Gothamist: Central Park Pyramids At Risk?

Yoga Chickie

Thu, 20 Jul 2006 14:08:38 -0500

Hey, I totally agree - if my stupid (but loveable) beagle-bassett mix can withstand the climb up these pyramids, then any healthy child should be able to. So, what are a few bandaids amongst kids? Much as it annoys me when I am dragged by my kids to the Ancient Park, I would be PISSED if they wussed it down. Lauren

evamn

Mon, 17 Jul 2006 12:27:11 -0500

It makes me sick that all these stupid playground designers (I am one them and also a parent by the way) have this 'precious child' syndrome. Kids need to learn boundaries, how to fall, and most important pick themselves dust themselves off and get back to playing. Often times I would see the parents over-coddling the child after they fell. This place is a great place for exploring and should be left as it is, with a little repointing and resurfacing with asphalt, concrete and sand. All the old playgounds in the country are currently being erased like this.

Max

Mon, 17 Jul 2006 09:58:16 -0500

I remeber playing there when I was about 6 and this one kid came out of the tunnel and snapped his head up a bit to fast- whack- I have never seen that much blood before or since- was quite a sight and made for some great stories over ice cream later.

e.princess

Mon, 17 Jul 2006 09:19:58 -0500

garth, we totally played in that park together as little sisters without realizing it. xo

Mé

Mon, 17 Jul 2006 02:31:32 -0500

When I was a kid, we played over asphalt. Now my son plays over synthetic, cushy, foam ground coverings. What next? Bubble it in? I agree we should do whatever we can to enhance our children's safety, but at the same time, we need to draw the line at sterilizing every experience. Kids need to experience things for themselves, including (reasonable) pain, bumps, bruises and minor injuries. No amount of trying will prevent them from all suffering.

Agruntythirst

Sun, 16 Jul 2006 23:06:00 -0500

I wonder if any real number of complaints have been made about the condition of the playground? All I can remember about those pyramids is that someone often thought it was funny to leave feces in the center, so I associate that smell and that playground. Who cares what happens? Those kids need more open fields, more sticks to hit eachother with, and more rocks to throw at the other ones!

gabe

Sun, 16 Jul 2006 19:54:35 -0500

While I understand that you're concerned for the state of a childhood haunt - which I hope remains - saying that you had a better upbringing because you played on asphalt or had a steel jungle gym is, frankly, pretty specious. People have always been saying that "kids have it easy these days" and has never once made sense. Why shouldn't we offer our children all the protection we can? I still have a little pain in my hand from a playground fracture that could have been prevented if we were playing on grass like sane people - it doesn't make me a better person by any means and I would glady trade the injury in for a fracture-free childhood. Anyways, I guarentee you, no matter how much foam rubber we lay down, kids will always find a way to collect bumps and bruises - they're surprisingly inventive, you know.

Mister Hanky

Sun, 16 Jul 2006 18:58:15 -0500

The kids growing up today will be total wussies as adults, completely insulated as they are from any danger and/or peanuts and allergies. Weaklings, I tell you. Weakings.

Mothra

Sun, 16 Jul 2006 17:46:48 -0500

what the hell is that dog wearing?

kwanito

Sun, 16 Jul 2006 17:19:18 -0500

As an Upper East Sider, I spent countless summer days as a youngster chasing my friends and being chased around the park. It was one of the most unique ones. Also, we were fans of playing tag/freeze tag at 91st & York (in front of the Asphalt Green pool). I agree kids need to experience some growing pains. They'll be better people for it- I hope.

Mamba

Sun, 16 Jul 2006 15:42:51 -0500

Oh, come on - at least take a close look at the plans before you poo-poo them. All they want to do, according to you, is make the place a little more child-friendly and, I think if you had kids, you might think that was a good idea. I'm sure if the materials there were a little more forgiving than brick and concrete, more kids would use the structures. Y'know, for a bunch of young, hip urbanites, Gothamist has a published record of being pretty regressive when it comes to civic improvements. Change can be good.