Thinking Allowed Playgrounds
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Jan 21, 2025 Ben Highmore, a Professor of Cultural Studies at the University of Sussex and author of "Playgrounds: The Experimental Years," discusses the revolutionary adventure playgrounds that emerged after WWII, transforming bomb sites into vibrant spaces for child creativity. He explores the influential figures behind these playgrounds and their vision for fostering autonomy and social change. Highmore also reflects on the evolution of play in today’s risk-averse society, the challenges these playgrounds face, and their lasting impact on community and child development.
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The Erosion
- Laurie Taylor fondly remembers playing in bombsite dunes near his Liverpool home.
- These dunes, filled with war debris, sparked his interest in unconventional playgrounds.
Defining Adventure Playgrounds
- Adventure playgrounds, initially called "junk playgrounds," differ from conventional ones by using repurposed materials.
- They cater to a broader age range and encourage longer, more involved play.
Social Philosophy of Playgrounds
- Post-war adventure playgrounds aimed to address trauma and rising juvenile delinquency.
- Bomb sites served as both pragmatic and symbolic locations for these playgrounds.