2 days ago
Croydon Council tackles anti-social behaviour with outdoor gyms
More outdoor gyms are to be introduced by Croydon Council in a bid to tackle anti-social council is also seeking to introduce more dog-walking zones and to deter cut-through riding on affected most by drug use and other issues, such as Upper Norwood Recreation Ground, will be is despite the financial pressures on the council, which has declared bankruptcy three times since 2020 and asked for a government bailout in February.
Scott Roche, Croydon cabinet minister for streets and environment, said: "If a park gym is being used properly, you're not going to have people smoking weed there."We think outdoor gyms are a more strategic and inclusive use for a park. They're cheaper to introduce than new playgrounds, and they help tackle anti-social behaviour."However, he admits that change is slower than he would like, and says money is the greatest currently has 10 outdoor gyms, spread across the borough's 127 parks and green spaces.
The news comes as Mr Roche and mayor Jason Perry opened a newly resurfaced path in Norbury area remains affected by e-bike misuse and rough sleeping, and speed bumps have been promised to deter cut-through Mr Roche said "we are restricted because it is a public space".Jenni Rodgers, leader of Friends of Norbury Park, said the path marked progress, but that the park still "needs something here that people want to see".A flood alleviation scheme for the area, which would protect 340 homes from flooding and boost biodiversity, has stalled since the pandemic.
