Miramar Locks Playgrounds After Local 10 Investigates Safety Concerns

City Reverses Stance on Playground Safety

• 🔒 The city of Miramar has locked down playgrounds at Miramar Regional Park, reversing assurances that they were safe and regularly inspected.
• 💡 This action was taken only after Local 10 News investigator Jeff Wines exposed significant safety concerns.

Exposed Safety Issues

• ⚠️ Investigators found rusted, corroded metal, sharp, jagged edges, and deterioration on playground equipment, some of which is 21 years old.
• 🪜 A child climbing on the equipment could have been injured by a sharp edge or rotted metal.
• 📸 City parks and recreation employees were seen taking pictures and inspecting equipment after the story aired, despite previously deeming it safe.

City's Response and Public Reaction

• 💬 In an emailed statement, the city cited an "abundance of caution" as the reason for the closure following Local 10's inquiry.
• 😟 Parents interviewed expressed concern, stating the playgrounds should not be open in their current condition.
• 🗓️ Social media posts from 10 months prior had already highlighted the bad conditions, yet upgrades were not scheduled until the end of next year.

Impact of Closure

• 📉 Miramar Regional Park, the city's largest park, has had its playgrounds closed, impacting daily use by families.
• 🔍 The city will now reassess the equipment to determine the next steps for repair or replacement.