Dad Reinvents Playgrounds to be Accessible for All

[@freethink]

What do you think of this playground design?

[@LM01234]

Prefab playgrounds take out the creativity and mobility. I cant wait to bring up Harpers playground at my next civic league meeting. Thank you

[@TheStrangerSpeaks10]

I really like the look of the space, the design of the landscaping is pretty cool and the heart behind it is great; but I wouldn’t have wanted to play here when I was a kid. We liked really maze-like and vertical spaces. I wanted to get lost in the play structure and feel like it was bigger than it was for games like tag or hide and seek. The place he showed as a bad example would have been heaven minus the dumb spinning toys. I wouldn’t have been engaged with a grassy hill that had a metal slide on top. As an adult though, 8/10, really cool design.

[@gigwatt119]

It is clearly a labor of love for the father. He's made a great place for his daughter and many more like her. But there should be challenges for all skill levels in a playground. I appreciate the Pricess Diana playground in hyde park London it it's references to literary stories. Nature and variety of play-styles are important. Abstract playgrounds tend to be boring for most children.

[@jamieism]

I love it so much! Playgrounds like this encourage imagination and community. All playgrounds should be like this- welcome all ability levels and all age levels!

[@JulesInfinite888]

Good stuff! Needs charging for cars, shade, playing with all wheels bikes/ skateboards/ scooters.... vending machines with non sugar drinks/ cold brew coffee/ beer (id Apple Pay), shelters for car parking/ camping (car/ rv camping/ more communal interaction. Core stores to get basic supplies (crocs/ sleeping bags/ skateboards/ mini REI type stores). Need to be everywhere in the world cause the future is mobile electric houses . Re-wild nature everywhere as understand we own nothing (property into stewardship mentality/ caregivers and leaders of earth for all life).

[@diamondjplayer5599]

Me as kid would want a multilayered labyrinth of pipes, underpasses and bridges wide enough to run in but has plenty of secret ways and hidden rooms so me and the boys could play a killer game of hide and go seek.

[@lukasbaranowski3745]

Yeah true

[@zplatfr6428]

Do you mean mcdonalds playground?

[@sledgetable172]

@@TheUltraDinoboy the mcdonald's playground I went when I was little had a spaceship on the top that could have broken off any second XD

[@ArmoredRabbit]

When you get funding for this lmk :0

[@survoltron3795]

@@zplatfr6428 I never really played in the McDonald's playground because it always smelt like death

[@Rodiboy60]

I love the playgrounds where it’s like 3 stories tall and you can get lost in it those are the most fun but not the tube ones like the ones made of nets and wood

[@sciolithic4638]

As a kid, I went to an indoor park and there was this net thing that you just sat and fell down in, brings back memories of the bruises I got from that lol

[@Nateda_]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oqvXdqF4e7NosLc

[@lottie1144]

Oh no! Can’t have a tall wooden play park, they are not inclusive enough. Our play parks must reflect our diversified, Marxist new world order.

[@omghalo3rocks]

@@lottie1144 chill

[@Rxnextgenradio]

Charløtte R. Lol get a load of this guy huh

[@aaronsatko3642]

When I was a kid I would not have enjoyed this kind of playground. I always liked the big metal “bad example” that looks like a cool castle with multiple stories. It was always fun to climb to the top with my friends, play games and sometimes fall off and bust my ass. The feeling of danger was always exciting.

[@Thymed]

They should add a jungle gym and then I would like it

[@eliontheinternet3298]

Even something like adding a covering to the walkway that kids could climb on.

[@erich1394]

I think you can accomplish this vibe while still accomplishing the design goal stated in this video. Ramps can be one way to get to the top but so can climbing, for instance. I also like the experience of a tiered space. My spouse and I have been known to go play on playgrounds after dark lol..

[@LeoStaley]

The play of able-bodied children is *radically* different from seriously disabled children. Running, jumping, climbing, hiding, moving fast, discovery, and creativity are among the most powerful play urges and should always inform playground design. Some of the most desired playground elements children ask for, and play on, are physically taxing elements, like things to climb on, swing from, jump from. By the kind of "inclusiveness" used here, you are actually excluding the vast majority of children by preventing from engaging in the play that is most natural and beneficial to them. For the proper contexts, this is sublimely wonderful, and I am overjoyed that someone has deliberately thought through the best way to design a playground for disabled children, since I have also thought and researched intently about better playgrounds in general, because yes, they usually suck. But they suck for able-bodied children for different reasons than they do for disabled children. But many (not all!) of the most important design requirements of a good playground for able-bodied children vs a good one for disabled children are inherently incompatible. A good playground for the one group will, by their nature, not be a good playground for the other group. I want to reiterate how beautiful I think this is for disabled children though. And there certainly are elements here which you've designed which *are* wonderful for general playground design, like the wide slides (like is said, playgrounds currently also suck for able-bodied children). But I recoil in the strongest terms against the idea of making these normative for all playgrounds. You can't include everyone all the time; when you try to, you always end up excluding some. This doesn't mean we should stop trying to create spaces inclusive of those who are usually excluded, merely that we shouldn't pretend that those spaces are also properly inclusive of everyone else.

[@zaptowee6625]

I think that your answer is completely correct. These playgrounds are just not compatible with each other. Children need risk. This is a great video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oqvXdqF4e7NosLc

[@johnhermanson6328]

Just had to say, very wonderfully worded. You hit it right on the head

[@DemMedHornene]

This is one of those things that, when you think about it, is kind of obvious, but it takes someone to actually make that change before it happens, otherwise most people just stick with the status quo

[@freethink]

Great point. There's often not motivation to do something different if it's not obviously broken. But then when we consider people who it is broken for, in the case of accessibility for people with disabilities, we find new solutions that are better for everybody. It can be a good thought challenge to rethink stagnant products that might not be obviously broken but might still have a lot of room for improvement.

[@mhgb1333]

Mmm. People keep telling other people 'it's common sense' nowadays. If it is common sense, then why is there a need to say the sentence? I'm slowly realizing common sense has a specification.

[@TheStrangerSpeaks10]

My first thought when the video opened was that the play structure he showed as a bad example looked really cool. As an adult, I really like the landscaping of harpers park, and having inclusive options is cool, but I wouldn’t have wanted to play on these as a kid. We liked more maze like vertical structures. Hope those don’t disappear.

[@harpersplayground]

Thanks for offering your thoughts, but we respectfully must disagree on two points: 1. Kids consistently choose unstructured and more natural environments to those large structures. 2. Those large structures must disappear because they exclude our most vulnerable children from play. We encourage you to investigate for yourself and take the time to observe the play areas in action.

[@dogscratch]

I agree

[@678crazydave]

@@harpersplayground What an a-holey passive aggressive response. This playground is garbage for kids who like to be active and climb on stuff. Kids want the giant towers of nonsense with no clear design and a slide at the top, or a rickety bridge that teaches you how to balance on unsteady surfaces. Obviously being handicap accessible is a great feature, but that shouldn't take away from the overall experience of climbing around and doing more and more daring climbs and leaps as you go. At my school we played tag and we used every inch of every structure as a means of escape. We were all very active the majority of the time. Kids need exercise and practical locomotive skills and to become sure-footed. The first playground you used as a bad example looked lit. That would be so much fun for tag or playing pretend. It's one thing to be handicap accessible, but another to nerf the fun for the rest in the process. Having a two foot rock wall and jungle gym is not the same

[@randomuser5443]

Harper's Playground Two things, when you were a kid, what did you choose: the field or structure? Also, just because a handful are unable to enjoy doesn’t mean the rest should be unable to enjoy.

[@wolffang489]

@@harpersplayground Tree climbing counters that first point, and I fear the day when fun is reduced to only what is universally accessible to the detriment of challenging those that are able. There's room and value in both types of playgrounds.

[@judithzylstra929]

Love this! I'm 67 now, struggling every day just to get on my feet and move around my home (challenged and slowed down the last ten years by--as yet incurable--progressive disabling illness) but always grateful for another day of life and discovery and trying to figure out ways to still connect to the beautiful world outside my windows. My heart and spirit are no different now than when I was an active/happy/healthy kid who woke up excited every morning to GO OUTSIDE AND PLAY!!! You give me new hope, so THANK YOU! Keep going with this--for ALL os us!

[@freethink]

Great to hear your wonderful outlook! Glad you could connect with us and wish you all the best now and in the future 🙂

[@JulesInfinite888]

AWESUM

[@savagesock3598]

Well good luck

[@makarlock]

Playgrounds that are accessible to disabled kids are an awesome idea for those kids. It allows for normal socialization that can’t happen at a standard playground. But I don’t think that every playground should be built like this. One of the important principles in childhood development is the zone of proximal development. To be in the zone, a child needs to be on the edge of their ability and there has to be danger. There is no danger in a playground like this. Maybe we can separate playgrounds into *playgrounds* like this and then *obstacle courses* or *challengers* so that motor skills and bravery could be developed too?

[@ItsYourBoiUhh]

No this park is the future and this guy is a visionary, all parks should be flat and covered in turf. /s I completely agree with you. By making this park "the most inclusive" they also made it a lot less appealing to body-abled kids.

[@rvank8037]

@4:17 that climbing structure looks like it has the potential for danger! All of them look like they have climbing structures, they're just not in the foreground of the video.

[@piranhaplantX]

There's also the simple fact that this looks like it takes a lot more funding and room to build than a traditional park. So most communities probably don't have either the money or the space to build a park like this.

[@justtlalaart]

I questioned the same thing too, why didn't why they just make a separate playground for disabled kids and keep the other one for abled kids? But hey it's still a nice cool playground though and very sweet of him to think of his daughter and other kids

[@sw8228]

I actually think the issue rn is that every playground looks the same. There isn’t enough variance, they all look like that first one he was critiquing. I think that by expanding ideas on what playgrounds could look like it can lead to more creative playing. Not that everything should look the same at all.

[@Fr00stee]

having a jungle gym immediately makes a playground more interesting. And a big slide too. That 2nd park looks super fun

[@dosrg3773]

The one thing I loved the most as a kid was to have spaces for imagination play! Things like playhouses and picnic structures were great. I would love to see a playground built like a mock-town with little stores/stalls and houses. I think that would also be easy to make inclusive and fun for everyone!

[@allisongrieser6131]

This is stunning, but the large, classic, wooden kingdoms will always hold a special place in my heart. There were hundreds of little tunnels, connections, bridges, secret passages, and just random stuff that you can find a way to have fun with. I’m 15, so a little too old for playgrounds, but the playgrounds I see children playing on now are boring, bland, and blank. Children should be allowed to explore, to take risks, that’s what I loved so much about the wooden kingdoms. There is a sense of mystery, there are things that children could get minor injuries from, like a splinter, a scrapped elbow, a little bump to the head, while these might sound bad, it toughens kids up, we shouldn’t coddle them. I really like the way these parks are set up though, while it’s not a kingdom of adventure, it’s got a million different things, it’s a simple, welcoming design. With these parks everyone can play. I love the little sea turtles and the amazing sandpit, I would of loved these as a kid! Definitely add more little secrets for kids to find all around the park, maybe a little metal lizard on the lamp posts, or a family of frogs along roofs and beams! The thrill of finding something hidden is amazing, and normal parks just don’t have that..

[@CRT.v]

the park i played at the most as a kid had a swing set, a tire swing, a merry-go-round, a tall metal slide, some basketball hoops and a small baseball field. i see many comments saying the park in the video looks boring, but it's got more to do that the one i grew up with and loved! i love the options and accessibility provided. not every kid wants to or can play the same way, so it's important to have options. and i love the idea of more parks like this being built to accommodate for kids who don't thrive in the big wooden castle kind of parks a lot of my generation grew up with.

[@Drpanda533]

The only problem is you need a wealthy community to fund this.

[@thanewage403]

Not wealthy, just willing.

[@idlx420]

@@thanewage403 can't imagine these parks cost under a million for all the materials plus land and taxes. Hard to come by that much for even the most willing but low income neiborhoods.

[@666thprayer]

Lookin boujee AF

[@bloopbloop2019]

My gehtto neighborhood could never 😍😍😍

[@lracfilib]

@@EricDMMiller That's normal in Philippines, there's a playground in quezon city and the slides and stuff is vandalized and destroyed. it even smell like piss.

[@akshats599]

Damn. I'm 20 and I need one.

[@freethink]

Hey, it's all ages!

[@akshats599]

That's better.

[@Eddievargas1]

You just need some hard work

[@skiledR]

brought hope for the future again. way to go freethink. second time this week.

[@freethink]

So glad to hear, thanks for watching & following!

[@bvachowiak9235]

K

[@thewoo9894]

Honestly I think there should be a hybrid between this and adventure playground, children need to flex their imagination and they can create their own, “Oh no giving them hammers is dangerous!” when you hand a child a hammer they understand to be careful with it, they know the risk, unlike normal playgrounds they do dangerous acts cause its always the same thing, with an adventure playground theres always something new, you know that proud feeling when you create something? children need that too

[@columbianranger]

I don’t personally like the idea of the “make your own playground” areas, to me it’s not what I find fun. I would rather playgrounds be just a big parkour course filled with gaps, bars, steps, and height.

[@mgomez6480]

As a kid with a lot of anxiety who was easy to overwhelm I would have hated these "inclusive" play grounds. There's no where to get away from the bustle. It's part of why have all that vertical space and places to hide underneath were important to me as a kid.

[@bldjln3158]

Which is exactly why you need an inclusive playground?!?!?

[@ryanspencer3106]

@@bldjln3158 hes saying that this playground isnt truly inclusive as it completely excludes those with emotional dificultys, in essence by trying to include someone you can be excluding someone else

[@mgomez6480]

@@ryanspencer3106 Exactly.

[@mgomez6480]

@Babette Badges Gross. You can't preach empathy and then claim a certain group of kids should be on drugs for the sake of inclusive playgrounds. Also you can't claim empathy if you are on the fly trying to diagnose my childhood issues you know nothing about the cause of, or if they were contected to a greater illness or trauma. They were by the way, it's just none of your business why.

[@dumbsheep1134]

I loved to go under the bridges at playgrounds, it was so fun to hide from people. :D

[@509ryan]

This is the only ad I’ve watched all the way through

[@breeze5926]

I did not realize this was an ad til I read this comment

[@CIorox_BIeach]

My favorite parts of playgrounds, and the only parts I ever saw used, were the merry go rounds, super tall "dangerous" stuff to climb on, long slides - especially the tubes, and when provided, trees, sand and water with fish.

[@aldenheterodyne2833]

When you build for accessibility, you build for everyone. This should be out default way of building things

[@mary-jane6846]

Asura Heterodyne i do NOT like the last one at all if they EVER change every play ground to that i have some good words for them

[@bonitat4594]

@@mary-jane6846 and what would be your words... Let it out

[@Rxnextgenradio]

bonita t That they hate crippled kids and think they should know their place

[@user-rl6fs6rd7m]

@@Rxnextgenradio this is too easy of an argument to make due to its morally self righteousness inviting nature. Check a few comments up and u will see some good reasons why more traditional structures have their place as well. Plus no single structure can ever be 100% inclusive. His site had hills and slides. Wheelchairs or crutches cannot enjoy these features. Likewise literally no swing system (self propelled at least) would work for these types of people either. Having an equal accesibility park cannot exist. It is physically impossible unless it becomes so simplistic to the point that it becomes nearly an open field only. What we need is compassion and equity, not hardcore unnuianced equality. And spewing self embracing moral compliments helps nobody here.

[@LegitSpeedDub]

I believe your statement for public places but not for all private buildings

[@jamesoniris2647]

There is this park in Lewisville Texas that is a gigantic wooden castle with ramps, trampolines, and had wind instruments. It is honestly on of the best parks I've ever been too.

[@michaeltodd3557]

6 year old me would have preferred the “broken” playground

[@cape8618]

Yea definently

[@talentless1516]

@@cape8618 eat thy cereal

[@Yes-mj7mx]

There’s no climbing areas here which I kinda understand... but it’s my favorite part.

[@ryanspencer3106]

yeah that was a cool playground, needed more tubes and maybe more elevation

[@greatcesari]

If you’ve never seen a German play ground before, they’re amazing. Each station is designed to either explore physics at a young age or to allow kids to develop their physical abilities. They are also usually built with the terrain in mind, unlike these uninspired assembly units. Lastly, they’re commonly accompanied by a perfectly mowed soccer field. Harper’s playground takes me back to my childhood when I lived in Germany. This playground implements all these philosophies, but takes them to a whole new level with how safe and accessible every thing is. This is so fantastic, thanks for sharing!

[@candytime7]

Honestly, if we continue to get inclusive parks like this/ new park styles in general then we'll start getting park hybrids. This is great for accessibility & shapes. Danger parks are great for building character, understanding, and safety. Maze/ tunnel parks would also be Hella cool (but not great for young children- trust me on this one). So. . . a park with all three? Almost everyone could have fun. I'm hyped for upcoming parks.

[@Golgari213]

I'm going to school for environmental studies to maybe become a city planner and planning spaces for relaxation and play time (especially for people of every walk of life) is one of the greatest ways to make a city healthy, sustainable, and just over all enjoyable. Thank you for your phenomenal innovation, and for your passion as a father.

[@Lilburner666]

You are THE goat for doing this mad. respect for taking time to build parks that everyone can use wish we had one here in South dakota bc i can tell even for my little 4 yr old she walks fine but still has trouble getting around them darn playgrounds would be nice to be able to watch her play without struggling to not fall so much

[@ktkc1o7]

Okay, but my favorite things to do at playgrounds were climb across the supporting structures to avoid other kids during tag. Or jump off the tall spiral slide. Or climb to the top of the monkey bars. Or the vertical posts. Pretty much anywhere I "wasn't allowed" to go because it was "too dangerous." Never once got hurt doing any of that, but I got a lot of great exercise. Seriously though, kids are amazing athletes. Even as a young adult I can't do those things without training.

[@jeconiahhoffman4892]

That little circle hill does not look exciting at all, climbing and running all over bridge things were very exciting to me as a kid. Hills were everywhere, and they were cool, but bridge-climbey things were not. People already took away the cool stuff from my parents generations like see-saws and merry-go-rounds, don't take what was cool from mine

[@wolffang489]

Which generations are we talking about because I remember see-saws and merry-go-rounds and I'm not *that* old.

[@jeconiahhoffman4892]

@@wolffang489 I'm the tail end of the millenials, and my parents were boomers I guess. I saw some too, but I remember a big controversy about it where they were removing them from all public places and swapping the tall metal slides for small plastic ones that make me get stuck. It was goofy.

[@wolffang489]

@@jeconiahhoffman4892 My playgrounds must have been a weird ones then because the town one had both and the elementary school had a seesaw and gravel under everything.

[@bruhm0ment]

I doubt the parks u enjoyed are going away anytime soon but u should also see how these parks let people with restrictions and disabilities have the same joyful experiences that you had as an able-bodied kid. I also feel like looking through an adult lens it’s easy to pick apart technical aspects of parks but as a kids we probably would’ve been happy rolling around in some dirt with our buds lol

[@Venom-dq2uv]

That's why there are both

[@MichaelDiTullo]

I didn't think a video piece about playgrounds was going to make me cry. This initiative is amazing. Portland love at work.

[@sethappleton7628]

I feel like this is just a way to create the situation where parents say "hey let's go to the playground" and the kid asks " the fun one?". Like I don't doubt that a child could have fun on the inclusive playground, and I love the idea that kids with disabilities can go and have fun with them, but the jungle gym style ones aren't going to go away and they're very attractive for kids who can take advantage of them. I'm afraid we'll get to the point where the two become basically exclusive to either kids with or without disabilities.

[@StudioUAC]

yeah. that's what I thought. saying "a playground for everyone" is a bit misleading since how much fun can a kid that's abled-bodied have at a playground that's basically a park? I want to climb and be really high!

[@NoraS-K]

The absolute best playground that I've been to is robins island in Willmar Minnesota! It really is a playground for all ages all abilities. They have playground areas for adults too, like the zipline and chair zipline at adult height. Spray areas to cool off, there's a tiny area for little littles, medium and big play areas and really fun rides for those in wheelchairs. all play is integrated. It also has castle styling bridges and slides like the (nono) example at the start. So cool! They also have free book areas, musical integration all around, tubes, fishing spots, biking and hiking trails. The playground in this video is so inspiring for new places 🙌 I recommend people checking this place out if u can, and I'd love to check out this videos playground 💞

[@mgomez6480]

Honestly I like the idea but it's not actually that inclusive. An able bodied child would become quickly bored by the minimal design and would have trouble getting enough actual exercise because of the lack of physical challenge. And a kid like I was or an autistic kid would hate how wide open everything is and all the noise toys. Being able to be alone up high or under things was essential for not getting tio stressed out in busy open places with a lot of kids

[@sydneyatkins6249]

I really like how they didn't put woochips. Whenever I would play at playgrounds as a kid falling on woodchips would only hurt slightly less than falling on grass, or more if you landed on a large chip. Also I got splinters from them quite a few times

[@troillandford7679]

Yeah. As a kid, I always loved sand pit playground

[@deadturret4049]

I genuinely had a better time with gravel than I did woodchips. After a few years of use those rocks get super smooth

[@veggieboyultimate]

If I saw this as a little kid, I would have seen it as not fun-looking, mostly because I've envisioned my ideal playground as one with many levels, stairs, slides, and pipes. But now I'm starting to see it just as fun as a traditional playground, and it's not just a fun place, it can be a calming one too.

[@violetcampbell9974]

My little cousins said they dont think adults know how to make playgrounds fun. they said stuff like make it fun so you can play hide and seek and tag. like a maze, where secret rooms, like 3 stories. its unrealistic but I think it would be cool

[@Sparklewolfgirl67]

Yes!

[@wahidtrynaheghugh260]

Are you nuts? That first playground looks incredible! I remember one very similar that was made out of wood and it was great!

[@randomuser5443]

This feels much less like it is for kids who prefer a level of complexity and feels more like a simple recreational space I would enjoy in a natural park after a hike. I’m a big fan of an old play ground in Fayetteville and on Fort Bragg primarily for the reasons he listed as bad design. It has plenty of vertical space and invites people who are physically capable of hard play. I feel this park is the more generalist build than what I enjoyed and even though he willingly is in Portland, a terrible city considering how it currently is developing, I hope he gets contracts with more cities

[@piranhaplantX]

Yeah, this feels more like a replacement for traditional parks, rather than playgrounds. Also, while I can sympathize with his goal, and I understand his situation with his daughter makes him feel a certain way. I think he all too readily dismisses the importance of kids being able to physically challenge themselves and explore. Both of which are mostly lacking in this type of park.

[@lacreshaflowers5421]

I love it!! Having a disability is life changing and with that the world is not suited in every way for people with these challenges. This playground is Amazing!! I know what it's like to have to do things differently and be looked at differently because of a disability. To have people help make life easier and much more enjoyable like this is a blessing 🙏😇!! God bless this man, his family and all of his endeavors in life ❤️.

[@conanbarbarian9719]

This is the content I follow this channel for. Putting real thought into solving real problems for everyone

[@freethink]

Cheers, so glad to hear! These are the stories we love to tell.

[@trabbit5618]

This is amazing and I think that Father is incredible. I do think that this playground is great for children w disabilities but it holds children without disabilities BACK. There are no challenges, no skill building, no obstacles, no adventure. Those things are key. We can't hold the able bodied kids back. Inclusive playgrounds should be an addition to conventional.

[@alibakkar3890]

This is nice and all but if u ask me the first one may not be ideal for a kid due to some issues u listed but I think it’s cause it’s not crazy enough the one you showed may inclusive and that’s nice to have occasionally but most of these seem just really dull for a kid. The design is just a hill, couple group swings with colored rocks peppered around. Back when I was a kid I loved my wooden castles and forts where me and the boys would hit each other with our sticks thinking we were Jedi and sith

[@carstenpfundt]

The old ones still exist

[@piranhaplantX]

@@carstenpfundt many of live in cities or dense suburbs with limited room. Where do you think they'll make the room for this new type of park? Do you think they'll bother with all the red tape and get new ones built, or do you think they're more likely to knock down old ones?

[@goldenoodles6281]

@@piranhaplantX this is the same size as a normal playground... Maybe bigger than a small one but it's relatively the same size

[@piranhaplantX]

@@goldenoodles6281 The size of a "normal" playgrounds is relative to where you live. Where I live, the plots we have sectioned off for playgrounds are significantly smaller. What I've seen in this video would be considered on the larger side. We have some decent sized parks in nicer neighborhoods as well, with playgrounds attached for kids. But those tend to be the types that hold parties, weddings, cookouts, etc, and a redesign like this doesn't necessarily make sense for those.

[@samuelconsuegra1206]

It's adult catering to kids thinking they know what they like while completely ignoring the fact that kids absolutely love the old playground designs

[@tlh0121]

I live in Baltimore MD and here we have a playground called “Angel Park” that was built with this concept as it’s main focus. It has a fully wheelchair accessible swing. I’ve never seen anything like it. The whole playground is absolutely amazing. It’s big (very big) with much to do for all. We also have “Annie’s Playground,” which is incredible. It’s another huge, I mean huge, playground built with this concept in mind. However it doesn’t have the rubber flooring, but rather pieces of rubber made of cut up tires. Which is a much safer alternative to mulch but it’s not as wheelchair friendly as rubber flooring. Still, both are incredible accessible play spaces for all that I’m very fortunate to live so close to.

[@Queen.AnneBoleyn]

That's awesome!! It takes one person to advocate change. He's a hero for this...thinking for all children. My son is 10yo with special needs and his huge stroller chair cannot transport very easily, so I appreciate this. Thank you.

[@samuelconsuegra1206]

Just build both. Don't get rid of the classic ones because honestly kids will love those more than the harper playgrounds

[@treepriest697]

I'm 15 and I have literally been to some of these parks in the video. I absolutely love the inclusivity of these parks and how everyone of any age or ability can play!! I didn't even realize it was for this purpose i just thought it was "futuristic." But it shouldn't be an outright replacement for standard parks in my opinion. Harper's parks I feel don't have quite enough for kids who can easily use the standard parks. They usually have 1 slide and a few climbing structures and small little pewny hills. The "standard" parks have tons of ways to climb onto the structure! it has tons of slides, poles, swings, places to hide in hide and seek! I don't think Harper's parks have quite enough to replace the other parks we know. I feel like these parks can be sprinkled in with other parks or even mix the park themselves! Maybe keep the play structures we know but replace the woodchips with that foam or keep the music, art peices, swinging chairs etc. But great job otherwise love it!

[@tuxxtailol8749]

I came here from an ad on KZbin and I 1000 percent agree with you thank you for putting this into my mind I will always think about this

[@Vahari_Bahamut]

I like that at least two of those playground still included things that kids with disabilities couldn't do. It wasn't about just taking away from the physically asked kids so the disabled kids wouldn't feel bad. It was more about allowing them to occupy the same space and have things to do which is great.

[@sethm8533]

THAT WAS MY FAVORITE PARK AS A KID!!! Don’t tell me it’s not good

[@sethm8533]

I do like the new playground idea though, I just have so many memories at the first one

[@theminnesotan592]

Got this as an ad on an unrelated video and I am glad to have gotten it! I am studying this kind of thing so its cool to see a real life example.

[@Womkaz]

The first playground would honestly make for a pretty sick game of grounders. I probably would’ve loved both of them.

[@orionthornheart]

Most of these new parks seem really lame. 90% of the fun i had on playgrounds as a kid was the games made on them. But these seem like they cut out of imagination. Everything is very spread out and flat, Any verticality is isolated and i just personally dont think i would spend time around these parks as a kid unless i was forced to be there with a guardian.

[@Thegoldenwatermelon]

Playgrounds being accessable is not the same as making them fun.

[@youngrose6953]

Ya thats what I'm saying the playground they made looks extremely boring

[@Sparklewolfgirl67]

Yea I’m 12 and I’m the one using the playgrounds

[@nullobject5943]

@@youngrose6953 Yeah, I like keep inclusivity in mind, but at some point you have to ask yourself, how many children in wheelchairs are going to play here in comparison to the number of ablebody children. It's just silly if it's taking fun away from the majority to satisfya select few. Maybe add an inclusive section to preexisting playgrounds? Like what's wrong with that?

[@youngrose6953]

@@nullobject5943 your idea of to sections is actually very good it allows everyone to have fun and just not one group or the other

[@lukesalter9600]

My aunt lives near this park When I used to visit her, I loved this park

[@moose5708]

I liked playgrounds when they were dangerous and falling apart and cool.

[@tuxedosteve9556]

I like the playgrounds that are really tall and you just clime them like it’s made out of the lines of cubes

[@zaptowee6625]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oqvXdqF4e7NosLc

[@karenk6985]

That's how most of the parks in the US are today, lol.

[@pollutedcrimson]

This is neat but at no point would I consider any of that a 'playground'.. there are no structures? Theres nothing to really play on? Some circular ramped cement and a couple slides and random things dotted throughout doesnt really seem like fun to me.

[@phuongphan-mcmanamna3781]

Beautiful. So proud of my town- we built our first accessible playground a few years ago.

[@lilithwills812]

I was lucky enough to experience a lot of accessible playgrounds as a kid- I don't have a disability, but my brother did. I can confirm that they're straight-up just better.

[@alexlato3974]

I think a lot of commenters here are divided on these playgrounds. I’m seeing a lot of people saying “six year old them would have preferred the broken/first playground”. And of course you would, that’s what is nostalgic to you. Also, I am surprised to see a lot of people complaining about climbing spaces. Have you actually paused the video and looked at the park? Theyre huge and divided in various sections... many which could be used for climbing/tag/grounders/etc. Kids are creative and this space will bring it out... and be inclusive at the same time.

[@N3K0553]

I remember when I was a kid the playground I played was just a five layers of net that was very tall in a shape of pyramid. Basically you just climb up the net, that’s all. But the best part is going back down cause most kids know how to climb up but not down. It’s kinda too tall as a kid

[@pamiperry3329]

Wish there was a playground in Lebanon Oregon (USA) like this. This would be so great for kids of all ages.

[@nightmare7067]

Just because disabled kids are included doesnt mean its inclusive this looks incredibly boring and anyone not disabled would pick the "bad" playground if you read through the comments you will find that most agree with me

[@IZZY3201]

The ripple effects of these playgrounds are wide reaching. These new types of playgrounds will cause communities to become closer and change (gradually) how much more social people are with each other. This is one of the keys to lessening the social effect phones and electronic games have had on the world and overall love of one another.

[@Shinobi33]

Yea it's called brainwashing and indoctrination. The "community" catchphrase is a big hint friend. Look there's room for both types of playgrounds. I could never do the monkey bars as a kid. Doesn't mean I wanted them gone all together. Think for yourself and stop letting others think for you baboso

[@IZZY3201]

@James Baboso, What specifically is the doctrine being injected forcefully? No one is being forced to go to these playgrounds. By the looks of it, kids will want to go to these playgrounds but no one is forcing parents to "bring your kids or suffer the consequences". . They àre objectively better in regards to accessibility, inclusivity, and entertainment. It seems you are against the "community catchphrase " friend. If that’s the case, then don't even worry about innovations with potential to bring communities together. Not everything good had an ulterior motive, hope you learn that as you mature.

[@goldenoodles6281]

@@Shinobi33 how is this brainwashing? It's literally designed so that people can come together and talk, not make it so that they have to obey everything. I don't understand you point. Being closer to others in a community is not brainwashing, idk where u got that idea from.

[@Shinobi33]

@@goldenoodles6281 well the part where all playgrounds have to be that way. No they fucking don't. And those key words Socially community. We all where those words are coming from

[@Shinobi33]

@@IZZY3201 what is someone who's probably younger than me gonna teach me about maturity? If his parks mean guilting people into not going to or accepting the old playgrounds then wtf is so virtuous about that? What you need to do is stop virtual signalling all the fucking time? Cause I can almost guarantee you're as nice as your trying to come across online. As aren't most young millennial liberals. You know what the trick to be a good person is? Actually being a good person. You can't fake it. So here you come blindly accepting like this and giving them two big thumbs up. Without even really thinking about it. But hey all you care about is someone coming by and giving you a like. Or a nice reply. Maybe ay que bueno es el muchacho. Wake up ⏰! Stop the virtual signaling. Stop living like the blind loons in 1984. There can be both playgrounds. Nobody needs to change a god damn thing. Or look down on anyone who take their kid to old styled regular playground. You got it yet?

[@joshrangel1296]

We need this in las vegas! (: my son would absolutely love this and it does scare me on how people will treat him when he wants to play or just express himself

[@dacarly1330]

I feel like this is good for people with disabilities But this playground looks boring to me

[@zaptowee6625]

I agree compleatly, this is a garbage playground. I'm 19 years old, not 40 like the guy in the video so maybe I am still more connected to my playground instinct. However I wouldn't have much fun at all playing at this play ground.

[@ianlee9282]

Why did i just watch a youtube ad on my home page...idk but i’m not complaining

[@definition.of.insanity]

Never thought I'd watch an ad voluntarily and enjoy it!

[@mcgator1208]

This is amazing. This needs to be how every park is designed

[@alejandrorojas1423]

Ok Portland; you win this one. Your absolutely right and did a great job. You can be in charge of playgrounds.

[@robhentschel3592]

Probably one of the only youtube ads I've clicked on

[@PizzaBoyAnthony]

4:16 You're absolutely right, People who are adults deserve justice of Fun Times, Adults deserve to play at the playground, The only thing they can't do is approach kids, Well they do have self control and responsibility

[@djdubuque3369]

I wanna go play at one of these parks. I'm 38 years old and watching this made me feel 10 all over again

[@mikelahood6147]

I'm not crying...

[@freethink]

We won't tell anyone if you were 🙂

[@abigail6.6]

Freethink every time.

[@evanboulay2790]

Very cool! The all abilities play-for-all park in Round Rock, TX should 100% be featured as well. Most incredible and inclusive park I’ve ever seen.

[@WayneDavisDA_ILLESTalive14]

Shoutout to Cody and people who think like this and make changes like this, it’s so fucking inspiring man

[@charlieaddams5331]

We just had a playground near me change to be very much like this i recognized alot of the same things. I was initially upset because i grew up on the old one. It was splintered wood and metal and old tires it was really fun. But i took my little brother to this new park and i couldnt help joining in bc it was actually really fun and way better they kept alot of the og ideas of the last one but improved it by 100 plus its more accessible now!

[@michelleevans7637]

Im crying , at WORK ...and crying. That is a beautiful mission you have , one to make smiles.

[@FillyCheesteak]

Playgrounds aren’t boring, Well, some are, but still, this playground is insane

[@skyp6051]

Can someone please mention who is the architect for these parks from India 🇮🇳. Great initiative 🙌

[@wKadin]

Best ad I’ve ever gotten. It’s great to see that people are finally doing this!

[@ScipioXII]

I feel like I’ve seen this park in every futuristic videogame. Cody is on the right track for the future 👍🏽

[@karenk6985]

Yeah I really enjoyed seeing Keanu Reeves playing on this playground in Cyberpunk 2077.

[@neonatom8646]

This is the first ad that I’ve clicked on cause I was interested 😂

[@seancarlson1023]

Like being inclusive is great, but I don't want one of these because I don't see anywhere where I could play grounders so it's a hard pass for me

[@dbproductions2767]

This is awesome! I want one of these in my community. I know of a few kids with disabilities here who would love it!

[@jameschristensen1658]

i’ve had so much fun at playgrounds like this. people still judge me being that i am a 17 year old guy and i’m screwing around at a park. i hope stuff like this helps people realize playgrounds aren’t just for kids

[@thomasplouffe326]

I liked the old playground more, lots of running and jumping but at the same time making a second playground attached for kids who have wheelchairs or physical issues can easily jump in for all kids to play on

[@tropingreenhorn]

The best solutions are the creative solutions, that make things better for everyone.

[@anamosamapper7521]

It looks great and the fact that its designed for all to enjoy makes it so much more amazing

[@nullobject5943]

I agree those puzzle things are stupid, but I actually loved playgrounds when I was younger. The slides, the tunnels, the springy board, monkey bars, the little things you ride on, swingsets, i loved it all..

[@Archive224]

I don’t like how people continuously, saying, kids would not enjoy this, but they only mean able-bodied, non neurodivergent kids, they completely ignore Message of exclusion many playgrounds hold because many children with disabilities can’t also play and they should be allowed to play with other children who don’t have disabilities. They should be allowed to have a space outdoors. Two things can coexist, but this needs to be more common people act as if of all of a sudden the giant jungle Jim’s have just disappeared they haven’t, and this is new and it’s OK for it to be new, and to become more common playgrounds are actively disappearing both Harper type playgrounds and Traditional ones and we need to fight to keep them

[@Killjoy0329]

Good designed playground. I really hope most parks later on are all these well designed, instead of just buying a couple of equipments and leave it there

[@freethink]

Yup! That's the difference really caring and wanting to make things better makes.

[@jamesreves2099]

This video gave me chills and brought me such joy! The world needs more of this. Thank you!

[@harpersplayground]

Agreed! Thanks for sharing your joy!!

[@caroljeeben7064]

I have so many ideas for playgrounds. I wouldn't have a clue how to build it but I get down on my 4 year olds level, at her eyesight, and realize how much imagination she has and how I wish there was a beautiful huge playground centered around imagination and happiness.

[@vaultgirl42091]

This is AMAZING! I hope they start making parks like this near me. 🖤 so grateful for people who go above and beyond to help others. Beautiful video 🕊😊

[@LM01234]

Yes! Thank you for bringing this up! I'm glad to see what this guy is doing. I 100% support this idea

[@freethink]

Glad to hear!

[@coopernoble6139]

Kids like the first design. There is a reason it has walls and stairs and stuff, kids get to pretend they’re in a house or a vehicle, an airplane or a boat or something. It’s fun, the new playground is almost featureless and squashes imagination

[@carstenpfundt]

For which kids? I think you underestimate the power of a childs imagination. That spinning thing could be a lifeboat in the middle of an ocean, or a ufo, or a huge flower! I think there will always be the classic playground, but this is just another choice! I brought my little cousin to the one in portland once. She loved it. All the open space allows for so much more play!

[@sowhatandisaidhi2235]

lol no i promise you most kids find those playgrounds boring asf

[@gretasimmons8987]

What a wonderful person so kind and understanding of every person’s needs.

[@alpyki2588]

Anything is better than what was my playground at school: one set of swings, one pole that a person could do flips on, and a slab of concrete. That's it. And that was for the 1st-4th grade playground. The playground for 5th grade and up? Just the slab and the one tree for shade in a place that it stays hot, and can get 100 in spring/fall with 100 humidity. Any playground reform for these places would be welcome. Even the "bad" playground at the beginning.

[@maxdukhovskoy1406]

I'm ten years old, and I'm aboutta tell my parents to build a 1 square mile playground

[@loganholt3423]

Chat with 10 kids ask them what they want to have in a fun park and do what they want hell I always wanted to run threw pipes like at pe back then and slides 😂