Oh man, fun playgrounds of days long gone.

[notazombie]

I remember when they built the large wooden one in Gladstone when I was a kid. I loved climbing on that thing.

I haven't seen it in 30+ years but remember loving that place as a kid. Is it still there?

 

[Andy54Hawken]

When I was a kid...I loved playing on those "Jungle Gyms" they were tons of fun...But that kinda changed when going through Basic , Airborne and Ranger School...it seems that the Army has a different notion of "fun" than me...
Andy

 

[aflineman]

I haven't seen it in 30+ years but remember loving that place as a kid. Is it still there?

Torn down years ago.

 

[41mag]

Every thing was on cement and I'm surrised more kids didn't get hurt all those years!

My 1st/2nd grade was the Old School 2 floor, 1 room each floor/6 grades each room. We had that kind of play stuff on hard packed sand. I believe it taught us how hold on in spite of being scared, instead of running for our safe space. After all, if we fell it was because WE let go at the wrong time.

My buddy Rex (yes, in 1950!!!) split his head open on that high swing set. Concurrently he also got the school record for 'longest/highest bail out' from the swing, at nearly the height of the top bar.

I remain impressed to this day and regard the lesson as a fine balance between risk and adventure.

 

[EPS]

When I was a kid...I loved playing on those "Jungle Gyms" they were tons of fun...But that kinda changed when going through Basic , Airborne and Ranger School...it seems that the Army has a different notion of "fun" than me...
Andy

What your dad didn't stand there and screaming at you to do it again when you where a kid lol the army might get better reputation if they put slide on some of there obstacles

 

[WAYNO]

And just maybe, the kids that grew up on this unsafe equipment...were a bit more prepared for what life threw at them later.

Even in the Army, climbing up and over structures was somewhat easier for the soldiers that grew up with old fashioned playground equipment.

And it didn't stop on the playground. There was not a tree in my neighborhood that I had not clumb to the top.

 

[Caveman Jim]

Yep, my nickname in the neighborhood was "Squirrel". Seriously.

 

[Ura-Ki]

 

[Mikej]

View attachment 413830

And just maybe, the kids that grew up on this unsafe equipment...were a bit more prepared for what life threw at them later.

Even in the Army, climbing up and over structures was somewhat easier for the soldiers that grew up with old fashioned playground equipment.

And it didn't stop on the playground. There was not a tree in my neighborhood that I had not clumb to the top.

This is very similar to the "Monkey Bars" we had in the same area as the slide above. It was mounted in asphalt though. Us boys would play a sort of tag on steroids, on the bars, couldn't touch the ground. Only the one who was "It" could be on the ground.

As a society I think we're really messing up by not letting kids get out, get dirty, eat some dirt/germs, get hurt and learn.....How not to get hurt!

 

[ikemay]

Yep, my nickname in the neighborhood was "Squirrel". Seriously.

Yeah, that's just nuts.

 

[41mag]

"Squirrel" is it….Well that certainly begins to explain a lot

 

[ikemay]

Yep, my nickname in the neighborhood was "Squirrel". Seriously.

 

[Caveman Jim]

View attachment 413851

Good one, I'm gonna save & share with friends and family...
Thanks Mike.

 

[Caveman Jim]

"Squirrel" is it….Well that certainly begins to explain a lot

Yep, seems like I get more squirrelly every year...

 

[Caveman Jim]

What your dad didn't stand there and screaming at you to do it again when you where a kid lol the army might get better reputation if they put slide on some of there obstacles

My dad sat close by with the ikemay pose thinking I hope no one know that's my boy....
He always told me to stop acting so silly....

 

[moose]

I got a skull fracture on one of those when I was in 1st grade, spent a week in the hospital. Thinking back makes my hands hurt not so much now.

It's an awesome excuse to for my 'idiosyncrasies'.