The History of Playground - How It Started?

As a parent, you always want your kid happy, full of pleasure, and friends. A happy environment can ensure your youngsters both physical and mental growth. Though the modern playground is decorated with advanced equipment, the play area's concept is not new—the idea of playgrounds firstly generated in Germany for a better place of playing for kids.

There are contradictions to the establishment of the first playground. Many people say the first playground was developed in Manchester, England. But we have found the information of The Boston Sand Gardens as the first playground. It was established in 1885 by German woman Dr. Marie E. Zakrzewska.

I have also found information about the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, which was established in 1887. Many people address this playground as the first playground. But it was built two years after The Boston Sand Gardens.

Above mentioned names appeared as the public play space for kids and youths. But the Latin School in Salem, Massachusetts, is the first institute that built an outdoor playspace. This was built by German inspiration with indoor gymnastic equipment like parallel bars and vaulting horses.

By the late nineteenth century, the playgrounds were being built with more facilities and equipment. Introducing new tools to the playground was started at this time, and later the modern and advanced equipment took place at the playgrounds.

To be more exact, the modern playground was built between 1900 and 1930. Jane Addams' Hull House playground appeared as the model playground where it was built in 1895. When the authority started introducing modern equipment in the early twentieth century, the playground became more popular among parents and children. Swings, giant stride, slides, baseball courts, and climbing equipment were added in the playground.

In 1922 when the Hull House is at the apex of its popularity and earning, Wicksteed Park started their operation with almost the same idea. Charles Wicksteed firstly introduced slides and swings together in Wicksteed Park.

After 1930 the journey of the advanced playgrounds has started. Parents have started thinking about the safety of their children. And ensuring the security and safety manufacturer started planning new equipment with safety measures, and they also redesigned the existing equipment. Safety was also ensured previously, but after 1930, it had become the prime issue to consider when the news of some accidents was published.

A significant change in the design of the playground equipment has found after 1930. Also, advanced technology boosted up the number of visitors and participators of the playground. The business of playground and equipment manufacturer has found a new wave.

The time between 1930 and 1950 was the most challenging. The impact of World War II decreases the playground business with many other sectors. People associated with the playground business became depressed when parents were not taking their children to the playground. Many playgrounds failed to run their operation because of continuous financial loss.

It took more than 20 years to cover the economic compensation of WW II. By 1970 the playground became popular again and after 1970 new equipment was added with a fascinating look. Soon the traditional equipment started replacing with newly designed ones. Playgrounds didn't have a new visual appearance before. Commercial playground equipment manufacturers started producing advanced tools and toys for the kids at this time.

The change mostly found in the addition of science fiction and fantasy elements. Children friendly rockets, large tunnels of mazes were introduced at this time. Later, rockets became popular among children. This type of fantasy equipment helps to develop the imaginary capacity of children.

Experts designate the time between 1970 and 1999 as the standardization period of the playground. By then, many playgrounds were established, and they didn't follow any standard guidelines. The first guideline was developed to standardize the existing playgrounds in 1981 by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) by publishing Handbook for Public Playground Safety.

From the beginning of the twenty-first-century, playgrounds are now well designed and planned. It's not just a place with some equipment; somewhat, it has become well-balanced and certified by physicians and experts.

In contrast to the first one, now the playground has much more modern equipment with more safety. The design of equipment has changed in the rhythm of introducing advanced gears for ensuring better facilities for the children.

Author Bio: 

KM Muttakee is a creative writer and content strategist who love to introduce himself as a wordsmith. KM helps to develop proper communication with the readers through meaningful discourses.