Originally Posted by Displaced
Playgrounds are great, but only useful if both children go together to "play" together, or if there are other children around.

There's the key. It's the kids who are bored and miserable that get noticed (or the ones who are hurt, scared, or behaving anti-socially), and the first thought is, "Where are your parents?" Oh, they're on the phone/chatting with other adults/otherwise being completely oblivious. But who am I to judge? shocked

The parents of the children who are playing vigorously never draw this kind of attention. Their kids' needs are being met, so they're free to use that time however they like.

I imagine the kids who are having a terrible time make their parents pay for it later.