1) What problems do we have with current playgrounds?
Firstly, most of the current playgrounds are very old. Among all the playgrounds that I've been to regardless of whether it is in Pasir Ris or Tampines, it has been badly vandelised with vulgarites, love notes and all. I think this is not a very good act, as those vandelisers are vandelising for their own good, not sparing a thought for others that are using the playground.
Secondly, most playgrounds are badly littered. This is so as many teenagers like to use playgrounds as place for them to 'slack' and they tend to eat there. But after eating, they don't bother to throw away whatever is left behind by them, they just simply leave it in the playground and leave. This too, would affect the childrens who wants to play in it.
Lastly, some very disturbing teenagers like to stay there and disturb children that happen to walk by or intends to play in the playground. This is not something worthed being praised for because the children would just become scared, and won't dare to go to that particular playground to play anymore.
2) How can we as citizens improve the playgrounds?
Being citizens, we might think that there is nothing much we can do. But we're wrong, there is indeed a part for us to play.
Firstly, whenever we walk past playgrounds and see litter or rubbish left behind, we should take a step forward in helping to throw it away. This might seem like something small, but if everyone does that, playgrounds in Singapore would have a much nicer environment for kids to play in.
Secondly, if we see any teenagers disturbing children around that area, we should tell them that they should not do such things. We shouldn't be scared of them, because they are the ones in the wrong. If everyone does not dare to do such things, those teenagers would think they are right, and go around disturbing many other children.
Lastly, if we do see people vandelising, we should walk up to them and tell them to stop immediately. If everyone does that, the playgrounds would become much cleaner.
3) In what way can we make the playground more attractive for people with different abilities?
Normally, children with different abilities feel that playgrounds are not a place for them because they cannot play in it. Yet, there are many ways in which we can make them feel and think of a playground in another perspective.
Firstly, we can add in more colors. Colors always attract people's eyes, regardless of whether they are children or not.
Secondly, we can put in a spot in the playground to put their 'accessories' like wheelchairs or cluthches. Then they would be able to lay wholeheartedly without worrying that things would be missing.
Thirdly, we could create things for them to play in without much difficulties. We can add in lower slides, shorter monkey bars and maybe even longer swings.
Lastly, we can make use soft material (Like rubber) for the ground. This is so in case the children do fall down, they would not be so hurt as to being compared to playgrounds made with concrete ground.
I believe all this would make a playground a place that is for all kinds of children to go to, including those with different abilities.
4) How can we make the playground more accessible to children with different abilities?
Personally, I think that almost all the playgrounds (or rather all) in Singapore are catered to people that are normal. It does not cater to those that have different abilities, hence, making them feel depreived of what their peers can enjoy.
Firstly, I think we can have swings for these children with different abilities. The swing can be made with a bigger surface area, and lower to the ground, so that the children can easily go up and down the swing, yet at the same time being able to enjoy it.
Secondly, we can have low monkey bars. Most of the monkey bars are very high, hence children that are wheel-chair bound are unable to play it. But if its lower, the children would be able to sit on the wheelchair and at the same time being able to play the monkey bars like any other children.
Lastly, we can slopes beside the stairs so that it would be much easier for them to climb up and down the playgrounds.
These would make the playground more attractive to them because they would feel that there is a playground in which is comfortable for them to play in. Also, they would be able to have fun like any other children.
Ethel posted this post.