In article , an588@FreeNet.Carleton.CA (Catherine Woodgold) wrote:

> (tamparocks29@yahoo.com) writes:> > Hello everybody, this is playground safety week. Here are some tips for> > the parents. Check out this video:> > http://www.groundhog.tv/apps/editor/staticplayer.jsp?clip=1146169066547.wmv"> > > > A few years ago, almost all our playstructures were torn down> on the pretext that they ought to comply with the newest> safety standards that had been established only a couple> of years before. A lot of time and energy went into bake> sales and things so the schools could buy new playstructures.> Some schools and parks had no playstructures for a while.> > I think it was a big shame. I suspect that the playground> manufacturers were the only ones who really benefitted.> > What if someone said all the houses should be torn down> because new safety standards had just been established?> There should be at least a couple of decades where you> can use the older structures.>

What's more, I miss teeter-tooters (GREAT opportunities for physics lessons!) and wooden swings that you could fit one person standing while one sat, and those push-with-your feet merry-go-round sorts of things -- and all KINDS of stuff that got taken out in the name of safety!

Kids will always find ways to hurt themselves -- and I understand building new structures with all the safety you can, and tearing down structures that, due to aging, have become unsafe, but I miss some of hte old things.-- Children won't care how much you know until they know how much you care