Parents share fury over destruction of nature play zone, built by children at Seaford, council deems it safety risk

A much-loved play area built by children in a Seaford Park was stripped down by the council on Thursday, after it was deemed a safety risk to those using it.

Angry residents at Helmsman Terrace Park. Picture: Michael Marschall

Furious parents have denounced Onkaparinga Council’s decision to destroy a community-built children’s play area at Seaford without warning.

Over the past 18 months, children of all ages had spent hours constructing a cubby house and bike track at Helmsman Tce Park.

On Thursday night, workers pulled down the play area because it was deemed a safety risk.

The cubby house, built from fallen tree branches and other materials found in the park, was a place where children interacted.

The Helmsman Terrace play area, before it was destroyed by the council. Picture: Tiffany Bradley

Siblings Cole and Aylish at the cubby house. Picture: Tiffany Bradley

The bike track included jumps and the cubby house had a swing rope attached.

Parent Tiffany Bradley, 38, said the area allowed her daughter, Aylish, 10, and son, Cole, 7, to make new friends and spend time away from mobile devices.

“It was a place where all the kids could come and play and build and work together,” Mrs Bradley said.

“At any time, you could look out there and kids of all different ages were playing.”

Mrs Bradley said the area was constructed at the height of the pandemic and allowed children a social release during the state’s lockdowns.

Tiffany and Evan Bradley with kids Cole, 7 and Aylish, 10 at Helmsman Terrace Park. Picture: Michael Marschall

Council deemed the play area a safety risk. Picture: Supplied

She said her two children had returned home from school on Thursday excited to play and were distraught to see the area in ruins.

“The kids were always out there building the bike tracks, there was a rope ladder that was a lockdown activity,” she said. Mrs Bradley said people walking their dogs would help find sticks for the children to build the cubby house.

“Everyone sort of worked together … it was a real community thing,” she said.

A council spokesman said that in a review late last year the “alterations” to the park were deemed “unauthorised and dangerous”.

Upset kids (L-R) Archie Semple 10, Aylish Bradley, 10, Kaide Bursnahasn, 13, Jaiden Burrell, 9, Shiesha Capasso 10, Matteo Capasso, 9, Felix Harrison, 7, Isla Hardy, 7 (L-R) front Jay Semple, 7 and Cole Bradley, 7. Picture: Michael Marschall

Stress marks from the rope swing on a tree at the park. Picture: Supplied

“Council’s parks and natural resources team confirmed the safety risks to children during their inspection earlier this week, which included exposed sharp nails and screws, and faulty swing ropes and ladder,” he said.

The spokesman said the council “empathised” with families about the removal of play equipment.

However, an upgrade to the park was completed mid-2021, that included a facelift for the playground, nature play items, better irrigation, pathways, landscaping and seating.