Dubbo mother Karen Hagan expressed disappointment at the “wanton and deliberate destruction”.

She was concerned that the council may stop supporting community projects like the outdoor gym, but the council indicated it would not be stopped by the vandalism.

A piece of the Function Fitness Park’s hip flex exercise machine was discarded into the middle of Victoria Park and found by users on Sunday.

The outdoor gym was launched in July and has 13 pieces of equipment.

Mrs Hagan said her children felt a kind of ownership of the new playground and gym equipment, having watched its development.

“My children, like many others, love the new playground and the new gym equipment, and it makes my family really sad to see such wanton and deliberate destruction,” she said.

“We can’t begin to understand what motivates the people to vandalise children’s equipment.”

Dubbo City Council horticultural services manager Ian McAlister took stock of the damage yesterday.

“We are obviously disappointed that the vandalism is occurring,” he said, adding vandalism wouldn’t stop council from providing such facilites for the community.

“The fitness centre has been well received by the majority of the public from all age groups and backgrounds,” he said.

The council is currently talking with the manufacturers of the equipment to find out if the damage is covered under warranty.

“We haven’t got a price of what it will cost - it may be covered by warranty,” Mr McAlister said.

“It will be replaced in any case.”

Mr McAlister said the vandals were not seen by the security camera in the outdoor gym but said the council was considering other options.

“We are looking at increasing light in the area. We don’t want to have to fence the facility.”

Despite this incident the cost of vandalism to the council in 2009/10 was $100,236, down $37,000 on the previous financial year and down $103,000 on 2007/08.

Orana Local Area Command Inspector Richard Morley said the function fitness park wasn’t the only target of vandalism.

“It is happening there but it is also happening at other places in town,” Insp Morley said.

He said officers try to prevent the vandalism around the community.

“There have been reports of things happening at the outdoor area and as a result, when possible, our officers change routes to patrol the area,” he said.

Insp Morley encouraged those in the community with

information on vandalism to report it.

“Every bit of information helps, so we would like people to report it if they see anyone vandalising anywhere in Dubbo,” he said.