MIRAMAR, Fla. — Playgrounds are supposed to be among the safest places in a neighborhood, but parents at Miramar Regional Park say one popular play structure is anything but.

Several families told Local 10 News they are worried about rust, corrosion, and jagged metal throughout the playground and they cannot understand why it remains open.

The concern began after a parent sent photos to Local 10 showing rusted-through metal, exposed edges, and peeling vinyl coating. During a visit to the park this week, a Local 10 News crew watched a 4-year-old boy climb toward an opening on the upper level of the structure. The boy stopped short, staring at a section of rusted, corroded metal with sharp edges. He turned around and climbed back down on his own.

“I don’t think it is safe at all,” said parent Jan Martinez, who was at the playground with his son. “I didn’t notice it before but it’s definitely… it’s concerning.”

Photos taken at the scene show large patches where the vinyl coating over the metal has deteriorated, leaving sharp and jagged edges where children place their hands and feet. Rust is visible throughout the structure, including in areas low enough for children to easily reach.

Parent Mabel Velez said she keeps her children away from certain parts of the equipment. “She got stained with rust,” Velez said, referring to her daughter. When asked if her daughter had rust on her hands, she replied, “Yes.”

Another parent, Delroy Blue, brought his three children to the park but said the conditions caught him off guard. “That is concerning to me,” he said. Blue said he had not visited the playground in a while and was surprised by the level of deterioration. “I mean one of the kids can get injured on that… that sharp edge.”

When asked whether he believes the playground should be open in its current condition, Blue responded, “Ahh to be honest with you? No, it shouldn’t.”

It appears the issue has been developing for some time. Social media posts from ten months ago show parents raising similar concerns and posting photos of rusted areas on the same playground.

During Wednesday’s visit by Local 10 News, Miramar Parks and Recreation employees were seen inspecting the equipment. When asked whether the playground was safe, one staff member said yes.

Parent Katlyn Janet, visiting for the first time, also expressed alarm. When asked if she noticed the condition of the playground, she answered, “Yes it’s bad condition.” She added, “It’s unacceptable.”

City of Miramar Responds

In a written statement to Local 10 News, the city of Miramar acknowledged that the two playgrounds at Miramar Regional Park “are showing signs of aging” after more than 20 years of use. The equipment was installed in 2004 and is among the oldest in the city’s park system.

According to the city, Parks & Recreation staff conduct daily safety inspections, with findings logged regularly and supplemented by more comprehensive evaluations throughout the year. The city says it will provide copies of the most recent formal inspection documentation through the public records process.

Despite the visible rust and deterioration, the city says the playground remains safe. “Any condition approaching a safety threshold is addressed immediately through repair, mitigation, or temporary restriction of use,” the statement said. The city added that it has not received any formal safety-related complaints regarding the playground.

The city also confirmed that repairs are underway and that Capital Improvement Project funding has been allocated for a full replacement of both playgrounds in the fourth quarter of 2026. Officials say they are working with contractors and will release more details once timelines are finalized.

Several parents told Local 10 they do not feel comfortable returning until improvements are made.

“We live 5 minutes from here… so it is convenient,” one parent said. “But I’d rather take him somewhere else that is a little bit more safe.”

When asked if she planned to return, another parent responded, “Well with the condition… no.”

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