Playgrounds: Perfect Community Insight

If all the year were playing holidays,
To sport would be as tedious as to work.
-William Shakespeare (King Henry IV. Part I. Act i. Sc. 2.)

With all due respect to “The Bard” – but that is not really a Magnolia attitude. It might be kind of tough for him to fit in. Sure you say, just another guy with a goatee and frilly shirt, standing over there by that middle-aged Dad in a Utilikilt. Fashion trends what they are, just try to spot Will in a crowded Carleton Park cocktail party. But it is the attitude we are talking about, not appearance. To be sure, “playing holidays” is something we do really well around here. From church barbeques to Little League parades, garden party fundraisers to progressive dinners, ye shall know Magnolians by how we play. With our Village comprising one of the most enticing little shopping districts in the city, it is the adjacent parks and playgrounds that provide the opportunity to linger. All told, these are things which provide the essence of community. It is this synergy of complimentary attributes which make our community special. Grab some groceries for dinner while another parent is watching the kids at Karen’s Place Playground? No problem, happy to help. Drop the kids off for swim lessons while you meet a friend for a lovely little late-afternoon breve’ or goodie from the bakery? Sure, but let’s keep that our little secret. How about some pickup basketball with the guys at Blaine while your youngster bikes around with soon-to-be-discarded training wheels? That’s a slam dunk. It is the opportunity to combine myriad activities in seamless ways which define the Magnolia “lifestyle” as we know it. A Village center with the adjacent “Commons” (or “Green” as they say in Shakespeare land) is what makes that possible.

If this sounds like the breezy “affluent enclave” label the Seattle media licks and sticks on us whenever possible, please don’t let that bother you. And though there may be a certain element of truth to it, caustic commentators taking their shots have got it backwards. As lifestyle this is something to foster, not denigrate. And it is not carefree, mind you, not by any stretch of the imagination. Your Community Club steadfastly shepherds and conserves our community’s unique and special elements – conducting diplomacy with downtown parks managers and all manner of bureaucrats to encourage uses which serve the greater good. In the 1990’s, it took thousands of volunteer hours by a committed core group of community heroes to steer the jewel called Pop Mounger Pool from concept to completion. And then there is our community center director, Pati Maxwell, who has created activities for every age and activity level. You know it’s a good thing when your community center looks like “Grand Central Station” between classes, with toddlers heading one direction and seniors another. Thank you, Pati – it wouldn’t happen without you.

And this is just how it should be. Stanley Greenspan MD, in his book Playground Politics: Understanding the Emotional Life of the School-Age Child supports wholeheartedly the importance of the safe place to play in the life of a young child. “I believe that during this stage a lot of future creativity is generated, because children get a lot of their richness, their ability to dream, their boldness at this age. To children immersed in this stage, all things are still possible – there is a sense of grandeur and omnipotence. They have a curiosity about life, a bold expressiveness (“I am the best!”) and deep sense of wonder about the world.” Greenspan praises the playground as a social place, where children develop the “ability to relate, communicate, imagine and think.” Every year I am impressed by the quality and accomplishments of our graduating high school seniors from Magnolia. This year especially so, and every year the time span between playground and commencement gown seems shorter. After the home, it is the playground where those attributes of success began. We should take more time to celebrate that fact; and that as a community we are steeped in young people who are outstanding in their accomplishments - young people with no limit to their potential. As a community we can take pride in them, even as we look for more opportunities for every child to be encouraged in this way. As a community, we can directly influence positive social development in all children from the youngest age - by doing something very simple: encouraging social interaction through fostering better playgrounds. As a community, in 2004 we have reached the time when together it is appropriate to act on behalf of the greater good. If many of us will participate, and I believe we will, then we can all bask in accomplishing an enjoyable celebration of community. There are two very worthy playground projects which need your support. One is at Karen’s Place Playground next to the community center. The other is adjacent to the swimming pool. Taken together, these projects address very timely needs. As Dr. Greenspan makes very clear to us, they are crucially important needs as well. But I want to talk to those of you who don’t have children at home (the not yet, never will, did once crowd). Think about it: these projects deserve your financial support because helping to encourage another generation of great kids is not only worthy, it directly enhances your enjoyment of our community. So let’s get excited about our Village playgrounds, and drop off checks today at the Blaine Office and Community Center Front Desk. You can send an early graduation gift to an entire generation of toddlers. Walk around, and take in the beauty of our neighborhood. Spend some time in the Village. To help build community can be so easy.