Letter of the week, 5/5/08: Dangerous new Hubbard Park play area!

[David]

Unsafe new Hubbard Park play area
Editor:

For a long time I watched with anticipation as the new play area went up in Hubbard Park. Finally it opened up. I was extremely disappointed and very upset for my child. The new play area must have cost a fortune. From a distance it really looks absolutely wonderful. Close up you can see that it is really a lawsuit waiting to happen.

The slides are so steep my son smacked his head on the side of the slide the first time down and belted out a wail. I watched as child after child slid down the slide at a high speed to slide directly off the end of the slide to then land directly on their bottom. When standing at the top, as an adult, you can see the danger. To the fearless child, it’s all fun.

Who approved this playscape? I was told that it was made for ages 2-12. What also upsets me is that this playscape was in the memory of a child that died while playing on one. Why would they choose such a dangerous play area for other children after such a tragedy?

I know some will think I am merely a neurotic mother, however, I honestly believe that this new playscape is extremely unsafe and should be reconsidered.
KATIE HARRIOTT, MERIDEN

[eds]

Are you kidding me?

"I watched as child after child slid down the slide at a high speed to slide directly off the end of the slide to then land directly on their bottom."

I remember the ultra smooth metal slides as a kid! Those were the best! Is this letter writer for real? What does the letter writer think playgrounds are?

Monkey bars were the best. People fell of them, got hurt, but it made you stronger. Made you realize you were not invincible. Made you think about getting hurt as a real possibility. Not like today where that realization comes at the wheel of a car. Life is not a video game. You need to feel the dirt in your hair, get mud and grass stains on your knees, and some bruises to know that you are living.

You know with all the anti-bacterial soaps and protect your kids from everything under the sun, it's no wonder kids stay inside playing video games. It's all that is left.

Scrapes, cuts, bruises, and even a few sprains and broken bones are part of growing up. It made you tougher and much more aware of your surroundings. No one was protecting you 24x7. Granted you don't give your kid matches to play with, but in all seriousness, a playground is meant to be a place where you might get a little hurt. Big deal.

It's rare a child dies on the playground. Children can die from all sorts of reasons, including in their own backyard. Tree limbs fall every day. Even a child was crushed in CT I think when a stone from a stone wall broke free and pinned the kid. How many children have died when their parents back the car out of the driveway or by parents letting their children ride on the riding mower.

I saw a commercial about Neo on the go. Neosporin antibacteria ointment that can be sprayed at the instant a child get's cut to protect the child from infection.

As a child we used Mercurochrome on the cut and a band aid which fell off about 2 minutes after going back outside. We washed with regular soap and water. Never got infected. And we did that after a whole day of playing. We never ran inside at the hint of a cut. You were a sissy if you did.

We all remember our rough and tumble childhoods, but will our next generation of children have those fond memories if we keep isolating them so much?

[Fit 2 Print]

I haven't seen the new playground/playscape at Hubbard Park in Meriden, but I'd sure be interested to hear reactions to it from those who've been there and have witnessed the children at play. Is it safe, or not?

[Charles E. Peevyhouse]

First, I did not know the playground was open. Second, I would just remind people that the new playground was in response to a horrible tragedy. It is my understanding that tremendous time and energy went into selecting and creating a playground that would be safe and family friendly. Third, if a particular parent feels that the playground is not safe perhaps that parent should exercise some parental discretion and establish appropriate boundaries and tell their child no. Fourth, everything and anything presents an inherent risk to a young child. I whole-heartedly agree with EDS, I took my licks growing up and it made me a stronger, independent person (the completely well adjusted argument piece is open to legitimate argument and debate). Fifth, the reality is that if you, as a responsible parent, feel a particular area or event is not appropriate for your child, and then stop your child from engaging in this event or activity. The continued move away from accountability for one’s personal choices and actions is a major problem in American Society. If you feel the playground is unsafe then stay off it.

[RC12L4]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, we're raising a nation of "wimpy" kids. Next parents will want to ban dodge ball from school...........oh wait they're already doing that.

[Modica]

No playground is 100% safe. Why not just keep your child inside all day. Just because a child bumps his head, that doesn't make the playground unsafe. If he bumps his head on your kitchen cabinet, should you rip all the cabinets out of your kitchen?

[Chriss P]

We are not only bringing up whimpy kids, but we are bringing up over-zealous lawyers lurking in every corner.

[collie]

Too bad she didn't do a bit more research - like finding out what the pitch of the slide is and comparing it to whatever safety standards are recommended for playground slides. I'm sure she's speaking from sincerety. My days of taking kids on the slide are long gone. I, like Fit2Print, would like to hear what other parents who do have kids on the slide, have to say about it.

[Charles E. Peevyhouse]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, we're raising a nation of "wimpy" kids. Next parents will want to ban dodge ball from school...........oh wait they're already doing that.

O so true. How about the other politically correct mamsy pamsy idea of playing games with no losers or winners. Hey, news flash, people lose in the real world. I spend many days of my youth losing South Meriden Youth league baseball games, boys club basketball games, etc. It taught me that losing sucks and instilled a drive to prevent my exposure to losing as much as possible. :eek:

[RC12L4]

O so true. How about the other politically correct mamsy pamsy idea of playing games with no losers or winners. Hey, news flash, people lose in the real world. I spend many days of my youth losing South Meriden Youth league baseball games, boys club basketball games, etc. It taught me that losing sucks and instilled a drive to prevent my exposure to losing as much as possible. :eek:

I wish I could find the article about the gym class in California that banned jump ropes because not all kids where able to do it. So instead none of the kids used jump ropes, they just pretended to use them, this way nobody could be made fun of for not being good at jumping rope.

[jma]

"Who approved this playscape? I was told that it was made for ages 2-12."

C'mon, if it's built for kids between 2-12, it's up to the intelligent parent to distinguish which parts are for 2-yr-olds, and which aren't. Monitor your child, make sure he/she is using age and skill appropriate slides, and lighten up! Either that or buy a big bubble for your child to safely live in.

[Modica]

Some parents these days are so hysterical. Poor kids are going to grow up afraid to do anything.:eek:

[WayneEMTP]

I have to agree with eds and the like. Kids are too sheltered and are being held back because of injury potential. I am a paramedic and have seen (and endured) my fair share of pediatric trauma.

Believe me, it's not the playground you should worry about. Let's try getting kids to be outside in stead of being couch potatoes. Dodge ball was fun and even better was the monkey bars. Children really are resilient so let them grow and not hide them from potential risk. Even a soccer ball can cause injury.

Without risk, there is no growth.

Wayne Woodtke
South Meriden

[Charles E. Peevyhouse]

Believe me, it's not the playground you should worry about. Let's try getting kids to be outside in stead of being couch potatoes. Dodge ball was fun and even better was the monkey bars. Children really are resilient so let them grow and not hide them from potential risk. Even a soccer ball can cause injury.

Without risk, there is no growth.

Wayne Woodtke
South Meriden[/QUOTE]

AMEN