Vandals have forced the closure of the 10-metre tower and slide at the Terra Nova playground, for safety reasons.
Mike Redpath, Richmond’s senior manager of parks, said vandals cut safety nets that prevent children from falling from the top deck of the tower, which features a looping tube slide.
The tower is one of the main features of the recently opened $1 million play area.
The first incident happened in December followed by another incident last month.
After the first repair vandals targeted the third level of netting, Redpath said.
Now, park planners are looking at reinforcing the tower with stronger netting, possibly stainless steel mesh.
“Until an alternative solution is designed we will keep the tower closed,” said Redpath.
An important feature of the tower is its open-air concept.
“We wanted it to be like you’re in a tree fort. It has that kind of excitement around it,” explained park planner Kevin Connery.
Redpath said police are investigating and the city has increased its watch on the park.
