City closes Corktown Common playground slides; spending up to $17K to shade hot metal

The city of Toronto has shut down the slides at a popular playground and will spend up to $17,000 to erect shaders after complaints that the metal was heating up too much in the summer sun.

According to media reports, a two-year-old suffered second-degree burns on her leg while going down one of the two metal slides at Corktown Common last summer, and other parents have complained about the potential hazard.

That led the city to close down the slides.

They are currently boarded up and surrounded by fencing to prevent kids from using them.

In a statement to CityNews, the city said trees at the park don’t provide adequate shade to cool down the slides.

“Staff are currently working on installing the new shade features at Corktown Common, and are on track to have this completed next week,” the city said.

“The cost of materials is not finalized, however we estimate it will be between $14,000 and $17,000.”

Some parents felt the city was overreacting by closing down the slides.

“I think you can think for yourself. If it’s hot, use it at your own discretion,” said Ingrid, who brought her grandchildren from Kansas to the park, only to find the slides out of service.

“I think I’m capable of making that decision, whether the kid can go down a slide or not. It’s a metal slide, it can be hot right?”

Another man who was the park with his baby agreed.

“I can’t see a reason to shut it down,” Sammy said. “I have no complaint with my baby. If it’s too hot, take her off.”