My daughter visited the Viking Road play area with me recently.

The existing equipment is great for younger children and my five-year-old also enjoyed exploring the new adventure “mountain” with my help.

It looked safe enough, although there was obviously some remaining work still to do.

I noticed the main entrance to the area was ungated – open to the road – and the new fencing around the “mountain” incomplete.

It concerned me the area was open day and night, and now I am saddened to find the new structure has been a target for vandals.

Until we moved house recently, we often used the Chesney’s Field swings on Foxwood Lane. A new area for older children has now been made there. This is on the field next to the gated and fenced play area.

It seems very popular, and benefits are that the older children do not dominate the younger ones’ play area and that nuisance litter, such as broken glass within it, has decreased. The new metal-based equipment at Chesney’s Field is in full view of the main road.

Older children can hang out there until late, but an open position and robust equipment reduce the opportunities for crime and vandalism.

The provision for older and younger children is not currently separated at Viking Road and this may create conflicts of interest.

Also, the new “mountain” uses organic materials – rubber matting, wood, stone, earth, etc – which are more susceptible to vandalism than metal.

It is situated away from the public view of a road and I am concerned about ongoing issues with vandalism, unless the area is secured every night.

The new structure looks attractive and natural so I hope any issues about it can be resolved. It is a very exciting play opportunity for children of this age.

Ruby Paul, Beckfield Lane, York.