The World's a Playground

Interesting article in the New York times about playgrounds being 'too safe'.  Certainly if you look at the old school pictures in this collection - safety was not a leading design consideration.  There are several images from McDonalds Playlands that featured the classic characters from their early days.  These characters have, for the most part, been phased out of McDonalds branding strategy.  If you are as outraged as I am, I invite you to visit this site and sign the petition to bring back Mayor McCheese.

Enjoy these playground images....

Nan and Dede with Cousin Julie hanging out with Officer Big Mac @ McDonalds Playland in St Paul.    I am dizzy just looking at the picture.

Looks like the Beaver Brook Playground.  Good thing these slides were never hot. 

My kids at my old stomping ground - Burbank School.  Of course this was just a field with a steel swing set when I was there...

They don't make them like they use to...  Of course Kathy always got the pelican !    I think this is at the playground near next to the Northview Pool in South St. Paul.

Cousins on the turtle @ Southwick Zoo playground circa 2001

Cousins on the turtle @ Southwick Zoo playground circa 2011

Many classic elements in this McDonald's playland picture.  Nan hanging out with Mayor McCheese in her Minnesota Kicks shirt.  I would pay good money to have the Hamburglar statue for my front lawn. 

A swinging good time @ Beaver Brook.  

Nothing was more exciting than getting to ride the train up to the McDonald's Playland.  Are those knee patches on my pants ?!?  What is Ronald McDonald doing ?

 The Surro backyard playground ~ 2000

The Olen backyard playground on Totten Pond Rd

Playground in San Diego.  Nice soft landings in the sand.

Brett and Caley flying the plane at the Frye Island playground in Maine

What a view from Officer Big Mac !

Not sure where this photo was taken but I am sure we all appreciated the shade generated by the tree they planted in the middle of the playground.