Collie resident and mother, Samantha Brojanowski has raised concerns about the lack of fencing around the children’s playground in Soldier Park.
Ms Brojanowski’s three and a half year old son, Nate has Autism and she is concerned about the playgrounds proximity to both the river and the road.
“We drive all the way to Apple Park in Donnybrook just so Nate can play in a safe and secure environment”, she said.
Shire of Collie President, Wayne Sanford said “of course we want to make sure that all children can use these facilities”.
“I encourage people who have specific needs within the community to engage in a discussion with council staff and talk about their requirements; we want to make these facilities available for everyone to use”, he said
Ms Brojanowski said that the playground provides respite and therapy for Nate, and is good for his motor skills, and that by having the appropriate fencing it would allow Nate and other children to have more freedom to play.
Ms Brojanowski said that when she posted her concerns about the lack of fencing on Facebook, immediately 25 people commented expressing the same concerns. She said, unfortunately like many children with autism, Nate is attracted to the water and will run directly towards it, so this is why she suggested the area be more securely fenced.
Although there is a fence that runs along a partial section of the river bank, there is a large gap at the end where anyone could walk through.
“ It’s a shame that they have to travel so far to be able to have a safe play for Nate to play, when he is comfortable in his surroundings in Collie.
“This should be a common sense issue, that a playground next to the river should be fenced off, and be safe for children to play in” she said.
As there are a high number of children with Autism in the area, she said that it makes it hard to relax when your children play as you always have to be with them.
The fencing would not only benefit children with autism, but also numerous other children in the area, and would provide a safe haven for children to play and enjoy the existing play equipment without their parents having to be constantly with them.
She is calling for a safer playground where parents and grandparents can enjoy watching their children play, and families can enjoy outdoor bonding time.
