When a realtor starts to describe a neighborhood, he/she will begin with the three most important words: location, location, location. As part of the discussion about location invariably will be the pointing out of schools, shopping, and, of course, playgrounds and parks.
As we reminisce about our childhoods, one of the most vivid memories is our time spent at playgrounds and parks. Throughout the city of Detroit, there were some wondrous places with fascinating equipment designed to entertain kids of all ages. Familiar parks like Balduck and Chandler on the east side and Stoepel and Rouge on the west side were extremely large oases in a landscape of brick, cement, and asphalt. These were the behemoths along with our wonderful Belle Isle that made living in Detroit a joy. How can a human being live without trees, grass, and flowers, and recreational areas?
Let’s examine some of the playground attractions. Did any of you ever freeze at the top of the slide which seemed to be as high as Mt. Everest? The dilemma was to either possibly kill yourself by sliding down this treacherous slide or to kill yourself with shame by retreating down the steps as other kids ridiculed your cowardice. Fortunately, there were times when your mother or father reassured you that it would be all right as their strong hands made sure you completed the journey safely.
How about the monkey bars? Could anyone have invented something more dangerous than intertwined, cold steel rising to over ten feet? I don’t know about you, but I was not as nimble as a monkey for whom this piece of equipment was designed and named for good reason. Inevitably, someone would take a tumble or bump his/her head on the bars and start crying. Somehow, those incidents never were deterrents as the monkey bars were extremely popular.
See-saws seemed to be harmless. After all, we were just going up and down in an alternating rhythm. That is, until boredom set in and trying to bounce one another off became the game. It is a wonder I have any testicles left after the crashing of the lower plank into the ground.
Ah, the swings! “Daddy, can you push me higher?” Mommy, can you give me an underdog!” (the act of pushing the swing while running underneath to get a really good push) What could go wrong with this playground enchantment? Again, getting bored with the monotony, kids would get as high as possible and then jump from their apex usually without incident but occasionally with a skinned knee or bumps or bruises.
Yes, location, location, location – as long as there is an urgent care, urgent care, urgent care nearby.
