A Hamilton mom wants an independent inspector to look at the township's 31 playgrounds to determine whether they are safe
HAMILTON -- A Hamilton mom wants an independent inspector to look at the township's 31 playgrounds to determine whether they are safe after finding rust, sharp edges and protruding bolts at two parks.
Exposed metal on a step at the Ray Dwier Center playground Mayor Kelly Yaede said earlier this week that the playgrounds are "open and safe," but resident Lisa Linkowsky said photos she took of the playgrounds at Sharpes Lane and Ray Dwier Center show otherwise.
Exposed metal could be seen, screws were loose, steps were damaged and the mulch did not provide enough of a cushion in some places.
"For her to have the audacity to say that our parks are perfectly safe, I cannot believe it," she said Friday.
The township has two certified playground inspectors who check out the equipment at least twice a year, but Linkowsky said the township should take a page out of the school district's book and hire an outside firm.
RELATED: Hamilton mayor extends help to district for closed playgrounds
School officials hired a certified playground inspector to inspect the elementary schools' 17 playgrounds. After the first report found hazards that were serious in nature, a decision was made to close the remaining playgrounds of similar age and condition.
The township, which for years had inspected and maintained the school playgrounds, completed a final round inspections at the start of last school year before the responsibility transitioned to the district.
The mayor said that mulch was added and some minor repairs were done, but recommendations to replace some equipment was forwarded onto the district.
"None of this negligence happened in one year," Linkowsky said, calling for the two township inspectors to be fired. "This is years in the making and I want their supervisor looked at as well for allowing this to happen."
She said in many cases, the school PTAs raised money for the playgrounds only for them to not be taken care of.
She said that if reports from an independent inspector show similar conditions to what was found on the school playgrounds, the township playgrounds should also be closed until officials are certain they are safe.
Earlier this week, Yaede directed residents to call the township's HAMSTAT call center at 609-586-0311 should they have concerns about the conditions.
Cristina Rojas may be reached at crojas@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @CristinaRojasTT. Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.
