American Playground Enthusiasts

[kidcoaster 2]

The American Playground Enthusiasts, or APE, is a non-profit organization founded in 2009. The group consists of almost 3 members from 2 US states and 1 other country. It is the world's largest play enthusiast organization that prides itself in its award-winning publication, events, and preservation efforts for swing sets around the world.

 

The mission of American Playground Enthusiasts is to:

 

foster and promote the conservation, appreciation, knowledge, and enjoyment of the classic wooden play ground and the contemporary plastic play ground;

to create fellowship among its members;

and to promote the continued operation of swing sets.

 

www.facebook.com/pages/American-Playground-Enthusiasts/137209591647

[Team Thriller]

Do we get ERT on Sandbox: The Ride?

 

--James

[Mr. Starr]

I'm personally looking forward to ERT on Bench: The Ride.

[dandaman]

Will there be a Screamin' Swingset?

[Teacups Make Me Sick]

I think this is a fantastic idea...and I just joined.

 

We should rally towards getting McDonalds to allow 'big kids' to play in there playground.

 

[YoshiFan]

^ I have always thought someone should make one of those giant indoor play structures for all ages. I remember thinking they were a lot of fun when I was younger and they are great for exercise since you are running around and crawling in tubes but it seems they are all just for kids.

[cal1br3tto]

^Agreed. I miss those so much!

[Homer]

I'd go ape for APE.

 

Seriously though, I would like to see adult sized playgrounds in places like college campuses.

[Angry_Gumball]

Adult Playground = Wipeout? I'd love to even just play on those obstacles...(Elissa can probably vouch for this one)

 

Kid playgrounds nowadays don't feel the same as what we had: huge metal slides (that never zapped you), roller slides, tanbark, turntables, ball pits...you probably get my idea. Playgrounds now are almost too safe with the spongy ground and simple designs instead of the complex ones we had.

 

I'm sure APE would like to see Discovery Zone, the indoor playground mecca make a revival again...

[Team Thriller]

^

Oh my god! I LOVED Discovery Zones when I was a kid. Luckily, my mom knew they wouldn't last and took us there all the time.

One reason why I don't really care for most lawyers.

 

--James

[Kennyweird]

The swings at one of our local playgrounds have OTSRs. I'm dead serious.

[Homer]

^I know what your talking about, I call them special swings because lulz.

[Huge_Wonderland_Fan]

I have seen those swings with the OSTRs, I just hope they're not Vekoma swings

 

 

Are these the swings you're talking about ?

[Angry_Gumball]

^Wow...nothing like shoving safety down these kids' throats nowadays. What's next...playgrounds made of soft spongey foam? Or the complete disappearance of playgrounds altogether?

[Huge_Wonderland_Fan]

I've seen playgrounds where the sand or pebbles have been replaced by soft rubber. At least the swings don't have trims

[Mr. Starr]

I have seen those swings with the OSTRs, I just hope they're not Vekoma swings

 

 

Are these the swings you're talking about ?

 

THESE THINGS ARE AWESOME. But, no matter how many times we tried to get it up and over, we failed.

[Kennyweird]

I have seen those swings with the OSTRs, I just hope they're not Vekoma swings

 

 

Are these the swings you're talking about ?

 

Sort of. The ones I'm familiar with have more of an Intamin style OTSR.

[netdvn]

Those swings seriously look really really strange.

 

I wonder if you're able to swing over the bar with those.

 

It's stuff like this that really makes me feel sorry for today's generation. A lot of the new playgrounds I've seen use bits of shredded tires packed together instead of sand/wood chips. I can remember when McDonald's Playlands actually had actual playground equipment, which probably would be met with lawsuits today.

 

Are children not allowed to have fun anymore?

[Huge_Wonderland_Fan]

^ There was a McDonalds here which an amazing playground in it, it was the only reason my family ever went there. I remember once I managed to get lost in it, ahh memories.

[coastb2]

I want slides like these for my tree house. http://laserpanda.com/japan/playground.jpg

[Mr. Starr]

I wonder if you're able to swing over the bar with those.

 

 

 

But, no matter how many times we tried to get it up and over, we failed. Taiko Sad

[VegasCoaster]

If you have any sort of annual event or anything like that it needs to be here:

 

City Museum

 

You guys can also go on trips to Europe and other places that aren't so lawsuit happy and go on the crazy playgrounds they have.

[The Cheat]

I wonder if The American Playground Enthusiasts are associated with NAMBLA.

[TheRapidsNerd]

Years ago when my girlfriend's daughter asked me to go in the hamster tubes/suspended soft play fort at Chuckie Cheese, I had a good time. The nice thing about it was that it was built for adults and kids. There was a good bit of room for me to fit through. Really was amazing the whole thing hung from the ceiling.

 

Really, we're all big kids here in some form or fashion. That's why we still go to parks and act goofy. It's fun. Whether it's a water park, amusement park, or what have you, it's still a big playground for little kids and big kids to enjoy.

 

And that, was you warm and fuzzy philosophical moment for the morning.

[Homer]

Last time I was at Chuck E. Cheese's, I saw this.