Thanks to Cardiff Council.

onebigvoice
onebigvoice Scope Member Posts: 938 Pioneering
edited April 2024 in Coffee lounge

I wrote this around the same time as the Playground access.

I would just like to say thank you to Cardiff City Council Parks Department for the projects started to make our parks Kid Friendly and also to start projects in Schools to get kids to look at what the parks around them need to make them friendly for all including the Disabled and Handicapped.
  We all know the saying  "Some disabilities are hidden, and others cannot be seen."
  As you know I like to write poems so with this in my mind and with kids in tow, I wrote this:

Disabled Kids. 

   Did we need Health and Safety to tell us what to do

To swing up and down without a safety bar or seat,

  Did we need Health and Safety to be pushed around that top

The one that made you dizzy just before you fell off

  Did we need Health and Safety to climb up that big slide?

And put our jumper under our knees to come down at jet speed

Yes, we did need Health and Safety, to show us how to stop,

When we came flying off the end, a crumpled mess, and an abrupt stop.

  Did we need Health and Safety to surround the play and park areas,

Or were we allowed to run free, not being bothered by a soul

  Did we need Health and Safety, to build that secret den

It was so secret, hidden, from all of them.

  Did we need Health and Safety to build that Bonfire high?

No, it came down to protecting it, from gangs, nicking all our wood. 

  Did we need Health and Safety, to swing on that monkey frame,

Our weight upon our fingers, just dangling on that steel frame.

Oh, did I forget to tell you I’m Disabled as well?

So others look after my Health and Safety, and my Dad, is one as well?

  So when you think of Health and Safety spare a thought for me,

And, just think how many people, are looking after me.

So when you run around that park, shouting out aloud

And remember my Dad’s been here before you checking all around.

  My dad likes suggestions, to help that park fill up

with all those screaming kids, enjoying what he has just put down

to see them running around is not all down to him

but suggestions from schools, and the kids from that school trip last year


Dave [removed by moderator - personal information]

22/04/2024.

 


Comments

  • 66Mustang
    66Mustang Online Community Member Posts: 15,163 Championing
    Nice one @onebigvoice

    Some people made a complaint that a playground near us was not up to scratch from a health and safety point of view

    The council responded by dismantling the playground and removing it, so now it's an empty field

    Solves the issue from their end, I suppose, but shows how complaining can backfire!!!
  • WelshBlue
    WelshBlue Online Community Member Posts: 901 Championing
    Nicely written.  All kids deserve the chance to play regardless of 'ability'

    Health and safety is all well and good, common sense more so sometimes ?

    Nice poem, it's brought back a memory of when I was working in the forestry and was using a 'breaker bar' ... essentially a tool to lift or twist trees that are stuck down



    A HS Executive watched me using one, and told me I was using it wrong ... push away not pull towards me he said.  Studies show it's safer ...

    OK I said ... did it his way and lost a tooth and gained a hole in the cheek.  He soon disappeared when he saw my face.  Since then I've no respect unless the HSE have actually done the job.  College and paper is all good, doesn't trump experience ?

    Back on track ... our playground growing up ... witches hat roundabout ... what a vicious thing when the older kids give it 'the bumps' ... think rodeo riding on a metal frame

    The slide was 50 foot high with a small safety bar at the top and the swings were 60 foot high, and people used to do loop the loop ... do a complete 360 over the top of the frame

    ... all on a floor of tarmac and grit.  I can't remember any serious accidents.  Would be carnage these days
  • onebigvoice
    onebigvoice Scope Member Posts: 938 Pioneering
    Sounds like our playground in the Docks Cardiff.  With the 10 seater horse.  Did you have one in your ground.
  • onebigvoice
    onebigvoice Scope Member Posts: 938 Pioneering
    66Mustang said:
    Nice one @onebigvoice

    Some people made a complaint that a playground near us was not up to scratch from a health and safety point of view

    The council responded by dismantling the playground and removing it, so now it's an empty field

    Solves the issue from their end, I suppose, but shows how complaining can backfire!!!
    Tell me where that was.  I'd like to know about that.
  • Rosie_Scope
    Rosie_Scope Posts: 6,558 Scope Online Community Coordinator
    Just a quick note to be aware of your personal safety if you do share locations. General locations are okay, but don't identify yourself too much if this playground is close to home :)

    Thanks for sharing your poem @onebigvoice!
  • onebigvoice
    onebigvoice Scope Member Posts: 938 Pioneering
    Rosie_Scope said:
    Just a quick note to be aware of your personal safety if you do share locations. General locations are okay, but don't identify yourself too much if this playground is close to home :)

    Thanks for sharing your poem @onebigvoice!
    It was not meant to get anyone in trouble but to see why the council after being given a directive to "brighten up Play grounds and make them more accessible for disabled or Handicapped children would have been given a budget for this, and I wondered where the money went?  With a possibality of getting more funding for them. 
  • Rosie_Scope
    Rosie_Scope Posts: 6,558 Scope Online Community Coordinator
    Nobody's in trouble :) I know it makes some stuff difficult to discuss, but just something to be aware of safety-wise. 

    It would be interesting to know what they did with the money if they were given funding. Seems very counter-intuitive just to bulldoze a playground without putting any other facilities in.
  • onebigvoice
    onebigvoice Scope Member Posts: 938 Pioneering
    The bottom park in Roath behind the library has had a section Bulldozed and is in the process of having an "addition" to the play area next to to library.  It is quite a big area and will increase the pay area by 50 %. So lets see what they put in there, and have started about 2 weeks ago, while refurbishing the drains around the park.

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