The Liberty Swing gate and device locking system were both damaged by vandals. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW staff)

By Angela Brown

Wheelchair accessible play structure

New Liberty Swing damaged by vandals

Sep 15, 2021 | 5:44 PM

The City of North Battleford and the Battlefords Early Childhood Intervention Program (ECIP) are concerned after vandalism was reported at the new Liberty Swing.

This wheelchair accessible swing, at the Natural Play Space in North Battleford’s Centennial Park, offers children and adults a unique opportunity for enjoyment they wouldn’t have otherwise.

Battlefords ECIP Executive Director Colleen Sabraw said it is disheartening to see this vandalism, after the swing equipment was installed only this summer.

“The fencing and the lock system that protects the Liberty Swing – that was all damaged,” she said.

The incident has been reported to the RCMP to investigate.

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Sabraw said the swing currently can’t be used because the lock is jammed.

“To see the damage was devastating to me,” she said. “Of course we are going to do our best to fix it.”

City parks manager Gordon Whitton, who oversaw the installation of the Liberty Swing, first noticed the damages on Monday, when checking on the area.

Sabraw said she hopes to send a message to people that this equipment that provides quality of life to individuals facing challenges needs to be respected.

“This is for individuals who have never had the opportunity in their lives to get on a swing and just swing,” she said. “To now know that somebody damaged it, really breaks a person’s heart.”

She said the Liberty Swing belongs to the community.

“It’s something that we can celebrate that we have,” she said. “There are only two now in the province of Saskatchewan, these Liberty Swings. It costs a lot of money, and a lot of time by the people who put it in.”

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow