two dolphins, one aardvark, one elephant, one camel and one frog

August 23, 2023 8:35 AM

A home for retired playground animals just opened in NYC. "The ‘retired’ animals were put in parks across NYC under former parks commissioner Henry Stern, who asked designers to incorporate animal art into every new playground in those decades. Some of them, like the frog, were made in-house, but the others were prefabricated. Once these playgrounds were renovated with new and accessible play features, the need for these animals disappeared. Until now, these animals were just thrown out, but starting now, they'll be added to the 'retirement home' at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park."
posted by moonmilk (20 comments total)

This makes me very happy, for some reason.
posted by wittgenstein at 9:08 AM on August 23, 2023 [9 favorites]

Reminded me of that old flash ... game...? The Psychiatric Clinic for Abused Cuddly Toys
posted by slater at 9:38 AM on August 23, 2023 [3 favorites]

Well I know where I want to retire now.
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 9:45 AM on August 23, 2023 [3 favorites]

The title reminds me of the old announcer's test - One hen, Two ducks, Three squawking geese ...
posted by Greg_Ace at 9:45 AM on August 23, 2023 [4 favorites]

The bronze deer statue in my childhood playground is still there (I'm 49). It brings a smile to my face every time I see it.
posted by Harald74 at 10:00 AM on August 23, 2023 [6 favorites]

All I had as a kid was a park with a jungle gym and 3 swings, two of which were either broken or taken by the older kids. Oh, a seesaw and one of those things you spin until either you fall off or puke. Those were the days!

This makes me happy too.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 10:28 AM on August 23, 2023 [1 favorite]

two dolphins, one aardvark, and one beeeeeeer
posted by brundlefly at 10:31 AM on August 23, 2023 [2 favorites]

What about the ones mounted on springs? Those were the fun ones.
posted by gottabefunky at 10:38 AM on August 23, 2023 [3 favorites]

This is going to make my kids so happy. They love visiting the Queens Museum, and it's great that they'll have another fun stop next time we go to Flushing.

also hopefully a pigeon won't immediately shit on my head the moment I walk into the park like last time
posted by phooky at 10:49 AM on August 23, 2023 [5 favorites]

This is so charming. Thank you.
posted by OrangeDisk at 10:56 AM on August 23, 2023

This is so cute! We live about a block away from Hippo Playground, which has a collection of different sized hippos for kids to climb on, get sprayed by, and step on - plus one that has a secret hiding spot inside that’s juuust big enough for a couple of kindergartners to fit into - perfect for kids looking to simultaneously have a clubhouse and give their parents a heart attack when they’re suddenly missing. (There’s also something extra adorable about seeing a hippo with a little leg dangling out of its belly)
posted by Mchelly at 11:04 AM on August 23, 2023 [5 favorites]

Those are all completely great but the frog is the best.

I'm so glad they're doing this, so glad to know about it. Thank you for posting this, moonmilk!
posted by kristi at 11:07 AM on August 23, 2023

See also Meet You at the Hippos (Vimeo link), in which Scottish actor Mark Bonnar revisits the Glenrothes Hippos and other animals, which are concrete public art sculptures created in the 1960s by his father, Stan, for various Scottish new towns. The film is hilarious and adorable.
posted by Orkney Vole at 12:57 PM on August 23, 2023 [5 favorites]

I joke with my wife that it is wonderfully we can take our kids to play at the same places she did as a a kid, with the same 30+ year play equipment. Some of the rusty swings and splintering wood stuff is concerning but the old concrete animals are still good and smooth by decades of play
posted by CostcoCultist at 1:00 PM on August 23, 2023 [3 favorites]

Seems like a weightier version of Ponyhenge.
posted by dlugoczaj at 1:40 PM on August 23, 2023

A friend found and shared this tiktok video of the retirement ceremony in the park!
posted by moonmilk at 2:59 PM on August 23, 2023 [3 favorites]

"At NYC Parks, our civil servants take many forms: not only park workers but also the beloved concrete animals children have been playing on for decades in our playgrounds across the city,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue in a statement.

Aww, this is a balm for my crouton petting soul, thanks for sharing!
posted by the primroses were over at 4:31 PM on August 23, 2023 [4 favorites]

This rules!
posted by Conrad Cornelius o'Donald o'Dell at 11:09 PM on August 23, 2023

Absolutely wonderful. Thanks for giving me a smile this morning.

That area is super popular for families to picnic and kids to roam, so it’s nice to know these charming beasts won’t be lonely. All hail the Parks Department!
posted by kinnakeet at 6:05 AM on August 24, 2023 [1 favorite]

This is so neat. I grew up across the street from our neighborhood park. The fenced in part had the usual metal slide (such fun in the summer!); two swingsets - one with four sling seats and one two seater for babies; a see-saw (I think); a sandbox. Outside of that were two concrete dolphins, two or three animals on springs; a concrete dome with holes for climbing or sitting inside; a basketball court; a baseball diamond; and just some open space. It was a great place to play. Years later, they've redesigned the entire park and those items are all gone.

The dolphins were my favorite. You could lay on ours (I don't remember them having a fin) and just relax. I'm so happy to hear of a place to take them in!
posted by annieb at 12:36 PM on August 24, 2023 [4 favorites]