Kidding Around

I remember hearing about this design firm the last time I was in Holland. Curve is a design and engineering firm that  focuses on the design of public spaces and specializes in designing facilities that will be used by kids. When I was a child visiting my family in Holland (I grew up in South Africa), I remember being really impressed by the playgrounds. They were very different to what I was used to in South Africa–they were super cool. Now every  spring when I visit my parents in Holland, I enjoy taking my girls to the parks in my parents neighborhood.

A couple of years ago, rubber flooring was installed in my own neighborhood park  in Tribeca, NYC. A portion of this flooring was purple. Some residents in the neighborhood were so appalled because the purple did not look "natural." I was shocked! Not only do I really love the purple, but really, what does look natural in NYC–grey? Why do people feel this need to mimic what is "natural?" Do we all have to pretend that this rubber is actually grass? Curve is clearly comfortable breaking the boring mold of playgrounds that we have known for years. Their ideas are fresh, wonderful, and totally fun. I hope we follow their footsteps soon in this country.