Archlosophy

Published on Archlosophy on 29 August 2023.

Introduction to Playground

To the older generations, playgrounds would prove to be familiar reference points in their childhood memories. To the younger generations, it appears to be a curious place, perhaps one that is stuck in limbo. Between an active environment that their parents grew up in, and a digitalised environment that they are growing up in. It’s common to see young children with phones and tablets everywhere they go and not engaging enough with their environment. Parents use it as a tool to keep them quiet during meal times, or when they don’t want to be disturbed.

Playgrounds have been evolving with the times, albeit slowly. Traditional playgrounds are what we attach a mental image to. Slides, climbing structures, swings. Playgrounds have existed as a means for children to engage with the physical environment, thereby developing their cognitive, motor, and social skills in the process. ‘Tinkering playgrounds’ are just some of the new ideas that have budded in recent times, honing in on creativity and exploration in young children.

But this essay isn’t about the future of playgrounds, perhaps I’ll cover that another day. This essay is about the ESSENCE of playgrounds. These aren’t your cookie-cutter playgrounds, these are designed. Intentional. An experience. And if you’re lucky, within your neighbourhood you might just chance across one. And as I like to call them, ‘The Playground of Life’.

Playgrounds as Public Spaces

Like many other types of public spaces, playgrounds have a part to play in their urban contexts. For it to be successful, it needs to be designed and cannot be an afterthought. Many modern developments today have ‘cookie-cutter’ playgrounds- devoid of identity to its locale. Ubiquitous in design and uncharismatic, it is easy to see why playgrounds like these are so common. Complying with safety codes, ease of accessibility, installation, and maintenance costs are probably the main culprits in uninspiring playgrounds. Just how many times do we come across a playground and see the sign:

‘This playground is designed for children up to 12 years old’

And a long list of text of what you’re not allowed to do, all printed on a tiny signboard as if people would be bothered to read. Again, compliance with safety and legalities demands it to be so. But this doesn’t always have to be the case, does it?

When you design a public space, you are designing it for everyone. You could provide provisions for certain groups of people, like extra seating within a park in a high-elderly demographic residential area, but everyone will be able to use that space, not just the elderly.

The 3 Main Ingredients of Good Public Space

In my opinion, the success of a public space depends on 3 main ingredients: Attraction, Retention, and Safety. 

Attraction- What makes people want to visit the space? Perhaps it’s a unique selling point, one of cultural or social relevance. Or a strong identity and good aesthetics. 

Retention- Why do people want to stay in the space? Are visitors comfortable within the space? Enough shade provided? Adequate seating?

Safety- Are there any active and passive surveillance in the space? Accessibility and inclusivity are well considered? Are pedestrians protected from vehicles?

The Playground of Life

There is one such playground near my old residence. It is not a playground standing in isolation, but it sits within a larger, integrated development with several amenities. The development contains 2 parcels of land, the playground, lawn, and BBQ pits sit on 1 parcel. This parcel is called Inglis Park. The other parcel contains residential apartments with F&B and services on the ground level. Here is a map and some information about Inglis Park.

Lawn: ~1,200m²
BBQ Area: ~810m²
Playground: ~1,950m²
Total Area of Development: 3,960m²

Notice how the playground takes up 50% of the total development area of Inglis Park? This shows that the playground is the key feature, with the lawn and BBQ pits acting as complementing programs for a more enjoyable public space. 

What I like about this playground is the duality of playground usage. Different age demographics bring about different usage and intent. For example, on a typical weekend, you can see young families bringing their children there, babies in strollers, toddlers playing catch. Dogs run freely on the lawn, with their humans nearby chatting with other dog walkers. On Friday evenings you’d see more workers from the nearby office blocks relaxing on the swings. Some of them scale up the climbing tower and slide, satisfying their inner child’s adventurous spirit. Or the occasional student couple on a bench under the moonlight, sharing an ice cream and a kiss.

There seems to be a mutual agreement between the different age groups, on when to use and how long to use the playground equipment. There are bins around the playground so you don’t have to hold onto your rubbish, there are water coolers for you and your pets so you don’t have to worry about hydration, there are bright street lights and surveillance cameras so you don’t have to worry about safety at night. Simple provisions, long-lasting effects. You can see why this is a successful space. It’s pretty much used every hour of the day, and that’s what a public space should be. 

Conclusion

You could say that the playground near my old residence is a testament to the peculiarities and beauty of the chapters of life. It’s not just a public space of play; it’s a theatre of memories, a treasure trove of collective experiences. The duality of playground usage among different age groups through design is the invisible thread that binds our moments together. Within every laughter that rings through the air and every swing that carries us higher, we find glimpses of our own pasts. At the intersection of generations, it is the intertwined unspoken conversations between childhood and adulthood that I stand in apprehension and awe.

As decades pass, these structures will degrade and the playground will change, but its essence will forever remain. A place where parents encourage their children to scale up the structures they once conquered. Where climbing towers stand stoically watching over these precious moments. Where memories collide. Where we are transported back to our childhood’s embrace. 

Within the Playground of Life holds the compounded laughter and joy across the generations. I am reminded that life itself is one big playground- a playground of shared experiences, of lessons learned, of friendships forged. Could the Playground of Life be teaching us something? Perhaps maybe, in the turbulence of change, the one and only important takeaway is the simplistic joy of living, of connecting, of being a part of something bigger than ourselves. 

Would you partake, in the Playground of Life?

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