Descrizione
Took my 2 yr. old grandson to Kingston Kinderland yesterday and saw that the playground is barely maintained. Swings are gone except for the baby bucket type. Chains are exposed. Sandbox is sparse and trash strewn.
Paint is peeling. Wood is fractured/splintery.
My daughter's pants were ripped by a wood sliver sliding down the main slide with my grandson. ***Most dangerous situation: A moving bridge on chains heading to the spiral slide has collapsed. Children and adults could get hurt there. I almost fell myself. The bathroom reeks of alcohol. A picnic table appears to be lopsided. Kingston Kinderland needs the community spirit again, 15 years later--this time to fix the playground.
26 Commentos
Andi Turco-Levin (Utente registrato)
We are in the process of forming a Forsyth Park Task Force/Committee in hopes of getting a group involved in various issues that our park faces.
I really would love to see a committee just for the playground so we can begin to find ways to fund a new one.
Please feel free to call or contact me directly and I will add your name to our list.
Thanks.
Andi
Anonymous (Ospite)
Has it been 20 years?
(Time sure flies...)
Anonymous (Ospite)
And yeah, 20 years ago. I can't believe it's been that long.
EKAAsMa (Ospite)
iLuvNY (Ospite)
John L. (Utente registrato)
Snowflake (Ospite)
Andi Turco-Levin (Utente registrato)
email is anditlevin@gmail.com
Anonymous (Ospite)
Andi Turco-Levin (Utente registrato)
It will be under the gazebo at the Nature Center inside Forsyth Park. Our hope is to be able to create committees and task forces for various projects that need doing at the park including the renovation of Kinderland, the bathrooms, and clearing away years of overgrown trees in the upper portion of the park.
I hope to see you there!
Anonymous (Ospite)
John Garesche (Ospite)
If you see someone smoking - ask them NICELY to stop! It is posted as no smoking (although the sign is very old and most people probably don't see it). People also should not smoke under the pavillion - or anywhere in the immediate area, but I'm not sure what the rules are there.
In general, if you ask nicely, people comply. Try to be apologetic and friendly, but firm. I've actually met some nice people who were just being temporarily thoughtless.
Also - let's take pride in our community - keep an eye out for the place. If you see kids playing there that should not be, ask them to stop. The equipment broke due to abuse from bigger kids. If you see something - Say something. If you see garbage, pick it up!
Regarding the safety of the playground, I think the idea that it is unsafe is a little overblown. It is getting old and needs some reinvestment - at least to paint a few parts of it, replace some splintering parts, and reinstall the equipment that broke and was too expensive to simply replace from the non-existant budgets. Testing for toxics would be reasonable to help people feel safe - but I'm confident we will not have an issue there. The community must get together and raise money to fix it up!
Thank you Alderman Andi for providing leadership on the issue.
anonymous (Ospite)
Andi Turco-Levin (Utente registrato)
Don't forget, if you are interested in helping us accomplish that and other things at our park please contact me about our Friends Of Forsyth group.
thank you.
C. Hunter (Ospite)
Regarding Mr. Garesche's statement that the safety of the playground is 'overblown', I invite you good sir to visit the playground in person. Run like a child would (with abandonment and a carefree spirit) to the swinging bridge toward the spiral slide. Now if you don't mind, please let us know here on this forum how that worked out for you?
Safety issues at Kingston Kinderland need to be fixed.
C. Hunter (Ospite)
Thank you Alderman Turco-Levin!
Youth Build sounds perfect for sprucing up and repairing Kingston Kinderland.
marlene (Ospite)
John Garesche (Ospite)
I go to the Kinderland playground several times a week with my 5 year old daughter. The wooden bridge, and several other pieces have recently been repaired. I stand by my statement that the playground is safe.
This is not to say the place does not need serious refurbishment. It is shabby and aging. The bathrooms are really gross. Several pieces of equipment are no longer functioning (parts removed to stay safe).
But I challenge people who say "they" should keep it safe. Who are "they"? The city has no money and has recently laid off many dpw and parks staff. "They" are US. Everyone who uses it. There were only 9 or so people at that meeting with the Alderman.
Let's all come together and raise the money and put in the volunteer time to fix it up. And let's all keep an eye out to prevent the abuse that is rampant. We need camera's and regular citizen patrols. We can do all the fixing we want, but if vandels abuse the place it will not remain a good place for kids.
Andi Turco-Levin (Utente registrato)
We will once again meet at the gazebo in the rear of the Nature Center.
We will talk about upcoming projects and the progress of the Parks Improvement Grant application.
Get involved and help build a better park.
CraigJ (Ospite)
I remember the pride when the park opened, but now it's a disgrace how the city has left it to fall apart. Not "us" - the city. If a private group or person went in to fix it up, they would be liable for any subsequent incident on the grounds. Not to mention KPD coming to shut them down until Jimmy got his name on a swingset or something. Too much of a risk.
Julie (Ospite)
j.m. (Ospite)
Tuesday at 6pm....I will be there.
O the playground...I would elaborate though I feel I would be overstating a point made. Curious as to if Kingston can get materials donated to restore the playground from local businesses (small & national)? It sounds as if carpenters and others in the community be willing to volunteer their time and experience. So wonderful to see such passion behind restoring the playground by the very people who have enjoyed it in the past and by those who enjoy it now.
Anonymous (Ospite)
Do join Project Forsyth to help fix this up. A grant has been applied for and now matching money must be raised. Donated parts and labor will help.
The whole playground will be replaced - as it is not to up-to-date code. All are encouraged to use the park, pick up trash, discourage smokers, - even bring a sanding block with you! Every little bit helps. It will take some time to get the money and plans all done and executed (probably a year or more), so let's keep this place nice in the meantime!
Andi Turco-Levin (Utente registrato)
We have a lot going on!
Also I want to thank Youth Build for working on Kinderland this past week, sanding, replacing boards, fixing swings, etc. Great Job!
It may be a short term fix, but is greatly appreciated.
It could not have been done without the help of Chief Salzmann and the Building Safety Division who found the means to get it done. Thank you all!
C. MARTINEZ (Ospite)
Chiusa Seriously? (Utente registrato)