Redfern Playgrounds Kerfuffle

I WRITE in response to Joel Johnson's letter (Central, May 7). It is great to get a response from council as when I wrote the same letter to three councillors and the Lord Mayor's office over preceding weeks, I received no response. Unfortunately, my original point - that there are no fenced, maintained playgrounds in Redfern - has been overlooked.

Joel mentions the seven playgrounds within 500m of Redfern Park but he doesn't clarify that only one is in Redfern (as opposed to East Redfern). It is great to hear that Sorry Hills has eight playgrounds but what about Redfern? Parks in the City of Sydney area are unevenly dispersed and Redfern has a dramatic undersupply.

In regards to the maintenance program Joel details, the photo shoot for the "Mums have their say" story (Central, May 7) was in the playground on Wyndham Street (the Daniel Dawson Reserve). It captured broken glass on the bare dirt under play equipment, and scattered throughout the grassed areas. It was still there a week later. Could Joel explain this?

Could Joel also explain what the findings under council's "ongoing program of auditing small parks" were when they reviewed the Daniel Dawson Reserve?

Furthermore, I would be very grateful if Joel could highlight where the 87 playgrounds are - the City of Sydney website lists only 63 playgrounds and the Redfern One Stop Shop was unable to clarify where the remaining 24 are located. Could Joel also outline where the six playground upgrades will take place? Are there any plans for more playgrounds in Redfern?

I agree that Redfern needs ovals too, and as we already have four within 600m, I simply stated that this area needs fenced, maintained children's playgrounds - not more ovals.

- NICOLA CUNNINGHAM, Redfern

Source: Central of 21 May2008.

Link to earlier Article: Mums have their Say - Redfern mothers: our kids aren't safe in playgrounds

Letters to the Editor - Central 7 May 2008