A government watchdog agency has cited three playgrounds in Rockland County among the most unsafe for children in the state.

According to a study done by the New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG), the Nanuet Highview Community playground has equipment at an unsafe height. The study says there are potential entrapment problems, including areas where clothes can get tangled. The Manny Welder Park in Monsey was noted for six potential hazards including an unsafe surface and possible head entrapment.

And out of the 148 playgrounds examined across NY, the playground at Spring Valley's Memorial Park ranks as one of the worst. NYPIRG says the playground has unsafe surface, unsafe equipment height and possible head entrapment and clothing entanglement. The surveyor even calls it a toxic playground with too much litter and noted it smelled of raw sewage.NYPIRG conducted the study hoping for a change. According to recent U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission data, it is estimated that approximately 200,000 people are treated annually in the United States in emergency rooms after being hurt at playgrounds. Since 1990, more than 150 children have died from playground equipment-related injuries.

Related Information NYPIRG's Playground Safety Report 2006