The precocious genius that designed Watsonia’s long-awaited town square  has most definitely forgotten to include a fence around the playground that he decided to instal right next to a busy road. While some Watsonians have expressed relief and excitement about the recent soft opening of the town square on the east side of Watsonia Road, more than one have also noticed the shabby-looking temporary fencing behind the iconic slanted Watsonia Library sign.

Speaking exclusively to The Watsonia Bugle, long-time local resident Sarah Nelson said, “It’s a strange one. As a mum of three little kids, the first thing I’m looking for at a playground is potential hazards and ways my kids could get themselves into trouble. So, the first thing I’d be installing is a fence, especially when the playground is so close to a main road. I mean, sure, the open plan looks cute on a fancy AI render, but I don’t live in an AI render. I live in the real world.”

However, regardless of the lack of security foresight, Nelson said she wouldn’t be taking her kids to the town square. She said, “Fence or no fence, I’m not taking my kids there. What are they going to do? Have a quick go on that lonely looking swing set, or wander under the Golden Arches? Spare me. Let me say this one more time: the way things look on a design render rarely translate to how they’ll be used in real life.”