2:40pm Wednesday 18th February 2009
By Ian Mason
Mums are united in opposition to the changing face of a Richmond playground, which they claim is putting their kids off playing there.
The users of the Worple Way recreation ground were outraged after they discovered Richmond Council was replacing rides and equipment without warning.
Princes Road resident, Dee Baker, described dealing with officials as being like a war.
She said: “Whoever designed it has never seen a child playing.
“I’ve been with my daughter twice, she does not want to play, she just stands there.
“It’s very important for mothers to have areas to bring children and for that to be destroyed it makes us very upset.
“We are so angry and so so frustrated.”
Fellow park goer and mother, Stephanie Clarke, added: “Now it’s a battle and it’s sad because while the battle is going on it is the children who do not have a playground.
“I feel that the council was acting completely above the law.”
The mothers allege that pieces of play area equipment have been replaced with ugly plastic items, including “two plastic yellow circles with chains that just stand there and don’t do anything”.
Neither mum has spoken to anyone who is happy with the changes and are demanding an explanation why there was no consultation.
Both believe it is hypocritical for the council to make these changes without notice because it is in a conservation area should require proper planning permission.
A council spokesman said: “Several pieces of play equipment were very old and requiring a great deal of maintenance on a regular basis to maintain in a safe condition, so it was decided to replace these items with more up-to-date equipment.
“As some of the residents have expressed an interest in this play area, we shall consult with them on any future changes which we may be considering later this year.”
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