In Salmiya, nursery schoolchildren queue up to return to the bus after an unrewarding visit to a local playground filled with half a swing set and a broken jungle gym. This park could have been a neat place for kids to play and interact with each other, and for their parents to engage in friendly conversations as the weather turns cooler across the country.

But this was not to be. Vandalism and neglect affect all areas of Kuwait. Public spaces across Kuwait are routinely damaged, destroyed or neglected. Playgrounds which are suppose to be fun and safe places for children to enjoy instead have become dangerous hazards to be navigated with care. Across Kuwait, playgrounds in neighborhood parks are often broken or barren with swings damaged or hanging in part, playstructures have broken parts and nails and other joints torn, twisted or sticking up that pose a clear danger to any child playing on them.

Everyone is a part of this negligence, citizens and expats using these facilities as well as authorities that have failed to ensure proper maintenance, upkeep and cleanliness. These failures result in a waste of public money to maintain these facilities, because of those who are unwilling to enjoy or run them wisely.

The desired change will not happen overnight. The longer the damaged seesaws, slides and chin-up bars remain unfixed or not removed, chances are the number accidents and injuries will increase. The problem will also not be solved by employing more guards and setting up surveillance cameras. Preserving open spaces and public parks is a culture to be fostered, and these concepts must be planted from a young age.

With better weather conditions, many families want to get out of malls and enjoy the outdoors. The Municipality took a good step by promising to knock down iron and concrete park boundaries if they return the favor by fixing the recreational equipment in them.

By Athoob A Al-Shuaibi