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  Playspace Builder Support Network  Building Playspaces  Junk Playground...
 Junk Playgrounds (Adventure Playgrounds)
 
imgOfflinemunk
3 posts
Joined
3/9/2007
Junk Playgrounds (Adventure Playgrounds)
Posted: 02 Oct 07 5:12 PM
Hi all.

I'm just posting up here to see if any of you could help me with a little research that i'm conducting prior to a placement year in the USA.

Are there any adventure playgrounds (possibly known as Junk Playgrounds) anywhere in the USA?

What do I mean By Junk Playgrounds?
  • Play settings which subscribe to the theology set out by T. H. Sorenson.
  • Play Settings who also interpret the theory of 'Loose Parts' of Simon Nicholson.
Who was T.H. Sorenson? He was a landscape gardener & architect (along the same lines of Robin Moore of North Carolina State University, Raleigh) who was commisioned to build playgrounds in Denmark after the end of WW2 in the early 60's. He noticed that children far preffered playing in the old bomb sites and building sites where they were able to shape and reshape their own playspaces. Thus creating  the Junk playground movement (renamed adventure playgrounds in the UK early 70's).



If anyone has any relevant contact info please could they post it up in this topic? The play settings don't need to meet the criterior completely, any settings along these lines would be great.

Thanks for your help.

Dave Thompson
imgOfflineDennis
57 posts
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Joined
11/8/2006


Re: Junk Playgrounds (Adventure Playgrounds)
Posted: 09 Oct 07 1:20 PM
There are really only two true adventure playgrounds in the U.S. - both in California.  One is in Berkely.   I am trying to track down the location of the other one.  Other playgrounds may have some resemblance, but in the U.S. the liability issue is probably the culprit as to why there are not more adventure playgrounds. 
imgOfflinemunk
3 posts
Joined
3/9/2007
Re: Junk Playgrounds (Adventure Playgrounds)
Posted: 09 Oct 07 3:48 PM
Thanks for that, if you could post up some contact details for them I would be forever in your debt!

As for the legislation and risk element, its the same in the Uk really, but we've had adventure play opportunities here for almost 50 years now, so the case for them is well documented and proven. If you'd like any information on how we work with existing legislation to justify a case for adventure play and increased risk in play please feel free to contact me.

Its a shame that the USA isn't as open to the idea of risky play as it could be, but it is a contentious issue throughout the play world so I can empathise with the reasoning. I must admit before I came into the play world the idea of letting a kid climb a 60ft tree sent chills up my spine... but thinking back to my childhood I did much riskier things but stopped short of the things that might kill me as I learnt to manage my own risks through my own experience. Ultimately I would either suceed or fail, I still have the scars to remind myself never to hurl myself down hill on a homemade wooden go-kart again, but its all experience you don't tend to make the same mistake twice if you fail. Its the caveman instict, 'Oooorgghh! Hand in fire hurt!' or 'Ow! Stick sharp!' etc that one uses to inform five things: What I can do. What I can't do. What I will do again. What I won't do again. What I might do if I... (learn from mistakes made in this experience). This goes on to shape our fear and aspirations as children and adults (bigger children!) - thats the sort of theology that we use to justify adventure play, very simplistic but it serves a purpose as most people (even your insurers!) can identify with it. :)

All the best.

Dave
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