In Queens, NYC, the Flushing Meadows Park is a public park, owned and maintained by the city’s Department of Parks and Recreation. The place is known for its scenic trails, historic walks and more. Recently, they have opened a home for retired playground animals!
Home For Retired Playground Animals In NYC!
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Do you remember climbing on animals in playgrounds? Well, for the worn-out ones, New York City has a designated retirement community. In Flushing Meadows Corona Park, these charming concrete animals who have seen better days now have their own area. It is close to the enormous Unisphere and is known as the “Home for Retired Playground Animals.”
It is intended to be a tranquil retreat with plants where you may watch these animals and relax next to them. Since the 1980s and 1990s, children have played and climbed on two dolphins, one aardvark, one elephant, one camel, and one frog at various NYC parks.
In a statement, NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue stated that at NYC Parks, not only park workers but also the beloved animals that children have been playing on for decades in their playgrounds across the city are their responsibility. As they send some of their hard-working employees into retirement in style, they are very thrilled to present this new meditative place in Flushing Meadows Corona Park.
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Further, they hope that even after they retire, park visitors will continue to be inspired by their inventiveness and innovation.
A Meditative Place For Retired Animals
Under previous parks commissioner Henry Stern, who asked designers to add animal art into every new playground in those decades, the “retired” creatures were placed in parks throughout NYC. The frog was one of those that was internally created, but the rest were prefabricated.
There was no longer a need for these animals after these playgrounds were updated with modern, accessible play equipment. The “retirement home” at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park will now house these creatures, that were thrown out up until now.
For more images of these adorable animal sculptures sporting party hats for their retirement celebration this week, continue scrolling below.
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Comment below and share your thoughts about this retirement home for these playground animals.
Cover Image Courtesy: New York City Department of Parks & Recreation/ Facebook