> I honestly don't think it's the playground design, it's the parents.
I don't think that it's the parents. I believe it's entirely the playground design, the laws, and the mentality of finding someone responsible.
The parents would be fine if some kids broke bones, get disabled or die, it's a fair trade-off for better playgrounds. But the hands of the playground designers are tied.
But also it is the administrative effort/cost of a playground. Plastic is easier to maintain than wood. Less dangerous things produce less complaints by helicopter parents. Sand is expensive to maintain (I shuffled 30 tons of sand with some other parents for a kindergarten).
I don't think that it's the parents. I believe it's entirely the playground design, the laws, and the mentality of finding someone responsible.
The parents would be fine if some kids broke bones, get disabled or die, it's a fair trade-off for better playgrounds. But the hands of the playground designers are tied.