During our visit to Confederation Park last weekend, I noticed a new sign behind the camel-back climber equipment. It wasn’t a warning or caution sign, just a notice. I read it, smiled, and said to my husband, “Hey, start climbing! You’re a user of the park and definitely older than five.“
Confederation Park
I read the sign several times and couldn’t resist writing about it.
Notice to Camel-Back Climber Users
Playground equipment is typically designed for children. The Town of Aurora suggests that anyone 5 years old or older can use the equipment. This seems fair enough, as parents or caregivers often need to accompany and assist younger children. However, why not align with the manufacturer’s recommended age range of 5-12, as indicated by the new sticker on the camel-back climber?
Camel-back Climber with the Notice
Children under the age of 5 may have the physical ability to climb the equipment, but they may not yet have the cognitive skills to navigate it safely, especially at the top or bottom. For this reason, it is recommended that children aged 5 and older use the climber.
New “little tikes” Safety Label
Users over the age of 12 may find it challenging to navigate the climber due to the disproportionate size of their bodies in relation to the equipment. While they can still strategize on how to move, their larger body size may limit their flexibility. This was confirmed through our own testing. Therefore, we recommend a maximum age of 12 for optimal use of the climber.
New “little tikes” Safety Label
What does it take to think strategically and plan for the future at the same time? The current solution to this problem feels like a band-aid fix. Instead of going through all this trouble, why not design a generic sign that could be reused on other playgrounds as needed? The current sign seems excessive and clearly intended to make a bold, perhaps even harsh, point to users—not just children.
Additionally, the climber now features a “little tikes” manufacturer label clearly stating the recommended age range, making it easy for users to see and follow.
Bottom of the camel-back climber
If we continue to cover our town with warning signs for every issue we encounter, we risk damaging the image of our community. We may create either a dangerous place to live, a community of dangerous people, or a place where people lack common sense. Is this the direction we want to take by 2031?
Camel-back climber, no safety stickers, no notice, October 2010
So, here’s my constructive criticism, worth five cents. You can choose to accept it or disregard it.
COMMENTS
Marvin said: October 26, 2011 at 23:46
“I think the simple, blanket statement on the park sign, “Use at your own risk” should be enough. Those stickers are for lawyers, not for actual park users.”
Barry Bridgeford said: October 27, 2011 at 08:26
“Someone may have sued a town over an injury and purported inadequate signage. Thus, the insurance companies may now require such big warning signs of the municipalities.”
Michael said: October 27, 2011 at 20:07
“That sign wasn’t what I expected when I noted in my blog posting when this issue was debated at council: “The only change that needs to be made in this case would be for the town to add a nearby sign stating the equipment should be used by those five years old and up while being supervised by an adult.” See: http://michaelsuddard.blogspot.com/2011/07/confederation-park-climber-kerfuffle.html. From the photo it looks like the sign is like a decent size billboard that shouts at us to say: “Hey we warned you…if your kid falls off this thing, you are responsible!” What’s next, the swings in the park now needing an even bigger warning sign because a kid could fall off those too while in motion? Kids have been falling off swings at Confederation Park for at least 20 some odd years longer than the camel structure has been around. Yet no sign is saying “use this at your own risk.” Oh right, there is a sign at the entrance to the park saying this no bigger than than a 12″ x 8″ that suffices. Too bad someone missed this on the camel structure so the Town had to go to such great expense. What is Regency Acres community coming too really?”
Bob Bushell said: October 28, 2011 at 03:29
“Well said Anna.”
Comedy Plus said: October 28, 2011 at 09:13
“I’m much older than five, but I’m guessing I’ll need supervision too. I would probably hurt myself. Have a terrific day and weekend.”
