The Playground We Loved Had A Hidden Threat Lurking In The Wood
I miss the 90s. Times were simpler; there was no internet, and we didn't have to worry about AI overthrowing our world. We also had the coolest playgrounds, like the one at Bayfront Park, where our parents would only take us on special occasions.
It was a big deal when we made the trip down to Duluth, and man, did we love that playground. It was the wooden castle-style playgrounds that were popular in the 1980s and 1990s, until we found out that they may not be the healthiest for children to play on.
I always assumed the reason they stopped making these wood playgrounds was because of splinters. While that may be the case, there's something even more concerning.
I stumbled on a YouTube video that explains why they stopped making these kinds of parks. It's because the treated wood contains harmful chemicals, including arsenic. Long-term exposure to arsenic can cause cancer. Yikes.
According to the YouTuber, they tested the surface of kids hands after playing at parks like this. The kids had significantly higher arsenic levels on their hands.
Maybe it's a good thing that my parents only brought me there for special occasions. I guess it limited my exposure.
Bayfront Park was replaced, and pieces of the old wooden castle park can still be found in different areas around town.
Read More: Where You Can Still Find Wooden Castle Playground Parks
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