Nostalgia meets modern design as swings vanish from neighborhood playgrounds
Watching 13 Going On 30, I was suddenly reminded of the joy of being on a swing, and I wanted to relive that feeling. I asked my husband to take me to the nearest playground, but finding a swing turned out to be harder than expected. Playgrounds today look vastly different from the ones I knew as a child. They now cater to specific age groups, use synthetic rubber surfaces for safety, and have fewer swings due to space constraints and updated safety standards. Swings, it seems, are slowly disappearing from our everyday play spaces.
Physical Changes
Playgrounds today no longer resemble the ones I grew up with. Back then, they accommodated children of all ages. Now, they are divided into spaces tailored to specific age groups, and there are clear signs indicating that adults should not use them. Older playgrounds, made of concrete and sand, have been replaced by those with synthetic materials like EPDM rubber, which is considered safer but lacks the nostalgic charm of sand-filled spaces.
Safety First
Safety concerns have contributed to the decline of swings. According to Allen Teng of Gorica Asia Pte Ltd, swings require ample space for safety, and with Singapore’s limited land, this has led to fewer swings being installed. Additionally, the Neighborhood Renewal Programme has seen many older playgrounds replaced for safety and aesthetic updates. Although some heritage playgrounds, like the Dragon in Toa Payoh, were saved due to public support, others have not been as fortunate, reflecting the inevitable modernization of these spaces.
Playgrounds and Community
Playgrounds have always held a special place in Singapore’s communal identity. In the 1970s, designer Khor Ean Ghee envisioned them as landmarks that reflected the country’s cultural heritage. Today, they continue to foster community spirit, with fitness corners and resident-designed spaces that encourage intergenerational play. Initiatives like Build-A-Playground show how playgrounds can unite residents by giving them a say in designing the spaces where their children play.
The Current State of Play
If you’re looking for a swing, parks are a better bet than HDB playgrounds. Parks still offer the classic sandbox experience, but visiting one is often more of a family outing rather than a quick play session. When I was a child, playgrounds served as babysitters for my brother and me. We would spend hours playing outside, but things are different now. Parents today are much more hands-on, accompanying their children for safety reasons, and using playground time as an opportunity for bonding.
Screens and Play
Screen time has also become a factor in modern play. Many children now navigate screens with ease, and parents like Lavinia, a mother of three, are mindful of balancing outdoor activities with limited screen exposure. While some parents, like Mr. Siddiq and Mdm Eisah, emphasize strict limits on screen time, others, like Ms. Wong, acknowledge that screens can occasionally be useful, especially when parents need to complete household tasks.
Playgrounds of the Future
Mr. Teng mentioned that playgrounds are evolving to be more inclusive, with accessible features for children with disabilities. He envisions future playgrounds incorporating interactive elements like kinetic energy to create sound, enhancing the play experience. However, as children grow, will they still have time to enjoy these spaces? With schools focusing more on academic preparation, playtime might become even more structured, though it remains a crucial part of childhood development.
Adults and Play
In the end, I had to travel to Pasir Ris Park to find a swing that could support me as an adult. While the experience was still enjoyable, it wasn’t quite the same as when I was a child. The changes in playgrounds, the lack of sand underfoot, and the way play has shifted over time all contributed to a sense of loss. Play, it seems, is no longer woven into the fabric of daily life, at least not for adults.
