Knoxville — The Fort Kid playground in downtown Knoxville has been closed since November 2, according to an email from Fiona McAnally, the deputy director for communications for the city.
"A complaint and findings of safety issues at Fort Kid prompted the City and Public Building Authority to close the downtown playground on Nov. 2, 2018, pending an assessment of the play structures," she said.
The Knox County Health Department inspected the playground on October 23 after a citizen complained to the department on the day before. The department found exposed nails, loose wood planks on jungle gym equipment, splintering wood and multiple other potential safety hazards, according to the complaint, which they then shared with city officials.
Fort Kid Complaint 2018 by on Scribd
"PBA promptly notified the City of the complaint," McAnally said. "Since there were issues related to the original materials used to construct the playground equipment, the City decided to close the park until further notice. Many of the wooden components are worn out and in need of replacement."
PBA will now assess the playground's equipment and make recommendations for it, she explained. PBA was already evaluating replacement options for a retaining wall in the park.
The park is 1.79 acres and features an "elaborate" fenced in playground with slides, rides and swings. It is maintained by the Public Building Authority (PBA) and was built in 1991 by volunteers, the city's website said.
The website said updates will be posted as available. 10News has reached out to city and county officials for more on why the park closed and will update this story as we receive more information.