Mother of three Zara Hartley, a personal trainer who co-ordinates Run Mum Run fitness, said Playway was a good park to be used because it was fenced, had a playground and a toilet block. 

But there was a list of improvements needed, considering it was an alternative park when the Family Fun Park was closed for cleaning on Wednesdays. 

“It’s a great space but it’s just lacking those few things,” Mrs Hartley said. 

“It should be up to scratch in par with the other one.”

As many as 15 children use the park located at Fifth Avenue and Diamantina Development Road on Mondays and Wednesdays when the mother’s fitness group use it. 

One tap supplied water in the park, and it was close to the ground and above an electric cable. 

Weeds had also been left to grow in the park, and were among a number of problems in the park that had worsened. 

“The kids can’t go anywhere without having a bindi in the foot,” she said. 

Sprinklers had been removed and the grass was dry, and the playground area was covered with sticks and weeds. 

Mrs Hartley said the toilet needed improving, as the toilet bowl was too high for small children and there was no sink. 

The picnic table had no shade covering it, and a barbecue would be useful as well. 

She said other parks did not have enough facilities either. 

Clancy Corporation’s managing director Dave Clancy looked at photographs of the cable underneath the tap, and said that as a main earth cable it was not dangerous in its location. 

“The damper the ground around it the better,” Mr Clancy said. 

“I would recommend moving to the other side of the path and installing it directly into the ground only because it is encased in concrete. 

“And also securing the cable so there is not as much loose wire to avoid it being disconnected from the earth stake.” 

Mrs Hartley is not the only person to comment about the quality of Mount Isa’s parks.

A community member preferring not to be identified due to work requirements said Minnie Davis Park playground in Pioneer was removed by the council in about October last year. 

The park was popular for Pioneer children, especially for a weekly sports playgroup event.  

But the playground was in disrepair and needed maintenance before its removal. 

Lighting, repair of gates and a water fountain were also needed. “There’s no water supply at all,” the community member said.