Elizabeth Vale Mofflin Reserve development opens as social media disappointed by playground

A $4.6m playground upgrade has officially opened after 10 months of construction – but some parents aren’t impressed.

Kids and adults enjoy the new $4.6m upgrade to Mofflin Park at Elizabeth Vale. Picture: Supplied

A new $4.6m playground development in Adelaide’s north has drawn criticism from parents fearing its steel construction could burn children and has steps that are too high.

The Elizabeth Vale project aimed to “transform an under-utilised” reserve near the Lyell McEwin Hospital with a “unique mix of play, fitness and quiet areas”.

Playford Mayor Glenn Docherty said the 10-month project created a “feature-packed community space” for locals, and hospital visitors and workers.

“There is an expansive play area with a range of equipment suited to different ages and abilities, including swings, climbing equipment, teepees, slides, trampoline and basketball court,” Mr Docherty said.

During the opening families and children enjoyed the new play equipment, walking tracks and gardens. Picture: Supplied

“The space also features BBQs and picnic facilities, nature play, a large lawn area, native gardens, walking loop, fitness equipment and established tree canopy.

“Elements prominent throughout the consultation feedback were also incorporated into the final design such as extra indented carparks, an upgrade to an existing off-street carpark, more lighting and new public toilets.”

But a day after the official opening, frustrated locals said the park wasn’t thought through, that steel components would burn children in the hot sun, and steps are too high for little kids.

Missy Lee-Ramage posted photos to the Northern Suburbs Community Notice Board of the condition she found the playground in when she visited with her young son.

Despite describing the playground as “beautiful” with a “nice grass area” and her young son’s excitement, their visit was not as fun as they hoped.

“(There were) bottles just laying around, the bigger slide had either water marks or something else on it (we didn't dare go on just in case),” Ms Lee-Rampage wrote.

“Someone tell me how a child is meant to enjoy this part of the playground, we didn’t wanna try the other little playground just in case we got disappointed again.

Images taken on the equipment a day after opening show bottles and rubbish littered throughout the equipment. Picture: Facebook.

Northern Suburbs mother Missy Lee-Ramage posted photos showing the height of the internal stairs and her young son struggling to get down. Picture: Facebook.

“I understand it may not be for little people but my son is 125cm and couldn’t even do it without help getting up and these weird as stairs … I had to struggle getting him down as he was too freaked out by looking down at these.”

Other parents added to the discussion in the comments about their disappointment at the equipment.

Sarah Fleet wrote her 13-year-old child “struggled with those ‘steps’” and there was “no way” she would take their almost three-year-old to the playground.

“The idea is there but they really haven’t thought about it too well,” Ms Fleet said.

Jemma Booth commented on the construction choices, writing “wait a playground made with steel plating in Australian heat? Whose genius idea was that?”

The new playground at Mofflin Park. Picture: Supplied

Belle Watkins saw the positives of the playground’s size, commenting “finally a playground for bigger kids!”

“Glad to see something to encourage more kids outside,” Ms Watkins said.

“Well done to those that created this and thought of the in-between kids that are so often forgotten.”

Mr Docherty said the joint project between Playford Council and the state government had received an “overwhelmingly positive response” from the community following the opening and it was “wonderful seeing local families and visitors enjoying the space.”