SpielPlätze

I was talking to someone here awhile back, discussing the differences or lack of differences between Germany and America. I made the comment, "Sometimes, I think if I'd just been plopped here, if my ears were shut, I wouldn't know that I was in another country, but simply some large town still in the States."

"Really?" Was the incredulous reply. "I feel like the parks are enough to distinguish us."

Without a moment of thought, I knew she was right. Even when I first came here it was the first thing I noticed ... that and the placement of the traffic lights. So, yes. If I were simply dropped into Germany I might not realize myself to be in another country at once, but as soon as I would begin to walk I around it wouldn't be long before I ran into a park. 

And then it would be clear that I was no longer in the States, but some strange and fascinating land.

Children's play areas are everywhere. 

And by that I mean literally. Just around my close vicinity there has to be at least fifteen or more parks I can easily take the children to.

The first thing I noticed about the parks is that they are mostly made of wood, not plastic. And that the ground is natural or sand. 

The second thing I saw is that they are so big. By big I don't necessarily mean there's a lot to them or that they are spacious. The picture above is one of the "largest" parks I've seen in that regard.

No by big, I mean generous. 

They are higher, and with more scope for imagination. Sometimes they frighten me a little with the younger ones just because the height is so great and I'll stand underneath while children play for fear they'll fall ... If they did fall I don't think it'd be any minor bruise. 

Most of the parks are quite small. But even then they are generous. This park has one of the longest slides I've ever seen on an outdoor park. And then it also has a fantastic rope bridge, pictured below. Those two things, with the many trees all around make for quite a time of fun for children.

This little bit of park is a good example of all the metal and wood, and bridges, and how it's all imaginatively put together. EVERY park is unique.

There are also indoor parks... this one is in a grocery store, of all places. And there are four stories of fun, soft play equipment with still the classic hint at being possibly dangerous and definitely fun.

Another example of children's unique play equipment ... This metal is bendable and moves about as the children climb up it.

 This play ground has a fun water fountain that goes through all those little bowels then down onto the ground over rocks and small dams built of sand by children.

 I LOVE this small this place. It isn't actually a normal play ground, but a special place ran by people that are there when the park is open.

But they give boys (or girls) tools and lumber and let them build these shacks ... isn't that just the neatest idea ever?

That round blue swing seems to be quite common at a lot of parks. And it's great for more than one child to crown onto, and it can go quite fast and high.

Oh. Their parks here also have merri-go-rounds! And one place has a built in ground trampoline. And nets that one can climb up high into the sky ... or so it feels for the child and the one waiting nervously for them down below.

There's one little park of small dirt trails for children to ride their bikes round. There are long logs extended high up over the ground that one can climb until they reach a "lookout".

Very dangerous and totally exhilarating.

If it isn't already clear, I've fallen in love with the German parks and I'm so impressed with them.

I've always been a fan of letting children live and figure out things and not over protecting them. Of course, we can't just let them experiment with dynamite or try every berry or mushroom they see growing. But I do think a little adventure that might end in a scraped knee or scruffed elbows and dirty hair always results in a healthier, happier child.

And I'm always happy to see things surviving that our American Health Department would try and attack. I've heard there are people who don't like some of the German parks, especually the ones where they let children build stuff. And as a result there are lots of regulations for the parks to keep them up to par, such as replacing the wood so often and a whole other string of things I don't know about. I could probably take the time to learn those regulations, but to be honest, I've been too fascinated by the actual parks themselves to take much thought into what goes on behind the scenes.

Of course, now that I type this, I am curious.

Especially to the question, why do German parks appear more free than American? And is this something Americans can learn from ... can we be more receptive in allowing children to have a space to just be a kid and breathe and scream freely?

What do you think? Wouldn't you have had a blast at a German park as a kid? Do you think we could be more receptive to these sort of playgrounds in the States? Would you allow your child to play on one, if you have children?