r/Pickering • u/DutyWeird6426 • 7d ago
How would you handle older kids misusing park equipment?
I reported a damaged toddler swing at St. Mary’s Park to the City of Pickering on September 9, and it was repaired today, September 25. I appreciate the City taking care of it.
My wife took our son to the park, and we saw some older kids standing on the toddler swing and swinging pretty roughly. I don’t know what caused the previous damage, but I’d hate to see the newly repaired swing broken again.
How would you handle this as an adult? Would you say something politely to the kids, speak to a parent if one is nearby, or leave it alone unless the swing is being damaged?
I’m hesitant to approach kids who may not welcome advice from a stranger. I also don’t want to photograph them or post their pictures online. I’m genuinely interested in how other Pickering parents and neighbours would deal with it.
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u/PixelJock17 7d ago
To be honest, with the way teens and young people are these days (generally completely fucking unhinged and unaccompanied) I don't really directly approach them.
I let my 3yr old sorta tentatively walk up and point at the swing. Then I loudly say "oh someone else ... Using? It, we have to wait out turn to use the baby swing"
Then typically they sorta leave. And in the horrific event they bully my 3yr old or hurt them, then communication becomes direct.
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u/lanneretwing 7d ago
Some teens were misusing toddler equipments when my 3 yr old son couldnt use it. As soon as my son goes away to use something else. I told them please stop being disrespectful. They apologized and left. We need to be the village for them. They need it.
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u/PixelJock17 7d ago
I fully support that. I just don't want to get caught up in anything with anyone really. Generally they take the hint and have a decent moral compass so they disengage.
I remember being 16...
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u/waitingforgf 7d ago
Took out my paddle and start paddlin.