A Walk in the Park: Van Valkenburgh's Metal Domes To Be Removed After Burning Toddler In Brooklyn Bridge Park

Friday, June 18, 2010

Van Valkenburgh's Metal Domes To Be Removed After Burning Toddler In Brooklyn Bridge Park

The controversial metal domes in Brooklyn Bridge Park's Pier 1 Playground were covered and kept behind barricades after a thirteen-month-old girl suffered second degree burns on Tuesday. Critics have been calling for the removal of the domes since April. When asked about the status of the domes at the opening of Pier 6 on June 5, Regina Myer, Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation replied, "To be honest with you we have been working so hard here (Pier 6 Playground) there are some choices and we just haven't made decisions." How many more children have to get hurt before the administration begins to take responsibility? (Photos: Geoffrey Croft/NYC Park Advocates) Click on photo to enlarge.

BROOKLYN

Brooklyn's notorious red-hot playground is getting a timeout.

Officials closed off access to three steel climbing domes at the new Brooklyn Bridge Park Thursday after a toddler was badly burned on the equipment, which gets sizzling hot in the sun, according to the New York Daily News.

"It's unconscionable that there is a frying pan in the middle of a playground," fumed mom Karen Spolar, 35, whose 13-month-old daughter, Paula, suffered second-degree burns Tuesday.

Officials from the Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corp. - which built the glitzy new park in DUMBO - declined to discuss the incident.

They said only that the equipment, which was installed by landscape architects Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, will be closed "as alternate, all-weather play equipment options are evaluated."

Sign of the Times.

Apparently Brooklyn Bridge Park officials were the only ones who expected the tree canopy to protect children from getting burned once the trees matured.

Steal domes at Brooklyn Bridge Park closed off after toddler is badly burned

New York Daily News - June 18, 2010 - By Elizabeth Hays

'Hot' playground equipment at Brooklyn Bridge Park to be removed after scorching toddler

New York Post - June 18, 2010 - By Rich Calder

Park Domes Fenced Off to Protect Children

New York Times - June 18, 2010 - By Isolde Raftery

Brooklyn Bridge Park Playground "burning orbs of death"

The Brooklyn Paper - April 29, 2010

Brooklyn Bridge Park playground closed for repairs less than a month after opening

New York Daily News - April 16th 2010 - By Jeff Wilkins and Elilizabeth Hays

More Fallout From Brooklyn Bridge Park's 'Dangerous' Metal Domes

A Walk In The Park - April 8, 2010