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Too easy to blame the kids, sorry. I really do understand the frustration - a lovely play area for the very young and some lippy unpleasant, probably smelly, teenager and his mates intimidate you away. Not good. But first, and I know you know this, not all teenagers are like that. In fact, even the ones who are like that really aren't but just act it. Peer pressure and a sense of dislocation can do that to you. Second, what is there for the older kids to do? I know we whinge on about teenagers, and moan about having to provide something for them, but we don't whinge about (or shouldn't whinge about) providing stuff for elders, people with disabilities, toddlers, other vulnerable people, so I don't think we should crib about providing stuff for one of the most vulnerable groups, adolescents. Adolescents are way more than 4 times more likely to kill themselves than be stabbed to death - puts knife crime into perspective. Self harm rockets during adolescence and can cause life-long emotional health damage. Those blooming hormones run riot and cause immeasurable mood swings and self hatred.......what a horrible time!! But to balance that out, those same people can be charming, funny, engaging, amusing, and so interesting! Let's cherish them - some Mothers son or daughter...............