|
|
Post by andy on Apr 22, 2008 16:06:09 GMT
I'm having a somewhat heated discussion on another forum about allowing children to climb ornamental trees in a public garden. I'm not talking about a few crappy sycamores in a wood....but tulip trees, large elms, cedars and japanese maples in a nice ornamental...but council run garden similar to the one i look after. Some people are saying that i'm not allowing kids to be kids or let them grow up because tree climbing is part of childrens make-up. However, more and more people are agreeing with me saying the garden is there for everyone to enjoy and if children want to climb, they should go to the park or to a wood somewhere. FWIW, if i catch any child....or adult, climbing trees in my rock garden, i kick their arses straight out. Discuss  |
|
|
|
Post by prodigal gardener on Apr 22, 2008 16:51:43 GMT
Spoil sport ! I have fell out of more trees than enough ;D Seriously I do actually agree with you. I think there is a time and place and ornamental trees are not for climbing up. If you want to watch your kids fall out of trees take them to the local woods. Bet H & S would have a blue fit if they found kids up trees in a council run park tho wouldn't they? You'd have to have them big blue mats all round the base of each tree in case a poor little love got a bruise! As for it being part of a childs make up - I dont know that it is anymore, if it dont play music, videos, games or allow you to talk to your mates without being with them kids dont seem to want to know anymore do they? Huh idiots - they dont know what there missing ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by Auricula on Apr 22, 2008 17:49:45 GMT
I agree with you too. Any ornamental garden is not the place for tree climbing - The National Trust or RHS would have a fit if people started climbing their trees, why should a council run garden be any different? After all, children are not allowed to jump on the furniture in council run museums are they? If parents are concerned, why don't they plant a tree in their own garden where no one would object??!! ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by JennyWrenn on Apr 22, 2008 18:11:45 GMT
Oh happy memories - I was an ace tree climber
But dont agree that they should be climbing the ornamental trees
But do the kids know that they are, ornamental - I never knew what I was climbing ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by Biggles on Apr 22, 2008 18:29:26 GMT
Andy I dont think there are many (sensible) people would disagree with you.
Half the trouble today is that some children are not taught respect for other people's property and that would include climbing ornamental trees even if they are grow in public gardens- These would be the first ones to complain if the Parks were not managed for everyone to enjoy-
|
|
|
|
Post by Tig on Apr 22, 2008 19:38:39 GMT
Big robust trees are for climbing, the ones whose branches will not snap off with the extra weight of a child. Woods and old orchards (scrumping trees ;D), or big old garden trees, not ornamental ones! Parks have playgrounds with equipment for kids to climb on, tell them to shove off over there Andy  Tig |
|
|
|
Post by farmersboy on Apr 22, 2008 19:50:18 GMT
Oh happy memories - I was an ace tree climber But dont agree that they should be climbing the ornamental trees But do the kids know that they are, ornamental - I never knew what I was climbing ;D You sound a bit of a Tom boy Jen, mind the girls used to climb trees in the woods with the boys where i lived,we got up to allsorts in those woods  |
|
|
|
Post by JennyWrenn on Apr 22, 2008 19:55:44 GMT
I used to pick wild flowers in the woods with my friend Vicky - safe happy days I didnt know anything about plants or trees tho  |
|
|
|
Post by Plocket on Apr 23, 2008 7:20:06 GMT
I agree! A public garden is for everyone to enjoy, and who knows what damage the kids could do to the trees. Besides if kids want to climb I'm sure there are climbing frames nearby. I'm all for kids climbing suitable trees but no ornamental ones.
|
|
|
|
Post by Weeterrier on Apr 23, 2008 11:56:05 GMT
When I worked in the public garden, I wouldn't have allowed tree climbing either. After all, it is a garden, not a playpark. Plenty of other places for them to go. But don't kick the children's arses Andy, kick the parents. Then run away fast. |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2008 20:50:47 GMT
perhaps there is a way around the problem. for many years, in parisiene central public parks, one was "disallowed" to walk on grass, eventually the law of "no walking on grass" was abolished)......we lived in the outskirts of paris, our garden backed onto the river seine,(the one that flows past notre dame). once, we had little pariseine children come for a birthday party, they did n't know how to do an egg & spoon race, never mind run on grass. tree climbing would have been perhaps, a real challenge. point being...... after "they" abolished the law, "they" immediately installed public works of art; we caressed & climbed a giant hare, cast in bronze, then there was
the strange modern art section, all about shadow & light. perhaps a solution for the park itself, support local artist and colleges, get things that are tactile & representative of nature. but not nessesarily dangerous for the specimen trees. is there a local climbing club who would like to support a local craftsmen who works in galvanised copper, & likes to make trees...... to climb?
sorry if i blah blahed, public art is soooo important.... ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 27, 2008 21:52:59 GMT
dear andy, i'm sorry, have i killed the post? with my public works rant? |
|
