OKLAHOMA CITY -
A potentially dangerous situation has forced the
temporary closing of seven public parks in Oklahoma City.
The parks closed Thursday morning after a monthly
safety inspection found hazardous materials underneath the playgrounds'
surface. Seven of the city's parks are fenced off and closed for fall break.
Kathy Chow didn't mind the 35 miles drive to Route 66 Park
so her four grand kids could run around, but the orange fence and closed sign
changed their plans.
"We still had sun, played next to the park and played
with their badminton rackets and ate their pizza, but they were just pretty
disappointed. They waited all day to come too. We are going to try another
park," said Chow.
They must be selective since Route 66 is one of seven
parks closed. Crews found the hazardous materials during a routine safety check
on Thursday.
"Some may consider us to be too cautious and we are ok
with that. We just don't take chances when it comes to the children of the
community. Likely we will have to remove the surfacing that is under
there now and replace with a new and clean safety surfacing," said Parks
and Recreation Director, Wendel Whisenhunt.
Just beneath the playgrounds surface are foreign
objects, pieces of plastic metal, roofing materials and insulation materials.
"What if the kids fall and get it stuck in their legs
or their feet because they are playing barefoot? What can you do? Metal
gets in there you'd need tetanus shots, it could get infected," said Nikita
Nero, whose children regularly play at the park.
The city is working with March Mulch, the local
contractor who installed the safety barrier, to remove and replace the material
which could take up to two weeks.
The closed
playgrounds include:
Douglas Park, 500 NW 47th St.
Lake Draper Concession
Lake Draper North Point
Route 66 Park, 9901 NW 23rd St
Washington Park, 400 N. High
Woodrun Park, 4 N Willowood Dr
Youngs Park, 4610 S Youngs
File Photo
