I walk in a different neighborhood and discover a school with multiple play areas, a true park. When I was growing up, playgrounds consisted of a swing set, a slide and maybe a teeter-totter or a merry-go-round — not the carousel like you see at amusement parks. Today’s playgrounds are much different. There are climbing walls, ziplines, trampolines and much more. I do remember falling off the stairs to a slide once and landing on the hard concrete pad below. The modern playground has soft surfaces that give under the weight of your foot.
History
According to Wikipedia, in the 19th century, developmental psychologists such as Friedrich Fröbel proposed playgrounds as a developmental aid, or to imbue children with a sense of fair play and good manners. Fröbel was a German pedagogue who laid the foundation for modern education based on the recognition that children have unique needs and capabilities. He created the concept of the kindergarten and coined the word, which soon entered the English language as well. He also developed educational toys. In Germany, a few playgrounds were erected in connection to schools, and the first purpose-built, public-access playground was opened in a park in Manchester, England in 1859.
However, it was only in the early 20th century, as the street lost its role as the default public space and became planned for use by motor cars, that momentum built to remove children from the new dangers and confine them to segregated areas to play. In the United States, organizations such as the National Highway Protective Society highlighted the numbers killed by automobiles and urged the creation of playgrounds, aiming to free streets for vehicles rather than children's play. The Outdoor Recreation League provided funds to erect playgrounds on parkland, especially following the 1901 publication of a report on numbers of children being run down by cars in New York City.
In tandem with the new concern about the danger of roads, educational theories of play — including by Herbert Spencer and John Dewey — inspired the emergence of the reformist playground movement, which argued that playgrounds had educational value, improved attention in class, enhanced physical health and reduced truancy. Interventionist programs such as by the child savers sought to move children into controlled areas to limit “delinquency.” Meanwhile, at schools and settlement houses for poorer children with limited access to education, health services and day care, playgrounds were included to support these institutions' goal of keeping children safe and out of trouble.
One of the first playgrounds in the United States was built in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park in 1887. In 1906 the Playground Association of America was founded and a year later Luther Gulick became president. It later became the National Recreation Association and then the National Recreation and Park Association. Urging the need for playgrounds, former President Theodore Roosevelt stated in 1907:
"City streets are unsatisfactory playgrounds for children because of the danger, because most good games are against the law, because they are too hot in summer and because in crowded sections of the city they are apt to be schools of crime. Neither do small back yards nor ornamental grass plots meet the needs of any but the very small children. Older children who would play vigorous games must have places especially set aside for them; and, since play is a fundamental need, playgrounds should be provided for every child as much as schools. This means that they must be distributed over the cities in such a way as to be within walking distance of every boy and girl, as most children cannot afford to pay car fare."
In post war London the landscape architect and children's rights campaigner Lady Allen of Hurtwood introduced and popularized the concept of the “junk playground” — where the equipment was constructed from the recycled junk and rubble left over from the Blitz, a German bombing campaign against the United Kingdom in 1940 and 1941. She campaigned for facilities for children growing up in the new high-rise developments in Britain's cities and wrote a series of illustrated books on the subject of playgrounds, and at least one book on adventure playgrounds — spaces for free creativity by children — which helped the idea spread worldwide.
According to the article “Adventure Playgrounds” in the Play and Playground Encyclopedia, her concept was that there should be hills, puddles, grass, etc. and absolutely no asphalt. The main features were to be: 1) enough pipes, ropes, bricks, lumber, hammers and nails where with very little supervision, children could build and paint playthings that they wanted like swings, tree houses, forts, etc. 2) a central pavilion for children to get in out of the rain and to hold meetings.
The original concept for adventure playgrounds began in Europe in 1931. C. Th. Sorensen, a Danish landscape and playground designer, saw children playing everywhere except at the traditional cement and asphalt playgrounds. The idea that children would rather play with dirt, rocks, lumber, etc. started a revolution in the playground industry.
To date there are approximately 1,000 adventure playgrounds in Europe, most of them are in England, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland. Japan also has a significant number of adventure playgrounds. However, in the United States there are only a few adventure playgrounds at this time. Huntington Beach, California’s Adventure Playground was one of the first in the country starting in the 1970s. Berkeley, California’s Adventure Playground has been in business for over 30 years.
Cold War playground equipment
According to Wikipedia, In 1959, Popular Mechanics wrote that a Kiwanis Club in Ontario, California was "in tune with the times" when it erected a three-story rocket ship in a local playground.
Around 1962, a 26-foot-high moon rocket was installed in a playground in Calwa, California. The "Calwa Rocket" still stands in the park "as an affectionate symbol of an earlier time," and was designated a heritage property in 2013.
The "space-age shift" in playground design was described in a 1963 issue of Life magazine, which featured Fidel Castro on the cover. A row of tree trunks installed in a Kansas City, Missouri park could elicit "any game an imaginative child might think up," including "an array of ICBMs on a launch pad."
By 1963, Philadelphia had installed 160 space-aged playgrounds, which featured satellites, rockets and submarines.
Richardson, Texas installed a space-themed playground in 1965, with a radar tower, Saturn climber, submarine, radar dish, planet climber and three-story high rocket ship. When the city tried to replace the playground equipment in 2008, it was met with local opposition. A task force established to investigate the removal found the rocket ship had "very limited play value" and had "hazardous conditions that present a great danger to young children." The playground equipment was dismantled despite the objections.
Two companies were noted for their military- and space-themed playground equipment: Miracle Equipment Co. of Grinnell, Iowa, and Jamison Fantasy Equipment of Los Angeles, California, which manufactured a moon rocket, nautilus submarine and space slide.
Author Fraser MacDonald wrote "nuclear weapons were made intelligible in, and transposable to, a domestic context" through children's toys and playground equipment featuring Cold War symbols.
According to the article “The 50 Best Playgrounds in America” in Early Childhood Education Zone, below are a few examples.
1. Zachary’s Playground – Lake Saint Louis, Missouri
Dedicated to the founder’s son, Zachary’s Playground is a truly inclusive playground that is accessible to everyone, from the highest slide to the lowest play panel. There are swings for every age and ability, a splash pad for fun in the water, Braille activity boards and a climbing net with custom seats. The music section of the playground provides audible stimulation and encourages creativity while the castle- and boat-themed play areas encourage imaginative play and pretending.
2. Harry Thomas Sr. Playspace – Washington, D.C.
This is a place where the core subjects of mathematics, art, architecture, science and nature are brought together in fascinating ways. The quirky and fun look of the green structures at Harry Thomas Sr. Playspace belie the fact that an important scientific principle is on display. The playground explores the Fibonacci sequence, the numerical wonder that is a simple pattern where each number is the sum of the two numbers that proceed it. The golden ratio that follows seems to be present in an unending number of structures and patterns in the natural environment. This playground beautifully demonstrates these principles and teaches children about it at the same time.
3. Grange Insurance Audobon Park – Columbus, Ohio
The Grange Insurance Audubon Park has become a gem in the metro area. The park — which is situated along the Scioto River — offers biking trails, a 35-foot rock wall and fishing areas, as well as a giant water tower with two observation platforms with amazing views of downtown Columbus. There are 120 acres to explore, including the nature center, educational classes and an awe-inspiring wired bird nest, allowing visitors to hear the birds themselves. The park also features a boat ramp and sand volleyball courts.
4. Clemyjontri Playground – McLean, Virginia
There is something for everyone at Clemyjontri Playground, as this space is perfectly suited for children of all ability levels. The playground features swings with higher backs to provide more support for those who need it, ramps to all of the elevated play structures and bright and wide pathways to all of the equipment that is easy for anyone to maneuver. The mini track can host competitive races, the beams can be used to challenge balance and depth perception and playhouses offer opportunities for group play and social interaction. As a great bonus, the variety of vibrant colors that make up the ground surface create an exciting and welcoming atmosphere the minute you arrive that encourages you to cut loose and have some serious fun.
5. New York Hall of Science Playground – Corona, New York
This playground teaches children about the scientific principles that are always at play around them. Guests of all ages will find something new and interesting at the New York Hall of Science Playground. Visitors will learn about the principles of motion, balance, sound and sight while exploring slides, seesaws, sandpits, windpipes, steel drums and fog machines. Children will have a blast experimenting with equipment and machines and seeing how they work.
6. World of Wonder Playground – Athens, Georgia
Thanks to the dedication of 1,500 community volunteers, the World of Wonder Playground is Georgia’s largest volunteer-built playground. When you enter the playground, you are greeted with a carving of a quote from Aristotle that reads, “Wonder implies the desire to learn.” It’s the perfect greeting for a playground that is sure to elicit wonder in every child who visits. All of the classics can be found here: rock walls, swings, monkey bars, interactive tic-tac-toe walls and even a giant dragon that begs to be climbed. The playground includes a tot lot for children aged two to five and elevated walkways that provide a view from above.
7. Imagination Playground – Manhattan, New York
The first flagship of the Imagination Playground brand is located at Burling Slip in lower Manhattan. This playground is founded on the IP model of creative construction style play using interlocking foam pieces similar to K’nex or Erector sets. For the younger, less motor-mature kids, the Burling Slip location includes sand and water play areas, and there are interpreters on hand to supervise and assist children in communicating on their projects. With the help of an all-star team of partners such as KaBoom! and the Association of Children’s Museums, Imagination Playgrounds are now found in 40 countries with more to come.
8. Kellogg Park – New Orleans, Louisiana
The modern looking Eco Playground at Kellogg Park was created to provide the children of New Orleans a proper place to play after Hurricane Katrina. The playground was developed by the Make it Right Foundation, which actor and activist Brad Pitt leads. The park was designed using sustainable methods and materials. The electronic playground equipment is even powered by solar panels. This equipment encourages physical activity as children climb, jump, run and swing their way through the equipment’s games. Users can use the technology to keep score and play alone or play with teams.
9. Bible Story Playground – Parker, South Dakota
This unique playground at the First Baptist Church in Park, South Dakota teaches kids about the stories from the bible through interactive, firsthand experiential learning. The playground — which is open to all — includes a large whale that children can use to experience how Jonah lived inside a whale. It also features a climbing net and boat that allows children to experience the “Miraculous Catch of Fish” story. The climbing poles each have one of the Ten Commandments written on them. Musical instruments are provided to let children voice their praises, and a sound system allows you to push a button near each piece of playground equipment to hear a short Bible story.
10. Fort Washington Playground – New York, New York
Situated on 160 acres of the Hudson River waterfront, the Fort Washington Playground had a recent $30 million upgrade to make it a truly unique space in New York City. The new park includes a Nature Discovery playground that features woodland-themed equipment like giant leaves, a treehouse with slides and a large sandbox.
11. Kamakana Playground – Kona, Hawaii
Situated in Harold H. Higashihara Park, Kamakana Playground is a quiet park that provides plenty of fun for children. The playground is unique thanks to its heritage-themed art details such as picnic tables shaped like the Hawaiian Islands, vibrant tribal carvings found on park walls and a replica of a Hawaiian canoe. Most impressive is the slide that takes guests through two-and-a-half turns in utter darkness. Parents will enjoy taking in the view of the ocean through the trees as their children explore the wooden castle. The family-friendly park also features tennis courts, horseshoe courts and inlaid tables for chess and checkers.
12. Neptune Park – Saratoga Springs, Utah
You can’t miss Neptune Park in Saratoga Springs, Utah, thanks to the massive 30-foot climbing pyramid that stands as the star attraction. One of only three similar structures in the world and the largest of its type, the Neptune pyramid is taller than most two-story homes. The pyramid features a rope structure inside of the pyramid that is useful for both climbing and catching someone who falls, making the equipment safe when used properly. During the later hours of the afternoon, it’s not uncommon to find plenty of adults on the pyramid, as well as children. The park also features plenty of other activities for those who would prefer to stay closer to the ground.
13. Musical Playground – Moab, Utah
Visit Freenotes Harmony Park and the sounds from the Musical Playground will be sure to draw you in. Based on the theory that music is the universal language, this park helps children from all backgrounds relate to each other. This park provides public access for all ages to interact with real musical instruments including drums, chimes and xylophones. No prior experience is necessary as there are no wrong notes; the instruments are designed to make it effortless for people to play music together. The distinct sounds and tones were specifically chosen to blend together to create soothing sounds, a bonus for parents. The musical playground provides an opportunity for spontaneous collaboration, and the broad color palette awakens the visual senses as well.
14. Hope Park – Frisco, Texas
Hope Park focuses on an inclusive play adventure that brings children together as friends and equals, regardless of their physical or mental developmental levels. The park is more like a mini amusement park, with a splash pad area, a back-supported merry-go-round, swings for all ages and interactive wall activities. Broken off into two sections for two different age groups, little ones can play in a safe environment that has a soft foam floor and no risk of accidentally getting run over by the bigger kids. The park is well-maintained, the parking is ample and there are plenty of opportunities for children of all ages to play and explore.
15. Jake’s Place – Cherry Hill, New Jersey
The first all-inclusive playground built in South Jersey, Jake’s Place is an impressive site that was co-founded by the parents of “Baby Jake” in his memory. They wanted a place where every child had a chance to play, regardless of physical limitations. The blue and red playground equipment stands in stark contrast to the bright green ground surface, creating a vibrant environment that encourages play for all. The bridges, tunnels and slides of the sprawling structure are all equipped with ramps that are strong enough to accommodate disabled adults, as well as children. There are also plenty of benches for parents to sit and watch as their children play.
Gathering Place – Tulsa, Oklahoma
This park and its playgrounds are not on the list of those above. However, I have visited it personally and found it spectacular. According to Wikipedia, Gathering Place — established Sept. 8, 2018 — is a public open space in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It is centered on the east bank of the Arkansas River south of the downtown area and immediately west of the historic Maplewood Historic District, an upscale residential area. Largely the brainchild of Tulsa multibillionaire and philanthropist George Kaiser, Gathering Place was designed by Michael VanValkenburgh. This public-private partnership covers approximately 100 acres of land and cost about $465 million to construct.
The main attractions are the Chapman Adventure Playground, the Williams Lodge, a boathouse, splash playground, great lawn, outdoor sports courts, a skate park, a wetland pond and garden and numerous trails among other locations. There are plenty of activities for kids and adults alike.
Tulsa's Gathering Place was named the Best New Attraction in the nation in 2018 through the USA Today Readers’ Choice awards. In 2019, Gathering Place made Time magazine’s list of The World's 100 Greatest Places of 2019, National Geographic’s list of 12 Mind-Bending Playgrounds Around the World and the American Planning Association's list of six great public spaces in America.
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Thanks for mentioning the Gathering Place! Good article!