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Vinay Vasanji
@vinayvasanji.eth
Why has there barely any innovation or new approaches to kids playground design? Its always the same setup wherever you go
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kripcat.eth 🎩
@kripcat.eth
Oh hey something I’m qualified to comment on here on FC. I work in a municipal Parks department. This is down to 2 key factors. Cost and risk. Cost: Limited budgets in local government lead to tenders for new playgrounds being driven largely by cost. Over time this has lead to consolidation in the playground equipment industry into a few large players as companies seek better economies of scale. These companies tend to offer standardised, modular equipment that gets copy and pasted again and again. Standardised equipment is also cheaper to maintain. Risk: Local governments are very risk averse because they are liable for a wide range of diverse services from roads to urban forestry to playgrounds. People tend to be particularly overwrought and litigious when it comes to childrens’ safety. Standardised equipment helps to minimise this risk. 1/2
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kripcat.eth 🎩
@kripcat.eth
It’s a disappointing outcome because evidence suggests that risky play is important for childrens’ development. (Actions and decisions have consequences, a bruised arm now means maybe you don’t get on that motorbike in 10 years time). All our most popular playgrounds have distinctive features (I.e Rocket park! Pirate park!) and unique equipment, and there is a growing movement to facilitate things like nature play and water play. But it’s an uphill battle to justify installing these more unique types of play experiences without strong vocal community support because it costs more and it opens the organisation up to a higher level of risk. 2/2
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