We’re All Kids From A Neighbourhood

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n the sidewalks, in the front yards and driveways, and even on the street.</p><p id="a0b6">I love how often I see kids moving around the neighbourhood, riding bikes and tricycles and scooters. Sometimes there’s a parent riding with them or chasing behind them, but often it’s just kids on their own. Depending on their age they might just ride up and down the street, do circles around the block, or travel throughout the neighbourhood.</p><p id="71c7">There are a few spots around my neighbourhood where it’s not uncommon to see nets set up for street hockey, an eye out for coming cars but also a comfort that folks driving through will be mindful of play. Because sure, streets are for cars, but they’re also for people.</p><p id="d5e3">Plus there are lots of folks playing in their driveway or front yard, but spilling out into shared public space as needed. Teens playing one-on-one basketball, toddlers chasing bubbles, adults gathered for a cornhole competition, and kids playing tag. None of them worried that they are in the way, they’re just focused on having fun.</p><p id="9341">I also love all sidewalk chalk in my neighbourhood, which is one of the few signs that play has happened there sometime since the last rainfall. On my evening walk it’s not unusual to see all sorts of drawings and sweet messages left to bring joy to anyone passing by. Just the other day I came across a hilarious chalk drawing o

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f Ronald McDonald (which the artist had labeled for extra clarity). And every once in a while I come across remnants of hopscotch, which I happily hop along.</p><p id="48d7">Play doesn’t have to just happen in the privacy of your home and backyard or be kept to designated spaces like playgrounds. Play should be able to happen anywhere. After all, like the Arkells sang in Relentless, <i>“We’re all kids from a neighbourhood.” </i>And I want to be from a neighbourhood designed for people, that’s designed for play. Each time I notice play happening in my neighbourhood I feel assured that I’ve found the right place to call home.</p><p id="00ad"><a href="undefined"><i>Natalie B. Kemp</i></a><i> is an outdoor educator who finds joy in nature, community, and a good cup of coffee. You may be interested in reading:</i></p><div id="419c" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/playing-with-rocks-be4ee012842e"> <div> <div> <h2>Playing With Rocks</h2> <div><h3>Three stories about one of the best toys nature has to offer</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*SM92HcfpT3ITvc2MIAyKfA.png)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div></article></body>

A celebration of playing in public

My favourite thing about my neighbourhood is the amount of play that happens. And not just in people’s homes and backyards, but all throughout the neighbourhood. Play is everywhere.

Now, the obvious place for play in a neighbourhood is at a park, of which we have many. I can walk a few minutes in one direction and find a park with a playground, tennis and basketball courts, and a baseball diamond. Less than ten minutes in another direction and there’s one with a playground, splash pad, basketball nets, soccer field, baseball diamond, dog park, community garden and winter ice rink. And about ten minutes in another direction is the park that serves as the city’s main festival space, which also has a playground in addition to tons of green space. Lots of parks, all of which are always busy with people and play.

But what I love most is all the play that happens in my neighbourhood outside of the parks. On the sidewalks, in the front yards and driveways, and even on the street.

I love how often I see kids moving around the neighbourhood, riding bikes and tricycles and scooters. Sometimes there’s a parent riding with them or chasing behind them, but often it’s just kids on their own. Depending on their age they might just ride up and down the street, do circles around the block, or travel throughout the neighbourhood.

There are a few spots around my neighbourhood where it’s not uncommon to see nets set up for street hockey, an eye out for coming cars but also a comfort that folks driving through will be mindful of play. Because sure, streets are for cars, but they’re also for people.

Plus there are lots of folks playing in their driveway or front yard, but spilling out into shared public space as needed. Teens playing one-on-one basketball, toddlers chasing bubbles, adults gathered for a cornhole competition, and kids playing tag. None of them worried that they are in the way, they’re just focused on having fun.

I also love all sidewalk chalk in my neighbourhood, which is one of the few signs that play has happened there sometime since the last rainfall. On my evening walk it’s not unusual to see all sorts of drawings and sweet messages left to bring joy to anyone passing by. Just the other day I came across a hilarious chalk drawing of Ronald McDonald (which the artist had labeled for extra clarity). And every once in a while I come across remnants of hopscotch, which I happily hop along.

Play doesn’t have to just happen in the privacy of your home and backyard or be kept to designated spaces like playgrounds. Play should be able to happen anywhere. After all, like the Arkells sang in Relentless, “We’re all kids from a neighbourhood.” And I want to be from a neighbourhood designed for people, that’s designed for play. Each time I notice play happening in my neighbourhood I feel assured that I’ve found the right place to call home.

Natalie B. Kemp is an outdoor educator who finds joy in nature, community, and a good cup of coffee. You may be interested in reading: