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Grand Junction Parks System Improves Playground Safety

by KREX News Room
by John Dias

Story Created: Oct 8, 2012 at 2:11 PM MDT

Story Updated: Oct 8, 2012 at 6:29 PM MDT

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.- With the cold weather heading our way, kids will want to hit the playground one last time before they really need to bundle up during winter weather, but there are some safety precautions parents should know before they let their kids hit those monkey bars.

According to recent statistics, each year nearly 120 Colorado children are hospitalized because of falls from playground equipment.

However, through some existing and new methods, Grand Junction Park officials are trying to make sure that doesn't happen to your kid.

“The kids are number one and we do everything we possibly can to ensure that we don't have any accidents and to make sure no one gets hurt in our playground throughout the park systems,” said Mike Vendegna, Grand Junction Parks superintendent.

Vendegna says the city's comprehensive safety program helps diminish some hazards.

“We check everything from the seats to the bolts and every apparatus and connecting structure in between,” said Vendegna. "They’re checked on a monthly basis and visually inspected daily.”

The city has three certified and trained safety inspectors who check all the equipment every day. However, Vendegna says parents should still always visually inspect the playground before allowing their children on any equipment.

“I like it when there is railing that kind of keeps your child in so they can't crawl and also like it when the railing is taller than them,” said Brandee Kingery, a mother.

In order to ensure extra safety at all 36 parks, the city's park system is also implementing a new concept to get all city playgrounds up to date.

“It’s called the fully accessible or boundless playground,” said Vendegna. “We will have structures and apparatus accessibility for kids and adults really, with all physical disabilities.”

Rocket Park is the first playground in Grand Junction that was renovated around the new concept, and the next park improvements will take place at Lincoln Park.

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81507er said on Tuesday, Oct 9 at 9:16 AM

I hear they are putting new playground equipment at Duck Pond. but i see all kinds of trash by the ponds. Looks like homeless people have been living there. I wouldn't let my kids play there

Ridges resident said on Monday, Oct 8 at 3:13 PM

I thought next was the Ridges Playgrounds...But hec with all that trash around in the Ridges parks it's hard for the kids to play. If these parks are checked daily the inspectors need glasses. broken glass, rusted tin cans, and all sorts of trash fill up the Ridges Parks. It's really sad.

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