A playground closer to nature
September 1, 2012 at 2:00 am in Grand Forks Herald
A group of parents in Grand Forks’ north end are aiming to give the playground at Wilder Elementary School a makeover not with shiny new swing sets and slides, but with a natural “playscape” of tree trunks, boulders and gardens. Continue Reading
An enormous waste of tax money. Pay for it privately, or forgo this boondoggle.
Like or Dislike:
2 
5
What the hell Shurky….Did some kid whizz on your ceral this morning? I think you were born too late. I could see you in old England being the head master of some orphanage. I doubt you’d have a problem starving the little bigger on good old fashioned gruel.
It’s a public school. Having a nice school with a nice atmospher might just encourage young parents in making a decision to move to the north end.
On the other hand a unique playground like what they are describing could be a draw in general. Sounds interesting……Maybe it will encourage a few kids to have some outdoor fun instead of all that indoor sitting around
Like or Dislike:
3 
0
“The terrain would be transformed from flat pavement to hills, rocks and a dry creek bed”
The first time some kid hits his head on a rock, there’ll be a lawsuit and the playground will be forced to transform into a skill-free, padded and boring modern playground.
Like or Dislike:
3 
4
Did you look at that picture? I know just the person they can put into a bear costume….”Shurkey The Bear”. But you’ll have to tone it down some so you’re only at an ornery level of a real bear….Not a Shurkey
Like or Dislike:
2 
1
I went to Wilder as a child, pre ’97. I saw one large rebuild of that playground while I was there, I still remember the original area that had a merry-go-round, and a high metal burn-your-legs-in-the-sun slide. When they tore that one out, and built the current area, we spent a week shoveling the new sand from a large pile into the area around the swings for Gym class. I was hurt several times in various ways on that playground, which was inherent to growing up. Every bump, bruise, and scrape was a valuable lesson. That being said, I would love to see a new area developed around there, especially one that would shield kids from Highway 2, which is loud and smoggy for all the kids that go out for recess, or play there after hours. I do have concerns, though; one, building the new playscape would completely envelope the grass field used for Gym class, when kids play soccer, flag football, etc. Getting out of the Gymnasium during warmer months was always something we looked forward too. How useful will this place be in the winter, covered in snow and ice? Finally, as the article states, this is in a low-middle income area, which means things like this attract vandalism, how much will it cost for upkeep and repair?
Like or Dislike:
3 
0
I thought about that too, so I guess one of the on going costs would be lighting to discourage vandals…..Obviously it wouldn’t need as much if any in the winter, but most definately in the summer, spring, and fall. I’ve never understood vandals, but someone always has to screw it up for everyone else….
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
Good luck on fundraising….know some of the folks involved. Nice to see them think outside the box. I have a feeling if it doesnt benefit Shurkey it isnt any good.
Like or Dislike:
5 
1
How many fancy playgrounds could have been built is the school board hadn’t committed multi-millions to an unneeded new elementary school?
Like or Dislike:
3 
0
…and un-needed theaters at the high schools, and–coming shortly–another new high school.
There’s no end to the poor decision-making of the School Board.
Like or Dislike:
1 
1