Renovation for Plymouth play park after residents complain

The Plymouth play park has been closed by the Division of Sport and Youth Affairs after complaints over the dilapidated structures.  - David Reid
The Plymouth play park has been closed by the Division of Sport and Youth Affairs after complaints over the dilapidated structures. - David Reid

The Plymouth play park has been closed after residents complained that children were exposed to grave danger by the dilapidated structures.

Though the ground is well kept, residents, speaking recently on condition of anonymity, said the park is in disrepair and children are exposed to sharp edges and broken parts.

One parent told Newsday she fears the structure may fall and injure a child, or even worse.

“On weekends it's really heartbreaking to see children come and play here. The support beams are rusted, there are parts falling off and just lying there on the ground. But you know, it's children, and sometimes they don’t even know their own danger.”

Another resident called on the authorities responsible to intervene to fix the equipment or barricade the area so it is inaccessible.

Newsday contacted newly-elected assemblyman for the area Zorisha Hackett, who agreed with these concerns.

Hackett said, “I used to take my children there, but I have since stopped, as over the years the park has not been maintained. This one has been in a state of disrepair for a while with nobody paying attention to it.

“I want us to put up a sign – something that says that the park is hazardous and closed for repairs."

She said she was looking into the issue and would approach the THA Division of Sport, which is responsible for the play park, to find out if there are any plans to renovate it.

In response, the THA Division of Sport and Youth Affairs said play parks across the island will soon get a facelift with repairs, general maintenance, replacement of equipment and upgrades.

A release on Tuesday said: "A comprehensive maintenance plan is being developed for all 11 public play parks on the island. The assessment for the plan has already begun by the Division of Sport and Youth Affairs. The holistic assessment will consider safety and accessibility issues, the condition of equipment and structures and effectiveness in physical development."

It said the current assessment process has already resulted in the closure of the Plymouth Play Park, adding that a recent evaluation indicated the equipment is beyond repair and needs to be replaced.

The 11 public play parks managed by the division are at Calder Hall, Buccoo, Plymouth, Studley Park/Fort Granby, Roxborough Renaissance, Louis D’Or, Charlotteville, Speyside (at recreation ground), Lucy Vale, Bon Accord and Adventure.

The release said it is estimated that the parks are used by about 4,000 children every year.

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