31 Oct 2024
Questions have been raised over the safety of a breathtaking new slide in a St Albans playpark.
The apparatus, at Greenwood Park in Chiswell Green, is apparently causing children injuries, prompting parents and carers to demand immediate action from the parish council responsible for it.
Qualified teacher and nanny Claire Randall said when she took the eight-year-old boy in her care to the park on Friday she didn’t expect it to end up in tears.
“He went down the slide much faster than he expected and towards the bottom bend it knocked him sidewards. He hit his head and caught the corner of his eye on the side of the slide before being thrown off the end into the mud. I was very surprised as have never seen this happen on a slide before in all the years I have been in parks with kids in my care.
“I knew something seemed wrong about this slide as he flew down it so fast. He had a cut on the corner of his eyelid which bled and now has a bruise. Not what you would expect from a kids’ slide! Luckily his eye was not damaged!!”
She turned to social media to ask others if they had experienced any issues with the slide, and was inundated with responses from parents whose children had also been injured.
Claire said: “I was surprised how fast people were commenting about accidents their children have had on the same slide, but I’m not surprised that the other incidents have happened.
“I don’t think the slide is long enough for the speed and it has no safety surface underneath.”
Claire explained that the slide is in the section of the park for younger children, so they want to go on it.
Since the accident she has contacted St Stephen’s Parish Council and completed an accident form, and set up a petition calling for the slide either to be removed or made safer. So far it has received more than 200 signatures.
It says: “The new structure, although visually pleasing, has proved to be a hazard to the wellbeing of our beloved children. It’s evident that the safety standards in its design and installation have been compromised.
“Between unaddressed fast bends in the design and potential to hit the side of the slide and shoot off the end onto the grass with no safety material underneath, the potential for injury is a risk.
“The wellbeing of our children should always be a top priority. Therefore, let us ensure they have opportunities to play in safe and secure surroundings. We call upon the park administration to remove the new slide from Greenwood Park. Certify the safety of all play equipment to guarantee a safe environment for our children.”
Following the latest accidents, St Stephen’s Parish Council closed the slide pending a review by manufacturers Kompan.
A council spokesperson said: “The slide in question was a bespoke build for installation onto the mound at Greenwood Park to replace the old slide. A ROSPA post-installation inspection was completed on the slide and passed in May 2024 prior to opening to the public as is the case with all of our new play equipment.
“Following the receipt of two accident reports in June that were shared with the manufacturer, we requested the manufacturer complete a safety review and no action was found to be required at that time.
“Following a further three accident reports received we have again contacted the manufacturer who will be sending engineers to check over the slide this week, which has been temporarily closed pending the review. In addition to this visit they will be arranging for the play inspection company to inspect the slide to provide supporting information for safety and compliance.”
