Bright Ideas

We love playgrounds, but as any child knows, the concept of confining play to a designated area is somewhat absurd. As we work toward our vision of a playground within walking distance of every child, we also love to see play opportunities beyond the playground -- for kids and adults alike.

We've all heard of "Bring Your Own Beverage," but what about "Bring Your Own Playground?" With the Bushwaffle, a "personal space softening device" (PSSD), pioneered by the design studio Rebar, citizens can furnish plazas, parks, and other public spaces with inflatable cushions that serve as chairs, building blocks, or mini-trampolines.

Here's how Rebar describes them:

Don’t feel like driving your kids to summer camp? Start your own camp, then—on your own street. That’s exactly what neighbors Jennifer Antonow and Diana Nemet decided to do last summer, and they insist that getting a neighborhood camp up and running is not nearly as daunting as it may sound.

It’s sad to see a park in disrepair. Actually, sometimes it can be downright spooky. (See our Spooky Playgrounds post from last Halloween.)

An ill-maintained park becomes vulnerable to vandalism and crime. A playground covered in graffiti invites more graffiti; a field scattered with trash invites more trash. A single park closure can launch a vicious cycle that changes the entire character of a neighborhood. It can also lower property values and deter tourists.