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    Photo by by James Bradford, Wiki Commons

Dripping Life September 19

How about a playground for adults and seniors?
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"Most of these unique play spaces go well beyond promoting “child’s play” for adults; they also encourage fitness, both physically and mentally."

Since I first visited Dripping Springs, back in the ‘80s, the little community has blossomed into a bustling suburb. There are services, eateries, coffee bistros, even a multi-screen movie house. So, what else do we need?

Let me begin with this: As a kid, we all preferred playing in the Holdridge’s backyard. Why? Because they were the only kids on the block with a seesaw and a jungle gym and a bridge of bars we learned to walk on, hand over hand.

Of course all the fun wasn’t at the Holdridge’s. At my own house, my parents were good enough to have a welder come and stick enough bars together to make a very sturdy swing set with two swings on long chains as well as what we called “acting bars” between the two side legs of the set, where we could turn somersaults and hang by our feet – without holding on.

At school we had a merry-go-round on the playground. We girls would gather at the center, holding on for dear life while the boys would run and push it as fast as they could before perilously jumping on to enjoy the ride. 

Eventually, merry-go-rounds were determined to be too dangerous and eliminated from many playgrounds in public parks and at schools…and not too long after that, the term “playground” was replaced by the more modern word “playscape.”

So in the spirit of change, in the 21st century, we now come across a new term – “adult playground.” I think it’s a great idea, after all, who doesn’t want to have fun at any age?

The original concept for adult playgrounds dates back to 1995, when China opened the first senior-focused outdoor recreation area following the country’s implementation of a national fitness program…and it didn’t take long for the idea to catch on-- Japan, Finland, Germany, Austria, England, Scotland, Spain, Canada, and of course the U.S., all followed suit. In fact, in Texas today, an adult playground is located in the city of LaMarque, just south of Houston, and there are many others across the country. 

There’s a part of me (and it’s found in all of us) that never wants to grow up, that still wants to be a kid, and the kid in me is usually most visible at football games, family water balloon skirmishes, game nights, ice cream shops, and at Christmas time. I hope this internal “kid” never goes away.

That’s why I think Dripping Springs, as a community, needs to invest in an adult playground. In other communities in the United States and around the globe, park departments, governments and even businesses are paying attention to this kid that dwells inside us all. So why not here?

Most of these unique play spaces go well beyond promoting “child’s play” for adults; they also encourage fitness, both physically and mentally.

Localities that have installed adult playgrounds incorporate easy-to-use outdoor gym equipment accessible to nearly everyone. They have been found to be effective in encouraging an increase in physical activity. The equipment is similar to that found in private gyms, only in adult playground, they’re freely available for anyone to use. 

When I lived in Addison, just north of Dallas, the city – to encourage fitness – built a gym with an indoor pool, as a perk for living in the community. Totally tax supported, all you needed was a driver’s license indicating you lived in Addison.

To defray maintenance costs, I would suggest Dripping build an adult playground as a tourist attraction. Residents of the community could use the park for $1 per visit – a place to safely walk, use the equipment and plenty of benches for users to sit, rest and chat with fellow adult park users. Non-residents could use the park for $5. Charging admission would require an on-site greeter.

If you want to look further than LaMarque, there are plenty of templates for these adult playgrounds

In Washington State, MOMentum, a non-profit supporter of outdoor fitness parks, is focused on helping parents stay active with their kids. Adjacent to a playground for their kids, adults can use low-impact cardio equipment and strengthening machines. By giving adults a place to be physically active while watching their children playing nearby, MOMentum’s adult playgrounds have increased playground usage by fun-loving folks of all ages.

Boston’s Lawn on D is an experimental adult playground that has been successful far beyond expectations. Local residents continue to flock to the color-changing hoop swings that invite interaction. There are also games of cornhole, frisbee, bocce ball, and ping-pong to enjoy as well. Local food trucks, an outdoor beer garden, and live music help keep the atmosphere festive and fun.

P.S.- Similar in community building, but slightly different, my sister in Albuquerque tells me parks around her city alternate through the summer with “Food Truck Friday Afternoons.” Neighborhoods are alerted about the Fridays the food trucks will visit. Then, along with the food trucks, local non-profits come and set up information tables, health care groups come and take blood pressures and music groups come to provide entertainment.

 Can Dripping Springs, Texas, build an adult playground and encourage residents of all ages to get – and stay – fit? I suppose the question could be, 'How much does the community of Dripping Springs value good health, fitness and its senior citizens?

 

 

Dripping Springs Century-News

P.O. Box 732
Dripping Springs, Texas 78620

Phone: (512) 858-4163
Fax: (512) 847-9054