Ombudsman To Probe Poor State Of City's Playgounds

Ombudsman Winnie Chiu announced on Thursday that her office is starting an investigation into the state of playgrounds at public housing estates across the city, after noting reports over the years that many are in a poor condition, or are "outdated and uninspiring".

"The playground facilities in those estates serve as the major outdoor pleasure area for the residents in the neighbourhood. Hence, the provision and safety of these facilities are crucial," the watchdog said in a statement on the upcoming study.

It said there are more than 4,500 playground facilities managed by the Housing Authority. But reports suggest that many are in a state of disrepair, while others can often fall short of meeting "the public's demand for engaging outdoor leisure and fitness equipment".

The Ombudsman also noted that the estate residents have complained about delays to repairs to some facilities and that they can be left unavailable for use for prolonged periods of time.

The watchdog said its investigation will look into the arrangements in place for the maintenance and repair of playground sites and the procedures for routine inspections.

"We intend to explore ways to improve the standards of playgrounds in public rental housing estates in general," Chiu said.

She invited the public to provide their views on the issue to her office in writing by June 21.