The vandals struck over the August Bank Holiday weekend by wrecking a wooden train in the children’s play area at the popular Barton Farm Country Park park near the Tithe Barn. One resident said: “The train at Barton Farm Park has been completely trashed. “I will report it to the council but for anyone there, before it is removed or made safe please be aware of the bolts and nails sticking out of the equipment.
” The damaged train at the children’s play area fenced off at Barton Farm Country Park. (Image: Trevor Porter) It is understood that Bradford on Avon Town Council wardens fenced off the area to stop visitors from using the damaged equipment but the vandals later returned. The children’s play area used to belong to Wiltshire Council but ownership was transferred to Bradford on Avon Town Council as part of an asset transfer process.
A spokesperson for Bradford on Avon Town Council said: "Our town wardens attended Barton Farm on Sunday morning – and made the equipment safe and fenced the area off. "Unfortunately, the vandals later returned and we will have to dismantle the equipment. "Although we are hopeful that we can fully repair and reinstall the train in the future.
"It is a shame that play equipment enjoyed by so many young children has been vandalised, which has caused a lot of distress." Barton Farm Country Park, on the southern side of town, runs alongside the River Avon and is also bounded by the Kennet & Avon Canal. It is one of the most beautiful green spaces in the town and sports one of the town’s biggest play areas for children to use.
The 36-acre site is very popular with residents and visitors who wish to enjoy a riverside picnic, a walk along the canal path to Bath, or a look around heritage sites like the Tithe Barn. The green space was a working farm until 1960 and management of Barton Farm Country Park was then transferred to the town council in 2022. The park extends down to the wildlife pond and the willow labyrinth.
The play area is part of wider improvements to play areas approved in 2022..
