The reasons that certain common-area facilities are locked are public safety and also to prevent property damage. As you can see in the pictures below, the fences around the pool, tennis court, and playground are in such disrepair that they can no longer keep everyone out.
Unfortunately, property damage is repaired at the expense of unit owners -- unless someone wants to claim responsibility for tearing the tennis net, breaking the playground swings, or destroying the fences. What if the people that broke the property actually had to pay for the property -- do you think it would break less?
The gate on the tennis court (below, left) does not even latch. A sturdy lock and chain on both playground gates does manage to keep some people out -- the rule-abiding children who would like to play there.
