Fuming mum lists eight reasons why 'deathtrap' kids' park should be shut down
A mum-of-three has hit out at what she has called a 'potentially fatal' children's play park as she fears her youngsters will hurt themselves.
She has slammed the newly refurbished Robert Ashton park in Meltham, Yorkshire which only reopened last month and says she has no idea how the 'death-trap' has "passed health and safety". The park's refurbishment was a much needed makeover for the play areas in Kirklees, but some parents are worried.
A two-year-old boy almost losing his finger in a nearby park recently and the news has caused distress with one mum fearing the park could be deadly to youngsters. The 31-year-old mum, who asked not to be named said: "The old park needed a lick of paint and it needed new equipment, but what they [Kirklees Council] have done is take every thing out for the under 5s. There is no baby swings or anything.
"The big slide they have put in is so high, it literally is the same height as my bedroom window. Its so steep. There are no safety sides at the top either and you know what kids are like, if they mess about up there. And, you tell them the dangers and when they are playing it goes out their head.
"There is a fireman's pole too and the drop is so high, it's the size of a lamppost the drop. Its just so high, it's up to the top window in my house, it's a big drop from up there and if a child falls they are going to break their bones, or if they fall on their head it could be fatal. It's just so dangerous and when wood gets wet it's slippery as well. There has been no thought put into it at all. I don't know how it has passed health and safety, particularly with that slide."
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The mum has also expressed concerns that there is no fencing around the park and claims she worries, especially after recent news of dog attacks in the area. She said: "There is no fencing around the park so dogs can run in. My daughter is allergic to cats and dogs so we stay away from them as much as we can, but you just cant know how they will react, they are unpredictable dogs. I worry. The park is also very boggy and muddy wherever you step. And, the mud isn't going to dry up in our weather either. They did the same to Broadlands park and that's still muddy and boggy. There is nothing for under 5s there either."
A mother is unimpressed with the changes to the 'deathtrap' play park (Yorkshire Live)The mum has hit out claiming there is now nothing for young children in the park, she said: "The small climbing frame that has been put in for the toddler age group has giant steps, the steps are so far apart the little ones cant climb up it. Its taking their independence away. The park is for them to explore and experience. I have a baby, a 5-year-old and a 9-year-old, I didn't let my 9-year-old go to the top of slide because its too high and she is clumsy, and if she falls it is a long drop down.
"My friends two-year-old [who they visited the park with] could not do any of the toddler climbing frame. We left after 20 minutes, it was so disappointing. My kids were so disappointed with the new park they had been really excited, it was always the park we went to. It's an accident waiting to happen.
"I honestly don't know how it has passed health and safety checks. I'm all for kids exploring and trying new things but I'm not going to put them in danger. My son only just broke his collar bone, his sister dropped him when they were playing by accident from hip height and that did a lot of damage, something little like that gave him a broken bone, so imagine what that could do. This is just ridiculous. I don't know what they [Kirklees Council] are thinking."
A Kirklees Council spokeswoman said: “[We] undertook the redevelopment of Robert Ashton Memorial Park on behalf of Meltham Town Council who own and manage the park. As with all Kirklees parks earmarked for redevelopment, Robert Ashton Memorial Park went through a community consultation phase. During this consultation, designs were available for local park users to comment on before any work was undertaken.
“The new park has been designed with all-age play in mind, having equipment for toddlers, young children, and teenagers. All of our parks are subject to numerous health and safety measures, including a Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents safety inspection once a new park is completed. The wet weather at this time of year means that it is difficult for grass to take root and properly grow, this can lead to muddy conditions.”
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