Yisroel R.

The playground at Mombasha Park in the Town of Monroe has been closed until further notice after a safety inspection found conditions that prompted officials to shut the playground down.

According to Town Supervisor Maureen Richardson, the inspection was requested after parents raised concerns about the playground. A safety specialist from the town’s NYMIR insurance provider, who is also a Certified Playground Safety Inspector, examined the site and determined that the playground should remain closed.

The closure applies specifically to the playground. All other facilities at Mombasha Park remain open for public use.

Town officials said they have been aware of the playground’s deteriorating condition for several years and had previously attempted to secure Community Development Block Grant funding for improvements. That effort was unsuccessful after the town was required to modify its application because income data did not meet the program’s eligibility requirements.

The town was instead awarded $80,000 to create an ADA-accessible pathway connecting recreational and restroom facilities at the park. Supervisor Richardson said officials have also scoped out grant eligibility with Millennium Strategies as they work to identify funding for the repairs needed at the playground.

For now, the playground will remain closed while the town determines the next steps needed to address the safety concerns and reopen the facility.