Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Playground idea

[BSteph (BSteph]

In a message dated 5/16/99 3:15:21 AM, you wrote:
>Our site plan calls for a tot lot and a playground for larger children.
 
Reading Sharon's post reminded me of a playground building project I was 
involved in in Santa Barbara. There's an architect out of Ithaca, NY named 
Robert something-or-other that goes into communities around the country and 
holds workshops with the local children and adults to create the playgound 
they want. Of course he charges, but the children inspire what is in the 
playground: theme and equipment. A park is identified and city usually 
donates the space.

 Then the citizens go out and raise the money (through bake sales, 
fundraisers and corporate sponsors) and the volunteers to build it. In the 
Santa Barbara example, it took one year plus, $400K plus and 4,000 
volunteers--on the larger side of any of these projects, but there's a lot of 
money and community spirit in SB. It gets built, largely, in one long 
weekend. It's the best playground I've ever been in, primarily because of the 
personal investment everyone made with their lives, you see reminders of it 
throughout the playground, from the sea creatures you can climb on to the 
cubbyholes with "monsters" painted by the children.

Money is raised for a maintenance fund and either the city takes over that or 
the citizens form a task force for keeping up the park. I don't live in SB 
any more, but I still "own" that playground and building it was a highlight 
of my life.

So, the point being, that you don't have to buy a playground, you can create 
it and it can become a fun and frolicing community building exercise as well. 
We used wood and non-toxic finishes, the source for I don't know. I realize 
that cohousers don't need another do-it-yourself project, but I submit this 
as an idea that could be unifying for the residents of all ages and a relief 
from other more sobering issues to work on.

Another idea, may be to initiate a playground with the municipality you live 
in. Or, for those of you that have land and are centrally located, build it 
on the land with the local citizens and invite them into your circle. I know 
this takes cohousing and community to another level with other challenges, 
but the global benefits are enormous.

Playfully yours,
Stephanie
who has been a cohousing wannabe for 8 years and has always lived in places 
that are land challenged or prohibitive in costs. Currently, it's Silicon 
Valley.