Parks and Swings
Rethinking the classic park staple to bring something for everyone.
Ideally, there should be lots of parks in a city. Because parks are good for citizens of a city. But today we are discussing innovating the role and user-base of parks. In doing so we’re going to start with a piece of equipment that is a park staple…
Hints:
Ancient Greek vases depicted them.
There were contests in 18th Century Thailand to celebrate using them.
John Milton and Albert Einstein supposedly found inspiration from them.
I am speaking, of course, about the swing.
Swings are not just simple playground equipment; they are cherished instruments that bring people together and foster physical activity in a delightful way.
While public safety standards have sometimes unintentionally limited the social aspects of swinging with mandated usage and distance standards, innovation is back in play (pun?)
The Anna C. Verna Playground in the FDR Park within the lovely city of Philadelphia is a shining example of how swings can be reimagined to create challenging, unusual, and rewarding experiences for swingers of all ages.
The centerpiece of this playground is the largest swing set in North America, a 120-by-100-foot elliptical "megaswing" that invites users from all walks of life – homeschool moms, sports fans, teenagers, grandparents, and toddlers – to come together and engage in the timeless joy of swinging. This design celebrates our inherent nature as social beings and fosters social connections through play.
Landscape architect Meghan Talarowski, the executive director of Studio Ludo, highlights the transformative power of this playground, saying, "This park is 15 minutes from my house, and since it opened, it has been completely packed." The megaswing's popularity among teenagers is a testament to its success…
As Talarowski notes, "If the teens like it, it must be good."
On the other side of the world, Moscow's Gorky Park has also embraced the power of the "mega swing," with a 141-foot-wide tilted ellipse supporting 29 swings and illuminated with multicolored LEDs at night. These innovative designs not only celebrate our love for swinging but also create opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to connect, interact, and find joy in outdoor play.
With so much of our culture spent in cars, on computers, or sedentary activities, I think we would all agree that people need to engage in more routine physical activity.
Traditionally, playgrounds are settings designed for children to be physically active, but I like the idea of reimagining the playground as a place for adults and teens to meet, socialize and, yes, get some exercise.
These playgrounds are fostering a sense of community, promoting physical activity, and reminding us of the timeless joy that swings can bring to our lives.
Good thing.