Inverness play park’s climbing frame temporarily closed for public safety after child almost hit by falling equipment
A climbing frame at an Inverness park has been temporarily closed just a week after the children’s play area reopened following a £500,000 revamp.
Highland Council officers visited Whin Park yesterday after a parent reported a rope with a metal bolt on a new climbing frame came away and hit him on the arm and narrowly missed his six-year-old child.
The piece of play equipment has now been fenced off until a full inspection can be made tomorrow.
• Failed equipment reported at Whin Park in Inverness within days of reopening
Highland Council said it was in contact with its play supplier and installation team to discuss the matter.
In a statement, the council said: “The climbing frame at Whin Park has been temporarily fenced off with Heras fencing until a full inspection and repairs can be made on Monday with special access equipment for working at height.
“The council apologises for any inconvenience to visitors to Whin Park this weekend for the temporary closure of one unit which is necessary for public safety.”
The statement added inspections were made of all the equipment at Whin Park yesterday and further inspections will be made again tomorrow once repairs have been made to the climbing frame.
The revamp was paid for with a Scottish Government Play Area Fund award of £234,988 along with matching contributions of £150,000 from Inverness Common Good funding and £100,000 from the Community Regeneration Fund.
Families gave a resounding thumbs up to the park when it reopened last week after three months of refurbishment work.
The new attractions include an interactive Nessie, Legend Seeker Playship, swings, climbing birds’ nest, and an adventure mound with tube slide, scramble net and interactive arch.
