Recently, Admiralty Park's urban play area was given a huge makeover, turning it into the largest park in North Singapore at 27-ha (or 270,000 square meters).
It has a whopping 26 slides, including a High Adventure Roller Slide and Singapore's widest outdoor slide!
Only, complaints have started pouring in already...
Admiralty Park in Singapore: Woman injured
According to Shin Min Daily News (SMDN), a 24-year-old woman, Ms. Jiang, was injured after being thrown off a 23 m long and 9 m tall slide (the Double Barrel slides).
The incident apparently occurred on Sunday, November 5 .
Ms Jiang ended up with several injuries and bruises to her head, shoulders, arms, upper thigh and calf, for which she consulted a Chinese physician.
Jiang explained that the slide was very steep, leading to a high-speed ride. In panic, she had tried using her hands to steady herself, but it didn't work. Eventually, she lost control and got thrown off the slide.
Her sister who got on the same slide also had a similar experience and ended up bruising her leg. Jiang also saw others with similar complaints.
She has been quoted as saying, "I hope my experience can remind other park users to be careful of safety while enjoying their time at the park."
"I also hope the authorities can take appropriate safety measures to prevent others from suffering the same mishap as me. “
The incident isn't deterring others though, slides still seem to be the most popular feature at the park, with the waiting times going up to half an hour!
Admiralty Park in Singapore: Adults urged not to play on slides
And now, the latest we hear is that adults have been cautioned not to play on slides meant for children at Admiralty Park.
Ms Agnes Au, general manager of Semec (which supplied the park playground equipment) told The Straits Times, "The reasons why it isn't safe for adults to slide down are clear - a heavier weight will lead to a faster speed, and a bigger build is more likely to hit the sides of the slides."
She also explained that all play equipment at the park had been certified by a third-party playground safety inspector and complied with international safety standards.
Meanwhile, Mr Chuah Hock Seong, NParks' group director of parks, opined that slides meant for children were to be used only by children, "We will continue to observe the use of the equipment and make tweaks where necessary."
There are signs and staff at the park to provide visitors with information on how to use the equipment correctly, based on the recommended age group.
Parents, please note that, according to NParks:
- Junior Play area at Admiralty Park is recommended for 2-5 years old.
- Family Terracing Play, where the Double Barrel Slides are, is recommended for 5 – 12 years old.
- Adventure Play area is recommended for 13 years and above.
Also, please guide your children to not linger around at the bottom of the slides, and to move out as soon as they finish sliding. This is to prevent them from getting hurt from others who are sliding down at high speed and unable to see ahead.
(Source: The Straits Times)