New York City Introduces Adult Playgrounds: Brilliant or Bad Idea?
SodaHead Living
2012/07/01 16:16:00
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New York City has adopted yet another initiative to improve health and reduce obesity. At least this one doesn’t involve banning soda.
Over the next 18 months, as many as 24 adult-only playground are set to open across the five boroughs. They won’t have swings or slides—they are essentially outdoor gyms—but they will maintain the look and feel of traditional kid’s play spaces. (In some cases, the equipment will be built by the same manufacturers.)
While outdoor fitness areas have recently been gaining popularity in the US, they have long been commonplace in China and parts of Europe. New York City has been testing the concept at Macombs Dam Park in the Bronx, and so far it has been incredibly successful.
Unlike gyms, these adult playgrounds are free to use and they are able to pass exercise off as play. And from the city’s perspective, they are much cheaper to build than children’s playgrounds.However, we have to wonder if these parks will end up serving the people who need them the most or if they’ll just be overrun by gym rats.
Bus driver Daren Trapp, an observer at Macombs Dam Park, told The New York Times, “Oh no, I’m past my prime. It’s out in the open, and I guess I’m a private individual.”
What do you think SodaHeads? Are adult playgrounds brilliant or a bad idea?
Over the next 18 months, as many as 24 adult-only playground are set to open across the five boroughs. They won’t have swings or slides—they are essentially outdoor gyms—but they will maintain the look and feel of traditional kid’s play spaces. (In some cases, the equipment will be built by the same manufacturers.)
While outdoor fitness areas have recently been gaining popularity in the US, they have long been commonplace in China and parts of Europe. New York City has been testing the concept at Macombs Dam Park in the Bronx, and so far it has been incredibly successful.
Unlike gyms, these adult playgrounds are free to use and they are able to pass exercise off as play. And from the city’s perspective, they are much cheaper to build than children’s playgrounds.However, we have to wonder if these parks will end up serving the people who need them the most or if they’ll just be overrun by gym rats.
Bus driver Daren Trapp, an observer at Macombs Dam Park, told The New York Times, “Oh no, I’m past my prime. It’s out in the open, and I guess I’m a private individual.”
What do you think SodaHeads? Are adult playgrounds brilliant or a bad idea?
Read More: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/01/nyregion/new-yor...
Top Opinion
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Bibliophilic 2012/07/01 17:34:57Bad Idea
+16I'd like them if they were actual playgrounds. An actual adult sized playground would be amazing. I have no interest in working out at a gym in the heat of the day. It is a good idea perhaps, but I just want to be able to play on an adult sized Discovery Zone!
Many parks have a Vita-Course in them. Also a good idea.
[EDIT] They don't have swings or slides? They should just call it an outside gym and stop dickin' around.
The one in that picture, however, looks boring. They need slides and swings as well!
Reminds me of the exercise "playground" they had at my elementary school...nobody ever used it for that reason...we just climbed up the bars and did flips off them.
Then what's the point?!
Add these things and I would say brilliant idea. But as it is now, it's just a gym, outside, in the heat. Why do something under the boiling sun when you can just do it indoors?
Honestly, playgrounds should be fun, but this looks like it's JUST for working out - not to have fun while working out and playing. It's all work and no play with this it seems like. No thanks, I can do that indoors.
If I'm going to have physical activity outside, then there better be swings and slides. This just looks boring, for people who like to work out only. Add something more fun, not so serious, then anyone can enjoy it.
I like the basic idea but it really needs to be modified. But hey, at least it doesn't involve banning soda.