Thumb Tacks and Nails Closed Down the Spray and Wading Pool on Saturday

Monday, 24 August 2020 11:37

For the third time this month, a blatant attempt to injure children happened at one of our local parks in Woodstock, this time at the Spray and Play Wading pool in Southside Park.

WOODSTOCK - The Spray and Play Wading Pool in Southside Park was closed on Saturday after a number of thumb tacks and nails were found on the ground.

This is the third such instance in the span of a month where someone has purposely targeted children with an attempt to injure. Last week we reported on a similar story at the playground at Southside Park where thumb tacks and sewing needles were placed in the park. The first such attempt happened earlier this month, Woodstock Police were also called to investigate the spread of nails throughout the cricket pitch and nearby playing area.

Director of Parks and Recreation Brian Connors says it appears these instances may be connected.

"We are certainly concerned that this behaviour by an individual or some people is going to continue, we hope it doesn't, we hope they think about what they are doing. I do want to let everyone know that before they let their kids go out and play, that they need to be vigilant in the parks, take an inspection first and make sure the area that the their kids are going to be running around on and playing on is safe."

Connors says they have stepped up patrols.

"We are patrolling the areas more and we are also doing more inspections on our high traffic zones and on playgrounds, but we have a lot of parks in the City and we can't be everywhere."

The spray and wading pool was closed on Saturday to allow for the clean up and it is open today. Woodstock Police continue to investigate and they are asking anyone with any leads to call them at 519-537-2323.

Director of Parks and Recreation Brian Connors says it appears these instances may be connected.

Connors says they have stepped up patrols.

"We are patrolling the areas more and we are also doing more inspections on our high traffic zones and on playgrounds, but we have a lot of parks in the City and we can't be everywhere."