Has it been 20 years?

(Time sure flies...)

Whatever you do, please don't replace Kinderland with plastic. If I ever have kids, I want them to enjoy the playground the way I was able to when I was a child.
And yeah, 20 years ago. I can't believe it's been that long.

I have taken my kids to that park and I have to agree with the original poster. It is unsafe and outdated and rather take them to Kingston Point b/c it is safer than Kinderland.

Just about 20 years, but still I would love to see it fixed also. I was just reminiscing when all the parks had pools.

I would love to see the park cleaned up too.

The wooden structures should be tested for arsenic content- it was built when this was the norm for wood preservation. I am guessing most if not all pieces are toxic concentrations.

If those of you who commented wish to participate in helping organize a committee to work on this project, please contact me directly.
email is anditlevin@gmail.com

How about also enforcing the no smoking policy at the playground? Besides the dangerous conditions of the equipment (which is a serious liability for the City), I do not bring my children to the Kinderland Playground because someone always seems to be smoking at the picnic table exposing children to second hand smoke.

Please, if you are interested getting involved with our Friends of Forsyth group we will have our first organizational meeting on Tuesday 6/15 at 5:30pm.
It will be under the gazebo at the Nature Center inside Forsyth Park. Our hope is to be able to create committees and task forces for various projects that need doing at the park including the renovation of Kinderland, the bathrooms, and clearing away years of overgrown trees in the upper portion of the park.
I hope to see you there!

I would love to help but I live 10 hour's away

If you see someone smoking - ask them NICELY to stop! It is posted as no smoking (although the sign is very old and most people probably don't see it). People also should not smoke under the pavillion - or anywhere in the immediate area, but I'm not sure what the rules are there.

In general, if you ask nicely, people comply. Try to be apologetic and friendly, but firm. I've actually met some nice people who were just being temporarily thoughtless.

Also - let's take pride in our community - keep an eye out for the place. If you see kids playing there that should not be, ask them to stop. The equipment broke due to abuse from bigger kids. If you see something - Say something. If you see garbage, pick it up!

Regarding the safety of the playground, I think the idea that it is unsafe is a little overblown. It is getting old and needs some reinvestment - at least to paint a few parts of it, replace some splintering parts, and reinstall the equipment that broke and was too expensive to simply replace from the non-existant budgets. Testing for toxics would be reasonable to help people feel safe - but I'm confident we will not have an issue there. The community must get together and raise money to fix it up!

Thank you Alderman Andi for providing leadership on the issue.

Please be sure to take a close look at that bridge tonight. One lawsuit from an injured child's family will cost the city a lot more than a temporary fix of this hazard.

I spoke to one of the directors for Youth Build and they are going to begin working on the Kinderland very soon. They will be sanding, cleaning, repairing etc to get us through. However, I still believe that we need to begin the process of replacing the playground equipment with something newer and better suited for each age group.
Don't forget, if you are interested in helping us accomplish that and other things at our park please contact me about our Friends Of Forsyth group.
thank you.

Regarding Mr. Garesche's statement that the safety of the playground is 'overblown', I invite you good sir to visit the playground in person. Run like a child would (with abandonment and a carefree spirit) to the swinging bridge toward the spiral slide. Now if you don't mind, please let us know here on this forum how that worked out for you?

Safety issues at Kingston Kinderland need to be fixed.

Thank you Alderman Turco-Levin!

Youth Build sounds perfect for sprucing up and repairing Kingston Kinderland.

i think that they should keep our parks safe dont wont your kids and grandkids to be safe i have been going to that park for over 40 years please do this for our future

I go to the Kinderland playground several times a week with my 5 year old daughter. The wooden bridge, and several other pieces have recently been repaired. I stand by my statement that the playground is safe.

This is not to say the place does not need serious refurbishment. It is shabby and aging. The bathrooms are really gross. Several pieces of equipment are no longer functioning (parts removed to stay safe).

But I challenge people who say "they" should keep it safe. Who are "they"? The city has no money and has recently laid off many dpw and parks staff. "They" are US. Everyone who uses it. There were only 9 or so people at that meeting with the Alderman.

Let's all come together and raise the money and put in the volunteer time to fix it up. And let's all keep an eye out to prevent the abuse that is rampant. We need camera's and regular citizen patrols. We can do all the fixing we want, but if vandels abuse the place it will not remain a good place for kids.

We will have a follow up meeting regarding the Forsyth Park & Playground Rebuild Committe this coming Tuesday June 29th at 6pm.
We will once again meet at the gazebo in the rear of the Nature Center.
We will talk about upcoming projects and the progress of the Parks Improvement Grant application.
Get involved and help build a better park.

This should be in the newspaper and the radio where everyone can find about about it.
I remember the pride when the park opened, but now it's a disgrace how the city has left it to fall apart. Not "us" - the city. If a private group or person went in to fix it up, they would be liable for any subsequent incident on the grounds. Not to mention KPD coming to shut them down until Jimmy got his name on a swingset or something. Too much of a risk.

I recently moved to Kingston from another part of the country, and I love the city. I love the history, I love the beauty of the mountains. I love the friends I have made. The only real thing that saddens me is how rundown so many of the areas are. So much history is being destroyed by slumlord landlords who don't seem to give a rat's behind about the gems this city holds. Is there any sort of group that works toward revitalization? It sickens me to think that we can lose so many of these wonderful, irreplaceable landmarks due to greed and neglect.

Tuesday at 6pm....I will be there.

O the playground...I would elaborate though I feel I would be overstating a point made. Curious as to if Kingston can get materials donated to restore the playground from local businesses (small & national)? It sounds as if carpenters and others in the community be willing to volunteer their time and experience. So wonderful to see such passion behind restoring the playground by the very people who have enjoyed it in the past and by those who enjoy it now.

Do join Project Forsyth to help fix this up. A grant has been applied for and now matching money must be raised. Donated parts and labor will help.

The whole playground will be replaced - as it is not to up-to-date code. All are encouraged to use the park, pick up trash, discourage smokers, - even bring a sanding block with you! Every little bit helps. It will take some time to get the money and plans all done and executed (probably a year or more), so let's keep this place nice in the meantime!

next Project Forsyth Meeting is Tuesday August 17th at 5:30 under the Pavilion at Forsyth.
We have a lot going on!
Also I want to thank Youth Build for working on Kinderland this past week, sanding, replacing boards, fixing swings, etc. Great Job!
It may be a short term fix, but is greatly appreciated.
It could not have been done without the help of Chief Salzmann and the Building Safety Division who found the means to get it done. Thank you all!

I also want to extend my thanks to the Youth Build participants. I think it is such a great resource to have for our youth, who may need a little direction in their life. For all those who commented to try to repair Forsyth Playground, thank you. It just goes to show what our voices can do when we raise them together for the sake of our children. THANK-YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can this be closed?