The centrepiece of a new $2.3 million park in Schofields has been closed to the public less than a month after opening following a spate of injuries.
Representatives from property giant Stockland and Blacktown City Council officially opened Altrove’s first and largest park, Hilltop, on April 8 of this year.
The showpiece of the park was a 30 metre stainless steel slide, however Stockland’s NSW residential development general manager Richard Rhydderch said the company decided to close the slide on May 2 following reports of injuries.
A second slide also closed earlier this week, he said.
“In light of injuries reported to Stockland we chose to close the tower slide on Wednesday, May 2 with the support of Blacktown City Council,” he said in a statement. “From [May 8], the smaller slide will also be closed until further notice.
“Stockland has also implemented additional security measures, including 24-hour on site security, to prevent access to the slide. The remainder of the park including the junior playground remains open.
“We express our concern to anyone who has sustained injuries while using the slide and encourage them to contact us to report all incidents.”
Injuries reportedly included fractures, lacerations and burns.
Mr Rhydderch said Stockland had conducted testing on the slide prior to the park’s opening.
“Our processes ensure that all our parks, including Hilltop Park, undergo thorough testing and a rigorous certification process in the design and construction phase,” he said.
“We are currently undertaking an additional review of the slide in light of the reported injuries and the slide will remain closed until we have completed this process.
“We will provide an update on next steps as soon as possible.”
It is the second time Stockland has closed the slide since the park’s opening, with a temporary closure on April 13 after groups of “disorderly youth” created a disturbance, and equipment was damaged.
The safety mesh on the slide was damaged in the incident, but repaired a short time later.
Stockland is looking to install security cameras in the area, according to a post on its Facebook page following the incident.
