Visitors to Cleethorpes' Haverstoe Park claim it has been neglected

"WHAT has happened to our beautiful park?"

These are the words of one of many users of Cleethorpes' Haverstoe Park, who claims that it has already gone "downhill" as North East Lincolnshire Council announces the possibility of cuts to services, following a review to save money.

NOT GOOD ENOUGH: These dead flowers in the marigold beds at Haverstoe Park, in Cleethorpes, were there for weeks.
UNCLEAN: Litter is just an eyesore.
FILTH: The park's paths used to be washed and cleaned – not any more.
SHABBY: The bins and benches used to be painted every year.

The woman, in her 70s, also said that the park – which should open at 8am – often opens more than an hour late, and claimed that she has "regularly complained" to NELC, who "don't seem to care".

Another woman, in her 50s, said the park used to be "spotless" but has turned into "a scene of neglect", claiming she once saw a discarded sanitary towel. She also said that areas have been left to "grow wild" and that dog fouling is a serious problem.

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The problems could get worse yet, as NELC considers reducing services in parks across North East Lincolnshire, in an effort to save £46-million from their budget.

Glenn Greetham, head of neighbourhood operations said: "Neighbourhood Services plans to undertake a full review of current provision and explore opportunities with potential partners.

No decisions have been made about park keeping or other provision at Haverstoe Park but we will be reviewing all grounds maintenance services.

"We already have strong links with the Friends of Haverstoe group and will continue to include them in any discussions that take place, as well as ward councillors and the wider community."

However, Friend of Haverstoe Park, Leanor Pidgen fears that the park could go "back to the dark days" if warden services are cut.

The former Haverstoe councillor, who lost her seat in this year's local elections, first got involved in politics when the warden service was cut in 2000, leading to "vandalism and destruction on an almost day-to-day basis."

Mrs Pidgen said: "The gates were simply left unlocked and it led to the wrong people using and destroying it.

"Since then, the council and the community have done a great deal to make it a beautiful place again. It would be a shame to see all that hard work wasted."