On the 27th, children are playing using a hammock installed by dream playground activists at Mugunghwa Children’s Park in Mok3-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul. [사진=양천구]There are no swings and seesaws. Instead, long swing bridges and slides surround the spacious sand playground. Activists in blue vests line up play equipment to help children play safely.
This is the scenery of Mugunghwa Children’s Park in Mok3-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 27th. Yangcheon-gu installed all 18 creative playgrounds this month, including Mugunghwa Park. It has been 4 years since it started as a pledge project by Gu Mayor Kim Soo-young in 2017. Creative Playground is a remodeled playground for children’s independent and creative play. It is characterized by removing uniform sculptures and installing instruments that children can use in a variety of ways.
From this month, Yangcheon-gu will operate a’dream playground activity program’ in connection with the creative playground. If the creative playground has been physically remodeled for children, the playground of dreams is the role of supporting actual play activities. At each playground, activists from outside specialized companies come to meet with the children at a set time. In Mugunghwa Park, where sand is spread out, activities using sand are carried out, and in the Second Urban Agricultural Park, there is a place to make a hideout or play woodwork. Nature’s Friends Research Institute, which commissioned playground activities, said, “The existing playgrounds have a fixed line of movement, so children’s play patterns are very similar.” He explained.
It is also a point to note that the opinions of children were actively reflected in the creation and operation of the playground. Haneulmaru Children’s Park in Sinjeong-dong received pictures of the children’s playgrounds at the design stage. After that, experts collected and designed children’s drawings. The sculptures of the 2nd Urban Agricultural Park in Sinwol-dong were handcrafted together by the residents. From the design stage, the opinions of the children were reflected, and residents started to produce them directly with experts. Lee In-hyuk, head of the Natural Friends Research Institute, expressed the wish that “a kind of village community would be created in everyday life through the playground of dreams.”
Children and parents are also positively accepting the changed playground environment. Yang Park Yul-hee (2nd year of Deungma Elementary School) said, “The teachers (activists) let us know so that we can have more fun in the sand.” Mr. Jung Mi-hee (43) said, “It seems that it has become a kind of cultural center as I see activists and teachers help me and do activities like tug of war.
However, some pointed out that it has become difficult for children of higher grades in elementary school to spend time. Mr. Jeong expressed regret, saying, “Because it becomes a sand playground, I am worried about hygiene, and it is difficult for older children to kick a ball or play badminton.” Yangcheon-gu Office said, “We are struggling to create a good environment for all residents in a limited space,” and “We will reflect the pointed part in future remodeling.”
Yangcheon-gu Office said, “If there is an old playground in the future, we will continue to remodel it,” he said. “We will push forward to provide more dream playground activities.”
[박홍주 기자]
[ⓒ 매일경제 & mk.co.kr, 무단전재 및 재배포 금지]
