Editorial: Stay off the playground

Thursday, September 4, 2003

Hundreds of volunteer hours and more than $500,000 could be wasted if people continue to illegally use the Skyline Playground at Robbins Farm Park.

The Friends of Robbins Farm Park came together and built the playground after raising $48,000 and receiving $473,000 from the town. When the project is completed, children will get to enjoy a new metal and plastic playground - gone will be the wooden equipment that caused many a splinter in children.

Though work is still not completed, those who can't wait to use the playground have been evading the construction fence to try it out. In the Aug. 7 Advocate, Friends of Robbins Farm Park Trustee Jen Rotenberg said the park is still a construction site and not suitable for children.

The fence is staying in place until the grass grows and the playground equipment is finalized. Until then, those who use the area could damage the grass and hurt themselves on the equipment.

Those jumping the fence have done more than potentially harm the playground, it has also meant police responding to the park and shooing away parents and children. There are more productive things Arlington's finest could do rather than protecting the Eastern Avenue park, but people's thoughtlessness has meant officers spending time at the park.

What do these adults' actions tell children? That it is OK to disturb a construction site? These parents should act their age and live up to being law-abiding role models for their children.

Though the Friends had hoped to reopen the playground this weekend, the fences are not scheduled to come down until sometime this fall.

Until the day the Friends say it is once again OK to enjoy the Skyline Playground, people should stay off the playground. Not only is jumping the fence potentially destroying the playground, it is disrespecting everyone who gave up their free time so Arlington's children could enjoy a new playground with a spectacular view.