The Columbia Association ended nine months of debate over whether to install a fence around the Lake Elkhorn tot lot by voting to immediately close and demolish the playground.
“I believe a downsizing of that area ought to occur. It would enable the area to withstand the traffic. I believe it should be closed,” said Association President Maggie Brown.
Located off of Cradlerock Way in Columbia, the playground has been the center of controversy since Sept. 2, when 2-year-old Alex Ferrera drowned in the lake after wandering away from the playground while in the care of a day care provider.
After listening to an hour of testimony from residents on both sides of the issue, and debating the issue for an hour, the Association voted Thursday against installing an ornamental aluminum fence around the playground. Immediately following the decision, the council voted unanimously to destroy the fence.
The board cited legal liability and safety concerns as reasons for the decision.
“It?s like we are ignoring the fact that we have had an incident. I?m alarmed by what I have heard,” said Board member Barbara Russell, who voted to install the fence, and made the proposal to destroy the playground.
A smaller playground, which would draw in less visitors, may be installed at the site at a later date, and an expansion could occur at another site, in order to compensate.
Temporary fencing and signs will be placed around the playground, and the demolition could be completed by June 23, said the Association?s open space director, Chick Rhodehamel.
