Petersburn residents in park clean-up

Dec 5 2012 by Judith Tonner, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

Arlene Welsh and Jo Weir

Petersburn residents are being asked to help clean up a community park this weekend.

Members of the Petersburn Development Trust (PDT) will be clearing up litter andsprucing up the facility near Oronsay Road, close to the area’s primary schools.

Work begins at 9.30am on Saturday, with volunteers meeting at the teenage play area to do their bit in looking after the open space.

Trust vice-chairman David Fagan, the Airdrie South councillor, is hoping that as many local residents as possible will join in with the work to show just how valuable the resource is to them.

He told the Advertiser: “Members of the Trust are determined to work hard to improve the area, but unfortunately, there are a few people who abuse the park and leave litter and broken bottles behind.

“It’s a shame that a very small minority of local people treat the park in this way, especially as we’ve raised £1million in funding to regenerate it after it became run down.

“We also hope that some of our young people will come along to help. Young people are often seen as a problem, but we know that the vast majority of youngsters care about their community and are willing to work to improve it.”

The clean-up comes just a week after the Advertiser told of a vandalism attack at a children’s playpark in nearby Craigneuk, which resulted in the destruction and subsequent removal of play equipment including a climbing frame and rocker.

Councillor Fagan added: “We feel that it’s not just up to the council to take care of the park – all residents have a stake in the community and a responsibility to make it a good place to live in, and I would urge local people to come and help us.”

Anyone who is willing to assist with the clean-up project at the park – which features facilities including a seven-a-side pitch – is invited to attend. All cleaning equipment will be provided.