A Kelowna father is warning the community after his three-year-old son came close to picking up a used needle at his neighbourhood playground.
Terry Scarborough was enjoying the morning with his son at Mary-Anne Collinson Memorial Park Saturday when he caught his child come within seconds of grabbing the needle, which was inside an opened wrapper.
And he says this isn't the first time they've had similar issues in the park.
“We've got a severe problem with needle users in here,” he said. “I just think everyone should be aware, it was just a close call, but my heart's just racing.”
Scarborough said the person he believes was responsible for leaving the needle had been camping in the park the previous day and night, and also left behind a burnt spoon and other garbage.
“We are all tired of paying for that park with our tax dollars and not being able to safely use it,” he said. “I am concerned primarily with alerting parents of this danger.”
Scarborough says there are about 20 kids living on his block who use the park regularly.
After the close call, Scarborough called the RCMP, who said a bylaw officer would come by to dispose of the hazard.