Parents In Rocklin Boycott Park Playground Over Potential Dangers
ROCKLIN (CBS13) -- Some parents in Rocklin are refusing to put their children on a new play structure saying it's just too big.
Two-year-old Maggie will not roll down a steep slide at Rocklin's Sierra Meadows Park.
"It's a lot higher than other playgrounds I've seen," said Maggie's mom.
The slide is too high and too dangerous for her little one, says Maggie's mom. She's not the only mom who feels that way. Complaints have been coming in. There are half a dozen so far by the city's count, saying Rocklin's newest play structure is way too big.
The platform is 10 feet off the ground, and the highest slide is at the 12 foot mark.
It's too big for 2-year-old JJ to tackle on his own, but mom says it's no big deal because parents are supposed to watch their kids.
"It depends on how little or how well you supervise your children. I think any place is dangerous if you don't watch your child," said Desiree Papagna, who has a 2-year-old son.
Part of the reason the new playground is on shaky ground is that operators of a nearby daycare center have complained and have stopped bringing children here.
Signs on the playground say it's designed for 5-12 year olds.
Eleven-year-old Emily had a blast on it.
"It was really fast," said Emily.
But says she wouldn't advise younger kids to go on it.
"It depends on how young they are, but I don't think real little kids should go on it," she said.
Rocklin's parks director tells CBS13: "This is a situation where you can't please everyone. And they've had just as many compliments as complaints."
We did find a few of those compliments today
"It's scarier but it isn't unsafe," said one guardian.
"He had a good time. I never went up there one time to get him," said.
The city of Rocklin is now considering putting in a smaller play structure for little kids, but to be fair, there hasn't been a single report of a mishap on the big new playground.
