Earlier this week, Guildford Town Centre debuted a new “interactive play park” for children that has left parents furious.
The mall is upon on the final stages of its massive $280-million redevelopment. One aspect of that included the removal of its original play area for children which featured slides, climbing structures, and seats all around the area for parents or supervisors.
The new area for children is literally an area with a bank of iPads mounted against colorful walls and some activity wheels.
Guildford Town Centre’s Facebook page has been flooded with negative feedback since the debut with parents calling for the old equipment to be re-installed. Many do not know the previous play park was donated to the Guildford Recreation Centre. Other parents have even started a petition for the mall to remove the iPads and bring an actual playground.
There has been over 20 comments left on the malls Facebook page in the past few days. The mall has responded by stating: “We are pleased to offer a quiet play environment for children. In our experience, providing slides and things for climbing leads to much more active play and can result in children being hurt.”
The mall also noted it will share all feedback with administration.
What are your thoughts on the situation?
Images via HuffingtonPostBC
