Gold Coast grandma fears kids may get “hurt or die” at Emerald Lakes new playground
Council has responded to fears a new Gold Coast playground is a disaster waiting to happen. SEE THE PROBLEM FOR YOURSELF AND TELL US WHAT YOU THINK
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A GOLD Coast grandmother fears a playground at Emerald Lakes Parkland is a disaster waiting to happen.
Kathy Gilchrist said she takes her four grandchildren to the new park every other day but is fearful that it’s not safe enough for young children.
“The design has kids nearly breaking their necks. From the open areas at the top of the play area, there’s a 2-3m sheer drop,” she said.
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“The council, in their wisdom, have put orange plastic tape across it but still opened it last week.
“It is certainly a death trap for little kids and should be addressed before someone gets hurt or even dies.”
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But according to a council spokesperson, the playground equipment meets Australian standards and “an independent playground expert has certified the playground as being safe”.
“Safety is the city’s number one concern,” she said but confirmed that “the city has chosen to isolate a section of the playground to conduct a further design review to address community concerns”.
Mrs Gilchrist said she was a hands-on grandparent and was always at the side of her four grandkids, two three-year-olds and two four-year-olds, but that it was not always possible to be everywhere at every time.
She said she’d spoken to other parents at the park and they too were upset about their childrens’ safety.
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“But there’s often like 20 kids this age up there all the time and we’re all so worried for them. If they fell from the openings it could be really tragic,” she said.
“After school there’s also heaps of kids there and many of the parents I’ve spoken to are angry and believe it’s irresponsible.
“It’s such a shame as it’s really a lovely new playground. We just want the council to make it safer for our little ones.”
Dozens of concerned parents shared Mrs Gilchrist’s concerns on the Bulletin’s Facebook page, one parent said she saw a little tot fall head first on to the ground, while Julie O’Rourke said the playground was an accident waiting to happen.
“It’s not that we are babying our kids but keeping them safe,” said the grandmother who takes her two-year-old to the Emerald Lakes Playground.
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Sharni Seeney said the park was good for older kids but she wouldn’t be back with her four and two-year-old.
“Too dangerous for them, had to follow them around, the drop scared the crap out of me, and them. Won’t be going back,” she said.
Tineke Hart said unless that was a sign stating the age of children the park was designed for then it’s “an open invitation for an accident and lawsuit against council which rate payers will pay for”.
“Every parent whose children use this playground should be writing a complaint letter to the council.”
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