Calls for safety review and clearer signage at Boongaree Nature Play Park continue after Jemma Tribe's daughter breaks both wrists

The Shoalhaven Business Chamber president said her nine-year-old, Rori, was riding the flying fox at Boongaree Nature Play Park when it stopped abruptly, causing her to fly off and land face first.

"It hit quite hard on the stopper at the end," Jemma said.

"She flew back and went up into the air and landed on both wrists. She was quite inconsolable, so I knew that it was more than just a shock or a bit of pain that she could brush off."

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Rori was treated at the Shoalhaven hospital after the incident on Thursday, April 21 and remains in two casts.

"When we took her in, hospital staff said 'oh not another one'," Jemma said.

"They have seen so many come through with injuries from the park."

The incident comes after Illawarra mum Tisha Fleming took to social media when her daughter broke both of her legs after coming off the playground's slide in March.

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More than 50 people responded with stories of their kids sustaining injuries at the park, with 40 of those were on the slide.

The slide has since been taped off.

Since visiting the park, Jemma heard the flying fox is actually intended for teens, but said signage outlining age brackets and safety risks could prevent the risk of future injuries.

"I've heard since that the flying fox is supposed to just be for teenagers," Jemma said.

"I didn't get that impression at all on a day. I think (Tori) was probably the biggest kid I saw on the flying fox when we were there.

"If that is the case then a sign about ages for that particular feature of the park, and maybe a warning about how quickly it stops.

"And that's in the meantime, because I think the slide and flying fox both need a review of how they could be tweaked to be a bit safer."

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Jemma praised the park as a "fantastic feature" of Berry and wants it to stay open.

"Given its popularity, it shows how much this sort of thing is needed for our area. It's beautiful," she said.

"I'd heard about the injuries going into it so I felt we were pretty prepared.

"The fact that we still had an injury that took us by surprise, I don't know that we could have done any more.

"Perhaps if we had read signs about risks of certain features or ages, maybe we would have made potentially different choices on the day."

The nature play park - which has proved a drawcard for Berry - opened in January, and includes the dual flying fox, sensory play area, swings, slides, climbing nets and exercise equipment.

There are also amenities with lift and change facilities and family picnic and BBQ spaces, designed to reinvigorate the northern edge of the Berry township following the introduction of the Berry bypass in 2017.

It has been designed and certified as compliant with relevant the Australian Standards.

Mrs Tribe said she has had informal discussions with council about adding signage to the park.

A national child safety organisation will independently evaluate Berry's Bongaree Nature Play Park.

"Given the recent community concern, council will be working with KidsSafe Australia to undertake an independent assessment of the facility," a Shoalhaven council spokesperson said last month.

"Bongaree Nature Play Park in Berry is intended to be used and enjoyed by visitors of all ages and abilities however, as with all playgrounds, Council strongly encourages visitors to use the park's play equipment with reasonable care and for minors to be continuously and actively supervised by their parents or guardians.

"Council is in the process of assessing the slide and has temporarily closed the equipment to the public until that assessment can be completed."

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