Why Aren't Kids Playing on the Street in Irvine?

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Just my two cents worth, but I think the reason Irvine parks are underutilized is that they are designed outside the gated communities and with parking lots. I can tell you that if my gated subdivision had a big grassy field in the center, my kids would be at it every day. Instead, the big grassy field is outside our gates and adjacent to a parking lot where "flashers" have been repeatedly spotted. My kids are not allowed to go there alone, despite being "tweens". I don't want the kids to play in any place that public, and certainly not where strangers can drive up and harass or nab them. In my mind, Public = Pervert.
 
[quote author="fumbling" date=1212374949]Playing in the street is dangerous for kids and drivers.</blockquote>


Yep. When I was a kid, we used to play in our front yard, along with the many other kids on our block. The 3x2 "yards" in Irvine don't allow for that, so you have to go to the park. That, unfortunately, doesn't really allow for any kind of spontaneous play - everything has to be planned. The parent can't keep an eye on the kid from the kitchen or living room and most of the time you don't know who the parents next door are or if you feel comfortable having your kid wander over to their yard to play. It's nice that Irvine is considered safe, but at what price?
 
Mac, I don't know where you live, but most irvine parks are neighborhood parks without lots. Usually 1-2 blocks away. Very safe for teens.
 
When I was a kid, I played in the streets, the parks and was able to ride all over Irvine in my bike. I didn't give my kids that freedom. I don't have the guts. Why take the chance. When I worked, They played with the kids at school and at the daycare center. Evenings were homework and family time. Went I quit work, they could be more involved at after school activities and sports. I was always there. I don't see where they missed anything by not having that freedom to roam. We roam plenty together as a family. By the way, we did limit the amount of TV watching and allowed no video games. They love to read. I am proud to say that I have never had to say I am sorry for not protecting them.



This is just my story. I think that lots of kids are home playing video games. Mothers are fine with that because it keeps them off the streets while they are working. Now we have the war on obesity. I never say "remember the good old days". Nothing is every perfect.
 
Growing up I rode my big wheels and green monster, rode my bike with my neighborhood kids, skateboarded and built a ramp and rail slide, played with my RC cars, had a basketball hoop, played baseball with a tennis ball, golfed in my backyard, and drove my go-kart through out the culdesac, and I never worried about my neighbors giving a rats azz. Was I spoiled? Maybe, but why deprive your kids of this? Do you really think your kids shouldn't have these things? They should, and it is not like I grew up in some well off family with Kool-Aid money coming in, I grew up the norm in that time, and why shouldn't anyone else?



Eh, at least when the next bubble comes about they might recognize it, so that is a good thing, I know I did.
 
IMO, quite a few families in Irvine seem to suffer a case of hyper-parenting. The need to have our kids excel in all areas, the need to fill our kids schedules with soccer, softball, music, art, dance, tae kwon do and other activities. Maybe it's the parents trying to provide what they didn't have when they grew up, or simply just keeping up with other friends schedules. Kids seem to lack free play these days and same with their neighbors. You can hear parents even in kindergarten, oh Johnny has soccer, and then softball camp, and he's taking swimming, piano, and he's has reading classes in the summer and on and on... Gee when I was in kindergarten my biggest spot on my schedule was finding all my Legos and watching cartoons or trying to get dizzy on the sit and spin.
 
I think alot of children have good indoor diversions and not alot of outdoor diversions. Plus I think alot of parents don't push thier

childen to go outside as well as just don't push their children... at all.



On a side note, being in an private area doesn't mean that the pervs won't get in. In fact there are a

few complexes that DID have pervs expose themselves. That's when I started going alog with my wife when she went swimming.

Anyways good luck

-bix
 
[quote author="biscuitninja" date=1212450888]In fact there are a

few complexes that DID have pervs expose themselves. That's when I started coming alog with my wife when she went swimming.

</blockquote>


mrs. bix: good grief, the neighbors said they saw some pervs exposing themselves at the pool today.

bix: let's go swimming, right now.
 
[quote author="Astute Observer" date=1212455855]I once saw a man take off *everything* when he rinse himself off after done with the pool. I am happy that he obeys the HOA rules about washing before and after using the pool, but don't really like to see his manhood in full glory.</blockquote>


I saw a fat nakked dude walking around the bushes on side of I-5 last month!



I can also remember many incidents where couples are spotted in the jacuzzi doing the wild thing. One time I was at the HOA gym and we saw a couple in the jacuzzi, with the girl's swimsuit on the side and her legs on his shoulders. They could care less that we can see everything from the glass doors/windows. We debated on getting a camcorder and uploading the video to youtube.
 
This topic is getting a lot more interesting than kids playing in streets. Regarding jacuzzis, they can't put enough chlorine to get me in one. They are disgusting.
 
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