Cimino Park playground falls silent after slide problem

by Sally Jane Ruybalid
TRINIDAD — When children at this popular playground in Trinidad shout from the top that they’re coming on down, they sure didn’t mean the actual tube slide. 
Unfortunately, this scenario had become all too true for the unique playground situated in Cimino Park located near the downtown of Trinidad.  The playground is a popular place of recreation for locals and tourists alike, but laid dismantled until early this week when City of Trinidad crews repaired it.  The slide broke near the top where it connects with the main structure of the playground, and the entire playground was therefore out of commission until the new part arrived late last week from the manufacturer. 
Yellow caution tape enshrouded the perimeter of the playground, a warning to all patrons and passersby that the playground was not open to guests and deterred all who attempted to enter. Now, access is not an issue.
According to City of Trinidad Public Works director Tom Beach, the city went to inspect and remove one part for minor damage and therefore ordered a replacement part.  This became an exercise in futility, for when the City of Trinidad returned to replace that part, they found that another part crucial to the play-ground was defective.  The bolts intended to repair could not turn and do their job.  Because of this, the City of Trinidad had to place a second order to the supplier, Churchich Recreation; out of Niwot, Colorado.  This was approximately one month ago, and they (the City of Trinidad) were planning to repair the slide promptly upon the part’s arrival.  Beach mentioned that the playground would be back in action as soon as the City of Trinidad received the crucial parts for repair. 
However, Beach noted that the playground has not experienced any other structure problems.
All of the requisite parts were in the City of Trinidad’s possession as of the afternoon of Friday, July 31st, and Beach assured that the playground should be repaired by World Journal press time the following week.  
Cimino Park, including the playground, is the City of Trinidad’s youngest park, construction being completed in 2005.