The weather is warming up in Colorado. Virtually every day will soon be ideal for taking your kids to a local park to burn off their excess energy.
While you might think that local government officials or whoever else might own the park would stay on top of maintaining the equipment and premises, they often don’t. You’ll want to be cognizant of particular dangers when visiting parks so that you or your child don’t get hurt.
Dangerous playground equipment
Open playgrounds are some of the biggest attractors that motivate visits to parks. These may include see-saws, monkey bars, swings and slides.
This equipment gets a lot of use during the warm months of late spring and summer. Rubber tends to dry rot and crack in extreme Colorado winters. The heat can wreak havoc on playground equipment when it’s scorching outside. Screws may rust from constant exposure to the elements and loosen with increased use. These are just some examples of ways playground equipment can deteriorate, rendering them unsafe when they aren’t properly maintained.
Dangers restrooms pose
Many parks have restrooms where visitors can come and go as they please. It’s not uncommon for homeless individuals and others to visit these restrooms, sometimes with ill intentions. Someone may attempt to take advantage of you or your child.
There is also the potential of a child tracking water into the bathroom from a waterworks feature on the park’s premises. The absence of regular maintenance at the park may mean that toilets overflow or pipes burst, creating a slip-and-fall hazard. Tiles may chip, making visitors vulnerable to tripping as well.
Poor groundskeeping
Colorado’s extreme temperatures may affect the grounds. Excessive heat and snow plowing or inadequate maintenance may cause paved surfaces to deteriorate. The absence of adequate drainage systems may cause grassy areas to become oversaturated with water making you vulnerable to slips and falls.
What are your options if you’re injured at a park?
Whether public or private, the operators of a park have an obligation to take necessary precautions to keep their premises safe. Colorado law may allow you to recover compensation for your injuries or injuries to your child. Because this area of law can be complicated, especially if a government entity is involved, it’s wise to speak to an attorney right away.