Does anyone else feel uneasy when adults use playgrounds without children?

[AAAaaaaaaaaaaBbb]

Am I the only one that hates when adults go to the playground without children? I know it’s a free world and they can go where they like but it makes me feel so uncomfortable. Like yesterday was sat in the local playground was only me and my kids and a group of 5 adults arrived with no kids, just makes me feel so uncomfortable. I realise im probably being unreasonable but I can’t be the only one that hates it

Why?

In what way would they be preventing play? If there were the same size group of kids playing, then your child would still have to wait turns whilst they were on slide for example?

Exactly, my DD1 (17) hangs out with her friends in the park. I don't think they play on the equipment, though. She doesn't vape either.

Depends on the context I think. If its an empty playground and they are just sitting on the swings chatting then it makes sense. If they are properly playing on the equipment and kids are there playing then its weird IMO.

They weren't filming were they OP? That would make it even more weird/creepy. I agree it's odd and surprised so many ppl think it's fine given the situation you described.

The most recent ones were, whilst laughing hysterically so we left as didnt want to end up in any of their TikTok videos or whatever it was for

Not preventing play but the confidence to use the equipment with other kids of the same age. No way would they go to an area with full grown adults but kids the same age, yes, and interacting with them. These areas are meant for kids not adults in their 30s. After hours fine as kids that age would be in bed but please don’t hog them in the daytime.

Another thing that only Mumsnet users seem to experience

I think I would be more concerned if it were the same group everytime. Especially if they were paying attention and watching the children.

It sounds like they need a place with bigger play equipment to be built. Why should it only be young children who are allowed to have free fun and more interesting forms of exercise? Most gyms are excruciatingly boring(even if listening to music) and going on a swing exercises your stomach muscles and gives some adrenaline as it's fun and has a nice sensory feel to it.

Well the swings at the local park are always broken thanks to adults swinging on them!!

How many adults have you watched on these swings as they break??

Multiple

That's probably why then.
Where there are playgrounds within larger parks etc it's stranger when the adults are playing in the children's area. There is a load of grassy areas elsewhere they can play football in/chase each other/film each other doing acrobatics or whatever.
In this case it sounds like there was no other area available for them to let of some energy in** so the playground was the only space they chose to be silly in.
I think there is a problem with a lack of outside spaces or "third spaces" (annoying term but useful) so people won't up getting in each others way more.

**I know that makes them sound like toddlers or dogs. But adults do get like that too

Theres a huge common less than 10 mins walk away.

Because it's a park?

Bollocks have you.

In the summer months we would often go for a walk after dinner. On our route is a playground. On occasion I’d have a go on the swings. But not if kids or families were there as no doubt they’d, like you, think I was some kind of weirdo/freak/potential child abuser. Truth be told I’m 62 and just fancy a wee swing before stopping in to the wee Tesco for a Magnum. Plus I’m 8.5 stone, I’m not breaking swings either.

It's isn't a 95kg adult that's causing the swings to break. They'll be quiet capable of holding over 300kgs or whatever.

It's the misuse causing it, like 5 teenagers on it, throwing it over the top bars, extreme breeze/thawing, heavy duty use, poor maintenance etc

Not lone adults swinging on it a few times a day.

If I was passing a playground with friends we might have a go on the swings or slide. I wouldn't be waiting a turn if children were using them, and I wouldn't set out with that plan in mind, but it has happened occasionally.

Does this park include exercise equipment though, if groups of adults are often using it? Outdoor Calisthenics has taken off in a big way among the 20s/30s agegroup.

It’s a children’s playground, no there are no exercise facilities for adults

But does the common have play equipment and seats on it? Many people would still prefer a bench to the cold soggy ground of a common.

Yes plenty of benches

There isn't always somewhere else to go to. Lots of places are inaccessible to adults due to costs or timings.

I'm not saying it's right or wrong for them to be in this area but not everyone has a million other places to go to.

There have been times when I have sat in a children's play area with friends but without our children because the benches or swings there have been cleaner to sit on than anywhere else (I would always move for a child). Parks are the only places in some areas to sit and enjoy the fresh air.

“ I know it’s a free world and they can go where they like”
Around me there are signs on the entrance to every playground saying adults must be accompanied by children. Not legally enforceable I’m sure, but no, they are not allowed in.

In my local park there was a man with a dog (also not allowed in the playground!) who started coming in regularly and hanging out, chatting to the parents and saying how much the kids liked stroking the dog as justification for his presence there. Whatever his motives he pissed everyone off and stopped coming eventually. The entitlement that the rules don’t apply to him when pointed out that him and his dog shouldn’t be hanging out in that area. I suspect a man had words that he actually listened to.

TBH I’d probably be more concerned if a man on his own came into an area clearly destined for, and occupied by, generally primary aged children, and their accompanying parents.
IIRC the fenced playground area in a large park, often used by the Gdcs, has a sign saying under 12s only.