More than 250 people have already signed a petition to improve the safety standards of Mandurah’s new eastern foreshore playground.
The petition was started by Jennifer Gamble last week after the Mandurah mum witnessed her child and other children suffer injuries in the nature-based playground.
Ms Gamble said the playground was blighted by hazardous limestone rocks, metal and concrete, which posed a threat not only to children’s fun but, more importantly, to their safety.
She is calling specifically for the removal of these hazards as well as a barrier to the toddler slide and soft fall surfacing to be implemented throughout the area.
“As I have witnessed and heard from numerous mothers, some injuries have been so severe that they necessitated first aid or ambulance services,” she said.
Despite being open to public for less than a month, Ms Gamble’s petition has already received ample support, with many people agreeing the limestone rock, a major feature on the playground, was a huge worry.
Commenting on the petition, parent Charlotte Dennehy said her two-year-old daughter’s first time at the playground resulted in a split chin when she fell on the rocks leading to the slide.
“The old playground was inclusive and safe for all ages,” she said.
“The rocks are unnecessary and pose a high risk of injury even with parent supervision.”
Another to voice her concerns, Olena Cherevko, said she was disappointed in the playground after waiting so long for it to be built.
“I’m all for children exploring and taking risks but that is way too dangerous in my opinion,” she commented.
Mandurah mayor Caroline Knight said the playground was independently assessed to meet Australian playground safety standards.
“It’s important to note there is a growing body of best-practice thinking in Australia around the value of managed risk play,” she said.
“Allowing children to experience age-appropriate challenge in a safe environment helps build important life skills like resilience, confidence and decision-making.
“Risk doesn’t mean danger, it means giving the children opportunity to test their abilities in ways that support healthy development.”