Griffith City Council is calling for community support in keeping parks and playgrounds around the City safe, with locals urged not to leave painted rocks in public lawn areas.
The appearance of painted rocks is the result of a social media campaign aimed at encouraging children to become more active by taking part in a hide and seek style game involving the painting of rocks, which are left in various locations.
While Council actively supports initiatives which engage children and families in outdoor activities, the placement of painted rocks in Council’s parks and playgrounds has caused safety concerns, particularly when the rocks are left in lawn areas.
Council neither endorses nor condones the placement of painted rocks in the City’s parks and playgrounds.
Deputy Mayor, Councillor Simon Croce said, while the rock drop craze seems to be gaining momentum in Griffith, unfortunately the placement of rocks has inadvertently caused a safety hazard.
“We don’t want to be killjoys, in fact we celebrate the creativity, fun and interaction it encourages however, Council has a responsibility for the maintenance and safety of our parks and playgrounds,” Cr Croce said.
“There is a potential for rocks to be thrown by mowers, which places park users and staff at risk of serious injury if they are run over. Plus if kids are picking up every rock they see we can’t guarantee there won’t be snakes or spiders in the grass or gardens.”
The trend has seen rocks discovered in grassed areas, fall zones, pathways and hidden at height.
“We have found rocks left at the bottom of slippery dips and taken to the top of climbing frames, they could fall or be thrown down to the ground and that’s a worry,” Cr Croce said.
“We need our community’s support in keeping our parks and reserves safe for everyone to use by not leaving painted rocks in public lawn areas.”
