Took the kids to the now completely open play area in the park yesterday. On the whole I thought it was pretty good. Certainly nice to have all new equipment. There were a couple of areas for concern though. Not least of which was the seemingly easy manner in which one older child (possibly teenager) was able to climb on the outside to the very top of the large tower and stand on it's roof. A fall from this height would, at best, result in broken bones. Now, of course it's the parents responsibility to make sure their kids aren't doing this kind of thing, but since seing the place being built I had always questioned the need for a two-storey tower, given that you can be sure that some people will not use it in the way intended.
Also a shame to see dogs off leads being allowed to wander in amongst the play equipment (which was a concern raised about the lack of surrounding fence). Many children, mine included, aren't keen on dogs, especially large ones, and it's a shame that before - when the area was fenced off - they could play without being worried by them, but now are not so eager to play there. One of the other concerns regarding the lack of surrounding fence was that it was easier for children to potentially wander off. With the boating lake and canal being relatively close this was a concern for some parents. However, I had to chuckle when I saw the quick-fix implemented to put parents minds at rest...
The new equipment is very good. I think it just needs a bit of getting used to. I also prefer the new location (among trees), as it provides extra shade and encourages picnics. It's a big shame the fence has gone
Took the kids to the now completely open play area in the park yesterday. On the whole I thought it was pretty good. Certainly nice to have all new equipment. There were a couple of areas for concern though. Not least of which was the seemingly easy manner in which one older child (possibly teenager) was able to climb on the outside to the very top of the large tower and stand on it's roof. A fall from this height would, at best, result in broken bones. Now, of course it's the parents responsibility to make sure their kids aren't doing this kind of thing, but since seing the place being built I had always questioned the need for a two-storey tower, given that you can be sure that some people will not use it in the way intended.
Also a shame to see dogs off leads being allowed to wander in amongst the play equipment (which was a concern raised about the lack of surrounding fence). Many children, mine included, aren't keen on dogs, especially large ones, and it's a shame that before - when the area was fenced off - they could play without being worried by them, but now are not so eager to play there. One of the other concerns regarding the lack of surrounding fence was that it was easier for children to potentially wander off. With the boating lake and canal being relatively close this was a concern for some parents. However, I had to chuckle when I saw the quick-fix implemented to put parents minds at rest...
This is the response from the Services Manager at Newbury Town Council with regards to the points raised above:
There is always a small minority of idiots that go one step too far. I would not agree that it is easy to climb onto the roof, but if someone is determined enough they will always find a way. The Megga Tower complies with the latest safety standards and provides a challenging and fun piece of equipment for kids to use and is extremely popular – this is the first of its type in the UK.
The play area has been designed to allow further expansion, as and when funds allow. The cost to fence the area is considerable (£38K) which would have left very little from the budget to install play equipment. We consulted with ROSPA, Sport England and Playbuilder regarding fencing the play area, they all confirmed that play areas should be left as open spaces (except for sand pits) and signage should be installed to flag up any adjacent water hazards. Dogs are difficult to police and we are having an additional sign made to request that they are kept on a lead in or around the play areas.
The new equipment is very good. I think it just needs a bit of getting used to. I also prefer the new location (among trees), as it provides extra shade and encourages picnics. It's a big shame the fence has gone
It is good to have new, clean equipment, although I was wondering if the work had been signed off yet. I noticed a couple of things that needed to be fixed. One, a relatively minor issue, was the fact that the gate to the sandpit (which does include a fence to stop animals getting in) doesn't close properly, making the whole idea of the fence surrounding it pointless, and the money spent on the fence and gate wasted.
The other thing I noticed is that there is a hanging/swinging basket which is suspended from a curved "L" shaped frame. This should be firmly secured in the base which is sunk into the ground, although the frame should flex slightly at the top.
The one in the park moves at the base as the swing goes back and forth. It does still have four bolts in place, and I would think that it is unlikely it should ever cause a safety issue but, given the amount of use it gets, it's hard to know what the wearing effect of that movement will be in a year or so's time.
I guess my point is it's nice, new equipment and paid for as such along with the installation. If there are things that aren't right, they should be made right by the company that installed it all.
Anyone know who is the best person to speak to at the council regarding this?
This is the response from the Services Manager at Newbury Town Council with regards to the points raised above:
There is always a small minority of idiots that go one step too far. I would not agree that it is easy to climb onto the roof, but if someone is determined enough they will always find a way. The Megga Tower complies with the latest safety standards and provides a challenging and fun piece of equipment for kids to use and is extremely popular – this is the first of its type in the UK.
The play area has been designed to allow further expansion, as and when funds allow. The cost to fence the area is considerable (£38K) which would have left very little from the budget to install play equipment. We consulted with ROSPA, Sport England and Playbuilder regarding fencing the play area, they all confirmed that play areas should be left as open spaces (except for sand pits) and signage should be installed to flag up any adjacent water hazards. Dogs are difficult to police and we are having an additional sign made to request that they are kept on a lead in or around the play areas.
Wow! That's a quick response. I understand about the reduced funding available and the restriction that places on how to handle the project. Although £38k for fencing sounds very steep. It's also interesting to hear that ROSPA, Sport England and Playbuilder supposedly told NTC not to put a fence around the site. In the literature that I've seen there hasn't been any such direct instruction. Instead, the advantages and disadvantages of fencing are listed, with no specific preference given to whether or not it should be used.
This is the response from the Services Manager at Newbury Town Council with regards to the points raised above:
We consulted with ROSPA, Sport England and Playbuilder regarding fencing the play area, they all confirmed that play areas should be left as open spaces (except for sand pits) and signage should be installed to flag up any adjacent water hazards. Dogs are difficult to police and we are having an additional sign made to request that they are kept on a lead in or around the play areas.
There's one habit that dogs have that can be annoying, and a health hazard: marking territory. So while this might not be a RoSPA issue, is it not possibly a H&S issue?
I think ladies of any age can find dogs have another unpleasant habit. As for gents, I find my knee being mounted a bit of a challenge.
It should be fenced. Maybe an electric sheep fence with a car battery. The kids would find it fun for a few times,and then get bored. Dogs would take the Pavlovian message. ce
Anyone know who is the best person to speak to at the council regarding this?
The cost of fencing is clearly caught up in the grander scheme of things. I agree that to spend £35k on a fence from a £90k budget is a little strange, but the money's rolling in every week.
NTC has received developer contributions from Travelodge and the ex-hostel in Queens Road plus others worth £9k in the last month.
But a lot gets earmarked for other things such as the £60k to convert the toilets into changing rooms (WBC still own this and want it flattened). Then there's the remedial works to the Park Way railings, the £150k to change the tennis courts into a 'multigames area', plus the £60k a year bill just to maintain the place.
But if we want a fence, and it appears that cost is the only issue, then NTC could use some of our £1.2m reserves (currently earning 0.5% interest).
I understand the play area contractors are organising a big opening event, so it might be worth a few concerned parents popping down then and asking our councillors why they can't find money for a fence if that's what the parents want.
It is good to have new, clean equipment, although I was wondering if the work had been signed off yet. I noticed a couple of things that needed to be fixed. One, a relatively minor issue, was the fact that the gate to the sandpit (which does include a fence to stop animals getting in) doesn't close properly, making the whole idea of the fence surrounding it pointless, and the money spent on the fence and gate wasted.
The other thing I noticed is that there is a hanging/swinging basket which is suspended from a curved "L" shaped frame. This should be firmly secured in the base which is sunk into the ground, although the frame should flex slightly at the top.
The one in the park moves at the base as the swing goes back and forth. It does still have four bolts in place, and I would think that it is unlikely it should ever cause a safety issue but, given the amount of use it gets, it's hard to know what the wearing effect of that movement will be in a year or so's time.
I guess my point is it's nice, new equipment and paid for as such along with the installation. If there are things that aren't right, they should be made right by the company that installed it all.
Anyone know who is the best person to speak to at the council regarding this?
Again, we have a speedy answer for you:
The company is already booked to re-tension the gate. The difficulty with gate tension springs is that they need time to bed in – if you over tension at the start there is a danger that little children could get their fingers bruised.
The cantilever swing is also due for inspection, as is the rest of the equipment – booked for Friday. We always keep a close eye on new equipment as bolts etc need re-tensioning fairly soon after the equipment has been installed.
It seems like the skate park is open for business as well. Must pop down and have a look, there were a load of youngsters on it in the pouring rain on their bikes, this evening I noticed as I went down the A339. I must say, at first glance it looks pretty good.
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