The jungle gym is a social hub.

Children enjoy climbing to the top.

The swings go forward and back.

Children enjoy going higher.

The slides are thrilling.

Children enjoy the moment.

A place for friendship,

A place for fun,

A place for laughing.

 

ジャングルジムは集いの場

上にのぼるのが楽しい

 

前後に揺れるブランコ

高いところへ行くのが楽しい

 

滑り台はスリル満点

そのひとときが楽しい

 

子ども達の友情が生まれる場所

子ども達の楽しさがあふれる場所

子ども達の笑い声が響く場所

 

The idea of a public park has a long history. In 1634, the first public park opened. The Boston Common is the oldest city park in the US. Unlike now, the area was shared for community activities.

During the 1800s, Central Park in New York and Balboa Park in San Diego were created. Public parks were designed as cultural facilities and recreational spaces for citizens.

There isn’t much difference between public parks in Japan and in the US. Well, their size is different. When I was a kid, I used to play in the sand and see elderly people playing gateball. Lately, I haven’t seen any in the park. Why?

公園には、長い歴史があります。1634年、最初の公園が誕生。「ボストン コモン」が、アメリカで最も古い都市公園です。今と違って、地域活動のために使われていたそう。

1800年代、ニューヨークにある「セントラル パーク」や、サンディエゴにある「バルボア パーク」がつくられました。今の公園に近い感じで、文化施設や市民のためのレクリエーションの場がありました。

日本とアメリカの公園には、そんなに大きな違いはないかな。もちろん、広さは違うけど。子どもの頃は砂場で遊んだり、年配の人達がゲートボールをする姿を見たけど、最近は公園に人がいない。どうして?

 

Photos by LILI

@liliflorida on Tumblr

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5 responses to “The Children’s Playground”

  1. vermavkv Avatar

    What a lovely little poem celebrating the simple joys of childhood! 😊 A playground is so much more than swings, slides, and climbing frames; it is a place where friendships blossom, laughter fills the air, and beautiful memories are made.

    1. LILI FLORIDA Avatar

      Thank you! I am not creative (I am a realistic person…), so I practice. I want to write a haiku one day. In Japanese, it’s three lines with a 5-7-5 syllable structure, but I don’t know the English rules. For me, it is challenging…😅

      1. vermavkv Avatar

        Thank you for sharing your thoughts! 😊 Please don’t underestimate your creativity. Creativity isn’t always a natural gift; sometimes, it grows through patience, practice, and observing the little things around us. 🌿

  2. denise421win Avatar

    Such a great post… I like to see children enjoying themselves in this way too

    1. LILI FLORIDA Avatar

      Thank you! Sometimes I feel nostalgic about my childhood 🙂

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