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Playgrounds for the Grown

Playground
April 12, 2016
Profile picture for user Bernie Dekoven
By Bernie Dekoven on
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2518
Adult Swings

Adult Swings

This seems more like my friend Christopher Noxon was writing about in his book Rejuvenile. Not that it's a bad thing, building oversized playgrounds so adults can relive their childhood. It's a genuine invitation to play. And it's fun.

But, in truth, what I mean when I think about adult playgrounds is something alot more like this:

Grown-ups playing

...an open field where we can all play together: adults, kids, all of us. Like we did at all those amazing New Games events of yore about which I, apparently, can't stop writing and talking about and teaching and advocating.

Of course, when I talk about playgrounds in general, for anybody, and especially for kids, this is what I mean:

The Land (Teaser) from Play Free Movie on Vimeo.

You know, places where kids can play freely (they call it "free play"), with adults around - not to supervise them, but to be there when needed, as playworkers, doing the adult kinds of things Penny Wilson writes about so beautifully, so passionately.

Fortunately, there are more and more invitations for grown people to play. Some come from artists, like the people who created these:

Adult Swings

and these (one of my favorites) which level up a traditional playground element into an invitation to a new kind of experience: sensitive, cooperative, very grown-up kind of play.

21 Balançoires (21 Swings) from Daily tous les jours on Vimeo.

Fun for adults!

Bernie, you always find the best fun for everyone! Love the playgrounds for grownups! I want to play!

Profile picture for user Rita Watts
Wed, 04/13/2016 - 10:50
Rita Watts
Profile picture for user Bernie Dekoven
Bernie Dekoven
2518
1
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