From 6/23/2003

In Cedarburg, Wisconsin some locals have decided that the local playground, built with donated funds for the enjoyment of children has to be hidden because the colors used in the playground do not mesh properly with the theme of place in which this playground is in. Several other people have arranged a petition and wish the school to erect some sort of visual boundary which hides the “Playground of Atrocious Colors” from peoples sight.

Quote:

“I love children. I love the schoolyard,” said Phyllis Widstrand, who has lived across from Parkview for 33 years and enjoys watching children play there. “(But) the colors are atrocious. They’re McDonald’s colors. They’re bright yellow, bright red, bright blue.”

Widstrand and her husband, John, are among 23 neighbors who signed a petition protesting the brightly colored equipment. The neighbors are asking school officials to screen the swings and slides on two sides with evergreen trees.

The bright primary colors look out of place in the area, according to Widstrand, who said she would have preferred more subtle earth tones.

“It does not fit the Cedarburg type of landscape,” she said. “Maybe the children do like (the bright colors). I think they would be just as happy with brown, beige and green.”

Although she can’t see the playground from her house, Dori Cesario signed the petition because she understood the concerns. Many people wished they had been consulted ahead of time about the equipment’s appearance, Cesario said.

“It looks like McDonald’s with all those colors. It does stand out,” she said. “My grandchildren like it, and it looks cute, but they should have asked us first.”

People with too much time on their hands are always the most fun… 😉