tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4926759868384604174.post8571960967073587210..comments2024-02-26T10:52:14.585-08:00Comments on Glimpses of South Pasadena: The Play's the ThingLaurie Alleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14460272282273523408noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4926759868384604174.post-44447758961239052952010-08-28T22:32:52.726-07:002010-08-28T22:32:52.726-07:00Verdugo Park in Glendale, where I grew up, had the...Verdugo Park in Glendale, where I grew up, had the same kind of playground equipment, Barbara. It was great. My dad pushed by brother so hard on the swing that he did a complete 360. I remember sitting in the swing seats that were held with a chain and twisting around and around so that when you let go, you'd spin like a top. The only problem was that you'd catch your fingers in the links of the chain.<br /><br />Amazing we survived - no seat belts, no car seats, laying on the rear deck behind the back seat and rolling onto the seat when the car was braked. You'd get arrested today for the stuff our parents allowed us to do.dbdubyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08462665006132459258noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4926759868384604174.post-28776694387635636502010-08-28T22:11:59.779-07:002010-08-28T22:11:59.779-07:00When my sons were younger, there was some seriousl...When my sons were younger, there was some seriously intense playground equipment at this park in addition to the scary jungle gym. There was a slide that stood about nine feet tall. I couldn't even touch the top while standing on the ground. There was one of those metal merry-go-rounds, that spun very fast, and sometimes sent kids flying if they didn't hold on. And there was a climbing/swinging structure that was like a horizontal ladder, elevated pretty far off the ground. I have to confess I have a little bit of nostalgia for that kind of playground equipment, but I guess I understand why it's wrong.Barbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15574184493184278713noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4926759868384604174.post-27748596678425413892010-08-27T09:15:06.837-07:002010-08-27T09:15:06.837-07:00The new playscapes have soft, woodchip bases that ...The new playscapes have soft, woodchip bases that cushion falls and provide drainage. The old stuff may look fun and Wonder Years-ish but I defy any mom to feel good about letting their toddlers loose on them. Even in their era, jungle gyms like that were hazardous. Jon broke his arm on one when he was a kid!<br /><br />I disagree about the modern playscape stuff being ugly. Most of it is wood and vinyl with colors that don't fade (and no paint to flake off) and slides that don't burn legs in the hot sun like the old metal stuff. Brookside Park's equipment is great. So is Lacy Park, which also has some cute retro-ish bouncy horses. <br /><br />For a great example of a park that has both old and new, Victor Lago (I think I'm remembering that name) in Alhambra is incredible. Pasadena Adjacent turned us on to it. Old, 60s era sea monster climbers and slides with new playscapes and swings. The LA preservationists have kept the beauty and nostalgia of the old stuff, the new stuff keeps moms happy and there is even a 60s rocket ship climber for exploration that is well maintained and free of rust or jagged edges.Laurie Alleehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14460272282273523408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4926759868384604174.post-21907708961416836132010-08-26T22:56:52.495-07:002010-08-26T22:56:52.495-07:00Judy...I'm right there with you...I remember t...Judy...I'm right there with you...I remember the old, rusty jungle gym in the park where I grew up and the wading pool, and the slides, and the swings...now all the park play things are ugly plastic junk that looks like it will crack and break soon...how about just refurbishing the jungle gym???TheChieftesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00153059825142977202noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4926759868384604174.post-86051079438426977272010-08-25T23:56:58.315-07:002010-08-25T23:56:58.315-07:00DB, I was going to email you about this. Thanks f...DB, I was going to email you about this. Thanks for the info! I knew I wasn't the only one who felt this way.Laurie Alleehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14460272282273523408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4926759868384604174.post-54419608317601069742010-08-25T20:54:25.509-07:002010-08-25T20:54:25.509-07:00You should all contact Sheila Pautsch, the Communi...You should all contact Sheila Pautsch, the Community Services Director. She oversees the parks, along with a lot of other things. You can also contact the Parks and Recreation Commission, who establishes priorities for the parks. It's a budget issue more than anything, but your voices should be heard. Sheila has been with the City for about 18 months and is very committed to parks.dbdubyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08462665006132459258noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4926759868384604174.post-39044010563078268652010-08-25T19:39:27.085-07:002010-08-25T19:39:27.085-07:00I here ya! Little Bit and I checked out the park ...I here ya! Little Bit and I checked out the park when we first moved here. She was only 2 then and I quickly hustled her back to the car. At 5 she is stll too little to be set loose with that jungle gym. The thing about old equipment is that when we were kids it wasn't old.<br /><br />I would love to figure out how to bring this park back to the kids of South Pas. And their moms, myself included.Laurie Alleehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14460272282273523408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4926759868384604174.post-7216038707393873712010-08-25T15:52:10.006-07:002010-08-25T15:52:10.006-07:00As president of the MOMS Club of South Pasadena, I...As president of the MOMS Club of South Pasadena, I would never have a park day at this park for my club members. The play equipment is unsafe.<br />I wouldn't mind if it was old, but most moms do. <br />As a mom, this is the only park in the city that I can walk to and I will not go. Although the shade is nice in the summer, in the winter this area where the play equipment is stays muddy long after the rains. <br />I don't know why this playground is so neglected.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4926759868384604174.post-19112922969760328012010-08-25T10:11:29.223-07:002010-08-25T10:11:29.223-07:00I wondered about this as well. There is no park i...I wondered about this as well. There is no park in the Altos, either, so it would seem like a good idea to put some care into this one since it serves half the community.Mikenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4926759868384604174.post-83161158527688349992010-08-25T09:31:47.523-07:002010-08-25T09:31:47.523-07:00I agree, Laurie. I live near the park and wish th...I agree, Laurie. I live near the park and wish the playground was better for my three year old because that slide is too battered and the jungle gym is scary! Garfield Park is not as convenient plus it is always crowded when we go to the playground there. I would like it if the Arroyo Seco park had a playground like Lacy Park in San Marino which is safe but still a bit retro.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4926759868384604174.post-29852723281682151942010-08-25T09:24:16.051-07:002010-08-25T09:24:16.051-07:00I'm not talking about a cool retro rocket. TH...I'm not talking about a cool retro rocket. THat would be great. I'm talking about a slide with graffiti and a rusty climber. It's such a great place to gather and I'm all for nostalgia but it's a shame more moms of very young children have no reason to go there. Also, it would be nice for little ones to have a sandbox or a playscape while big siblings have little league. Just sayin...Laurie Alleehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14460272282273523408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4926759868384604174.post-48114832881156958242010-08-25T09:14:34.784-07:002010-08-25T09:14:34.784-07:00I'm old too Judy. I like it as well. Remember ...I'm old too Judy. I like it as well. Remember the giant rocket? straight out of the space racePasadena Adjacenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09031325790590238246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4926759868384604174.post-55939235500640945412010-08-25T05:42:16.884-07:002010-08-25T05:42:16.884-07:00I love the idea of the old stuff we played on as k...I love the idea of the old stuff we played on as kids, and we're still alive to tell about it.<br /><br />I hear ya about safety, but there's just something heartening about the old stuff. GOD I SOUND OLD!!!Judy Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05081035351814381283noreply@blogger.com