How Urban Legend Destroyed the Ball Pit

#1

Post by bcohen123 » Mon, Jul 18, 2022, 1:08 PM UTC

How Urban Legend Destroyed the Ball Pit
meghanboilard.substack.com

Re: How Urban Legend Destroyed the Ball Pit

#2

Post by namdnay » Mon, Jul 18, 2022, 2:21 PM UTC

I guess this is limited to the US? Ball pits are going strong here in Europe, they're a staple of every indoor playpark.

There's a special machine for cleaning them, it looks a bit like the robot from teletubbies

Re: How Urban Legend Destroyed the Ball Pit

#3

Post by darkstar999 » Mon, Jul 18, 2022, 2:26 PM UTC

The Rise & Fall of The Ball Pit - Theme Park Crazy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uahX7iEl_fI

Re: How Urban Legend Destroyed the Ball Pit

#4

Post by noasaservice » Mon, Jul 18, 2022, 2:28 PM UTC

No post body was provided.

Re: How Urban Legend Destroyed the Ball Pit

#5

Post by chomp » Mon, Jul 18, 2022, 2:30 PM UTC

namdnay wrote: post #2

I guess this is limited to the US? Ball pits are going strong here in Europe, they're a staple of every indoor playpark. There's a special machine for cleaning them, it looks a bit like the robot from teletubbies

No, ball pits are ubiquitous at most indoor play parks here too, the author is extrapolating their disappearance from fast food restaurants, and correlating it to the 90s rumor mill. These rumors were definitely a thing, but more than just ball pits have been removed; most McDonald’s locations have had their entire PlayPlaces removed, due to the fact that people don’t sit down in fast food restaurants anymore, and also a general race to the bottom in terms of economics to remain competitive.

Re: How Urban Legend Destroyed the Ball Pit

#6

Post by scohesc » Mon, Jul 18, 2022, 2:32 PM UTC

noasaservice wrote: post #4

Quoted post unavailable.

I've noticed this too compared to when I was younger there's a lot more mental games in playgrounds, replacing the physical, more "risky" activities.

I guess it's easier for schools/cities to eliminate any possible risk of getting sued at the expense of childhood development.

Re: How Urban Legend Destroyed the Ball Pit

#7

Post by Traubenfuchs » Mon, Jul 18, 2022, 2:34 PM UTC

noasaservice wrote: post #4

Quoted post unavailable.

laughs in German

Go through the pics here:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Spielplatz+mit+Kletterspin...

Re: How Urban Legend Destroyed the Ball Pit

#8

Post by ehutch79 » Mon, Jul 18, 2022, 2:35 PM UTC

noasaservice wrote: post #4

Quoted post unavailable.

It sucks that tic-tac-toe is not mentally stimulating enough for you.

But... Just what are you doing at those playgrounds?

Re: How Urban Legend Destroyed the Ball Pit

#9

Post by youngNed » Mon, Jul 18, 2022, 2:36 PM UTC

noasaservice wrote: post #4

Quoted post unavailable.

Facebook is leaking.

Re: How Urban Legend Destroyed the Ball Pit

#10

Post by bombcar » Mon, Jul 18, 2022, 2:37 PM UTC

scohesc wrote: post #6

noasaservice wrote: post #4

Quoted post unavailable.

I've noticed this too compared to when I was younger there's a lot more mental games in playgrounds, replacing the physical, more "risky" activities. I guess it's easier for schools/cities to eliminate any possible risk of getting sued at the expense of childhood development.

If it makes you feel better, the kids usually end up scampering around/on top of the play areas anyway, sometimes a good 20 feet off the ground (the equivalent of jumping from roof to roof on something like https://www.playgroundequipment.com/figgs-landing/ ).