Dave Sullivan
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (July 27/01) - A bright red set of monkey bars shaped like an elephant may be painted white, at least symbolically.

Hangin' out at the elephant, while it's still there. Parent John Hazenberger is with Willy Prevost, top, Dylan Hazenberger, back, and Sasha Hazenberger. - Dave Sullivan/NNSL photo

With its attached slide representing the animal's trunk, it's a centrepiece of Fort Simpson's Lions Playground Park. But the Lions club recently folded, leaving nobody responsible for maintaining ageing swings and climbing contraptions.

The void is giving the mayor lawsuit jitters.

"I'd hate to see a kid hurt on our property because the equipment isn't safe," Mayor Tom Wilson told a recent council meeting. He wants the park closed until it's decided who will officially look after it.

The village recently forked over expensive settlements following lawsuits over an arena expansion and firing of an employee. In the near future it could face another large settlement from a dispute over sewage plant repairs.

"The village council is learning some difficult and expensive lessons about liability, and now they're getting overzealous," said Coun. John Hazenberger.

He is first to admit the playground doesn't meet modern standards, with some old equipment and two abandoned buildings on the property.

But he believes shutting it down would be a "knee-jerk reaction."

Some other councillors agree.

"Doesn't the village owe it to the kids?" said Duncan Canvin.

Others point out that a closed sign is no guarantee children won't continue playing in the park.

The village, which owns the land, has been mowing the lawn and Hazenberger has volunteered his charges in the army cadet corps to spruce things up. He says dangers in older playgrounds have only been known for three years, and that a trend toward tearing down old playgrounds in schoolyards across North America could be premature.

"You don't tear down old houses when they improve the building code," he said.

Hazenberger believes in the playground even though one of his seven children lost a permanent tooth on the teeter-totter.

"It's well-used. The kids enjoy it."

He predicts the village will agree to take over the park.