Location: Monroe, LA
Forsythe Park has long been a cherished space in Monroe — a place where families gather, children play, and the community comes together. But growing safety concerns are causing some parents to think twice before bringing their children there.
Local residents report multiple hazards throughout the park’s play areas, including unstable and fading slides, loose and deteriorating guard rails, and connective bridges designed for children that lack any guard rails at all. Parents have also pointed out uneven ground and patchwork repairs that appear worn and unsafe.
One mother shared a particularly alarming experience, saying she had to physically move her child off a platform after noticing he was about to fall through what appeared to be rotten wood. “Our kids deserve better,” she said. “Why isn’t Monroe addressing this?”
While Forsythe Park remains full of potential, these safety issues are raising serious concerns among families. Parents say the park should be a place of peace and play, not constant vigilance and fear of injury.
Many are now calling on the City of Monroe to inspect the park, address the reported hazards, and prioritize repairs to ensure the space is safe for the children it was built to serve. Until then, some families say they’re staying away, hoping that attention and action will restore Forsythe Park to the welcoming community space it once was.
I would love the opportunity to meet with Mayor Friday Ellis to discuss these concerns and how we can create a fun, safe environment for the community to come together.
Update from Mayor Ellis:
“The playground is about to be demolished and a new playground/family area will be in place. Should be about 2-3 months before construction begins. Shoutout to Miracles to Milestone for spearheading and fundraising for the new playground.
Those rails consistently are an issue. Thanks for the heads up. I’ll send our folk out to brace them up.”
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