Rock Climbing & other Challenges

As a child I spent many hours on the swing in my backyard, talking to my friends, the trees.  Of course I also loved to slide on slides (my favorite slide must have been at least 80’ long, located at High Park in Toronto –It’s no longer there and I can’t believe I could find no images on Google!).  But I was never really a heights type of person; climbing trees and a being up high was not my biggest desire as a child.

Since I entered in the playground industry I started climbing and trying all types of playground equipment so that I would know what it feels like.  I’ve climbed cable net structures to find out that I felt safe and secure within the net (which is counter intuitive to most that see these types of structures for the first time); I’ve swung down 100’ long zip lines and felt the exhilaration of speed; I’ve spun, bounced and swayed and tried to challenge my bodily strength on all types of equipment.

Inverted climbing wall

At NRPA a couple of weeks ago I climbed on the new net structure from Kompan (in my high heals which I’m usually wearing when I’m climbing cable nets –no excuses for not climbing and trying new equipment).  It proved to be quite a challenge and a good workout with many different types of climbing activities within one unit.

I also tried out the Orbis by Henderson.  I liked the bounce of the rubber bridge.  I have never been a fan of climbing that goes nowhere (like a stand alone vertical net – you go up and then come down and that’s it) so I liked this unit for the continuity throughout each play and climbing component.

The Henderson Orbis, display at NRPA 2010

The other night I went indoor rock climbing for the first time.  I was nervous but I tried to remind myself of my “playground climbing experience”!  And in truth, when I climbed the wall for the first time my climbing experience did come into play and it felt, well almost, natural.  I felt accomplished and more self-confident for challenging myself.

Rock Walls at the Boston Rock Gym

This also reminded me of when I went zip lining through the mountains in Whistler, BC (Canada) last year.  I was very nervous being so high in the trees.  I had to remind myself of all I had learned about the strength of cables.  It was an amazing experience that I would repeat in an instant.

Zip Lining in Whistler, BC

Sometimes as adults we forget how important it is for children to play and climb on challenging play equipment.  If my self-confidence and sense of accomplishment was increased by these experiences just imagine what children gain from playing on playgrounds and other physical activities!

Playground Equipment: What to look for

My favorite type of play equipment: Where the adult (such as myself) can climb and play alongside their child; Not just in a supervisory role but having fun themselves as well.

Many years ago I went to a park where there was a huge play structure; I think it looked like a very cool Castle.  It was actually a playground that I had frequented as a child (the castle wasn’t there back then). The problem was that I had my little niece (around the age of 6 at the time) got right into it, through the crowds of children and once she was in I couldn’t see her any longer.  The equipment was well enclosed without openings for children to see out or caregivers to see in. As a young 20 something with the responsibility of my little niece, I was pretty terrified.  There were many slides and exits that she could come out of. Do I venture in (not an option since there were so many children scrambling through the walkways and platforms) or just circuit the exits and pray that I see her –soon?  No need to worry, she did come sliding out of one of the slides but I didn’t leave her side one more time the entire day.

From that day on I really understood the importance of play equipment that is transparent (for the most part), accessible for adults and with enough space to accommodate the amount of children frequenting the park.

Also here are a few other little tips:

Look for equipment that gives children the opportunity that they normally wouldn’t get.  A perfect example: stairs. Children climb stairs all the time so look for equipment with other types of climbing challenges. 
(This is one of my favorite climbing structures and the inspiration for this blog when I told my friend I would show him a playground and we could climb it -the look on his face was priceless)

Look for a variety of types of movement: spinning, swinging, bouncing, swaying, springing, rocking, climbing (upper and lower body; vertical and horizonal) etc…  It’s important for children to get all types of movement for the development of balance, coordination, strength and brain development. Adults can take advantage of the equipment and get these benefits as well.

 

Go find a challenging playground today and have some fun!  (ok, if you live in the Boston area, maybe not today as it’s pouring rain).