ECOS volunteers devastated after ‘senseless destruction’ leaves children’s garden wrecked

Scene of senseless destruction in the sensory garden in the Ecos Nature Park

Community volunteers in Ballymena say years of work has been damaged in a wave of vandalism at ECOS Nature Park that left a children’s sensory garden wrecked, equipment destroyed and broken glass scattered across grass used by families, runners and wildlife.

Members of the Friends of the Ecos group discovered the damage on the morning of Bank Holiday Monday, 25 May, describing the scenes as “senseless destruction” and warning that anti-social behaviour in the area is becoming increasingly severe.

The vandalism was concentrated around two key areas inside the park at Kernohan’s Lane — the children’s sensory garden and a building used by Ballymena Parkrun organisers to store equipment.

Volunteers say the destruction has not only caused significant damage to facilities built for the community, but also created potential safety risks due to large amounts of broken glass spread throughout grassy areas used by children, pets and visitors.

Children’s sensory garden targeted

The scene of senseless destruction in the sensory garden in the Ecos Nature Park

Among the damage discovered was the destruction of a bee and insect hotel, serious damage to a children’s fort, and a park bench that had been upended and vandalised.

Branches had also been broken from trees throughout the area, while damage was caused to the entrance gate and gateposts leading into the sensory garden after an apparent attempt was made to remove the gate entirely.

Inside the nearby storage building used by Ballymena Parkrun volunteers, equipment was reportedly ransacked, damaged and scattered outside across a wide area.

The Friends of the Ecos group said the photographs taken at the scene did not fully capture the scale of the destruction or the dangers left behind.

“We discovered senseless destruction this morning. Is this what the community wants? The photographs don’t show the amount of broken glass in the grass with associated potential injury to children, pets and wildlife. Parkrunners’ equipment has also been damaged and spread over a wide area,” a spokesperson said.

Volunteers say anti-social behaviour is escalating

The scenes of senseless destruction in the Ecos Nature Park

The group said volunteers regularly deal with ongoing anti-social behaviour at the popular nature park, including littering, fire damage, vandalism and broken glass, but warned the situation is now becoming increasingly difficult to manage.

They are now calling for the issue to be urgently discussed by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Neighbourhood and Communities Committee and believe a stronger visible police presence in the evenings could help deter further incidents.

“The vast majority of the community value and enjoy their time at ECOS, and we have appreciated their support today,” a spokesperson for Friends of the Ecos told Love Ballymena.

“We also need to meet with the Council’s Neighbourhood and Communities Committee and ask that this issue is urgently placed on the agenda. It would act as a major deterrent if the Police were regularly present in the area during the evenings.

“As Friends of ECOS, we carry out this work voluntarily for the benefit of the community. We cannot continue building things up only to see them knocked down.

“As a group, we already deal with ongoing anti-social behaviour in the form of litter, fire debris, broken glass, damage to buildings and more, and we clear it up and carry on. However, the problem is clearly getting worse.

“Ignoring it and hoping it will go away will no longer suffice. ECOS is a valuable natural habitat that is responsibly enjoyed by many people. It is ultimately the wider community who lose out when wanton destruction is allowed to go unchecked.”

The group also urged anyone witnessing anti-social behaviour in the area to report it to the authorities.

Further damage discovered on Tuesday morning

A willow hedge destroyed.. discovered this morning.

Volunteers returned to the area again on Tuesday morning, 26 May, only to discover additional destruction.

A willow hedge within the park had been destroyed overnight, leaving volunteers frustrated and disheartened at the continuing attacks on the site.

“This will take years to regrow,” one volunteer said.

The incidents have sparked anger among many local residents and regular users of the park, which is widely used by walkers, families, runners and nature enthusiasts across Ballymena.

PSNI appeal for information

Friends of the Ecos volunteers set about beginning to repair the damage caused

The Police Service of Northern Ireland confirmed officers received a report of criminal damage in the Kernohans Lane area shortly before 9am on Monday, 25 May.

A PSNI spokesperson said:

“Anti-social behaviour can have a lasting impact on communities, and can be really distressing and disruptive.

“Our appeal to those involved, or who are tempted to become involved in any type of anti-social behaviour, is to stop and consider the impact of their actions and about the potential consequences.

“We’d also encourage parents/guardians to know where their loved ones are. Have those conversations and talk about what might seem harmless, what might seem like fun, can have a really detrimental impact on other people, and communities. Having those conversations could make a difference.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 292 25/05/26.

Information can also be submitted online using the PSNI non-emergency reporting form at: https://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport

People can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org

The latest vandalism has once again highlighted growing concerns around anti-social behaviour in public spaces across Ballymena, with volunteers warning that continued destruction risks damaging not only facilities, but the long-term future of valued community spaces built and maintained largely through unpaid local effort.

How to support Friends of the Ecos

Despite the damage caused, volunteers have already begun the task of clearing debris, repairing parts of the site and restoring damaged areas within ECOS Nature Park.

A small group of volunteers returned to the park following the vandalism to begin tidying and carrying out immediate repair work where possible, with further restoration efforts planned during the group’s next organised work session on 20 June.

Friends of the Ecos is a volunteer-led community group dedicated to protecting, improving and maintaining the popular Ballymena nature park for everyone who uses it.

The group is encouraging anyone interested in supporting its work, helping with future clean-up efforts or becoming involved in conservation and community projects at ECOS to find out more and join the group.

To find out more about Friends of the Ecos and how to get involved, tap the button below.

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