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[[File:Fd9f8b14af0c798aa5a1772e30776b3d.jpg|thumbnail|left|300px|Figure 1. Early playgrounds were often fairly formal, with children trained to play and learn.]]__NOTOC__The playground is something many of us consider intertwined with childhood playtime around many parts of the world. The idea of playgrounds developed in the mid-19th century, as people realised realized increasingly urban areas needed to create space for children to play rather than have them play on streets where it was dangerous. The movement was slow to pickuppick up, however, as few councils and cities provided funds. Today, the playground is a established permanent part of many urban areas around the world.

====Early History====In 1837, the concept of kindergarten, with the term coined in 1840, was developed by the early child psychologist Friedrich Fröbel. He realized that children at early ages needed to combine play with learning and that learning was, in fact, were intertwined with play for young children. As Friedrich Fröbel developed an early kindergarten in Bad Blankenburg, in modern Germany, he realized the school also needed a play space to encourage his learning-play concept. The first playground was created within the the area of the first kindergarten. The first playgrounds encouraged dancing and activities that were measured for their educational effect. Sadly, kindergartens were banned by the Prussian government that came to power in 1851, suppressing the idea and spread of playgrounds in Germany for decades. In the 1880s, playgrounds did appear again in Germany, which were then called sand gardens.

In 1859Sadly, in Manchester, England, the Victorian population in the city realized the difficulties they had with children running on kindergartens were banned by the street and the dangers Prussian government that could cause for accidents. The city decided that year came to build power in 1851, suppressing the first purpose-built playground that was not attached to any school. The idea was to keep children busy and give them some space away from the busy urban areas. Nevertheless, many people did not see the purpose spread of playgrounds, as streets were often not that busy in many areas and there were spaces Germany for children to play in neighbourhoodsdecades. In 1886, Boston created arguably the first playground in the United States. However1880s, the idea playgrounds did not prove popular among many residents appear again in the United States and many saw funds for public playgrounds as a wasteGermany, which were then called sand gardens. Things only began to change <ref>For more substantially as on how the automobile began to be introducedconcept of playgrounds firs evolved, see: Frost, Joe L. In 1901, one of the first reports to publish accidental deaths caused on streets was published2010.The number <i>A History of children killed astonished people Children’s Play and soon created Play Environments: Toward a movement to create play areas designated for children. Additionally, educational theories in the United States were beginning to see the relevance of Fröbel's ideas on the importance of play and educationContemporary Child-Saving Movement</i>. These two effects combined to create a playground movement within the United States in the first decade of the 1900s, culminating with the founding of the Playground Association of America in 1906 (Figure 1)New York: Routledge.</ref>

[[File:Fd9f8b14af0c798aa5a1772e30776b3dIn 1859, in Manchester, England, the Victorian population in the city realized the difficulties they had with children running on the street and the dangers that could cause accidents. Industrialization had made cities crowded, noisy, and polluted.jpg|thumb|Figure 1The city decided that year to build the first purpose-built playground that was not attached to any school. Early The idea was to keep children busy and give them some space away from crowded urban areas. Nevertheless, many people did not see the purpose of playgrounds , as streets were often fairly formal, with not that busy in many other cities and there were spaces for children trained to play and learnin neighborhoods.]]

==Spread In 1886, Boston created arguably the first playground in the United States, and others followed as far as California. However, the idea did not prove popular among many residents in the United States, and many saw funds for public playgrounds as a waste. Things only began to change more substantially as the automobile began to be introduced. In 1901, one of Playgrounds==the first reports to publish accidental deaths caused on streets was published. The number of children killed astonished people and soon created a movement to create play areas designated for children. Additionally, educational theories in the United States were beginning to see the relevance of Fröbel's ideas on the importance of play and education. These two effects combined to create a playground movement within the United States in the first decade of the 1900s, culminating with the founding of the Playground Association of America in 1906 (Figure 1).<ref>For more on how playgrounds spread in the United States, see: Doell, Charles Edward, Fitzgerald, Gerald B., Bank, Theodore P. <i>A Brief History of Parks and Recreation in the United States</i>. Literary Licensing, LLC. </ref>{{Mediawiki:TabletAd1}}

====Spread of Playgrounds====[[File:1942-central-park.jpg|thumbnail|300px|left|Figure 2. Over time, playgrounds became less formal and more focused on only play.]]With the establishment of the Playground Association of America, playgrounds spread throughout the United States soon after. However, playgrounds were still very much seen as educational areas as well as for play. Playgrounds tended to be much more formal and required trained supervisors to watch and train children on lessons and activities. Early Playgrounds were also often dangerous, which included acrobatic equipment and climbing devices that led to injuries. Also, early playgrounds had a somewhat different layout than modern playgrounds. There were separate play sections for different activities; areas were also created for athletic play, including fields for boys and girls. Many playgrounds had shelters and toilet or even bathing facilities. Playgrounds were also integrated as part of urban gardens and parks, with garden plots, shaded areas, and swimming pools all part of formal playgrounds. Playgrounds were almost always supervised and children could not simply go to the playground without prior permission from supervisors of these playgrounds.

Change to Many playgrounds though began to appear by the next decades in the 1910s-1920s, had shelters and toilet or even bathing facilities. Playgrounds were also integrated as manufacturers realized that playgrounds provided financial opportunities for them. They began to create new forms part of entertainment for childrenurban gardens and parks, with laddersgarden plots, chainsshaded areas, and climbing areas createdswimming pools all part of formal playgrounds. The 1910s-1920s was considered an experimental time for playgroundsPlaygrounds were almost always supervised, as manufacturers began and children could not simply go to develop different forms of equipment for play and activities. In 1922, the first playground slide may have been installed, with Wicksteed Park in Kettering, England installing the slidewithout prior permission from supervisors of these playgrounds. Slides had been around since Playground time was often a scheduled activity that formed part of the turn wider education of the century, but they were mostly installed in amusement parks such as Coney Islandchildren. After the 1920, <ref>For more on the 1930s-1940s saw little development or even expansion design of early playgrounds, as the Depression and World War II slowed their construction. In the late 1940s-1950ssee: Brett, Arlene, landscape playgrounds became a new noveltyRobin C. At this pointMoore, the formality of playgrounds began to wane and people began to see playgrounds as places mostly for children entertainment or place to burn off children energy (Figure 2)[[File:1942-central-parkEugene F. Provenzo. 1993. <i>The Complete Playground Book</i>.jpg|thumb|Figure 21st ed. Over timeSyracuse, playgrounds became less formal and more focused on only playN.]]Y: Syracuse University Press.</ref>

==Modern Developments==As more Change to playgrounds spread though began to appear by the next decades in the 1950s1910s-1960s1920s, as manufacturers realized that playgrounds provided financial opportunities for them. They began to create new forms of entertainment for children safety became an issue once again. This time, the material usedwith ladders, mostly metal (steel)chains, became a concern. Manufacturers and new types of metals had seen climbing areas created, although playgrounds as an opportunity for businesswere still relatively dangerous by modern standards, but the material, if not treated properly, could harm children, such as with sharp edges on slidesinjuries common. Even as new novelty The 1910s-1920s was considered an experimental time for playgrounds continued to be developed, such as imagination playgrounds that had rocket ships and other make-believe ideas incorporated, parents manufacturers began to clamour for change. Playground develop different forms of equipment soon began to become more rounded in shape, particularly in edges, to avoid bad cuts. Additionally, manufacturers began to experiment and use harder plastics for slides play and other equipment such as the monkey bars. Equipment also became more standardized as more parks were created with play areas for childrenactivities.

Since In 1922, the 1980s, additions such as new surfaces first playground slide may have become popularbeen installed, ranging from wood chipswith Wicksteed Park in Kettering, to reused rubber from old tyresEngland installing the slide. Imaginative playgrounds have become Swings appeared more popular since thenregularly, including themes such although the swing existed as jungles or fortressesa leisure device since antiquity. Playgrounds, interestingly, once again began to be seen as part Slides had been around since the turn of childhood educationthe century, although less formal than it was seen in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Mazes and puzzles as part of play but they were introduced more regularly to get children to be physically involved while also using their minds mostly installed in activities. Today, in combating childhood obesity, playgrounds are seen amusement parks such as essential elementsConey Island. Since After the 2000s1920s, there has been a resurgence in communities raising funds to build more the 1930s-1940s saw little development or even expansion of playgrounds, particularly in more urban areas. Inner city areas, with limited green space, have also developed more space for playgrounds as a way to not only fight off obesity but also keep children active the Depression and buys so they do not get involved in harmful activities. Playgrounds have also been created more indoors as well as outdoorsWorld War II slowed their construction.

==Summary==Playgrounds were seen as important educational tools when they were first developedIn the late 1940s-1950s, landscape playgrounds became a new novelty. People also saw that they kept children away from increasingly busy streetsAt this point, particularly the formality of playgrounds began to wane as people began to see playgrounds as accidents harming places mostly for children began entertainment or places to rise in the early 20th centuryburn off energy. While early The formality of playgrounds were formal, had already began to wane by the 1940s they became less so 1910s-1920s when new equipment was introduced, but this now accelerated (Figure 2).<ref>For more on changing concepts and began looks to be seen as a form of free or less structured play. New equipment developed but materials use for playgrounds only began to change in the 1970s and 1980s20th century, see: Kozlovsky, as injuries again became a concernRoy. 2013. Today<i>The Architectures of Childhood: Children, playgrounds are also seen as part of the battle to fight child obesity Modern Architecture and keeping children engaged and away from harmful activitiesReconstruction in Postwar England. Ashgate Studies in Architecture</i>. Burlington, VT: Ashgate Publishing Company.</ref>

====Modern Developments====As more playgrounds spread in the 1950s-1960s, child safety became more important, as injuries were common. Parents began to see manufacturers and park administrators as responsible for injuries incurred. This time, the material used, mostly metal (steel), became a concern. Manufacturers of metals had seen playgrounds as an opportunity for business, but the material, if not treated properly, could harm children, such as with sharp edges on slides or even rust developing. Even as new novelty playgrounds continued to be developed, such as imagination playgrounds that had rocket ships and other make-believe ideas incorporated, parents began to clamor for change. Playground equipment soon began to become more rounded in shape, particularly in edges, to avoid bad cuts.  Additionally, manufacturers began to experiment and use harder plastics for slides and other equipment such as the monkey bars and slides. Equipment also became more standardized as more parks were created with play areas for children, dropping prices and enabling the spread of different equipment.<ref>For more on how safety became an increasing issue for playgrounds, see: Biondo, Brenda. 2014. <i>Once upon a Playground: A Celebration of Classic American Playgrounds, 1920-1975</i>. Lebanon, NH: ForeEdge, an imprint of University Press of New England, pg. ix.</ref>  Since the 1980s, additions such as new surfaces have become popular, ranging from wood chips to reused rubber from old tires. Imaginative playgrounds have become even more popular since then, including themes such as jungles, fortresses, and pirate ships. Playgrounds, interestingly, once again began to be seen as part of childhood education, although less formally than it was seen in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Mazes and puzzles as part of the play were introduced more regularly to get children to be physically involved while also using their minds in activities. Today, in combating childhood obesity, playgrounds are seen as essential elements to also get children away for activities that are only indoor.  Since the 2000s, there has been a resurgence in communities raising funds to build more playgrounds, particularly in more urban areas. Inner-city areas, with limited green space, have also developed more space for playgrounds as a way to not only fight off obesity but also keep children active and busy so they do not get involved in harmful activities.  Indoor playgrounds became a novelty during the post-World War II safety drive. They have since increased not only because they are seen as safer in some urban areas but also they provide the benefit of all-year-round play for children.<ref>For more on recent developments in playgrounds, see: Solomon, Susan G. 2005. <i>American Playgrounds: Revitalizing Community Space</i>. Hanover [N.H.]: University Press of New England.</ref> ====Summary====Playgrounds were seen as important educational tools when they were first developed. People also saw that they kept children away from increasingly busy streets, particularly as accidents harming children began to rise in the early 20th century. While early playgrounds were formal, by the 1940s they became less so and began to be seen as a form of free or less structured play. New equipment developed but materials use for playgrounds only began to change in the 1970s and 1980s, as injuries again became a concern. Some of the equipment known well in playgrounds, such as swings, have been around for centuries, but other equipment became designed and invented for playgrounds. Today, playgrounds are also seen as part of the battle to fight child obesity and keeping children engaged and away from harmful activities.{{MediaWiki:AmNative}} ====References====<references/>[[Category:Wikis]][[Category:United States History]] [[Category:19th Century History]] [[Category:20th Century History]]