The dangerous playgrounds of the past through classical photos, 1880-1940_Bygone Britain Tales

Do the word “playgrounds” bring back some fun 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥hood memories? What did you like the most about the playground?

On warm spring evenings, blustery fall afternoons, and sticky summer days, when nostalgia and memories brush past you, where does your mind go? Where did you spend many hours as a school-age 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥? For most of us it was a playground, whether climbing the playground equipment or running circles on the athletic field, letting our imaginations take us anywhere and everywhere.

Yet this was not always the case. Children of the 19th century didn’t have formal playgrounds. Originating as “sand gardens” in Germany in 1885, the beginnings of playgrounds appeared in the United States in Boston in 1886. And until the turn of the 20th century, playgrounds remained uncommon in public spaces.

But as industrialization and urbanization grew, so did the concern for public welfare. Humanitarians saw playgrounds as the solution to cramped quarters, poor air quality, and social isolation. This new concept could keep 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren off the dangerous streets and help them develop their physical health, good habits, socialization s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁s, and the pleasure of being a 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥.

Playground in Dallas, Texas, early 1900s.

Children’s playground, Belle Isle Park, Detroit, Michigan, ca. 1900-1905.

Girls’ playground, Harriet Island, St. Paul, Minnesota, 1905.

Broadway playfield, 1910.

Children in swings, Hamilton Fish Park, New York.

Rings and poles, Bronx Park, New York, 1911.

Playground in New York, ca. 1910-1915.

Hiawatha playground, 1912.

Czech-American 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren, climbing on monkey bars in Central Park playground. 1942.