Basic Knowledge of Parks and Playgrounds

Many people find recreation and pleasure in parks and playgrounds. These are places exceptionally great for kids to exercise their imagination and discover nature. Families can have access to natural resources, open spaces, and develop a sense of wildlife by having a successful adventure in a local park.

Children who live in congested districts can safely play in a neighborhood playground. Modern parks can also be a place of leisure for families, serving as an active sports center for both young and old people in the community. Besides, people can learn arts and crafts in well-equipped field houses. They can also hold club meetings as well as enter into a community’s civic and social affairs.

History of Parks and Playgrounds

Parks started with the Egyptians’ and Romans’ ancient hunting preserves and ancient Greece’s open-air public meeting places. Early European parks emerged from the dwelling places and castles of the dignitaries and royal families. Some early parks include St. James’ Park in London, the Tuileries Gardens of Paris, and the Luxembourg Gardens. Although some of these parks now belong to private individuals.

The Vienna Woods, where the Hapsburg rulers used to hunt wild game at the Australian capital boundaries, has become a place for a picnic, cycling, and long strolls for city dwellers. In 1634, the first park in the United States, Boston Common, was established. The Central Park in New York City is one of the first modern parks acquired and designed by Frederick Law Olmsted in 1853.

Playgrounds are developed from the industrialization of cities for the benefit of people residing in those areas. The benefits include reducing children’s accidents, keeping young people out of trouble, and fighting off sicknesses caused by crowded living conditions and slums.

Types of Parks and Playgrounds

Different types of parks serve diverse needs. These include:

Neighborhood Park

This is a park to make the neighborhood attractive. It also provides an opportunity for calm and casual recreation. Neighborhood parks are generally small (sometimes called “baby parks”), a place of regular outings where parents wheel their young children. Such little parks can also be a haven for students, shoppers, office workers, and others during the day.

Recreational Park

Recreational parks usually have a larger area with woodlands, lakes, streams, meadows, hills, and lawns around them. They also have zoos, bird sanctuaries, gardens, parking lots, arboretums, and conservatories. These parks offer facilities for swimming, boating, horseback riding, hiking, picnicking, and other outdoor sports.

Amusement Park

Amusement parks have become popular today and they feature a variety of educational exhibits, shows, and other lively activities. These parks are usually located in a resort area of a big city. Day visitors can visit for a pleasant time and families on vacation can equally spend as many days as they want.

Other types of parks include forest reserve, scenic boulevard (or parkway), and school parks.