Yilan Playground Safety Concerns: Parents Cite Scalding Heat and Darkness

A recently inaugurated children's playground in Yilan Sports Park has sparked significant concern among parents regarding safety issues. Opened on July 1, the "specialty" playground, built with a 14 million New Taiwan dollar investment, features attractions like a rainbow slide, cloud swing, and sandpit. However, parents have voiced strong objections, citing inadequate shade that leaves metal equipment dangerously hot during the day and a complete lack of lighting after dark.

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Daytime is too hot, and nighttime is too dark, parents worry about safety issues.

Complaints highlight that the extensive metal surfaces become scalding hot under the sun, posing a burn risk to children. Additionally, the absence of nighttime illumination makes the play area hazardous after sunset. Some children have also sustained injuries from bumping into exposed pillars at the sandpit's corners. Parents argue that a simple warning sign about hot surfaces is insufficient and that the county government should implement solutions like shade structures or improved lighting.

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The pillars have been padded with foam to prevent children from bumping into them.

The Yilan County Government has acknowledged the feedback. They have already padded the pillars to prevent injuries from collisions and have coordinated with the sports park to adjust existing lighting to better illuminate the play area. Regarding the need for shade, the government stated that adding such structures involves complex considerations of structural design and funding. They are currently reviewing public opinions and will explore funding possibilities for future improvements.

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This involves structural design and funding issues, and the county government will study and discuss it.