BARRIERS will be put in place around the children’s play area on the recreation ground in Fordingbridge after people were ignoring the closure.

The park was closed due to the coronavirus pandemic by Fordingbridge Town Council who are responsible for the recreation ground.

Issues at the recreation ground involving the play park and antisocial behaviour were raised during an online meeting of the town council last week by New Forest District councillor Annie Bellows, who had seen a post over Facebook regarding the park area and people trying to chase and catch ducks.

The meeting heard the closure of the play park was being “disregarded” and the town council were looking to barrier off the play area but still allow access to the public to the waterfront without people having to climb over any fencing or gates.

There have been reports of incidents of antisocial behaviour. As previously reported in the Journal, there have been reports of items being thrown at houses and children chasing and trying to catch the ducklings.

Councillors heard the antisocial behaviour around the river area had been reported to the police and officers had attended on a few of occasions.

Mayor Edward Hale said: “All we can do is refer it to the police.”

Councillor Paul Anstey said: “Due to the popularity of the rec and people using the river, which is their decision, at the weekend when we know in fact that it is going to absolutely choc-a-block we should check the lifebuoy housings at least once a day at the weekend.”

He said when he had attended a Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents report at the park the representative had been a “bit miffed” about the access to the river from the play park. Cllr Antsey added: “When we look at restructuring maybe there might be an opportunity to permanently fence off the kiddies play area, play apparatus and beach-type area. That is just food for thought.”

The council have reopened the toilets at the recreation ground, the meeting heard, this was due to people “finding alternative sites to use as toilets”.

Signs have been put up at the toilets at the recreation ground saying that they will only be cleaned once a day. Arrangements were being made to ensure there was a suitable supply of soap so people can wash their hands.

Since the meeting the council has said the picnic area and riverside access is now open and can be accessed through the memorial gardens but the play park and skate park remain closed.