East Herrington Park is a much loved community space used by local children, families and residents.

However, the current condition of the children's play area has become a serious concern.

Photographs and videos taken at the park show damaged and deteriorating play surfaces, temporary fencing left across the play area that have been there for over ten weeks, uneven and poorly maintained ground, damaged areas around play equipment and equipment and facilities that appear to have been left in a state of disrepair.

We believe the current condition of the park warrants urgent attention and a proper safety assessment.

This petition is calling on Sunderland City Council to:

• Carry out an urgent inspection of the play area and equipment
• Address any safety hazards identified during that inspection
• Repair or replace damaged and deteriorating play equipment
• Properly repair damaged and worn safety surfacing
• Remove temporary fencing and other materials once they are no longer required
• Improve the general maintenance and condition of the play area
• Provide residents with a clear plan and timescale for the required works
• Commit to ongoing maintenance and investment so the park remains safe and usable for local families

We are not asking for luxury. We are asking for a safe, properly maintained park for our children.

East Herrington Park serves a significant local catchment area. It is situated alongside a local primary school and is used not only by families living in East Herrington but also by residents and children from surrounding and connecting communities. The park has historically been an important part of our local community and is also used as part of community events and activities.

East Herrington is a community that takes great pride in coming together and holding local events and it is incredibly disappointing to see a space with such potential allowed to deteriorate to its current condition. A park that should be a safe, welcoming and usable focal point for our community is now in a condition where it is difficult to see how it can continue to safely accommodate the community events and activities that have previously taken place there. The deterioration of this important community space is therefore affecting far more than the appearance of the park; it is affecting the ability of local families and the wider community to safely enjoy and make use of it.

We believe this is not simply an issue of appearance or aesthetics. It is about the safety, accessibility, usability and long term future of an important community facility.

East Herrington is a thriving community and local families deserve a play area that is safe, cared for and fit for purpose.

Please sign this petition if you believe East Herrington Park deserves better.

We also ask Sunderland City Council and our local councillors to listen to the concerns of residents and work with the community to ensure this important local facility receives the attention and investment it needs.