A playground at FDR Park has remained closed for months after a routine inspection found its signature 30-foot slide did not comply with updated voluntary playground safety guidelines introduced after the playground opened. The award-winning playground, which opened in October 2023 as part of the $250 million FDR Park redevelopment, had previously passed its final safety audit under the standards in place at the time of construction.
The slide had already attracted widespread attention last summer after a video went viral showing a young boy climbing the outside of the structure before falling to the ground. Fortunately, the child was not seriously injured.
Following a subsequent inspection, updated guidance from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and ASTM International identified the need for additional safety guards on the elevated structure, along with other repairs including missing or loosened bolts. Philadelphia Parks and Recreation closed the playground while replacement components were sourced from Germany to bring the slide into compliance.
Officials said the closure reflects evolving safety guidance rather than a defect in the original design, with the playground expected to reopen once the required modifications have been completed. The article also notes that visitors have repeatedly bypassed temporary fencing to access the closed playground despite maintenance notices.
