ONE of two Maleny children’s parks will be unusable over summer after a shade tree that had kept equipment cool was removed due to safety concerns in 2020; It has now been confirmed that council had not budgeted to replace the Tesch Park tree with new shading until the 2023/24 financial year, meaning the harsh summer sun will make the park completely inaccessible in the daytime heat.
Councillor Winston Johnston advised that there were plans for shade sail to be erected in both Tesch and Cooke parks, explaining that shade sail was to be erected in Cooke Park later this financial year, with plans for Tesch Park next financial year.
According to Cancer Council, good-quality shade can reduce UV expose by up to 75%.
Tesch Park, located on the corner of Coral and Maple Streets, beside the Library, was briefly closed in 2020 when a large tree damaged part of the playground equipment and surrounding fence; the tree was subsequently removed.
One local grandfather, Neil Andison, shared on a local Facebook group page his experience of his young grandson hurting himself on the climbing equipment due to a build-up of heat. Calling on support of others for the provision of a shade shelter over the playground equipment, encouraging others to email council representatives, he received considerable support from members.
“Agree, last Friday it was unusable by 9.30am. Too hot for my 3yo to climb up on,” wrote Kristy Walsh.
“The parks in Maleny are in great need of new equipment, including #1 the shade. The children in this town all too often miss out compared to other towns around the Sunshine Coast,” wrote Dee Chapman.
Others felt additional fencing and installation of a toilet block at Cooke Park would be beneficial, however Cr Johnston advised he had not received community feedback in regards to concerns about park fencing.
With installation planned for the end of this financial year and into the next financial year, it seems for younger children across the range, they won’t be able to play comfortably in the shade this summer.
Image (Facebook): A tree was removed from Tesch Park Maleny in 2020 after it caused damage to the playground and posed a safety concern.
