In the past, skaters who fabricated their own skate features and used them in unsanctioned skate spots throughout Minneapolis parks often found themselves at odds with officials concerned about injuries exposing the Park Board to legal liability. The Park Board will perform the site grading and stormwater improvements, but then City of Skate will assemble a community crew to pour concrete and create the actual features that they would ultimately donate to the Park Board. 'We're wanting to allow the skaters to really build something for themselves that will best meet their needs.' 'The skate features at this park site will be a first-of-its-kind for the Minneapolis system in terms of being community-led and community-built,' said Carol HejlStone, park project manager. The public is encouraged to provide feedback via a survey that is live on the Park Board's website through Friday. Local skater and designer Mark Leski worked with park staff members to create initial concepts, which includes a snake run and mini bowl features. It's also partnering with the nonprofit City of Skate, which advocates for skate parks to be built throughout the state. The Park Board is now looking to buy the Tot Lot from MnDOT, setting aside $200,000 for improvements this summer.

Missing or damaged equipment components, such as handholds, guardrails and swing seats.In 2021, the Tot Lot topped the Minneapolis Park Board's equity-based criteria for neighborhood park improvements due to the surrounding neighborhood being designated as a 'racially concentrated area of poverty,' the park's lack of past funding and the poor condition of its assets.

Deterioration and corrosion on structural components which connect to the ground.

Splinters, large cracks and decayed wood equipment.

Rust or chipped paint on metal equipment.

Scattered debris, litter, rocks or tree roots.

Loose or worn hardware and any parts sticking out.

If any of the following are noted they should be repaired or replaced immediately: Playgrounds should receive regular maintenance and inspections.

Report any hazards on public playgrounds to the proper authorities.

Concrete, asphalt, packed earth/grass and rocks are unacceptable because they cannot absorb shock. Acceptable surfaces for playgrounds include rubber mulch, hardwood fiber/mulch, pea gravel, sand (12' of loose fill for equipment up to 8'), poured-in-place synthetic materials, rubber mats and tiles. The shock-absorbing capability of the surface is critical in determining the severity of fall injuries. The majority of playground injuries are the results of falls. Any opening greater than 3.5' or less than 9' poses a potential entrapment hazard. Younger children may not have the necessary cognitive ability and motor skills to remove their heads, especially if they become scared and panic. Children can become trapped when entering equipment either head or feet first.

Also check any openings in the equipment itself. Avoid dressing children in loose fitting clothing or clothing with drawstrings they can get caught on pieces sticking out, open-ended hooks, gaps and other parts of playground equipment. Strangulation accounts for approximately half of all deaths related to playground equipment.Make sure that platforms greater than 30' in height have guardrails (38' height minimum for older children and 29' for younger children) to prevent falls.Check vertical climbing ropes for secure anchoring at the base and make sure that the rope cannot be looped back on itself to form a noose. Inspect equipment to ensure that there are no bolts or other objects sticking out and that S-hooks are entirely closed. Make sure that all equipment is firmly secured to the ground and is in proper working order. Inspect playground equipment for hazards.Younger children should have soft, chair-style swings which provide all-around support. Equipment for the 'tot lot' may be similar to that of the older children but size appropriate, with smaller and shorter slides and climbing bars, all with rounded edges and smaller grips. Play areas for different age groups should be separated, properly identified, and provided with equipment especially designed for them. Children ages 2-5 have poorer coordination and balance than children ages 5-12.

Make sure children play on age-appropriate equipment.

Children should not be unsupervised in play areas.

If you cannot personally supervise your child's activities, make sure that adult supervision is present at the playground.

Playground activities can also be fatal to children.īecause children often like to use playground equipment in unintended and unexpected ways, it's important to have adults present to monitor play activities. Hundreds of thousands of children receive treatment in hospital emergency rooms for playground-related injuries every year.

St paul tot lot