Children were playing just feet away from discarded hypodermic needles at St. Mary's Park in Mott Haven Wednesday.

Some apparent drug users stopped what they were doing as News 12 cameras approached. 

The scene developed just weeks after police raided a nearby drug den nicknamed "The Hole" on St. Ann's Avenue.  

Neighborhood resident Owen Cutting said he's worried that the raid simply resulted in a growing number of addicts moving to the park, which threatens children's safety in the area.

Discarded needles can carry infectious diseases. Children are at risk of getting poked and infected.

"If they were to play doctor as we did when we were kids, they may actually prick themselves or someone else," Cutting said. "You can get diseases from the blood left behind."

Police say they are aware of the situation and will continue to patrol the area.

The Parks Department says it is working with the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and other organizations to improve outreach in the area. It will also add syringe disposal containers "at designated hotspots."