Playgrounds of the 70s

In her photo-essay published on Divine Caroline, Dahlia Rideout contemplates the wonders and dangers of playgrounds of the 70s. She writes: "Growing up in suburban Los Angeles in the 70's meant lots of time at the local playground. Getting out to nature involved a car trip and because most suburbs were planned in the 1950's city parks were always nearby. We had simple needs back then. Most of the playground equipment consisted of basic metal structures with a certain level of danger which kept it exciting."

In those few words - "a certain level of danger which kept it exciting" - Ms. Rideout captures and condemns most of the current concerns that have given rise to today's playgrounds. Jill Harness, in her article comments: "Ridiculous, frivolous lawsuits aside, litigation does, to some extent help keep our society safer. But at what cost? Sure children’s playground equipment of the seventies was dangerous, but that’s what made it so darn fun. What better feeling was there than sticking your head on the edge of the spinning merry-go-round and having a friend push it as fast as possible? And was there anyone cooler than the clique that hung out on the top of the monkey bars?"

Something clearly needs to be reconsidered - the design of playgrounds, the opportunities we provide our children to experience risk, our over-protectiveness, the laws that govern lawsuits, our belief in our children, our faith in play.


via Mental Floss

from Bernie DeKoven, funsmith