Corporate free entertainment

Two days ago this blog bemoaned the corporate takeover of children’s play and “pointless product” has uncovered the Lunch Punch and the Belly Cast, to name just two.

It is very easy to sit back and ridicule from a distance but it can be challenging to find unstructured, creative, advertising free and above all safe (because who wants to wear a Thudguard?) activities for children.

Happily the City of Yarra came to the rescue with a new community park:

“With the opening of these gates, the residents of Abbotsford will finally have access to this much-loved piece of wide open space,” Cr Stone said.“We are pushing ahead with the works needed to make Victoria Park a place where residents can walk their dogs, cycle, jog, play sport and have picnics and barbeques.”

Putting aside that dogs, bikes, walkers, footballers, runners, kids and BBQs don’t always mix that well it seemed like the perfect family activity. So my family went there, had a great time and because we are always on the lookout for signs of giftedness we took a camera to record proof of giftedness.

Happily when reviewing the photos I didn’t see any photos of Eddie McGuire lurking or Collingwood footballers waiting to pounce but I saw this image: 

And immediately I was concerned about the corporate messages being sent to my children whilst playing. So I have mocked up this edit to email to the City of Yarra for immediate change:

I think it sends the appropriate inspirational and motivational message whilst at the same time encouraging children to play with traditional toys. I hope you will join me in campaigning Mama Mia style.