Award-winning garden trashed after Facebook party

Facebook users organized an outdoor party in Leeds, England, with more than 350 participated. It went awry and they destroyed an award-winning garden built in honor of Nelson Mandela.

UK Facebook users organized a mass water fight near a Leeds City Council, and promoted it in the Facebook group called "Leeds Biggest Water fight 2008" that attracted more than 9,000 members. Around 350 people participated armed with water pistols and buckets. The group was very happy after the party and the administrator thanked everyone for attending the party and making it a big success. The only problem was the party destroyed the Leeds city’s Millennium Square garden with damages in the thousands of dollars. This garden was built in honor of Nobel Prize winner Nelson Mandela. The garden also was awarded a medal at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2004. The Leeds city council members told the Register that plants were trampled, turfs were ripped up, and water tanks were emptied and filled with foam. Councilor John Procter, executive member for Leisure, said the following in a statement. "Frankly I'm appalled at the total disregard for people's ongoing enjoyment of this beautiful city oasis…To destroy years of careful cultivation for a couple hours of so-called 'fun' is unforgivable. We will be pulling out all the stops to make sure everything is put right." The video shows some of the damages by the group and shows the crowd’s reaction when the police arrived at the scene. After the garden damages were reported in the news, some of the members volunteered to repair the garden. Also, the organizers for this party are planning to do the same next year. The police may file a case against the group based on the video evidence and eyewitness accounts. Facebook-organized parties called flash mob are very common, but they usually meet for a few minutes and disperse in silence. Maybe the same group can organize a donation party and pay for the damages or help them fix the garden place. Here is a 360 degree view of the garden.