Nice new development -- One-of-a-kind playground to sprout at Shelby Farms (Memphis: school, quality of life)

[Kabluey]

Sorry. This won't fulfill some folks' lust or agenda for negativity. It's not about murder. Or crime. Or corruption. It's about attempts to improve the region's quality of life.

This is a nice new development to improve the visual and activity impact that Shelby Farms provides, which is a nice turn in improving our quality of life, in however little way. This, along with the transforming of the railroad right of way to a bike and walking trail, encourages activity of our region's citizens, and offers improved recreational options for citizens so they can be healthier and happier.

One-of-a-kind playground to sprout at Shelby Farms » The Commercial Appeal

But if the groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday was unconventional, so was the project it commemorated. The Woodland Discovery Playground at Shelby Farms Park, after all, is designed to shatter the traditional monkey-bars-and-swing-set mold.

Part of a $3.5 million project, the playground will include an eclectic mix of features drawn from international research on "natural play," which encourages youngsters to be adventurous, creative, active and engaged.

"We looked at playgrounds around the world," said Laura Adams, deputy director of Shelby Farms Park Conservancy, which operates the 4,500-acre park. "... We looked everywhere. We put it all together for the best imaginings we could come up with."

The resulting design, by the firm field operations, centers on a serpentine, 1.5-mile-long willow arbor tunnel that opens into numerous rooms for play and wraps around several "nests" offering varying levels of activity.

....

[fittoac]

That is so exciting!! Despite all the Memphis-bashing I hear on a regular basis, I have found this to be an incredible city to raise children. My daughter is only 14 months old, but we have found so many things in Memphis that are absolutely state of the art facilities for children. Between the Memphis Zoo, My Big Backyard at the Botanic Gardens, the Children's Museum, Mud Island River Park, and now this new park at Shelby Farms, Memphis is a mecca for first-rate children's activities. It doesn't bother me one bit to raise a child in such a dangerous city.

[(901)]

3.5 mill for a playground is absurb

I'm all for my tax dollars going to more positive things, but 3.5 mill is alot of money for a playground

Give them a couple 2 or 3 swingsets, monkey bars and 1/2 a dozen sandboxes and call it a day

[Kabluey]

Originally Posted by (901)

3.5 mill for a playground is absurb

I'm all for my tax dollars going to more positive things, but 3.5 mill is alot of money for a playground

Give them a couple 2 or 3 swingsets, monkey bars and 1/2 a dozen sandboxes and call it a day

"The playground, funded largely through a donation from the Plough Foundation, will be an "incredible asset" when it's completed late this fall, said interim county Mayor Joe Ford.

...

With the playground, Shelby Farms is embarking on an expansive scheme of improvements to be funded through a $75 million capital campaign.

...
...."

So... what's your problem with THIS project? It can't be because of the phantom tax dollars that are NOT going into it. I impute that, because 3.5 mill of our tax dollars will in fact NOT be going to this more positive thing, that in fact you are more supportive than the straw man you oppose?

Based on the article, this appears to be a privately funded project that will improve the quality of life of children.

To the extent that this project improves the regional quality of life, even if it were with tax dollars, that should commended; that's better than tax dollars that go to fund fancy pens and chairs for school commissioners.

To the extent that this project does not use tax dollars, it should be celebrated.

CELEBRATED.

[(901)]

Well, as long as The Plough Foundation is picking up 100% of the cost then I will celebrate with you

I still think 3.5 mill could be spent on something better then just 1 playground

[kingchef]

Originally Posted by Kabluey

Sorry. This won't fulfill some folks' lust or agenda for negativity. It's not about murder. Or crime. Or corruption. It's about attempts to improve the region's quality of life.

This is a nice new development to improve the visual and activity impact that Shelby Farms provides, which is a nice turn in improving our quality of life, in however little way. This, along with the transforming of the railroad right of way to a bike and walking trail, encourages activity of our region's citizens, and offers improved recreational options for citizens so they can be healthier and happier.

One-of-a-kind playground to sprout at Shelby Farms » The Commercial Appeal

But if the groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday was unconventional, so was the project it commemorated. The Woodland Discovery Playground at Shelby Farms Park, after all, is designed to shatter the traditional monkey-bars-and-swing-set mold.

Part of a $3.5 million project, the playground will include an eclectic mix of features drawn from international research on "natural play," which encourages youngsters to be adventurous, creative, active and engaged.

"We looked at playgrounds around the world," said Laura Adams, deputy director of Shelby Farms Park Conservancy, which operates the 4,500-acre park. "... We looked everywhere. We put it all together for the best imaginings we could come up with."

The resulting design, by the firm field operations, centers on a serpentine, 1.5-mile-long willow arbor tunnel that opens into numerous rooms for play and wraps around several "nests" offering varying levels of activity.

....

k, you are so correct w/ the opening. thank you for explaining more about the "tech" stuff. sounds good for the metro...and, "why look a gift horse in the mouth?"