A Norwich mother says attempts to spruce up an unloved city park have been a "waste of money" after her child was scalded by its new metal slide.
The new slide at Bowers Park in Mile Cross has been branded a "child scorcher" after it became too hot to handle for one of Michelle Menzies' children during recent warm weather.
Ms Menzies, 37, says the park is still in a state of disrepair despite Norwich City Council recently spending £50,000 to improve it.
In June 2021, the park shut following a spate of vandalism which the council said it could not afford to sort out, but by July it had reopened following post-lockdown investment.
However, Ms Menzies says its concrete steps are still overgrown and there is still no equipment for teens to use which has led to them vandalising the equipment designed for younger children.
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Ms Menzies said: "When you go to put your hand on the slide it's just too hot, and the weather hasn't even been that hot yet.
"It scorched my child when they went down it.
"I even burned my hand a couple of weeks ago when I touched it.
"Someone will get hurt if it carries on.
"They've got nothing out of £50,000 it's a massive waste, the park still looks horrible, it's just not a nice place to take your children."
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She says the lack of equipment for older children has also led to anti-social behaviour such as smoking weed and littering.
Ms Menzies added: "I wish they'd have just asked us what we wanted.
"They should've had a zip wire or a climbing wall as that would appeal to a wider age range.
"There's always teenagers smoking weed down there or throwing fast food wrappers on the floor.
"I've even seen them hang the swings up high so young children can't use them.
"It's almost like because we've been complaining for a while the council have given us the metal slide to spite us."
Norwich City Council have been contacted for comment.
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