Anzac Park playground at Somerset near Burnie deemed dangerous by parents after young girl suffers facial injury

A Tasmanian playground has come under fire for being dangerous after a four-year-old split her face open after running into a sharp-edged slide. See where it happened. WARNING. GRAPHIC

A playground in the state’s north west has come under fire for being dangerous after a four-year-old sustained a deep laceration to her face after running into a sharp-edged slide.

The girl’s mother, Megan Bellette, took to social media after the horrifying incident on Monday, warning other parents of the recently opened Anzac Park at Somerset near Burnie.

But the Waratah-Wynyard Council claim the playground equipment was inspected prior to opening the park, and that it was certified by a “playground auditor.”

They say in light of the social media post, improvements have been made by the “contractor responsible” for the build.

The gash to the little girl’s head required three stitches. Picture: Facebook.

Ms Bellette wrote on the Somerset community Facebook page: “My four-year-old daughter unfortunately had an awful accident yesterday afternoon at the new Somerset playground, resulting in a very nasty and deep cut requiring three stitches at the emergency department,” Ms Bellette said.

Ms Bellette said she returned to the playground on Tuesday to find “the double slide had not been soldered off smoothly and had a very sharp underside.”

“Please take care with your kiddies. I will be letting the council know tomorrow so they can fix ASAP.”

Ms Bellette claims the slide edge was not “soldered off properly” and was sharp. Picture: Facebook

Ms Bellette then thanked two women who “helped stem the bleeding” with bandages.

The post attracted over 100 comments, with parents slamming the facilities as being “not that crash hot”.

Jayden Humphreys said: “Must say for the cost of the park it’s not that crash hot, and it’s open to the public but not even finished yet?” he said.

“Where’s the climbing thing in the middle of the platform for the slides? Barricaded off cause (sic) it hasn’t even been installed yet, and then to see things like this … glad your daughter is okay but that’s outrageous.”

He then went onto to say “whoever signed off on the playground should have spotted that hazard.”

Somerset's Anzac Park playground was recently opened to the public. Picture: Waratah-Wynyard Council

Wayne Lamprey said “tbh (sic) it should be closed now and investigated and repaired.”

Leeby Jean said there should “definitely should have rubber running along that.”

Jarred House added: “The entire park is poorly designed and poorly fabricated … leaves a lot to be desired really.”

Haylee Culbert suggested the park had “lots of dangerous spots” and that “some of the bolts haven’t been put in correctly.”

A spokesperson from the Waratah-Wynyard Council said no official report has been mad in relation to the incident.

“The matter was forwarded to the contractor responsible for the playground works yesterday, and improvements have since been made to the relevant equipment,” the spokesperson said.

“The playground equipment was inspected prior to the opening of the park and was certified by a playground auditor as being compliant.

“The Anzac Park playground is a long awaited and significant asset to the Coast, and while any injury to a child is unfortunate, the playground has been enjoyed by hundreds of families since opening.”

The park was recently opened with a funding boost from the federal government. It cost $2.55 million to build.