Future of unacceptable Lee's Summit purple playset now in judge's hands
LEE'S SUMMIT, Mo. — A Lee's Summit family says it was meant as fun for their girls, but a swing set in their backyard is now front and center in a Jackson County courtroom.
A wooden swing set, stained a deep purple, sits in the backyard at the Stout family home. The color might not be traditional, but the Stout family says the neighborhood guidelines don't explicitly list what colors are acceptable. The structure, and it's hue, have landed the family in court.
The Stout family has been fighting for the playset since last spring. The neighborhood property association is suing the family for putting it up without permission and also because of its bright color. The family said it tried to appeal, but each time, has been rejected by the board, instead getting fined and now, a lawsuit. Friday, a Jackson County judge heard from the Stouts, as well as from the board president of the Rain Tree Lake Property Association. The board says the Stouts didn't apply before putting up the structure and that it violates neighborhood policy. There were about half a dozen people in the courtroom Friday to listen in on the proceedings.
The judge said she'd like more time to review the evidence and will give the attorneys up to two weeks to prepare a briefing for her, if she requests more information. Neither party wanted to speak to FOX 4 Friday, though both sides agreed to interviews after the judge makes her ruling later this month. For now, the swing set is still up in the Stouts backyard.
See photos of the Stouts playground:
