Avon playgrounds closed, pounds of nails and sharp objects found in mulch

AVON, Ohio - Residents living in Avon's Stonebridge Creek subdivision used Tupperware containers to collect pounds of nails, and other sharp objects found in newly-placed playground mulch.

The discovery had parents in the neighborhood concerned about the safety of their children, and residents demanding their homeowners association take action.

Residents said the hazardous mulch caused Stonebridge Creek property management to close two neighborhood playgrounds for more than two weeks, and when parents claimed they weren't getting an adequate response, they contacted the 5 On Your Side Troubleshooter Unit.

"There's glass and nails in the mulch. There's so many kids within our development,” said Stonebridge Creek parent Christopher Paytas. "There's just a disregard for their personal safety. They just don't care."

Paytas told NewsChannel5 he and his wife called and emailed Stonebridge Creek property management several times, but Paytas claims he was given little information.

Residents report the playgrounds were closed right before the Memorial Day weekend, but said they were not told when the contaminated mulch would be replaced and the playgrounds re-opened.

"I want better communication with the homeowners association," said Julie Paytas. "As soon as that happened, the property manager should have notified all homeowners. They should have acted faster than they did."

5 On Your Side contacted the Stonebridge Creek Homeowners Association, and it responded immediately.

The association told NewsChannel5 the potentially hazardous mulch was a simple shipping mistake on the part of the mulch company. An association board member told 5 On Your Side by telephone that it unfortunately took the mulch company more than two weeks to get the mulch replaced.

The association acknowledged the need for better communication between the board and its members, and just 24 hours later both playgrounds were re-mulched and open back up for use.

Board members told NewsChannel5 residents did not contact the homeowners association, after they failed to get an adequate response from the property manager. The homeowners association agreed to improve the channels of communication between all parties involved.