However, the material’s lead content, “some higher levels than the EPA standard,” is the problem in this case, according to Waldron. It’s a particular part of the surface that authorities are concerned about, not the whole playground. Officials also said the real danger comes if it’s ingested. For the past few months, the county has been testing all of its 54 playgrounds. This was the only one with a lead problem. “Just to be sure, we bolted the gates, we put up signage that it's closed for maintenance,” Waldron said. Many local playgrounds have been closed since early in the pandemic, out of concern about the virus spreading through contact surfaces. That will give the parks and recreation department time to rebuild the playground entirely with a different surface -- wood fiber.