One third of the park's popular equipment is now largely out of bounds and scorching hot in the sun.

Katherine Town Council made the decision to remove the shade sail several weeks ago following ongoing vandalism. 

But the decision could leave that section of the playground uncovered until 2020.

"You can't walk across it barefoot and you can't touch any of the equipment with bare skin," a mother at the playground said today. 

"Our kids don't play over there." 

While the playground has three areas - two of which have high tin roofs - the main area where the only swing set is situated has been left in the harsh sunlight, leaving parents concerned for their children's sun safety. 

"We come down quite often and we don't see people playing there because it is so hot," the mother said. 

Situated in the centre of town near the Aquatic Centre, the Adventure Play Park is widely used by parents and children. 

Council said the shade sail had been replaced previously after being damaged, and to "continue to do this is economically unviable".

In 2017, the council said it was progressively closing smaller parks and was committed to maintaining the bigger Adventure Play Park.

According to one Katherine resident who regularly takes her child to the playground, the shade sail had a couple of holes, but it was still in working order, keeping the equipment cool. 

Council is now considering replacing the shade sails with a hard panel roof, to match the others.  

"[They] will be more resistant to vandalism and damage from harsh environmental elements," she said. 

"The additional cost associated with the installation of a hard panel roof is an item council will need to consider as part of the 2019-20 budget process and for this reason, it is anticipated installation of a new roof, or replacement of shade sails, would likely occur in the second quarter of the 2019-20 financial year.

"However, that will depend on time required for any change of design and the weather.

"We do appreciate that this does create some inconvenience for our residents however, in the long term, the hard panel roof will offer a better protected playing area for all and a more fiscally viable option for council."

In 2016 the Katherine CWA gave KTC $191,000 to install soft-fall rubber under the Katherine Fun Park equipment, which allowed children in wheelchairs to utilise the facility.

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