Rother Valley Country Park.Rother Valley Country Park.
Rother Valley Country Park.

Pictures show children's adventure playground in ruins after being targeted by vandals and arsonists

A children’s adventure playground lies seemingly ruined after being targeted by vandals.

The popular playground, at Rother Valley Country Park, near Killamarsh, has been hit by vandals and arsonists since its closure.

Urban explorer Lost Places & Forgotten Faces, who shared the images on their Facebook page, said: “Adventure Valley was a children's nautical-themed play attraction situated within the park.

“The attraction cost £3 per person and housed a large climbing frame, slides, sandpits and other smaller child-friendly rides.

“It had a staffed kiosk on site, which sold drinks, such as numerous flavoured slush puppies, as well as a range of ice creams.

“It has since suffered from vandalism and fire damage.”

A park spokeswoman said the playground had closed for refurbishment, but was hit by vandals before work could start, with buildings damaged.

Christine Lockwood, park admin officer, said: “It closed about three years ago. It’s not going to reopen, we’ve taken all the equipment down.

She said wooden equipment in the playground had needed replacing, but before the refurbishment could begin, the playground was targeted by vandals and arsonists.

“We had vandals in and they have smashed the toilets and set fire to the fencing.

“It’s very sad to see.”

A spokesman for Rotherham Council, which manages the park, said: “Plans are in place to demolish a disused toilet block on the site of the former play area following a recent fire and we are considering how the area might be redeveloped as part of a potential wider plan for the park.”

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