Appalled at destruction of picnic table on Magdalen Green

I am appalled at the destruction of one of the picnic tables so soon after it has been installed on Magdalen Green. It had been there for about one week. If this was a deliberate act of vandalism, I hope that the culprits are caught and that they are ashamed of themselves.  Some people have suggested that it may have been the result of an accident caused by placing a disposable barbeque on top of the table if that is the case then it reinforces the message that people need to be very careful with disposable barbeques.  They can burn the grass if placed directly on it and they can set fire to things like wooden tables. 

I have contacted Dundee City Council to see if this table can be replaced.  I have also asked that some thought is given to reminding people to be careful with barbeques on Magdalen Green and all our parks.  I know that in some places picnic tables have a heat resistant panel placed on them so that barbeques can be used without setting fire to the table, and I will be asking if there is any chance that this sort of thing could be installed here.

I know that the pandemic has been very hard for people, and it is good that there appears to be some light at the end of the tunnel in terms of the easing of restrictions.  It is good to see people using Magdalen Green on a beautiful day, but the message must be clear that we all have a responsibility to respect the park and leave it as we found it.  This means using barbeques responsibly and taking litter away so that others can also enjoy the facility.

At a time when Dundee City Council is facing continued austerity, we cannot allow those facilities we have to go up in smoke.