Danger at Marsascala playground

Parents have expressed concern about the dangerous state of the main playing field in Marsascala where a partially dismantled structure made of metal and wood had nails protruding from it.

The playing field, situated in the main square at the entrance of the town, is in a general state of disrepair and parents who visited the area on Sunday complained that the dangerous structure and surfaces were not even cordoned off or clearly marked as dangerous.

When contacted, mayor Mario Calleja said the council had unanimously agreed to dismantle the playground and rebuild it to required standards.

“We could not remove the structures all at once but boards that were nailed to the wooden frame, to close off gaping holes after it was partially dismantled, were removed by some children and used as skateboards,” he lamented.

“The structures will continue to be removed on Wednesday (today) and another section of the wooden frame was removed on Monday morning,” Mr Calleja said, insisting parents should also be responsible for their children’s behaviour.

On Monday, a photographer found some of the dangerous parts still in place without any sign warning children and parents of the hazards.

Admitting that the playground did not conform to the guidelines recently published by the Malta Standards Authority, Mr Calleja said the council had decided to give it a complete overhaul. However, he complained that the playing field was vandalised a lot and a recently inaugurated play area in the St Thomas Bay area had already sustained some damage.