(A) Safety has become a major concern in recreation because of the rise in insurance costs. However, it must not be forgotten that safety is an absolutely essential concern purely to avoid unnecessary injuries.
(B) These methods are recommended to respond to this problem:
(1) Continue to have adequate insurance;
(2) Require large groups that regularly use borough land to have adequate insurance of their own that also protects the borough; and
(3) Continually look for ways to make borough lands and facilities safer.
(C) In addition, high risk recreation facilities, such as skateboard areas, should be avoided since this is provided to borough residents by our participation and funding of the Nazareth Skate Park. All parks should be regularly inspected to note any safety hazards. Any safety hazards should then be quickly resolved. If the borough is aware of a correctable hazard and does not act within a reasonable period of time, it is much more likely to be found liable in the event of an injury.
(D) Nationally, one of the major sources of accidents and lawsuits is children’s playground equipment. Three quarters of these accidents involve falls in which a child hits a hard surface such as asphalt. In response, hard surface should never be used under or around play equipment. Instead, the borough should continue to cover these areas with a softer surface, such as sand, wood chip carpet and/or recycled tire chips.
(E) Also, all play equipment must be adequately anchored and should not involve ladders that are too steep. All equipment should have adequate space around it so that children playing around one piece do not run into a second piece of equipment in accordance with the Consumer’s Products Safety Commission Publication #325 - Playground Safety Guidelines or most current version.
(F) For safety, high and long backstops are needed around all fields used for softball or baseball. Fences should separate play areas from major roads. Sharp edges and protrusions must be avoided.
(Ord. passed 8-3-2015)