Few seem happy with their local facilities.

The worst tales are of bullying, anti-social behaviour, boozing and broken glass, left behind after teenage yobs take over the spaces.

Some women say they have been intimidated by youths and no longer feel safe walking through their local park unaccompanied.

Many parents say their nearest parks simply aren't up to scratch but other options are too far away to walk to and they either don't have cars or don't feel they should have to drive to find a decent play area for children.

Disillusioned

One disillusioned dad said it looked like equipment at his local park hadn't even had a lick of paint since he had played there as a youngster about 15 years ago.

Francis Heald, who takes his nine and seven-year-old daughters to Harehills Park once a week, said: "I used to live round here when I was a kid and that's exactly the same park.

"They've added nothing – they've taken away, in fact."

The 28-year-old, who lives in Harehills, said: "It's never been painted in 15 years.

"It hasn't been touched in 15 years, it's exactly the same colour scheme."

It's certainly in a sorry-looking state. One set of what should be swings has no seats attached.

There's a tiny roundabout just about big enough for four little ones and the remains of what could have been a climbing frame – but it's anybody's guess as just a tall piece of metal remains.

It's not only a meagre collection of apparatus but so much paint has chipped off, it looks thoroughly unappealing. Fortunately this play area is one of several that will be improved thanks to £1.62m of Big Lottery Fund cash being spent on play provision across Leeds.

And it's not a minute too soon for Jeanette Landale, who lives between East End Park and Harehills.

The mum of two said: "There's nothing there at all, everything is broken. I know a lot of people won't go to Harehills Park as much as they used to."

She said her 15-year-old son no longer went after being picked on and punched by a yob there.

And the 38-year-old said she was too scared to walk through it alone.
She added: "The amount of bullying that goes on there is atrocious, children fighting, foul language, broken glass."

Mags Grinnell said play facilities at East End Park, near her home, were good for youngsters up to around six but one of the swings was broken, there was a lot of graffiti and there was often broken glass.

Mags, who has three children aged two, six and eight, said a piece of metal seemed to have been cut out of the slide and was a serious hazard.
"If a child got their finger trapped in it they wouldn't have a finger left, I don't think."

The 34-year-old said she fully supported the YEP campaign.
"Absolutely. I don't know much of Leeds but I think there's a lack of play facilities.

"It would be nice if there was more on offer at the park as I think it encourages families to get out and get fit and have fun."

Louise Robinson, of Cross Gates, saw her six-year-old son Thomas quizzed by police last year after neighbours complained about children causing a nuisance by playing football in the street.

The 29-year-old said it was difficult for parents these days because they no longer liked to let young children out of their sight because of fears they could be in danger – from both cars and people.

Their nearest park is Manston Park, which has had problems with groups of youths hanging around.

Louise said: "It's always a bit of a mess, covered in broken glass and last time there were no swings.

"You can spend about five minutes there and then they're bored out of their heads."

Mum Julie Chapman, of Moor Allerton, said her nearest playground was 15 minutes walk away and included a "rubbish" roundabout and "a see-saw that doesn't work".

She urged the council to make use of green space between homes on the Lingfield and Fir Tree estate.

"It's a waste as there's a severe lack of facilities here. They could put something in place there."

Mum-of-three Amanda Austin, of Gipton, said play provision in her neighbourhood was "absolute rubbish".

"When I was young none of us got in trouble because we had things to do."

She said: "That's why they all end up in big gangs because there's nothing for them to do.

"I'd like to see the council spending more money." Yvonne Pitter, who runs Chapeltown Community Play Scheme, said local youngsters' only options were the park next to Savile Drive, near Chapeltown Road, or Potternewton Park.

But she said there weren't enough facilities there to keep everyone occupied and interested for long.

The mum of three said: "We need more stuff." She urged the council to invest more in existing playgrounds to make them more fun.

"I'd like to see sandpits, bigger, more constructive toys that they can move about, tunnels they can crawl in and out of, floor games.

"They could have different areas for the big ones and sections for the little ones – it would be nice if they did that."

She added: "We need the park so they can run around and be free and have a bit of fun.

"If there was a little bit more for them to do it would be great."

And it's not just a problem for deprived communities. The relatively affluent suburb of Chapel Allerton is in the process of spending £140,000 on park improvements such as refurbishing the tennis courts and creating a court with basketball nets, in the hope of making it more appealing to different groups of children of all ages.

Carol Cook, honorary secretary of Chapel Allerton Residents Association, said it was important as it was the only public outdoor facility for youngsters in the area.

Louise Combes, who lives in Headingley and has a 19-month-old son Jamie, said: "Meanwood Park is a bit disappointing. It's a bit run down and there's very little for smaller children there."

She added: "I don't think there's much at Beckett Park. Burley Park is really good and the only one worth walking to."