Council steps in over parent's playground gripe to explain 'odd' design
The criticism of the sandpit was dispelled by others, before the council explained its unique features.
Playground safety is often the source of contentious debate, with some Aussie parents constantly running after their children, assessing likely threats, while others take a more laid-back, 'they'll be right' approach.
So when one parent criticised the new disability playground at a Sydney park, his comments kicked up a storm of heated discussion.
Sharing a photo of Hunter Park at Balmoral Beach on Sydney's Lower North Shore, he implored others to see "what's wrong" with the way the sandpit is now designed.
"There is nothing to stop a kid from tumbling off the stone edge!" the dad said on the Mosman Living Facebook group page on Monday. "Such a long time to build the worst play area. I am so disappointed and angry at what the council has done compared to what could have been."
While some thought the feature was "really odd" for safety reasons, believing it was "designed by people who have no experience of looking after small people," the majority were overwhelmingly in favour of the sandpit.
"This is considered safe as the fall is under a metre and is directly onto soft ground," an early childhood educator commented.
Mosman Council explains playground's design
A Mosman Council spokeswoman confirmed the changes to the park and sandpit were made as part of the council’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan, and they have not received any complaints regarding the sandpit height.
"The park’s sand table has two places for wheelchairs to roll up underneath the sandpit, providing access for users to place their hands in the sand, and was developed with input from an accessibility specialist," she told Yahoo News.
"A ramp provides access to the sandpit digger so it can accommodate a wheelchair user. The park also has a trampoline that is built into the ground and is fully accessible. An inclusive swing is also due to be installed at the playground."
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