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

LTC Stephen F. — Sun, 27 Sep 2015 15:22:37 -0400

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

SN Greg Wright — Sun, 27 Sep 2015 15:24:42 -0400

Yep yep, this old timer did, too!

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

LTC Stephen F. — Sun, 27 Sep 2015 15:25:49 -0400

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

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 27 Sep 2015 15:59:38 -0400

I learned n metal to wood, as parks transitioned.

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

Capt Seid Waddell — Sun, 27 Sep 2015 16:22:05 -0400

We only had metal equipment when I was young.

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

SGT Forrest Stewart — Sun, 27 Sep 2015 17:34:51 -0400

They would sure warm your buns!

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

SSgt Terry P. — Sun, 27 Sep 2015 19:42:36 -0400

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

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 27 Sep 2015 20:34:16 -0400

Both 1 and 2 for options pertain to me.

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

Sgt Kelli Mays — Sun, 27 Sep 2015 21:03:26 -0400

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

Sgt Spencer Sikder — Sun, 27 Sep 2015 22:19:52 -0400

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

SGT Roberto Mendoza-Diaz — Sun, 27 Sep 2015 23:00:59 -0400

I miss my childhood.

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

PO1 John Miller — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 03:34:53 -0400

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

SSG Michael Hathaway — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 03:40:13 -0400

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

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 09:12:26 -0400

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

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 09:26:52 -0400

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

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

LTJG Robert M. — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 09:37:50 -0400

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

PO3 Steven Sherrill — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 09:59:11 -0400

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

PO2 William Smith — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 11:38:48 -0400

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

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 12:27:54 -0400

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

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 13:12:59 -0400

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

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

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 13:39:10 -0400

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.