Who grew up playing on metal playground equipment? Did you enjoy it?

2015-09-27T15:22:37-04:00

When I was young all the playground equipment was made of metal frames - jungle gyms, swing set frames with chains we used to swing as high as we could, and sliding boards we sometimes slid down on stuff that made it more slippery so we could go faster :-)
The metal got very hot in the summer and very cold in the winter. We learned to test the metal surfaces first and slide down on coats in the winter months or old rugs/towels in the summer and never to stick you tongue onto a very cold surface :-)
When my kids were young sometime changed the metal playground to wooden playgrounds for a time until the concerns about splinters drove the designs to plastic, ergonomic play equipment :-)
Do you have food memories of playing on metal playgrounds or the later versions? Are you encouraging your children or grandchildren learn to play on playgrounds?
COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. CPT Private RallyPoint Member CPT L S, TSgt Hunter Logan, SSgt Private RallyPoint Member, SSgt Private RallyPoint Member SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" PO1 John Miller SGT Randal Groover SGT Forrest Stewart SGT Robert Hawks SGT Private RallyPoint Member PO3 Steven Sherrill SrA Christopher Wright

Response by SN Greg Wright made Sep 27 at 2015 3:24 PM

2015-09-27T15:24:42-04:00

Yep yep, this old timer did, too!

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Sep 27 at 2015 3:25 PM

2015-09-27T15:25:49-04:00

I learned how to play on metal playgrounds. I enjoyed swinging as high as I could on the swings doing my best to get up to the bar which held the swings and then leaping off into the "wild blue or grayish blue" yonder.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 27 at 2015 3:59 PM

2015-09-27T15:59:38-04:00

I learned n metal to wood, as parks transitioned.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Sep 27 at 2015 4:22 PM

2015-09-27T16:22:05-04:00

We only had metal equipment when I was young.

Response by SGT Forrest Stewart made Sep 27 at 2015 5:34 PM

2015-09-27T17:34:51-04:00

They would sure warm your buns!

Response by SSgt Terry P. made Sep 27 at 2015 7:42 PM

2015-09-27T19:42:36-04:00

I did not have a playground as a child. LTC Stephen F.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 27 at 2015 8:34 PM

2015-09-27T20:34:16-04:00

Both 1 and 2 for options pertain to me.

Response by Sgt Kelli Mays made Sep 27 at 2015 9:03 PM

2015-09-27T21:03:26-04:00

Could only use it in late fall and winter and early spring in Texas...otherwise way toooooo HOT to touch... Even plastic ones in Texas is too HOT....Wooden would be better.....loved the merry go round and swings.

Response by Sgt Spencer Sikder made Sep 27 at 2015 10:19 PM

2015-09-27T22:19:52-04:00

Once around 10 or so, we used the metal cross member from our swing set as a stickball bat. I was catcher and when I reached for a low pitch, the batter thought he would take a golf shot at it. Unfortunately for me, the end of the metal pipe cut the side of my head. No scar today, thank goodness. But your survey got me to tremble a wee bit.... :-)

Response by SGT Roberto Mendoza-Diaz made Sep 27 at 2015 11:00 PM

2015-09-27T23:00:59-04:00

I miss my childhood.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Sep 28 at 2015 3:34 AM

2015-09-28T03:34:53-04:00

I too learned to play on metal playground equipment. I have a scar on my forehead to this day from a metal baby swing!

Response by SSG Michael Hathaway made Sep 28 at 2015 3:40 AM

2015-09-28T03:40:13-04:00

Metal slides...either it broke you or not, either way, you learn quick to wear longer shorts, not put your legs down or otherwise avoid the slide altogether.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 28 at 2015 9:12 AM

2015-09-28T09:12:26-04:00

Oh I remember very well.. burned my butt a few times on the slides. the pictures you added looks just like my old elementary school playground.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 28 at 2015 9:26 AM

2015-09-28T09:26:52-04:00

I would take the metal over wood any day....dang splinters....

Response by LTJG Robert M. made Sep 28 at 2015 9:37 AM

2015-09-28T09:37:50-04:00

Enjoy?? Hmmm, broken wrist, 18 stitches in my chin, not sure if that qualifies for enjoy, but I did have fun!!

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Sep 28 at 2015 9:59 AM

2015-09-28T09:59:11-04:00

LTC Stephen F. if I wasn't burning my ass on the hot metal slide, I was on the monkey bars or jungle gym. Merry go round was all about making someone fly. Don't try this now. It is another one of those things that you can't do anymore.

Response by PO2 William Smith made Sep 28 at 2015 11:38 AM

2015-09-28T11:38:48-04:00

I still enjoy the old metal playground rides as a poppa.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Sep 29 at 2015 12:27 PM

2015-09-29T12:27:54-04:00

LTC Stephen F. There was only metal back in those days of grade school - had a lot of fun and got in trouble on them constantly! We won't go into that part of the story! LOL!

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 29 at 2015 1:12 PM

2015-09-29T13:12:59-04:00

LTC Stephen Ford, I loved playing on the monkey bars.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 29 at 2015 1:39 PM

2015-09-29T13:39:10-04:00

Yes,my hiney got burned and shiny a few times. I learned quickly not to wear skirts with shorts or shorts to the playground. I do miss the merry go rounds. I think my grandchildren would love them.