Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Playgrounds

[Bitner/Stevenson (lilbert]

I have read all of the responses to your question,(so far), and there is one
thing nobody has mentioned.  You must make a playground budget NOW, or
consense to what you want to build, even if you don't plan to build it until
you are done with the houses.  Our community made a grave mistake in putting
off building the playground, and it continues to have repercussions.  We
mistakenly believed that everyone wanted play areas for the children,
because they were on the plans.  Later, we had problems reaching consensus
because several of the non-parents don't like spending money on children.
We got a play structure built, but it remains unfinished, and our "tot lot"
is only a small sandbox.  There were supposed to be two tot lots, but the
other one was completely scrapped.

We are now having to go back and ask the whole group for permission every
time we want something, and few of us have the energy to push a project
through the entire process.  I am getting really angry as I write this, and
I would save you the frustration of that.

As for an environmentally friendly playground, I would suggest that that is
a somewhat nebulous idea, and means different things to different people.
Child safety (which will of course include non-toxic materials) should be
the most important concern, followed by how much it gets used.  Using
recycled tires (one of the options we rejected) for a play surface won't be
very useful if the kids won't play on it.

I would strongly advise against building something that is available to
other children outside of cohousing.  Aside from the HORRENDOUS liability
nightmare, you really don't want to have alot of people you don't know
running around your site.  This is like your backyard, and it should be by
invitation only, or you will feel uncomfortable.

--
Liz Stevenson
Southside Park Cohousing
Sacramento, California

----------
>From: "Sharon Villines" <sharonvillines [at] prodigy.net>
>Subject: Playgrounds
>Date: Sun, May 16, 1999, 3:12 AM
>

> Our site plan calls for a tot lot and a playground for larger children. We
> would like to have safe and environmentally friendly equipment. Any
> recommendations of a manufacturer?
>
> What kinds of equipment have you found useful?
>
> What was a waste of time and money?
>
>
> Sharon Villines
> Synergy Cohousing, Delray Beach, FL
> http://www.cohousing.net
>