Concern over safety and possible liabilities led the Addison Township Board to vote 5-2 in favor of removing the Labodie Park playground equipment and researching the possibility of obtaining a new playscape for about $10,000.
The township board was presented on June 2 with a safety audit of the current playground equipment from DP & Hoffman Play Works. The evaluation listed multiple items that needed to be addressed in order for the equipment to comply with accepted safety standards. Just a few of those items included removing the slide pole, placing a speed limiting device on the merry-go-round, building gates across several openings and replacing the chain ladder. Also, the swings posed a large threat because of their size and proximity to the fence.
In order to understand the audit more clearly, the township’s park and recreation committee brought in Oxford Township Park and Rec Superintendent Ed West to give a presentation.
‘I looked at several issues on the playground,? he told the board. ‘I saw everything discussed in the very large audit and saw a few items not addressed even in it.?
West explained to the board that when considering a playground, everything must be looked at for safety including outside items such as signs, benches and surfacing. He also told the board they would need to consider several issues such as do they want to lock the playground at night, do they want to provide supervision, how often will they have inspections and do they close it during the winter months?
In addition, West explained that if the trustees decided to repair the equipment, then the township would be liable for anything not from the manufacturer.
An example he gave described a school district that was sued for $350,000 after an ‘S? hook broke on a swing set and a child was injured. The district had used a 79 cent one from a local hardware store instead of one from the manufacturer.
‘That one ‘S? hook became worth $350,000,? he stated bluntly.
Finally, West commended the trustees for looking into their safety and liability issues. He also offered his services any time the board needed information.
‘I am glad to see you taking a proactive approach with this concern,? he told the board several times. ‘I’m pleased to see you moving forward with this instead of waiting for something to happen and then addressing the issue.?
After hearing the presentation and asking how many youths actually use the park – a high amount during the summer – board trustees began voicing some differences in opinion.
‘I think we should try to keep something there,? said Supervisor Bob Koski.
‘I think we need more places, more parks for the children,? said Trustee Ed Brakefield.
‘I’m now convinced that we shouldn’t have it,? said Trustee John Sutphin.
‘I was all for this until I listened to (Ed West),? said Trustee Sandra Campbell. ‘We’re in a society where people sue like crazy. I’m not sure we’re ready or financially able to do this right now. I’m concerned about the liabilities.?
‘We need to get that one down as soon as possible,? concluded Trustee Pat Eisenhardt.
West responded to a few of the board’s concerns, and explained that the township has been responsible for as long as the current playground has been in the park. Building a new playscape would not bringing on any new liabilities.
In the end, the township board voted unanimously to have the park committee find a suitable playscape for around $10,000, research the cost of different safety surfacing options and bring a full proposal back to the township board for review at their next meeting.
Also, the vote was passed to have the current playground removed as soon as possible at either minimal or no cost. The old equipment was officially removed last week.