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As a related note, the reason playgrounds are so sanitized now (along with so many other activities) is because US health care is generally paid by private insu

As a related note, the reason playgrounds are so sanitized now (along with so many other activities) is because US health care is generally paid by private insurance, rather than universal coverage as in Europe. This means that if a child is injured on the playground, the insurance company will sue the owner of the playground (the owner could be the city) unless it can be proved that the playground took all care to make it safe. Relationship to the parent post: lawsuits as a regulatory mechanism.

xlii 5y ago
To add European perspective on same issue: playgrounds are regulated by law and failure to comply results in criminal lawsuits and jail time. Of course the system ain’t perfect but in general when you go to any playground (both public and privately owned) you’re guaranteed (legally) that all equipment is tested and passed periodical inspection. Red tape surrounded playgrounds that looks completely fine aren’t uncommon sight especially during spring season when it’s inspection time.
- WinterMount223 5y ago
  So what’s the incentive to open and keep a playground? It seems like a huge liability. Part of the problem is adults let children play with cellphones because it’s “safe”.
  - xlii 5y ago
    Money, as always. Commercial entities (kindergartens, schools, etc.) present themselves as well equipped by showing they have well equipped playground or other amenities. Those are filled quicker than those not having one and I've seen instances where few commercial entities decided to create a shared commercial playground. Some are pay-to-enter so it's even simpler. Public ones are more complicated. I know for instance, that where I live there are annual calls for social projects which are voted upon by community and payed for using tax money. There's plethora of them and while budget for the winner projects is limited quite often there are groups trying to push their idea even if it fails and lobby for them. It of course affects local politics and activists which are trying to make various ideas happen. It's not perfect, and sometimes it fails. Arborists are doing periodical inspections yet there is always room for error. Inspections won't prevent strong wind from breaking branch off) but it usually keeps thing together.
    - 7steps2much 5y ago
      Also, depending on which European country you are in there might be certain places where it is required. In the German speaking parts of Europe for example if a large apartment building or a whole complex of those is built it might be mandated by law to have a playground within a certain distance.
zpeti 5y ago
Playgrounds are sanitized in the UK and the EU as well. They’re not fun anymore anywhere in the west. This isn’t about private health insurance. It’s a much deeper issue or risk tolerance for society.
- thombat 5y ago
  Safety regulations offer the possibility of a more holistic take on wellbeing than an insurance company's accident indemnity can be expected to offer. So there is some correction going on: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/oct/24/why-germany-is-building-risk-into-its-playgrounds https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/oct/24/why-germany-is...

xlii 5y ago

To add European perspective on same issue: playgrounds are regulated by law and failure to comply results in criminal lawsuits and jail time. Of course the system ain’t perfect but in general when you go to any playground (both public and privately owned) you’re guaranteed (legally) that all equipment is tested and passed periodical inspection. Red tape surrounded playgrounds that looks completely fine aren’t uncommon sight especially during spring season when it’s inspection time.

WinterMount223 5y ago
So what’s the incentive to open and keep a playground? It seems like a huge liability. Part of the problem is adults let children play with cellphones because it’s “safe”.
- xlii 5y ago
  Money, as always. Commercial entities (kindergartens, schools, etc.) present themselves as well equipped by showing they have well equipped playground or other amenities. Those are filled quicker than those not having one and I've seen instances where few commercial entities decided to create a shared commercial playground. Some are pay-to-enter so it's even simpler. Public ones are more complicated. I know for instance, that where I live there are annual calls for social projects which are voted upon by community and payed for using tax money. There's plethora of them and while budget for the winner projects is limited quite often there are groups trying to push their idea even if it fails and lobby for them. It of course affects local politics and activists which are trying to make various ideas happen. It's not perfect, and sometimes it fails. Arborists are doing periodical inspections yet there is always room for error. Inspections won't prevent strong wind from breaking branch off) but it usually keeps thing together.
  - 7steps2much 5y ago
    Also, depending on which European country you are in there might be certain places where it is required. In the German speaking parts of Europe for example if a large apartment building or a whole complex of those is built it might be mandated by law to have a playground within a certain distance.

zpeti 5y ago

Playgrounds are sanitized in the UK and the EU as well. They’re not fun anymore anywhere in the west. This isn’t about private health insurance. It’s a much deeper issue or risk tolerance for society.

thombat 5y ago
Safety regulations offer the possibility of a more holistic take on wellbeing than an insurance company's accident indemnity can be expected to offer. So there is some correction going on: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/oct/24/why-germany-is-building-risk-into-its-playgrounds https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/oct/24/why-germany-is...