Spinning playground equipment welded to prevent movement in the interest of public safety

Officials in New York City have welded the spinning playground equipment in local parks, claiming that it was so dangerous for children that it posed a threat to public safety.

The city’s Parks and Recreation Department has either removed or welded the spinning discs at seven different parks in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. A department spokeswoman said that this was done “in the interest of public safety,” but would not discuss how many injuries had actually occurred as a result of the equipment.



Parents are not too happy about the decision. Brooklyn parent David Friedlander said that his two-year-old was disappointed to discover that the spinning disk at Vanderbilt Playground had become a stationary disk. “I think it sucks,” he said. “I think it’s a sad commentary on how litigious and afraid we’ve become of having our children get a few boo-boos.”

A spokesman for City Councilman Carlos Menchaca said his office hadn't received any complaints about the rotating saucer at Slope Park, and a spokesman for City Councilman Brad Lander said no one complained about the metal disk at Vanderbilt Playground until after it was welded into a stationary position. It is unclear whether the city has plans to weld more playground equipment in the future.