To expect an outdoor gym to not be used as a playground by children?

[FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop]

Went for a run yesterday and afterwards went into an outdoor gym which is (unfortunately) next to a kids' play park. There are some weights attached to vertical beams, an exercise bike, ropes, cross trainer and markings on the ground for relay runs. Loads of signs saying age 13+ only and children weren't to use it as play equipment.

It was absolutely over run with small kids aged about 4-10 climbing all over it, using the equipment and just generally getting in the way while their parents sat in the play park in clear sight of them doing nothing. When I did manage to use some equipment kids were waiting as if we were taking turns. I'd been on the exercise bike for about 15 minutes with one little girl who was about 6 staring at me...she went to get her mum who actually came and asked if her DD could have a go as she'd been waiting for ages I said no this bike is for adults and they she got all huffy and was all "Never mind darling, the lady won't get off so we'll have to just wait won't we". I was then doing relays on the markings and they were running in front of me nearly knocking into me. I gave up in the end!

Is it really so much to ask that parents tell their children to keep out of adult only areas and stay in the massive park built for children? Want to go again today as it's a great little gym, council spent a small fortune but CBA with all the unsupervised kids.

We have one in a park near us and it is located no where near the play area, it is still usually empty!

Surely the kids would have more fun climbing trees anyway. The parents thinking that their children are entitled to using equipment designed for adults should be encouraging them to create their own games and stimulate their imagination. I have actually had to do lessons in schools that have involved teaching children how to play and create their own games and stories because more and more children have everything designed for them in a way that means they have no need to use their imaginations and develop any true sense of adventure. They are constantly kept busy by adults and adult-created classes or games instead of being allowed to become a bit bored so that they come up with their own. The first message saying that some parents might be letting their children do things like this because playparks and swimming pools and classes have been shut just highlights that. It's really sad actually.

Do these children then become adults that lack imagination and can't just go for a run or bike ride to get fit!

Children amd their outcomes dhould be considered a society issue as it is one

Which is exactly why they shouldn't use the equipment. They aren't old enough so it isn't safe. They needs to learn to respect boundaries for their own safety.

@FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop

Well, yes. I suspect we probably wouldn't get on if we met in real life. And since I'm over 14 and supervising my daughter, you'd be politely told to wait until we had finished, just as I would wait until you were finished rather than asking you to vacate a piece of equipment.

But your child isn't over 14? So I'd be telling you not so politely to sling your hook and take them in the park where they belong.

WHY are there so many fucking entitled parents? Why do you think it's ok to behave like this?

@FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop but, but ... you seem to have failed to realise that children, especially the children of the likes of @andyindurham, trump everything else in life. They should always come first and never have to learn that, sometimes, they don't get their own way. Nope. It's all about them, all of the time. Rules are for other people dontcha know?

And as @WorraLiberty says, we'll see them back here in a few years completely perplexed as to why they've raised an entitled beast ...

YANBU
Children need to learn they can’t have everything!

@starfishmummy brilliant!

@BigWoollyJumpers

Even the most avid swings and slides enthusiast will be bored of them by now

Welcome to the 60's/70's.

Kids have given up an awful lot this year. There have been no classes, no soft play, school closures, no swimming, no travelling, no grandparents, no days out for such a long time...

And again..... I know, I know, things have changed. But it does make me nostalgic for the days when children were content with simple pleasures. I used to swing for hours, or skip, or bounce a ball off a wall. I am a perfectly rounded human being, despite not being able to access all this lovely extra stuff that parents and children now expect as their right. Sometimes I feel SO OLD .

Absolutely! We’d be out all day in the parks or in the fields, paddling in the river, no adult supervision, exploring old air raid shelters, derelict houses, building sites.... and survived. In all weathers. Yes, I know things have changed, but my childhood was much freer than children have these days. Our expectations were much lower, and didn’t expect to be entertained, nor to be so important. My mum would have booted me off any adult gym equipment, had such a thing existed.

OP, my local outdoor gym is just the same. Kids everywhere, fond parents sitting about chatting, whilst their kids clamber about on the adult gym equipment, using everything as a climbing frame, or swing. I gave up tying to use it after a run, as there’s no guarantee I could get a turn. The two children’s playgrounds have big signs on the boundary, dictating age of children allowed, and that they should be supervised. If I put a toe inside there without a small person attached, I’d be lynched by outraged parents! YDNBU.

It’s a case of those parents who think their child must be allowed to do and behave exactly as it likes, no matter where it is.
Sadly not exactly uncommon.

@TheKeatingFive

You don't see all the adults who would be using the equipment but aren't because of kids

Well I would expect to see more of a presence from adults attempting to. Like I say, never once in my life.

Maybe they have given up even going anywhere near it because they have tried for months and every time they have went before the entitled parent brigade can’t read age restriction signs

Oh and to the pp who said the gyms are open now, they are not open everywhere

YANBU at all OP. We have one of these next to the kids playground in my park too. I have seen so many kids get hurt, fingers caught, tripping over, falling off this equipment because its not for kids.
I don't use it but I am the owner of small children and they ateer well clear of it, they're desperate to have a go especially because it must look like fun.

At our the signage isn't that clear that it's for adults. Plus there's a ping pong table and basketball hoop in the same small area, which obvs attracts younger people so it's mixed messages a bit.

I actually have the opposite problem in my park where the adults come in and use the bloody kids climbing frame as a work out area and hook up ropes and weights to monkey bars etc, plus they blare out music. The kids hover round waiting to have a go waiting for the personal trainers to finish. It's ridiculous! My kids are too little for the climbing frame that seems favored so I've never had the need to say anything but I always think how inconsiderate it is.

Maybe they have given up even going anywhere near it because they have tried for months and every time they have went before the entitled parent brigade can’t read age restriction signs

As I constantly see them deserted in my area, I doubt it.

We have adult "gym equipment" right next to the kids play area in my local park too. I think the intention was that parents could use it while keeping an eye on their kids but the only people who seem to use it are the kids messing about on it!

@BigWoollyJumpers

Even the most avid swings and slides enthusiast will be bored of them by now

Welcome to the 60's/70's.

Kids have given up an awful lot this year. There have been no classes, no soft play, school closures, no swimming, no travelling, no grandparents, no days out for such a long time...

And again..... I know, I know, things have changed. But it does make me nostalgic for the days when children were content with simple pleasures. I used to swing for hours, or skip, or bounce a ball off a wall. I am a perfectly rounded human being, despite not being able to access all this lovely extra stuff that parents and children now expect as their right. Sometimes I feel SO OLD .

Exactly.

All this they’ve missed soft play, theme parks etc rubbish is frustrating to listen to. Older children/teenagers yes I can see how rubbish it is for them but 10 and under? They need to be bored just like we all were when we were young. My parents didn’t take me out all the time, I had to find things to do.

I don't think there is a problem with older children using it as it is intended in the way same way that some teenagers and adults will use the bigger playground equipment - ds does this because he has a severe learning disability. But little children shouldn't be on it, they shouldn't be running around and getting in the way and parents shouldn't be asking adults to let their child have a turn.

@TheKeatingFive

Maybe they have given up even going anywhere near it because they have tried for months and every time they have went before the entitled parent brigade can’t read age restriction signs

As I constantly see them deserted in my area, I doubt it.

Blimey, how often are you there?

YANBU

Blimey, how often are you there?

Everyday, often more than once.

I agree with the poster who said your children would have died growing up in the 70s. I watch a garden rescue programme where a child had moaned about her aunties garden being boring. It had a trampoline and a playhouse! Plus a very big lawn.
I asked dh and when we were kids our garden had absolutely nothing in to play with. Children were encouraged to use their imagination.

well then you have to take your chances with selfish equipment hogging kids in the public park on a busy saturday instead then, or keep up with your running. There are also PAYG exercise classes and there are loads of youtube workouts.

Or you know, their parents could tell them it's not for them to use, unlike the rest of the park and the actual play equipment....

I dont see whats wrong with waiting for the people who are already using the equipment to finish

Because they aren't supposed to be on it. I also wouldn't wait patiently if kids were using equipment at a paid gym when they shouldn't be

I have 3 outdoor gyms near me, 2 of which are located next to schools, but i have never seen kids use them. The ones near me aren't very big and i usually spend 5 minutes max in them, just a few quick pull ups or sit ups during a run. Unlike a playground where kids can be for hours, i imagine most adults who use outdoor gyms are only there for 5-15 minutes (at least the ones near me dont have much equipment that would keep anyone busy for longer than 15 minutes) which might also make people think they are underused.

@TheKeatingFive

Blimey, how often are you there?

Everyday, often more than once.

So not constantly then.

I've never seen our local one used, but I know of two friends who use it, I just haven't seen them there. I don't assume it's not used just because I haven't seen them myself. Having said that we're not there every single day, we try to use different parks.

@TheKeatingFive

You don't see all the adults who would be using the equipment but aren't because of kids

Well I would expect to see more of a presence from adults attempting to. Like I say, never once in my life.

I imagine the vast majority of parents who use the park (but weren't there at the time) I went to yesterday wouldn't have seen me try to make the effort - but it doesn't mean it didn't happen

@WorraLiberty

well then you have to take your chances with selfish equipment hogging kids in the public park on a busy saturday instead then, or keep up with your running. There are also PAYG exercise classes and there are loads of youtube workouts.

Or you know, their parents could tell them it's not for them to use, unlike the rest of the park and the actual play equipment....

And upset little Timmy? Good grief, what are you thinking?