NYC housing agency changes playground's fake jail

[March 26, 2010]  NEW YORK (AP) -- Complaints have prompted New York City's public housing authority to change a playground jungle gym made to resemble a jail.

Workers removed the word "jail" and fake bars on Wednesday from the Tompkins Houses jungle gym in Brooklyn.

Natasha Godley, who has a 6-year-old son, says she complained because "it was like promoting kids to go to jail."

Housing Authority spokeswoman Sheila Stainback says it was part of the original design of the playground, which was erected in 2004. She says no one complained until this week.

Stainback said the agency wants to replace that part of the playground and is looking into who ordered the equipment.

Changes also were being made to a second fake jail. Stainback declined to divulge its location.

___

Information from: The New York Times, http://www.nytimes.com/

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.