TWO of three props used for Carlisle's £50K pop-up park have been removed following damage.

Carlisle City Council confirmed the removal of the dog and the duck for repairs following damage. 

The hare is since missing an ear but will be repaired at a later date.

The new park, adjacent to the Old Town Hall, was said to 'provide opportunities for individuals and families to relax, eat, drink and socialise whilst in the city centre with additional seating'.

However the controversial government funded pop-up park designed to brighten up the town centre is now damaged awaiting repairs. 

 

READ MORE: New £50,000 'pop-up' park unveiled in Carlisle's Greenmarket

A Carlisle City Council spokesperson said: "Two parts of the site have been removed by the council and are undergoing repairs following damage.

"CCTV covers the site and any damage to the site has been reported to Cumbria police."

"The Welcome Back Fund supported local authorities to develop plans for responding to the medium-term impact of Covid-19 including trialling new ideas, particularly where these relate to the High Street.

"The funding could only be used for non-permanent public realm adaptations to boost the look and feel of the high streets

"The items making up the temporary installation have been designed and procured in such a way that they can be re-used elsewhere in the city centre or on council green spaces as required."

Carol Crawford, of Brewed Awakenings said she spotted teenagers on the pop-up garden over the Easter weekend. 

She said: "Lots of people were sitting around and lots of young children were playing on it, however, it was teenagers that damaged the duck on Saturday and then on Bank Holiday Monday.

"We noticed the dog had gone missing completely, yesterday the rabbit's ear was hanging off and today it's disappeared.

"It's very popular and is brilliant for young children, unfortunately when teenagers start playing with it they're standing on the back of the dog and they're quite unruly with it, so it was never going to last.

"£50,000 is a lot of money to spend on the temporary arrangement to then lift it later in the year, they say they're going to re-use it, I don't believe for one second it's going to be in any condition to re-use."

Elena Iurascu, of Alex's Pasta Bar, said: "Everybody was enjoying it, but obviously people started vandalising, so honestly I don't see how that little rabbit is going to stay there."

"It looks really nice but I don't trust the community."

"I think a solution would be if we could get some kind of security."

Cumbria Police have said they are aware of the damaged props but will not be investigating as it is not a criminal matter. 

READ MORE: Carlisle's new pop-up park prompts outcry