DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — A new report, released by the Keenan’s Kids Foundation, shows many of metro Atlanta’s playgrounds are not meeting safety standards.

During the foundation’s 2010 review, surveyors visited nearly 30 playgrounds throughout the metro area to see how the parks measured up when it came to safety.

More than 90 percent failed in three areas or more, illustrating that half a decade later, playgrounds are not improving safety standards. Parks were last evaluated by the foundation in 2005. At that time, more than 80 percent failed in at least three areas of critically important safety standards. The latest surveys show 70 percent of the playgrounds reviewed have gotten worse.

With members of the community serving as the first line of defense, kids from metro Atlanta are stepping up to the plate. Local Westminster School fifth graders will be helping fix up some of the failures found in this year’s review. The students will head out to some of the parks to illustrate how all it takes is a few hours to make a difference.

“If we are experiencing failures in one county, it’s safe to assume other areas are seeing similar issues,” Keenan said. “You can’t count on someone else to take care of it.” To read the full report, click on the following link:

LINK: DeKalb County Playground Report Card List Copyright 2010 by WSBTV.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Wee Monsters Play Systems is an owner operated business that values the lost art of Customer Service. The owner Chris Reuter has over 19 years experience in creating lasting memories for children through out the Atlanta area. If you are looking for the lost values of quality, affordablity and made in the USA you have found your company. After over 2 years in the business, Jennifer Reuter has marketed and provided the top notch customer service that has grown Wee Monsters during a economically challenging time. Our mission at Wee Monsters Play Systems is not playsets but people. If you are tired of the same old run around service offered in todays economy, Wee Monsters will be a pleasant surprise. Call us now and find out for yourself just what makes us different. I always say “What sets Wee Monsters apart is the owners of the company” this is the biggest advantage we have over our competitors.

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Police and city workers said the blades were taped to places children were likely to touch.

Columbus Police Officer Tricia Wolfley was working traffic patrol at the red light across the street from the playground about 9 a.m. when a woman with a 2-year-old boy came over and told the officer what she found, Wolfley said.

Mike Haskey mhaskey@ledger-enquirer.com Playground equipment at Lakebottom Park in Columbus has been closed after razor blades were found taped to playground equipment. 05/11/10
- Mike Haskey
Mike Haskey mhaskey@ledger-enquirer.com Shane Minard of the Columbus Parks and Recreation Deparment uses a metal detector to search the playground area at Lakebottom Park Tuesday morning. 05/11/10
- Mike Haskey

Mike Haskey@ledger-enquirer.com Police have cordoned off the playground area at Lakebottom Park in Columbus after a report of razor blades being found on playground equipment. 05/11/10
- Mike Haskey

Mike Haskey@ledger-enquirer.com The playground equipment at Lakebottom Park has been temporarily closed. 05/11/10
- Mike Haskey

City crews rake the playground at Lakebottom Park after nine razor blades were found taped to playground equipment. City workers plan on checking all city parks today as a precautionary measure.

City crews sweep the playground at Weracoba Park with rakes and metal detectors Tuesday morning. Nine razor blades were found taped on playground equipment around 9 a.m.

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The officer began searching the playground and found nine blades. They were “boxcutter type blades,” Wolfley said. “They were taped in places kids of all ages would grab.”

Blades were found taped to a slide, on a wheel children use to pull themselves off the ground and other pieces of playground equipment, said Tony Adams, director of the city’s Parks and Recreation Department.

No one was hurt.

“”It’s pretty sad that someone would do that with kids playing,” Adams said.

Workers used yellow tape to cordon off the area at the northern end of the park and workers scanned it with metal detectors to make sure all the blades had been found. They also planned to search other parks and playgrounds in the city and alerted the school system.

Around 12:30 p.m., the Columbus Department of Public Health issued this statement:

“At this time public health has no reports of any injury caused by razor blades found at Weracoba/Lakebottom Park in Columbus. In the absence of injury there are no concerns for exposure to illness. If an adult or a parent has any concern that they or their child were cut by a razor blade while at the park they are encouraged to contact their health care provider.”

Stay with ledger-enquirer.com for more on this developing story.

Read more: http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/2010/05/11/1118673/police-find-razor-blades-on-weracoba.html#ixzz0ndxe3kez

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Is there more to life than screens and monitors? Now a days kids are on the computer, video games and cell phones- Its all about the screens. The childhood obesity rate has soared in the last 20 years and especially here in the south. Georgia has been ranked # in child hood obesity. Gone are the days of riding you bike until dusk or playing in your tree house all day with your neighborhood friends. From sun up to sun down the children of my generation played outside our parents would have to threaten us to get us in.

We have so many conviences in this generation that we have lost touch with our creativity and playfulness. Today’s children sit inside, eat junk food and play games or watch TV. Even our school systems have failed to give the children proper exercise in favor of more school work on guess what some screen. It is not any wonder that childhood obesity is becoming a epidemic in our country as less and less importance is placed on activity.

A study released in 2008 found that about 32% of American children are obese, 16% were obese and 11% extremely souse.

I write all this while sitting into front on the nemesis to activity-The screen/ Even adults have lost there way and have lead their children in their foot steps.

There are many things a family can do to get exercise, get a backyard plays set, go on a hike, plants some flowers or just a old fashion game of tag will get your blood moving and activity levels soaring. As parents it is our responsibility to make sure that our children eat right and exercise. If we instill the love of exercise and the importance of healthy eating at a young age it will carry over into their adulthood and create a generation of healthy adults.