PLAYGROUND GLASSED

11 March 2010

DREW JOHNSON

A PARK in Hamilton has turned into a potential hazard following the discovery of suspiciously placed glass near play equipment.

Hamilton resident Russell Elton discovered the problem as he and his children were enjoying the Labour Day long weekend.

Mr Elton visits the Quigley St park frequently with his children and saw broken glass that had been scattered in a suspicious manner with piles appearing at the bottom of all paly equipment excluding the swing set.

He said the broken glass appeared to be from two or three different types of glass bottle.

“I noticed a bit of glass and picked it up,” he said.

“As I have walked around, I noticed a few other bits and looked around for it and saw it at the bottom of the slide, the bottom of the pole the kids slide down on and on the spring cars and trucks they bounce around on.

“You could see bottles had been smashed, both brown and clear bottles.”

Mr Elton said glass was found in all the places kids came in contact with the ground and had to let children know of the danger in the park.

He said he had not seen glass broken and placed under equipment like this before.

“My main worry was people not knowing about it,” he said.

“It looked like it had been deliberately placed. I just want people to keep an eye out and for parents to let kids know to be careful. It’s stupid you have to say things like that.”

Mr Elton suspected it might be the work of someone who though it would be humorous, but not realised the consequences.

“In the future we will have look around before letting them up there… (and) kick the dirt around the bottom of the slide first to make sure it’s safe,” he said.

Southern Grampians Shire Council shire infrastructure director Lyle Tune said there had been no reports of incidents such as this reported to council.

“Currently $660,000 is spent maintaining various parks and gardens in the shire,” he said.

“Vandalism costs council in the order of $12,000 per year for structural damage to facilities in the parks.”

Mr Tune said residents should report any broken glass to shire’s infrastructure department on 5573 0256.

Anyone with information regarding suspicious incidents at parks in Hamilton is also urged to contact Hamilton Police on 5572 1999 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.