A DUNDEE councillor has branded the situation in Baxter Park “a shambles” after receiving complaints from angry parents unable to use the recently modernised toddler facilities.

Councillor Liz Fordyce, of Baxter Park ward, visited the park on Saturday for her surgery, only to discover the rangers’ station was closed and the toddlers’ play park was padlocked.

She said, “I went there on Saturday and there were no rangers. This meant that parents taking their children to the park were not able to use the toilet facilities.

“The new playground was also padlocked and parents couldn’t get the use of the equipment.”

She went on, “One parent even climbed over the fence to be with his children who had already jumped the fence.

“It’s a fine play park and the parents can’t use it, which is totally unacceptable.”

Councillor Fordyce said that many parents had complained to her when she visited the park on Saturday, and more had contacted her at home.

“I contacted Dundee City Council and someone was sent down to clean up the litter,” she said.

“However, I was told that the park facilities were closed for health and safety reasons and informed that there has been sickness and days off due in the rangers’ station.”

“It’s quite a shambles,” she continued. “People have been very patient waiting for the improvements to be carried out on Baxter Park, and the play park was supposed to be finished last November.

“We’re now into April, it’s the start of the Easter break, and still there’s nothing for the children to do.”

“I think Dundee City Council needs to be a bit more sympathetic—especially with the good weather coming in.”

She added, “We’re being told that children need to be more active, but they have to be able to play.”