Dangerous Play
As a result, playgrounds have become ghostly relics of a pre-pandemic world. Left unused and unmaintained, these spaces have deteriorated, transforming from places of joy and safety into dangerous environments, particularly after dark. Overgrown grass, rusty swings, and vandalised equipment have rendered them unsafe for children. Moreover, the lack of regular use has turned many playgrounds into magnets for antisocial behaviour and increased violence among young people. What were once sanctuaries for play and social interaction are now often sites of drug use, vandalism, and other criminal activities, particularly in the evenings when the absence of proper lighting and security creates an environment ripe for such dangers.
