Friday December 19th 2025
The concrete rectangle where one of the picnic tables used to be can be seen at Neilson Park, Haddington.
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Marie Sharp
Picnic tables and benches used by families at a new play park have been taken away after they were damaged ‘beyond repair’ by vandals.
East Lothian Council removed the seating from the children’s play area at Neilson Park, Haddington, after a series of attacks on them.
It is the latest in a string of vandalism incidents to hit the town centre park in recent years. Two years ago its landmark flower beds were torn up within weeks of being installed with vandals returning to rampage through the colourful displays again after they had been repaired.
The picnic tables and benches were installed next to the new play park when it was opened during lockdown with modern play equipment for youngster including an accessible roundabout.
As well as a favourite place for families to gather, it is a popular after school spot and regularly hosts pop up play events.
A spokesperson for the council said the benches and tables had been vandalised in a series of separate incidents.
They said: “They were damaged beyond repair and removed for safety reasons. We are currently looking at options for replacing them.”
Two years ago people were shocked when vandals tore up the central flower beds targeting them a number of times over a short period.
The displays are planted and maintained by the council’s landscaping team and regularly changed with the seasons.
Angry locals took to social media to vent their frustration at the attacks with one describing the incidents as ‘a crime against the community”.
Problems with vandalism at the park have seen police patrols increased over recent years with the local rugby club, which has its pitches next to the park also targeted.
Incidents involving youths climbing onto the roof of the clubhouse and trying to break in led to the club warning it would hand over CCTV to police and the local secondary school if it continued.
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