Unsanctioned Fun

Occasionally on my walks I’ll pass by a little neighborhood that’s awkwardly wedged between some streets in a way that makes it unappealing for through traffic.

It’s a few blocks where kids and parents are fine with leaving out a basketball hoop and they don’t bother to collect the scooters and bikes their kids ride.

On the edge of this cluster of homes there’s a triangle that as far as I can tell has no set purpose. It’s not private property nor designated for government use. And so at some point in the past, the neighbors appropriated it for their kids.

Wedged between three streets, one of them busy, there’s a beat up soccer goal in the middle.

And a little wire fence has been planted along one side. Whether it’s to keep soccer balls from rolling into the street, contain toddlers, or keep dogs from pooping on the grass… I don’t know.

A few big things have been dropped for the younger kids.

The thing that would have appealed to me the most when I was a little kid is this small patch of trees and bushes.

A short path, maybe ten yards long, runs through it, and inside is a tiny clearing.

Inside, the local kids have deposited things to play with. Based on the rake and watering can, I’m guessing adults show up to keep things trimmed and tidy.

Can you imagine being a five year old and being able to come here with your friends, day after day?

Somehow I’ve never seen kids playing there, but things are always moved around so it must see a lot of use. And as far as I can tell, it’s just a cooperative effort, possibly something that’s been informally managed for years or decades. It’s clearly not an official place, like this playground I’ve shown before, but I’m sure the local kids have lots of fun regardless of its status.