Guardians celebrate Hillcrest Park success

A group set up to target anti-social behaviour in Hillcrest Park is celebrating its successes with Hillcrest Park Family Fun Day this Sunday 27 June from 12-4pm.

Organised by the Hillcrest Park Guardians and supported by Hamilton City Council, Saturday’s event will be free and family-friendly with a wide range of fun activities on offer including; appearances from the Funky Monkeys and Derkranks, scouting, face painting, a magician, bouncy castle and a kids colouring competition. A range of local bands and musicians will provide entertainment on the day and international foods and a sausage sizzle will be available for purchase.

The Hillcrest Park Guardians are a community group made up of local residents and businesses who work proactively with Council to resolve anti-social behaviour in the Park area. To date, a number of safety measures have been successfully implemented in and around the Park including traffic calming and lighting upgrades.

Hamilton City Council neighbourhood advisor Hannah Banks says, “From time to time around the city we can see anti-social behaviour affecting people’s enjoyment of places like Hillcrest Park and having a real impact on the residents that live near them.

“Hillcrest Park Guardians are a great example of local people, in this case residents and businesses, working proactively to address local issues and help keep their Park safe. Council is proud to lend its support.”

Event organiser and Hillcrest Park Guardian Paula Law says celebrating the improvements is particularly meaningful to people, like herself, who have been directly affected by past problems.

“Sixty residents, churches, businesses, Police, scouts and families attended the first community meeting. Together we wanted to take back ownership of the Park,” Mrs Law says.

In a petition signed by 300 people and presented to Council, the Hillcrest Guardians identified a need to improve upkeep of the Park and create opportunities for events to happen there. In response Council have implemented a number of safety measures including a lighting upgrade, installation of speedbumps in the carpark and fencing of shrubbery nearby. General maintenance and vandalism improvements have also been made.

Mrs Law says, “According to our local constable and local businesses - the benefits are obvious, less crime, more usage of the park and a safer and more positive community feeling. Our approach is simple, create ways that the community can come together to celebrate and appreciate where they live and the park they own - to foster community spirit and pride.”