Keep Out Japanese Knotweed Spraying in Progress.’ However, several acts of vandalism have resulted in severe damage to the fencing. Anyone walking in this area could spread Knotweed to other parts of the park. If this continues, we will have to close the park.
There have also been recent incidents of criminal damage to trees and the temporary portaloo was tipped on its side.
The vandalism, theft and criminal damage have been reported to the police. If you witness criminal behaviour, please report it directly to the police by calling 101 or visiting Report a crime | Devon & Cornwall Police (devon-cornwall.police.uk) and completing the online crime report. The council will be installing CCTV cameras as soon as possible.
I have witnessed on several occasions small groups of young boys (10-13yrs) hanging around the park breaking the wooden fencing around the play area and snapping branches from the newly planted trees as well as the new bin at the bottom entrance. The CCTV cameras will be greatly appreciated. I’m also concerned about the two trees cut down by the car park and the root damage caused by the digging of a trench.
Can you give any reassurance that no further trees will be cut down?
We have already lost several mature trees in the park particularly the two that were next to the new pump track that provided some shade in the hotter months. I know many new trees have been planted but sadly these attract the vandalism mentioned earlier. Can you also explain the work that is currently underway.
Any update would be greatly appreciated, thanks.
I have witnessed on several occasions small groups of young boys (10-13yrs) hanging around the park breaking the wooden fencing around the play area and snapping branches from the newly planted trees as well as the new bin at the bottom entrance. The CCTV cameras will be greatly appreciated. I’m also concerned about the two trees cut down by the car park and the root damage caused by the digging of a trench.
Can you give any reassurance that no further trees will be cut down?
We have already lost several mature trees in the park particularly the two that were next to the new pump track that provided some shade in the hotter months. I know many new trees have been planted but sadly these attract the vandalism mentioned earlier. Can you also explain the work that is currently underway.
Any update would be greatly appreciated, thanks.
Thank you for getting in touch. The work currently being done is to install CCTV. Whilst a couple of trees have had to be removed, trees have been planted elsewhere.