MARYSTOWN, N.L.
Call it another sign of the times on the Burin Peninsula.
Over the years, the number of playgrounds in Marystown has grown to 10, scattered in various nooks and crannies of the community. An eleventh was already condemned and dismantled earlier this year.
There’s probably too many now, according to Coun. Loretta Lewis, chair of Marystown council’s recreation committee.
Some of the playgrounds are owned by the town while others were adopted by families, she told The Southern Gazette Oct. 12.
Not all of them are up to scratch – some have rusty equipment, there are swings without seats, signage is gone, she said.
It’s quite obvious a few of them have been abandoned, Lewis said, adding that can happen over time.
“Some now, because of maybe demographics – kids have grown up and moved out of the area – they’re just not even being used,” she noted. “They’re just there.”
Review
The state of some of the playgrounds and the condition of the equipment in them has been on the recreation committee’s radar for a while.
Lewis said the result was the formation of a playground sub-committee that will be reviewing all 10 sites, including the equipment in each, over the next couple of weeks.
“We’re looking at, like (for example) are we better off having six really good, full, safe playgrounds versus (10) that are so-so and a bit of a concern,” she said.
For the adopted playgrounds, families will be contacted as part of the review, Lewis said, noting some of those facilities have also been beautifully maintained.
“That’s not the ones that we're really referring to. It’s the ones that have been somewhat abandoned,” she said.
The review will determine exactly how many playgrounds should remain, Lewis said, noting trimming the number may have a positive impact on those facilities.
“If there’s good equipment, safe equipment that we can use and probably relocate it to another playground – to make that playground more kid-friendly, safe, more play options for kids – we’ll do that, too,” she said.
Lewis specifically mentioned the playground at the Marystown Track and Field Complex as one that could be enhanced.
“We do feel that playground could use a few more things, too,” Lewis said.
Once the assessment is complete, Lewis said recommendations will be brought to council for a decision.
Local playgrounds
The following 10 playgrounds are part of Marystown council’s review:
- Clarke’s playground
- Rogers’ playground
- Hodder’s Creston North playground
- Little Bay playground
- Byrne’s playground – Shoal Point
- Track and Field playground
- Keating’s playground
- Greenwood playground
- Power’s playground
- Mooring Cove playground
