Playgrounds, by definition, are areas where children can play to let off energy while having fun. One would therefore assume they should be safe to ensure energetic kids do not get hurt. Last month, the Malta Standards Authority started inspecting playgrounds around the island to ensure they are safe. While new playgrounds, like the one in Tigné, are being built to specific standards, Claudia Calleja went to six playgrounds, picked at random, and found many leave much to be desired.
Paola
The playground, situated along Maggie Moran Road, occupies a corner of a pretty garden. Although the playing equipment has been recently painted in bright colours, the wooden swings and benches are clearly weathered and require a different sort of maintenance. Some swings and benches are broken, there are pieces missing from a hanging rod and the ground is coarse and stony. A woman, who was there with her grandchild, said the state of the playground was “not too bad”, but it clearly needed maintenance.
Parents are mainly worried because they find syringes there occasionally.
Marsascala
Located in the main square and the entertainment area of the village, the playground is in desperate need of some tender, loving care. Some swings are missing, others are broken and the rubber flooring is torn in some areas. A green caterpillar on a spring, used by children to bounce on, is beaten up. Close by, there are traces of another ride that was pulled out of the ground.
Parents there said the main problem with the playground was that, especially in summer evenings, it got crowded with children and teenagers. The latter often used the swings and play equipment that are not built for them.
Żebbuġ
The Infetti playing field is peppered with rusty kid traps that lure curious children. In at least two corners of the ground, there are rusty pieces of metal that seem to have been the holding frames of dustbins. The merry-go-round is completely missing except for its rusty central pole. Here too some swings are missing and there is graffiti on the side of the slide.
“That pole worries me a lot. My two-year-old keeps going towards it to touch it,” a worried mother said. She added that she was also concerned because the playground is close to a road and is not properly fenced.
Mtarfa
Looking at the Mtarfa playground, you might think you are wearing sepia-tinted glasses, as the swings are all covered in rust. The playground seems abandoned with no children present.
Kurt Guillaumier, the executive secretary of the local council, happened to be on-site, because the council is working on refurbishing the area and is trying to get the necessary funding. He explained that the playground is not used much. However, he did see people there sometimes and was worried.
Mosta
The displaced rubber flooring beneath the play areas is the first thing that catches your eye when you walk into this playground. The weathered swings are held together by rusty bolts, the climbing frame has bolts sticking out and one of its bases is missing.
A woman who was there with her three-year-old daughter described the area as a “disaster”. A week ago, the girl twisted her wrist when she fell, because her leg got stuck between displaced rubber mats.
Naxxar
Located in the shade of large trees, the playground is safely fenced off from the busy road. Parents from various localities said they like to take their children there, because it is safe and breezy. The entire ground has rubber flooring and the play equipment is well maintained and marked according to age, so toddlers can play separately from older children.
Apart from a few damaged awnings above the benches and age signs that seem to be slightly burnt, the playground seems to be up to standard for parents there.
Up to standard
Playgrounds’ safety criteria are included in a national standards document that lists various requirements that include:
• Pedestrian warning signs are to be installed at the entrance path of a playground.
• All fences are to be in good condition to prevent children from running into surrounding roads.
• All wiring should be located underground and duly protected from unauthorised access.
• Benches are to be designed safely and must be complete, undamaged and securely fixed.
• Preferably, the playground should be designed for different ages. Play areas for younger children are to be separated from those meant for older children.
• Public conveniences are to be available in the vicinity whenever possible.