The 2.1m fence is being built to prevent vandalism on the oval but Tilga Street resident Jim Brisenden says its height and access restrictions pose unnecessary problems for a small town like Canowindra.

“You want a fence that is four-foot high and presentable to people who visit,” he said.

“This security fence is what you’ve got at a jail. It turns people away.”

Some of the gates have also been locked to restrict access to the oval but the closure of the Rodd Street gate near the Canowindra Golf Club has angered residents who regularly use it as a shortcut to the club and hospital.

“They have chopped off a gateway that has been there for 80 years,” Mr Brisenden said.

According to the Central Western Daily, Canowindra Sports Trust president Barry Traves said the fence had already succeeded in reducing vandalism at the oval.

He said Mr Brisenden only had to walk an extra 60 metres, adding many residents had not even noticed the new fence going up.

Mr Brisenden, however, says he has to walk that distance four times, which adds up to several hundred metres “and when we get old, that’s a long walk”.

“We haven’t had vandalism for three or four years either, so that’s wrong too,” Mr Brisenden said.

Mr Brisenden says he is representing the 60 odd people living near the park and questioned why the fence was put up, “if no one noticed it”.