DRUNKEN youths, boy racers and vandals will return if an award-winning Cleethorpes park is kept open overnight.
That is what residents fear for Haverstoe Park as North East Lincolnshire Council makes plans to keep the gates unlocked.
Now a petition against the plans has been launched and more than 465 people have signed it.
They fear history will repeat itself and have branding the move "short-sighted" because after the gates were left open for a period in 2000, there was an upsurge in antisocial behaviour and vandalism.
Councillor Keith Brookes (Haverstoe, Cons), said: "This park is bordered by residential housing. They are very worried this will happen again. History shows from the amount of damage caused last time this is a stupid idea.
"It is so short-sighted because it will cost the council more to clean up the vandalism."
The plans are part of NELC's bid to save £370,000 from this year's grounds maintenance services budget and £1 million before 2015-16.
But Haverstoe, Sidney Park and Sussex Rec are protected by covenants, which could stop NELC carrying out their plans.
Duke of York Gardens, Bradley Woods, St Christopher's Jubilee Playing Field in Humberston, Cleethorpes Country Park, King George in Cleethorpes, Roval Drive in Immingham and Mount Pleasant in Waltham, are now kept open overnight.
There are also "strong rumours" the Haverstoe park warden will be axed but NELC would neither confirm nor deny this.
Other council plans include: cutting the grass less often and maintaining the floral displays, shrubs and hedges less often. Healing, New Waltham, Laceby and People's Park bowling greens are also at risk of closure, as reported.
Haverstoe has six entrances to the park and backs on to Huntleigh Lodge Care Home. It is also used by schoolchildren at neighbouring Signhills Academy.
Friends of Haverstoe formed in 2000 after the park fell into ruin. Chairman Marjorie Bray said: "All our hard work and effort will come undone. There are more funds available for the park but there is no point spending the money now if it is going to be destroyed.
"This is a backwards step. We must look after our green spaces for future generations."
A spokesperson for NELC said: "We have a number of parks and open spaces that have been locked and unlocked daily at a significant cost to the authority. This is no longer sustainable. We may need to resolve issues around by-laws and covenants at Haverstoe, Sussex and Sidney parks, but the intention is to stop this practice as soon as possible."
Mr Brookes will present the petition in the coming days. He added: "We must persuade NELC this would be a backward step and hope it will see sense."
