Wilder Park

There was this park in between my house and elementary school when I was growing up. It housed the worlds tallest polls down which to slide, the widest slide ever and the most incredible collection of monkey bars. The tire swing went faster than anyone else in the whole wide world, and we could climb higher than the trees.

This one guy whose name I can't remember - he broke his leg going down the polls with his gloves on when he slid to fast and collided into the ground abruptly. And Erin, she puked on the tire swing. I fell the monkey bars countless times, and I think Erica broke her arm in the forth grade. You see, the park was so huge and mighty and wonderful that it was even dangerous.

Best. Park. Ever.

Seriously. You think that your park could compare. And no. You'd lose.

Wilder Park was a kingdom of wonder and adventure. It was saved for field day and other occasions. Like my birthday party. It was special.

One of the things that made this magical corner of Elmhurst so wonderful was that it was an old fashioned, wooden structure built over wood chips. You don't see a lot of parks like that anymore. Everyone's afraid of splinters and skinned knees. Splinters and skinned knees made you tough. They were part of the risk. You don't see parks with large, metal slides. You might burn your bum on a hot summer day. But climbing up them without getting hurt and sliding back down without allowing an inch of skin make contact with the silver sheet of death...well, that was the whole point. Parks like that made you tough. Parks like that are legendary.

This afternoon, in Denver, after catching up and laughing with my two favorite grad school professors and before driving to hang out with Veronica for the night in Fort Collins, I went on a walk with Elizabeth around City Park. I've been to City Park before. Only a few times, but still, I've been there. But I've never noticed the playground before. I've never noticed this wonderful piece of adventure built in the middle of Denver. It was a true, old fashioned, wooden park. It called our names. We answered and went over to the swings. My favorite. 


It was a good day.