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When a $4.5 million lyrebird-inspired playground on Sydney’s south-west fringe opened three weeks ago, it was to the delight of thousands of Appin locals who had been waiting for the park for six years. But, just days later, reports began rolling in of broken bones, children flying off the slide, and ambulances being called.
Toggerai Park, located within 17 hectares of underutilised pastureland about one kilometre north of Appin’s town centre, was touted as a “major new recreational destination” and a public space for residents and visitors to unwind.
NSW Planning Minister Paul Scully also filmed himself coming down the slide. “Delivered, tested, and approved,” the video declared.
But then multiple complaints began on local Facebook pages and, after two residents made formal reports of injuries, Wollondilly Shire Council temporarily closed the slide on July 18.
The most serious incident happened about 1.30pm on July 13, when two ambulances were called to the playground after a man in his 30s suffered a leg injury from using the slide. He was taken to Campbelltown Hospital in a stable condition.
The steepness of the new slide, together with the short landing zone at the bottom that some say was not long enough to slow down users before they came to a stop, was a recipe for disaster, locals said.
One resident wrote: “I got launched today, with a six-year-old on my lap. So dangerous!”
Another person wrote: “We went there last week – some kids came flying out of the slippery dip at the end – including mine (which they seemed to thoroughly enjoy) but some kids were able to have control and come down safely. I can definitely see how children have gotten injured.”
One resident said they had noticed older children would “fly out” and the speed would be out of their control as they were bigger and heavier than toddlers.
The state government owns the park and is responsible for maintaining the playground, while the council manages the day-to-day operational aspects. The park ownership will transfer to the council at a later date.
A spokesperson for Scully said the contractor was undertaking further assessments, and the slide would remain closed until work was complete.
“Toggerai Park is a fantastic asset for the whole Appin community, delivered in partnership with Wollondilly Shire Council to give locals more places to play, connect and unwind outdoors,” the spokesperson said.
“The slide was designed, constructed, and certified in accordance with the relevant Australian Standards for playground equipment.”
A Wollondilly Shire Council spokesperson said residents might have seen “alarming” headlines and social media posts about the slide, but said residents should “take a step back and look at the bigger picture”.
“[Toggerai Park] is a massive and beautiful space, a big investment from the NSW government in our community that will be loved and enjoyed for decades to come.”
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