Child injured at ‘disgraceful’ playground

Fenech MD

Aug 30th 2010, 17:27

Ghax ma jwaqqghux kollox u jhalluh kif kien qabel? Bandli aktar imkissrin, milli tajbin (u mhux ghax kissruhom, imma bil-wear and tear) Funtana ma tahdimx u qabda pjanti nixfin - ahjar ghamlu ground zghir bit-turf biex jilghabu football fih jew xi basketball pitch, Ma ghandi xejn kontra l-haddiema/habsin li qed jahdmu hemm, imma sa fejn naf jien il-kunsill ghandu xi 4 irgiel jahdmu mieghu, ghax ma qabbadx lilhom jaghmluh ix-xoghol, flok qed ihallashom biex jiehdu l-kafe u isaqqu l-ftit pjanti nixfin li hemm? Semmew xi playing fields f'Rahal Gdid li jinsabu fi stat ta' abbandun. Inzid maghhom dawk li hemm fi Triq San Alwigi (fl-area tax-xewk). L-anqas sura ta' bandli ma fihom.

A. Grima

Aug 30th 2010, 10:18

(to E. Galea)... what do you have to say on the Corradino inmates... are they normal people?? Can they have another chance in their life?? And what' s all wrong for the council to integrate these people back to community, to make some work usefull on a voluntary basis. Other money allocated to the council can be used for other things.

It is true that some of these gardens in Paola are in bad conditions, but we shall say that it was this council together with the government that have arranged St. Ubaldeska area, it was for this council that installed water pipes so that the flowers can be poured with some water in this Summer. It is also true that the process is rather slow, but something has started. It' s been ages that in our gardens no flowers could be seen and instead these were just dirty.

Please take note, that a locality like Paola should have more financial assistance from the Central Government since it is a locality where outsiders come to Paola and just leave their rubbish and dirt in the streets without caring for the Poala residence! We need RESPECT !

M. Camilleri Calleja

Aug 30th 2010, 08:18

What a shame for the Paola mayor to speak in that manner! Does Mr Grima comprehend the meaning of Health and Safety? Children run everywhere in a town where green areas and playing fields are a rarity and it's the duty of the local council/contractorto make sure that the working material is safely stowed away out of reach of the public in general. It could likewise have been an elderly who could have tripped in that pile of paving stones.

Whilst I am at it, I should like to remind Mayor Mr Grima that the Wied Blandun garden where I reside is also part of the locality. The garden is totally run-down and swings in its small playing field were given a 'laqgha zebgha attaparsi godda'. What was broken remained broken with paint sloshed over everything. As if a new colour meant new swings.

The flooring around the swings seems to make sure that children tripping or falling off the swings would bruise themselves beyond recognition. The playing field in Wied Blandun needs modern safer swings and rubber flooring, even though there is no Kunsill Lokali HQs in this part of the locality.

Joseph Micallef

Aug 29th 2010, 17:46

Without getting into the merit of who is to blame, parents do need to keep a watchful eye on their children while playing - even in playing fields! I see parents oblivious to what their children are doing while playing, totally consumed in chatting with some other parent! Unfortunately I see this too often!

Elaine Compagno

Aug 29th 2010, 14:51

Just over a year ago, my daughter slipped from a climbing frame in Birzebbugia. 5 hours later she was in an operating theater to have her elbow put back together with pins.

We take our children to a play under the pre-conceived idea that playgrounds are a safe place for them. But that idea is a false one. Some of these structures are just dangerous, such as those 'merry go round thingies'. The bars on a climbing frame should atleast have a non-slip coating. Everytime a child runs in front of a swing, my heart almost stops.

I used to think we're just overprotecting our kids.. when we were young, we played roughly, rolled in the dirt , blah blah blah.. but you change that kind of thinking when you see your kid, panic stricken and in pain, fighting off the anesthetic mask in an operating theater.

A.Camilleri

Aug 29th 2010, 11:57

Why is this child sat on that pile of bricks even after he was grazed when the actual playground is behind him?

Louise Fenech

Aug 29th 2010, 11:37

I'm very disappointed to read what Mr. Grima said. Paola's playground has been turned into a disgrace ages ago, when a wide free area was turned in an area with useless littered fountains, a useless greek theatre and a building which took away a considerable part of the free area the children need in such a densely built area. Parents need ample, safe spaces where their children play. I really believe that the area's plan should be reconsidered and gives back a better playground to the children.

E. Galea

Aug 29th 2010, 11:35

Why the mayor, is trying to blame the mother of this kid. A playground is a playground, and to be exact I have never seen this area closed. Second it's a shame on the council to have the inmates of Corradino Facility doing this job free. This is a local council and not a volontrary organisation. Why don't the mayor inform us how many corradino inmates are working on this project? if i'm not mistaken 4 people, amongst many other jobs. He also stated 10% of the playground.. 10%? and what about the other 90% . A fountain which the last time it worked was 10 years ago, soil which is harder than concrete, a supposed to be Greek Theatre, a 2mtr deep pond which is always empty and swings which are more of a danger to children rather than a recreational thing.
How many syringes are found daily in this playground ? Also mentioning this playground, why dont we mention also the playground in Wied Blandun and the other in Ta Lourdes..A TOTAL DISGRACE..I am asking the M.S.A to visit this playground and tell us where the standards are? This mother should sue the Mayor himself