12/12/2012
Hey Guys:
Have you been to a playground lately? Most are pretty boring, ugly and unchallenging.
The fantastic playgrounds of the ‘60s and ‘70s--the giant rocketships and robots, pirate ships, and western forts, tall slides and jungle gyms---have been replaced with tame plastic and metal structures.
Imagination has been replaced by caution.
Today I am launching Epic Playgrounds, a 501(c)3 nonprofit collective of artists, builders and dreamers with one goal in mind: create the absolute coolest playgrounds in the universe--for both children and adults.
--Have you have ever begged your parents to take you to a really cool playground--even if it was in another town?
--Do you ever wish Walt Disney had built playgrounds in every city instead of amusement parks in a select few?
--Do you think the rise in obesity rates (from 1980 to 2010, the rate when from 7%-20% in kids 6-12 years old) has even a little bit to do with today's video games being way more fun and challenging than today's playgrounds?
--Would you like to see amazing playground designs, in both concept and reality, pop up in your feed and bring some wonder to your day?
If you answered “yes” to any one of these questions, then I’d love for you to ‘like’ this page.
“Ok," you're now thinking, "So I liked the page, but what are you going to do about it?”
Here is the plan for 2013:
1. Epic Playgrounds is working with artists from across the world to develop their visions into playground concepts. These designs will live at the intersection of art, play, and imagination.
2. We will have an art show in the late Spring in Los Angeles to show off the amazing playgrounds designed by artists from the lowbrow, comic, gig poster, graphic design and ux worlds. These will be works of art in the style of each artist. Some will be outlandish--rocket propelled teeter totters have been seen--while others will be more practical but still just as awesome.
3. From there, we will have a fundraising campaign, where we will be offering up prints and other merch for donations. Secret Decoder Rings will be available.
4. We will take those designs and work with our hand-picked contractors to work out feasible blueprints, while at the same time working with municipalities to find a good location with the proper amount of space and demographics for the first Epic Playground.
5. We will then build the first Epic Playground in an America town.
That is what is on the agenda for 2013. Ultimately, our goal is to create a playground arms race amongst every town in America. Today towns brag about their art museums. About their sports teams. Their golf courses. There's no reason they shouldn't be bragging about their world-class playgrounds. It is time for towns to brag about something everyone can enjoy.
Thanks for listening guys, and I hope you will enjoy all of the playground goodness to come!
Billy
