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Isamu Noguchi
Isamu Noguchi was an american sculptor & landscape architect who challenged the 'traditional' look of a playground, sometimes successfully and othertimes not so much.
Sculpture or Playground?
Every time I see this photo, it strikes my artistic sense and saddens my playful side. Though this is not a fair assessment of Noguchi as a whole (to be honest my opinion of him is torn between love/hate), when I look at this photo above, and even at some other projects, I always have this sense of isolation, simplicity, disappointment and boredom.
I understand that at least one of his goals were to introduce shapes, colors, form to children through interactive sculpture, but in many cases to make the jump and call it a play-ground seems extreme. Piedmont Park, in Atlanta GA, below, is an example of one of those Noguchi playgrounds that I'm not really a fan of. Swing here. Jump here. Climb here. Most of this below just feels prescriptive and like 'equipment', rather than something more.
Piedmont Park, Atlanta, GA, USA (1)
Piedmont Park, Atlanta, GA, USA (1)
Piedmont Park, Atlanta, GA, USA (1)
Piedmont Park, Atlanta, GA, USA (1)
Let's pivot though and look at the Noguchi I DO like! His work at Moerenuma Park, at Sapporo, Hokkadio, Japan is definitely getting closer to my sentiment of successful sculpture-as-playground, mostly because the sculptures are (a) far more complex in design, (b) open-ended in terms of type of movement use (less clear what I am 'supposed' to do on each individual thing) and (c) more inter-generational / multi-age friendly. Plus The larger sculptures feel less like isolated objects in a field and more like encompassed play spaces.
Moerenuma Park, at Sapporo, Hokkadio, Japan (2)
Moerenuma Park, Sapporo, Japan (2)
Moerenuma Park, Sapporo, Japan (2)
Moerenuma Park, Sapporo, Japan, Photos by Marcus Trimble.
Moerenuma Park, Sapporo, Japan
The Fitness Park
Quick look: The fitness park is a poor substitution for a playground, and an insult to our teenage and adult populations. Reflections on the Fitness Park in NYC.
In 2012 NYC opened its first official ‘adult playground’ and has plans to build two dozen more by the end of 2014 (3). However, calling them playgrounds is a gross exaggeration. That ‘adult playground’ is nothing more than an outdoor gym, with isolated stations and plastic signs telling you what you should be doing and where and how. Pull-ups here, situps there, balance on this one beam and this one beam alone. No problem solving required, no creativity needed, no room for exploration or collaboration… no fun, no freedom. The only two benefits I see is that it is free to use and smells significantly better than a box gym.
Teenagers are faring a little better, but just barely. There is the development of a playground at Hudson Yards, but its completion is set way out in 2015, and what it ends up offering is yet to be seen. For those who enjoy skateboarding, there are numerous skateparks open to the public, though it should be noted that their use is contingent upon the signature of a waiver and specific equipment requirements. But if skating isn’t you’re thing, then you’re as well off as the rest of the adult population.
Thus there is no denying that in the City and Society today, there is a unacceptable and near complete lack of designed and designated opportunity for teenagers and adults to engage in free, unstructured, creative play.
When you go to a park, your free options are to walk, on this path or that one, or to sit on a bench, in the shade or the sun, or to people watch. You can also roll around in the grass (some of the time). Pull out your wallet, and there are tons of bike paths if you’re able to afford a bike, or you could throw a ball in the field, assuming you have the equipment, so long as you don’t disturb your neighbors. If you wanted to organize a game of soccer or tennis, you have to compete with the hundreds of others looking to use that space, or possibly even purchase a permit.
And, well, with those as your best options, it should be no surprise to hear that in NYC more than 1/2 the adult population is either overweight or obese(4)(5). One could easily link obesity to the fact that the opportunities that are available to get moving are too expensive, difficult, competitive, or, to put it plainly, not a whole lot of fun.
Fitness & play needs to be more than gym workouts, expensive specialty classes, long walks in the park, and competitive team sports. And, even if there WERE opportunities for play that met this criteria, there would additionally need to be guidance and support, as we as a society and population have been conditioned into systems thinking and to be fearful of 'play'.
To put the long story short–we don’t need more gyms and classes in our city; we need more playful, adult infrastructure. We need infrastructure that is complex, inter-generational, and flexible, that both guides and allows for adults & teenagers to develop and explore their own open-ended challenges. We need a place that is safe, welcoming, accessible, and fun. …And We need to stop looking at play as a distraction or diversion from reality, but rather as an integral element of our continual, healthful development.
3 “New York Introduces Its First Adult Playground.” New York Times. Winnie Hu. Web. 20 Mar 2014. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/01/nyregion/new-york-introduces-its-first-adult-playground.html?pagewanted=all
4 “Obesity.” New York City Department of Health. Web. 20 Mar 2014. http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/living/obesity.shtml
5 “BRFSS Brief: Overweight and Obesity, NYS Adults 2011.” New York State Department of Health. Web. 20 Mar 2014. http://www.health.ny.gov/statistics/brfss/reports/docs/1304_overweight_and_obesity.pdf
Park Hill Estate by Lynn and Smith
Park Hill estate, Sheffield, 1963. Part of the Park Hill estate, designed by Jack Lynn and Ivor Smith, who were tutored by the Smithsons – the founders of new brutalism. The estate was famous for its experimental ideas, like walkways in the sky, and that approach was reflected in the playground. Photograph: Arch Press Archive/RIBA.
Park Hill, Sheffield - 1963. Image © Arch Press Archive RIBA Library Photographs Collection
Adults, Playgrounds, and the City
Musings on the state of play for teenagers and adults in New York City, in regards to policy, play spaces, and programming.
PART 1
We all recognize the importance of play for children. New York City alone is home to hundreds of children’s playgrounds–adventure and imagination playgrounds, modern designs, interactive sculptures, nature inspired, wood constructions, loose parts, prefab structures, and more. The city seems to be devoted to designing, building, and renovating new & interesting places for children to play.
But what about all those teenagers and adults?
For some reason children are the only ones allowed to indulge in play, according to society. Teenagers and Adults who attempt to engage in some form of childhood play are dismissed as unproductive, self-indulgent, and immature; and are told to ‘grow up’ and be more responsible. And, sadly, the City seems to agree by its construction. Sure, there are hundreds of playgrounds, but how many are adults allowed to use?
Let’s take a look at an example that will reflect the city at large–Central Park. In Central Park there are 21 designated playgrounds. Of those 21, however, a grand total of 0 are designed for the use of teenagers or adults. (There is ‘fitness equipment’ available for use, but we’ll get into that in a second.) Adults could of course try to creatively re-purpose the children’s playgrounds for their own use, but take heed. Those who venture into children’s playgrounds will most likely be slapped with dirty looks and comments from parents, be questioned of pedophilia, and privy to an outcry of concerns for the safety of the children. Oh, and did I mention, they probably will get a ticket too? Most of the playgrounds citywide allow adults only when accompanied by a child under the age of 12. (1). Thus get caught trespassing sans-children and risk getting a citation. (Re: Women ticketed for eating donuts, Men ticketed for playing chess) Welcome to your NYC Playground!
Yet, for those of us who do find ways and places to regularly engage in play, there is no doubt that we are rewarded with a better quality of life. Beyond the obvious increase in physical fitness & health, we also find that our stress levels drop, we learn to engage and interact with others more easily, and we begin to see opportunities in places we would otherwise have overlooked. Play contributes to our development as individuals.
And of course the City has woken up and taken notice of the importance of getting up and out on your feet (2). NYC annually provides numerous campaigns, programs, and facilities to assist adults (and children, of course), in building & leading an active, healthy lifestyle. However, they seem to be running up against the same wall with each solution. A gym is not the same thing as a playground, and does not offer the same set of complex benefits.
PART 2
In 2012 NYC opened its first official ‘adult playground’ and has plans to build two dozen more by the end of 2014 (3). However, calling them playgrounds is a gross exaggeration. That ‘adult playground’ is nothing more than an outdoor gym, with isolated stations and plastic signs telling you what you should be doing and where and how. Pull-ups here, situps there, balance on this one beam and this one beam alone. No problem solving required, no creativity needed, no room for exploration or collaboration… no fun, no freedom. The only two benefits I see is that it is free to use and smells significantly better than a box gym
Teenagers are faring a little better, but just barely. There is the development of a playground at Hudson Yards, but its completion is set way out in 2015, and what it ends up offering is yet to be seen. For those who enjoy skateboarding, there are numerous skateparks open to the public, though it should be noted that their use is contingent upon the signature of a waiver and specific equipment requirements. But if skating isn’t you’re thing, then you’re as well off as the rest of the adult population.
Thus there is no denying that in the City and Society today, there is a unacceptable and near complete lack of opportunity for teenagers and adults to engage in free, unstructured, creative play. When you go to a park, your options are to walk, on this path or that one, or to sit on a bench, in the shade or the sun, or to buy a vendor hot dog & people watch. There are tons of bike paths if you’re able to afford a bike, or you could throw a ball in the field, if you’re allowed on the grass, so long as you don’t disturb your neighbors.
And, well, with those as your best options, it should be no surprise to hear that in NYC more than 1/2 the adult population is either overweight or obese(4)(5). One could easily tie to the cause the fact that the opportunities that are available to get moving are too expensive, difficult, competitive, or, to put it plainly, not a whole lot of fun. Fitness & play needs to be more than gym workouts, expensive specialty classes, long walks in the park, and competitive team sports.
To put the long story short–we don’t need more gyms and classes in our city; we need more playful, adult infrastructure. We need infrastructure that is complex, inter-generational, and flexible, that allows adults & teenagers to develop and explore their own open-ended challenges. We need a place that is safe, welcoming, accessible, and fun. …And We need to stop looking at play as a distraction or diversion from reality, but rather as an integral element of our continual, healthful development.
CITATIONS
1 “§1-05 Regulated Uses.” New York Parks & Recreation. NYCDPR. Web. 20 Mar 2014. <http://www.nycgovparks.org/rules/section-1-05>.
2 “Priority Area: Physical Activity and Nutrition.” New York State Department of Health. Web. 20 Mar 2014. https://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/prevention_agenda/physical_activity_and_nutrition/
3 “New York Introduces Its First Adult Playground.” New York Times. Winnie Hu. Web. 20 Mar 2014. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/01/nyregion/new-york-introduces-its-first-adult-playground.html?pagewanted=all
4 “Obesity.” New York City Department of Health. Web. 20 Mar 2014. http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/living/obesity.shtml
5 “BRFSS Brief: Overweight and Obesity, NYS Adults 2011.” New York State Department of Health. Web. 20 Mar 2014. http://www.health.ny.gov/statistics/brfss/reports/docs/1304_overweight_and_obesity.pdf
From Obstacles to Opportunities
We all have our own map of the city in our head. For most it remembers where our favorite places are to eat are, where our friends live, where to get coffee, where to hang out, and so on.
Our map, however, remembers where the best places are in the city for an adult to play....
We all have our own map of the city in our head. For most it remembers where our favorite places are to eat are, where our friends live, where to get coffee, where to hang out, and so on.
Our map, however, remembers where the best places are in the city for an adult to play; Little dots light up across the mental landscape pinpointing locations of sturdy scaffolding and rough concrete barriers, with play-friendly public spaces, and large oak trees with branches that hang low enough for jumping on. It records every physical challenge we’ve completed and all the ones yet to be. It knows the difference between public spaces that tolerate and ignore play and those that embrace and encourage movement.
This map is a unique map of textures and temperatures and human activity, of tested and untested public and private relationships, of enjoyment, tolerance, and rejection–and it is a map that could only come to be through Parkour.
II. Defining Parkour
Kids in the early 1900s
Kids in the early 2000s -- Nothings changed.
Parkour is a discipline of movement and self-improvement that teaches one how to overcome any obstacle both efficiently and creatively, using nothing more than the human body. This playful platform of movement encourages interaction between yourself, others, and your environment.
Traceurs, or individuals who practice parkour, thus know the city like no other. We study textures, we grip, we feel how sturdy our obstacles are. As we walk through the city we are compelled to interact with it; running, jumping, climbing, crawling, swinging, and balancing. The mere act of walking around becomes an adventure, leading us to look for new challenges, new ways to improve ourselves. Can I jump from this curb to that one in a single bound? Can I slip through this scaffolding without touching the bars? Can I balance along this rail without falling once?
And it is this type of interaction with the city that there needs to be more of–this engaged awareness, this parkour mentality. It brings new life to both popular public spaces and those leftover and overlooked. Things that once slowed movement–benches, tables rails, walls–now become elements that enable . Obstacles become opportunity for growth, imagination, and play. And suddenly there is no mission impossible, there is no challenge too great.
This playful view of the world, this parkour mindset and approach to life, is something we all once had. At one point, when we were at our youngest, we didn’t understand the word ‘impossible.’ We believed in ourselves, we took risks, we wrestled for hours with how to get across the playground without touching the ground (it was lava, remember?). We tested ideas and learned of our limitations. We became the ultimate problem solvers.
As we grew older, however, we lost that unwavering resolution, that uncapped potential. We scraped our knees, we broke a bone, our parents panicked at the sight of blood. We were told that some problems were too hard or impossible and that either we weren’t strong enough or smart enough or old enough. …That we never would be.
But this isn’t the truth. This is just the world trying to tell you to grow up, to color inside of the lines, to fit the mold, to play it safe.
So I want to demand an answer: Why is this considered the right thing to do! Why have we allowed safety to be emphasized to the point of instilling fear, insecurity, and inability in both children and adults? Not only does this obsession with safety decrease the number of real opportunities to create and engage with your environment, it also severely limits self-exploration of personal (physical+mental) abilities and limitations.
And if we continue to place emphasis on being overly safe we’ll end up only creating the unsafe–a world where people don’t know how to confront complicated challenges or to cope with uncertainty.
As famous playground designer Paul Friedberg explains, “[Our problem is that] We want the child to be living in a padded box. [But] A child has to have the real world, fraught with challenges to overcome.”
III. Parkour as the path back to a playful life
Nikkie Zanevsky testing her jump
Jesse Danger focusing on his next leap
So, there needs to be a return to play. True, fulfilling, authentic play, where children and adults alike can seek out real challenges, navigate real risks, and begin to honestly understand their physical and mental capabilities. …Play through which they can really grow.
And Parkour is one of those few disciplines that can provide this holistic platform of play while acknowledging this already pervading atmosphere of fear.
Through the medium of games and challenges, Parkour encourages curiosity and experimentation, builds strength and self-confidence, and of course teaches the value of risk and the importance of facing your fears.
Furthermore, Parkour teaches creative problem solving. A simple game of hopscotch can be transformed in an exercise in problem-solving when squares start to appear on the sides of walls, under railings, on low ledges. In practice we learn that techniques that work in one situation may not work in another. We are forced to explore alternative solutions, other ways over/under/through the obstacles we face, to find a way that we may not even have seen or tried. And through this process, Parkour teaches us how to adapt to every situation, to think outside the box.
As to those safety concerns, through its practice Parkour ingrains safety. You learn how to run properly, to jump and land without impact, to move without hurting yourself. It teaches you not only how to assess the risks associated with any challenge you face, but how to judge it to be within or outside of your abilities.
So, forget buying expensive equipment or building one of those sterile play-structures in your backyard. Teach your children Parkour, learn it for yourself. With only a pair of shoes and their imagination, one can learn how to seek out challenges and games alone.
IV. Impact in youth
Superhero Jereme Sanders, of Parkour San Antonio, pointing the way!
Especially, we would like to emphasize how crucial it is to teach children Parkour as they enter their teenage years. You see, as children get older they outgrow the playgrounds they know so well. Most of those constructed around the country are designed for children under 12 and restrict children older. Even if there aren’t any signs forbidding play, the dirty looks of adults say enough. ‘You don’t belong here, you’re too old to be playing here.’ Teenagers and adults alike are cast away from the only spaces their communities provide for play.
And, at a time so crucial for defining who they are, society shepherds teenagers and adults away from the playgrounds and into other public spaces, where play is no longer the apparent intention. Rather, these public spaces and parks offer benches to watch some tourists and enjoy a vendor hot dog, a patch of lawn for a nap or cloud gazing, windy paths that lead to no where and offer nothing but a view. (And we wonder why obesity is an issue, hm).
Now, we’re not saying that we’re against benches and ice cream and napping on a nice sunny day, but these provisions alone clearly offer very little in return in terms of human growth.
Adults and teenagers should have as much of a place to play as children. They need to play too! The same gains we make as children through play will only increase in complexity and magnitude as we age and mature. Our abilities to assess risk, to problem solve, to cope with uncertainty, can continue to increase and refine themselves ad infinitum. There is so much growth that can still be gained as we slip in to adulthood.
So Parkour provides that playground, for teens and adults alike. It provides a world that will never run out of challenges, that has no age limitations and no skill requirements. And if we teach children while they are young enough, they will never find themselves lost in a world without a playspace of their own.
V. In Conclusion
Obstacles are apart of every day life, whether it is climbing a wall, getting to work on time, or delivering making a presentation in front of a large group. The lessons we can learn through play and though parkour--to creatively approach problems, to face our fears, to love and respect the people around us and the world we are in--are lessons that can be carried out through the rest of our lives, and are lessons without completion.
So we urge you to, right now, this very day, to start pinning your map with every opportunity for play, for every chance to grow. To always look for opportunities to become better than you are, regardless of whether you are a child or adult.
Word Vault
Urbanism, Public Space, Programming
Rarely does a resident of any of the world’s greatest metropolitan areas pause to consider the complexity of urban life or the myriad systems that operate round the clock to support it. He or she wakes up in the morning to turn on a tap, switch on a light, flush a toilet or perhaps grab a banana—little knowing how much effort, on the part of how many people, goes in to making the simplest morning routine possible. …. Even the most mundane domestic tasks would be impossible without the far-reaching complex, and often invisible network of infrastructure that supports them.
— Kate Ascher
It is in cities where it is still possible for public space to work as a place of meeting and contact, indispensable for mutual recognition, which is the basis for any form of truly possible coexistance.
— In favor of public space
How can we imagine a public discussion in the contempoary dispersed city? Can we address its inhabitants as citizens? Are they party to the same debate? Is there a common media landscape and correlative public field? Is there a publicly shared understanding of what is good, of what is in the public interest? What determines the moral order of the in-between-city? Where are its public spaces? Where can one appear in public: in half-empty churches? On the old village square? In the public swimming pool? In the supermarket?
— Michiel Dehaene
Within the context of the modern metropolis, we have already witnessed the loosening of the relationship between public space and the public sphere.
— Michiel Dehaene
…constructing the public dimension of systematic insight into interrelated, interdependent, and co-evolving conditions.
— Michiel Dehaene
Whatever space and time mean, place and occasion mean more.
- Aldo van Eyck
Playgrounds & Play
Art & Architecture Misc
I prefer drawing to talking. Drawing is faster, and leaves less room for lies.
— Le Corbusier
General
It concerns us to know the purposes we seek in life, for then, like archers aiming at a definite mark, we shall be more likely to attain what we want.
— Aristotle
Zen comes closer to science than any other religion for the simple reason that it does not require any faith. It requires of you only an intense inquiry into yourself, a deepening of consciousness, not concentration – a settling, a relaxing of consciousness, so that you can find your own source. That very source is the source of the whole existence.
— Osho
Anyone who is in love is making love the whole time, even when they’re not. When two bodies meet, it is just the cup overflowing. They can stay together for hours, even days. They begin the dance one day and finish it the next, or—such is the pleasure they experience—they may never finish it. No eleven minutes for them.
— Paulo Coelho (via mindofataurus)
On the whole human beings want to be good, but not too good, and not quite all the time.
— George Orwell
Gods die. And when they truly die they are unmourned and unremembered. Ideas are more difficult to kill than people, but they can be killed, in the end.
— from American Gods by Neil Gaiman