GARDINER — Crews from the Public Works Department started removing playground equipment from the Gardiner Common this morning.

The aging equipment on the playground — slides, the climbing set, hand-rings and jungle gym — were a safety hazard.

The playground is included in plans to improve the Common, which is a city park off Brunswick Avenue.

That plan, which will be presented to the City Council in April, will address how to replace the playground, map out phases to improve the infrastructure, and list other improvements such as with lighting and benches.