A slide at a newly opened children's playground in Appin, far southwest Sydney, has been sealed shut after a man in his 40s was rushed to hospital with a leg injury — raising serious questions about the safety of equipment at a park that opened to the public only weeks ago.

The incident occurred at Toggerai Park, which opened earlier this month as part of a long-planned community recreation space developed in partnership between the NSW Department of Housing, Planning and Infrastructure (DHPI) and Wollondilly Shire Council. A metal sheet has since been placed at the slide's entry point, blocking public access.

Man taken to Campbelltown Hospital after slide injury

Two NSW Ambulance crews responded to the park at approximately 1.30pm on July 13 following reports of an injury on the equipment. A man aged in his 40s had sustained a leg injury while using the slide and was transported to Campbelltown Hospital in a stable condition.

The hospitalisation was not an isolated concern. Other community members have also reported being hurt on the slide, including one woman who claimed her foot "snapped in two spots" while using it. That account had not been independently verified at the time of publication.

Comments on social media had already flagged safety issues before the hospitalisation became public, with locals warning others away from the equipment. One commenter noted that footage of people coming off the slide "very dangerously" was already circulating in community groups online.

Planning minister had promoted the slide days earlier

The timing is particularly awkward for Development, Housing and Infrastructure Minister Paul Scully, who posted a video of himself riding the slide to social media on July 10 — just three days before the ambulance call-out.

The video was captioned "Delivered, tested and approved," with Scully announcing that Appin now had "a new park for all ages to enjoy." In the footage, the minister exits the bottom of the slide at speed and appears to narrowly maintain his footing. A community day had been planned for July 18 to celebrate the park's opening.

Responses to the post quickly turned cautionary, with commenters describing the slide as dangerous and noting that paramedics had already attended the site. One commenter called the minister "brave" for attempting the ride.

Department defends design standards, vows safety review

The DHPI has defended the slide's construction, stating it was designed, built and certified in accordance with relevant Australian Standards for playground equipment. The department described the closure as a precautionary measure while the contractor carries out further assessments.

"The safety of children and families is our highest priority and the slide will remain closed until those assessments are complete," the department said in a statement, thanking the community for its patience during the review.

The department also moved to reassure the public that the broader park remained open and was a valuable community asset. "Toggerai Park itself is a fantastic asset for the whole Appin community, delivered in partnership with Wollondilly Shire Council to give locals more places to play, connect and unwind outdoors," the statement read.

Years of community consultation preceded the opening

The park's development followed an extensive community engagement process stretching back to September 2020, involving multiple consultation phases between residents, the DHPI and Wollondilly Shire Council. A final consultation report released in November 2023 recorded that locals were "excited by the size of the playground and the range of experiences available" and praised both its setting and recreational options.

The slide will remain cordoned off until the contractor's safety assessment is finalised, with no timeline yet provided for when — or whether — it will reopen to the public.