To expect council to have put some thought into new playground.....

[mumclaire]

Just visited new playgound with 20mth old dd - its on a pirate theme and so the ground is covered with sand - - kids aren't going to throw that about and cats aren't going to pee in it and as for a windy day forget it....
There is supposedly a toddler area but all it consists of is 2 swings, a playhouse and slide which my dd can't reach the first rung of the ladder on (and shes tall for her age).
They have obviously spent a lot of money on it but no thought - won't be going there again - really disappointed. Whinge over...

Nope, YANBU at all. Your taxes have paid for it and therefor it should be fit for purpose.

I think playground designers sometimes forget who they are designing for. Our local one features a climbing frame with a fairly steep arched bridge in the middle. It's made of metal and when it's wet the kids get half way up and slip over because it's almost smooth and it's got no grip on it.

we have a couple of fab parks with sand in - kept clean and always full and highly rated by the parents I know that use them. SO I wouldn't find a problem with it cos of the sand.

OUr local park though has a toddler park that is mostly fab but the climbing frame/slide thingy has huge gaps and large steps which mean you spend most of your time trying to stop your small child falling down the holes.

Think Bristol City COuncil though has spent a good deal on local parks in the past couple of years and imo it really shows. What makes the main difference though is they seem to be spending money on upkeeping them as well (well some of them anyway).

sand is used in lots of playgrounds on the continent, it has lots of benefits tbh.
I am currently trying to get funding for a playground and the issue of a surface is a PITA.
I won't bore you with it but the choices are (a) dangerous or (b) expensive.
sand is not a bad compromise.

do you know who funded the playground? write to your local councillor, ring him/herup, complain! if the playground isn't suitable, it shoul dbe changed

Where my mum lives they have built a LOVELY picnic area. Spent loads on it, made it a nice walk to it as well. It looks beautiful.

Unfortunately, it smells terrible because they built it right next to the sewage works.

Yes. Local councils. Gotta love them. They've go shit for brains and now they're dishing it up for dinner.