An Oamaru mother is calling for community support to create a fenced playground in the town.
Yvonne Ball has launched a Facebook page, ''Oamaru Play Safe'', over the need for a fenced playground where ''families can enjoy spending time with their children in a safe and child-friendly space''.
Oamaru had some ''awesome'' parks and playgrounds, but none were fully fenced, she said.
Miss Ball has a special needs daughter (aged 10) and two sons, (16 and 20).
''My daughter has no concept of safety or boundaries and there isn't actually anywhere in Oamaru that she can play freely without me having to be either right on top of her or with a lead on, where we get really strange looks and comments from people,'' Miss Ball said.
''I don't feel that my daughter, and other children, should be excluded from having the experiences of exploring and learning with their own freedom that normal children can have because they have different needs.''
In sharing her ''frustration and sadness'', she said other parents' feedback suggested the town needed a fenced playground.
There had been some ''really hearty debate'' on the subject in the community already.
''In an ideal world, if we didn't need to have any fencing and children were free to feel safe and go wherever they wanted to go, then it would be great for them to be able to do that ... ,'' she said.
''Unfortunately, we don't live in an ideal world.''
A fenced playground could could also help grandparents looking after children.
Research suggested boundaries allowed children to relax and explore.
''The whole idea of a playground is for children to learn; they take risks, they learn what the consequences are, they learn different skills, but children aren't really free to learn unless they are in a safe environment,'' she said.
The conversation has been centred on three play areas in Oamaru - Friendly Bay, Roberts Park (North End) and the Oamaru Public Gardens.
Miss Ball invited people to join in her campaign online and give feedback.
She also wanted feedback from Dunedin City Council and parents who raised funds for an enclosed playground in Mosgiel.
Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher and Waitaki District Council recreation manager Erik van der Spek met Miss Ball and supporters earlier this week.
''[A fenced playground] is not something we'd want to be spending a lot on, but we shouldn't ignore the need if it's there,'' Mr Kircher said.
