Vandals and drunks running amok at Ringwood Lake Park at night

Boozed-up youths and vandals are smashing bottles, leaving rubbish behind and turning a popular park in Melbourne’s outer east into a no-go area after dark.

Ringwood Lake Park is popular with families. Picture: Penny Stephens.

Boozed-up youths and vandals are turning popular Ringwood Lake Park into a no-go area after dark.

Ringwood police officers have been patrolling the park daily this summer following ongoing reports of youths engaging in the activities.

Maroondah Leader reported in September police were increasing security at the park heading into summer due to “unsociable types” drinking and leaving needles in bushes.

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Ringwood East’s Amanda, who did not want her surname used, said she often saw smashed glass at the park near Rosedale Crescent, which was difficult to avoid when walking her dog.

“If you walk here on a Saturday or a Sunday morning, there’s often smashed beer bottles,” she said.
“I’d never walk here at night or in the wee hours, you’d be asking for trouble.

“I do know people who come here at night, do drugs and drink in dark pockets, and I’m not going to risk my safety.”

Police have stepped up patrols of Ringwood Lake Park. Picture: Penny Stephens.

Amanda said CCTV cameras and more lighting needed to be installed at the park to deter troublemakers.

Ringwood police Sergeant Brett Shadlers said “teenagers through to older people” were misbehaving at the park.

He said there hadn’t been a recent peak in offences but it had been an issue since he started working in Ringwood five years ago.

“It’s an ongoing issue because it’s a community hub,” Sgt Shadlers said.

“They’ve done all the (playground) works and it’s a nice family area now, and it’s continually being disrespected.

“The next day there’s rubbish everywhere and people have to clean it up.”

Dirty beer bottles in a rubbish bin at Ringwood Lake Park.

Ringwood East mother of one Kathleen, who did not want her surname used, said the lake was “totally safe” and “immaculate” during the day but she had seen youths drinking at the barbecues at night.

Maroondah Council cleans up rubbish at Ringwood Lake daily. Picture: Penny Stephens.

Maroondah Council’s local law indicates responsible consumption of alcohol is allowed at the park during permitted events and family picnics between 7am and 10pm.

Mayor Rob Steane said anyone found breaching the law faced a $300 on-the-spot fine.

He said council workers cleaned up rubbish at the park daily and urged anyone who witnesses anti-social behaviour at the park to immediately contact police.

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