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 obese people don't even go to private gyms with walls because they don't like to exercise in front of people.
Really, though. If you support public gyms why not use taxes to pay for gym memberships for existing gyms for everyone instead. At least the equipment is already in place reducing construction costs and increasing the number of available workout locations immediately.
You're one of the people who believes coercion is the best way to create a society, which is why I asked you the utilitarian question that you obviously would rather avoid answering. As that's the case, I will not bother you anymore.
Also, "adult playground" sounds like it could be something sexual. xD
By the way. You have public gyms? Where the hell do you live? We have all kinds of gyms, and they are like renting a freakin car (depending on the car, might be cheaper). Oh yea, we do have a public gym. Unless your in possession of a firearm, or a black belt, I wouldn't go in there (bad for your health), and I wouldn't drive that rental car...Just a thought...
No, I don't believe there are public gyms where I live. We have tons of private, for profit gyms. I like them because they cost me nothing since I won't use them, they provide a service for people who do want them, only profit from those who want their services and employ people only from funds raised voluntarily.