Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Playgrounds

[Rowena Conkling (rowenac]

Of course, we are an urban cohousing community but one of the best features
for kids is the paved "spine" that runs from one end of the lot to the other,
right through the common house.  It is used by a toddlers to middle school
kids for triking, biking, skate-boarding and in-line skating.  Because it is
overlooked by so many people parents can allow fairly young children to use it
freely - unlike a street.  We do have a small toddler area at one end which
includes a climbing structure and sandbox (covered) and have a larger play
structure in boxes awaiting erection at the other end.  but our "Pretty Good
Lawn" outside the dining area is a hive of activity - frisbees, kick ball, you
name it.  Again it is visible to many eyes.  And there are a couple of
basketball nets - the college age kids are terrific about playing with the
little folk.  And a favorite activity of the smaller people is racing around
the granite block wall surrounding the veggie garden!  In hot weather they
tend to hang out on a shady grassy area with a hose.

We are lucky that we have a small park with quite eleborate play structures a
block or two away in one direction and a very large park with soccer fields,
baseball diamonds, etc. a block or two in the other direction.  And tennis
courts and a backboard just down the street.  But, as I say, we are an urban
project.

RowenaC at CambridgeCoho

Sharon Villines wrote:

> 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