Children's play equipment and the decline of the American yard.

I find it amusing that I ran accross this after visiting Jerry's house. I will still defend his yard though-he is the exact opposite of the typical American house in the article-he has a small house with a giant yard (though rented, not owned). In his case the two swingsets were being thrown out by other people, and much of the other equipment was also being trashed or else yard saled, or he bought it secondhand. I think the trampoline was the only thing bought brand new. I think he just wants to encourage his kids to spend more time outside, that's the impression I get, anyway.



They do have a valid point about people not using playgrounds as much and buying their own ugly plastic contraptions instead. I don't think that it holds true for most people living in a city, or at least in the economic group I travel in. For middle and upper class maybe. I'd also guess that part of the desire to have your own playground equipment comes from the fact that middle class parents are busy shuffling between their two jobs and sports and lessons and playdates for their kids-who has time to sit at a playground and watch the kids play? Much easier to just let them run out into the backyard (it's probably underused anyway).

I find our local playground to be scary a lot of the time. It's overrun with teenagers who are there to hang out, not horrible in itself, but they get in the way of younger kids trying to play. In fact, aside from my recent vists there with the boys in the AM, I had not gone back because the last time I went teenagers were throwing rocks and one nearly slammed into my head. My guardian angel was there that day because instead it hit the metal pole I was standing against instead of me. But it was very close and it hit very hard. There were several bored fathers there also, and all came over to check out what had happened. (I think it gave them something manly to do) and they all pronounced that had the rock hit me instead of the pole, I'd be sleeping right now. I found the thought terrifying because I had baby Timothy in the sling, and I was watching Leanna and Justin run around-what might have happened to them if something happened to me?

Every day this week at least one kid has asked if we can go back to Jerry's house! It's better than most playgrounds anyway-no lines, no rude kids, tree lined, and real grass under your feet.