DEAR BOARD:

This is the letter I emailed to the Board of Directors of our co-op on October 30, 2012:


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The placement of the play structure slide is extremely dangerous for children as it is built right out to the roadway and is not fenced in.  When ____ Housing Co-op was built back in the 1980s, the architect designed a buffer zone (greenspace) in front of the play park for two reasons:  safety and visibility.  You will note that these buffer zone greenspaces are also around all the units in the co-op.  The architect's design enclosed the play park on three sides for a reason - children's safety. 

Children dart about in frenzied delight when they play and without a moment's hesitation will run into the roadway.  Children love to tightrope walk on wooden beams and last night I saw such an activity -  a car came within inches of a 7-8 year old child while she was balancing herself on the beams.  Children could be clipped by passing cars if they play or sit on these beams.

The greenspace buffer zone also allowed for a margin of error for cars, delivery and garbage trucks.  The co-op has experienced on occasion, cars careening in and out of the co-op squealing their tires. The exposed play park is at the helm of  the U-shaped track used for this illegal and hazardous activity.  The park is the co-op's legal responsibility.  As it now stands, the park's lack of protection for children is negligent in the extreme.  It is incumbent upon the co-op to move the play structure into the centre of the park where the old structure was, and fence in the entire play area.  Many members are in disbelief with the present location of the structure because of the danger it presents for children.

The wooden beams will soon be covered with snow.  Snowplows and/or cars could very well destroy these beams, damaging their vehicles in the process. 

On a visual level - the location of the large structure has no aesthetic appeal.  It is not pleasing to the eye and does not flow with the existing structures.  The natural play park in ___ Park has such a flow.

On a financial level - the co-op must publish the names of the play park sponsors and the amounts they donated.  It does not suffice to merely acknowledge the donors' names in a speech.  Standard bookkeeping methods must be adhered to, including the cost of the play structure and any monies owing thereunto.  The co-op has a judiciary duty to its members to produce such information, with no exceptions.

Thank you.