Observations on places for kids...
Mar. 15th, 2006 11:23 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
conuly
As you know, I've been trekking the niecelings around the city. Life is just better when we go outside. And I've developed a little list of things (mostly relating to bathrooms, which really sucks) I'd like to see improved.
Please note, this list only (mostly) applies to places that cater towards children.
1. More wheelchair accessibility. I've noticed, actually, that places that cater towards children tend to be very accessible. Why? It's not because of wheelchairs. It's because of strollers. And much though I loathe strollers, I might appreciate them more if, say, I didn't have to lug them up and down two flights of stairs just to use the train. Plus, people in wheelchairs would be better off. It's a win-win situation.
That goes for buses, too. Those new, nifty buses (busses? I'm never sure) with the ramps in front, and low to the ground? Those are the best. things. ever! I don't have to hoist the kid up! I don't have to stand there while the bus "kneels"! Ana can walk right on! I don't have to creep off for fear of falling flat on the baby! It's great! (And, of course, I'm sure it's great for people in wheelchairs.)
Wheelchair accessibility is one of those causes I have got to get behind, and not in a vague "yeah, that's great" way. I don't know why I've been sitting on my ass about this. Heck, I might end up in a wheelchair one day. Anybody might. You never know. Better to move on this issue before it even comes up.
(This issue, of course, is the one that applies for everywhere, not just child-friendly places. I'd like the transit museum a lot more if it had a damn elevator.)
2. Dump the stupid toilets that self-flush. They never work properly. That's bad enough when you're a big, brave, grown-up person... but nobody really likes explaining to the hysterical toddler that no, the toilet won't randomly flush, and yes, we *do* all have to stand in the bathroom together, nobody gets to wander off on their own. That's the stupidest thing about the Brooklyn Children's Museum, those damn toilets. Seriously, whose bright idea was that? (And I'd be glad to get rid of those things everywhere.)
3. However, the BCM's bathrooms aren't all bad. They have these really cool seats attached to the toilet stall walls. Flip them down, and you can strap a baby or toddler to them - the babies lie down, the toddlers sit. Words can not express how cool I thought those things were. AND their regular stalls are just big enough for an adult and a single toddler. Slightly bigger might be nice, but I'm not complaining.
4. Here's something I've only seen once, and I thought it was such a great idea, but in the wrong place. The Staten Island Zoo, half their toilets (in the ladies' room, at least) are child-sized. Ana-sized, in fact. Not only is this easier for young children to sit on, but Ana, at least, thinks they're the coolest things. She almost begs to sit on those toilets.
Of course, the zoo isn't a child-centered place, though it is popular with children. What I want to know is why I haven't yet seen them at any of the city's children's museums. You'd think that'd make so much sense!
The same goes for child-sized sinks and water-fountains (or at least step-stools in the area of the water fountains and sinks). Soap and paper towels, though, can remain soly at adult height. And it's definitely not cool when the only water fountain on the floor is child-sized. Not cool at all.
5. Personal zip codes printed right on membership cards. If I have to announce my zip code one more time, I'll scream. Silently, but it'll still be screaming. If they keep asking for the zip code, visit after visit, wouldn't it be simpler to stick it on the membership card? I keep thinking to suggest that to the SICM, and forgetting. Must remember....
6. More public bathrooms. I see no reason there can't be public bathrooms in more city parks and playgrounds - the playgrounds, as well, could have the afore-mentioned child-sized toilets, just to make my life easier. And, of course, changing tables somewhere *other* than the accessible stall.
This city has a real dearth of public toilets. Honestly, I don't care *how* much cleaning public toilets need, sometimes you just have to go. I'd like to see some in the trains, too, now that I think of it....
7. More things to do on Mondays. Why the heck aren't any museums open Mondays? I know it's traditional, but can't some of them buck tradition and close on Tuesdays or Wednesdays or Thursdays instead? Please? Pretty please?
8. GATES ON PLAYGROUNDS. That you can close. And then the kid can't get out without you knowing. Maybe they could even beep when open. Dear GOD, that's so OBVIOUS, why on earth can't people design playgrounds sensibly?
9. Benches at bus stops. And bus stop shelters, too. Who designs where those things are placed? Can't they place them everywhere?
10. Platform Screen Doors. If I never again think I'm about to fall into the tracks, or be pushed, I'll die happy. AND, they apparently help control in-station climate. Safety, climate control, what's not to love? WHY THE FUCK DO WE NOT HAVE THESE??? I'm just the tiniest bit disillusioned with my city. Just a little.
Edit: 11. And while we're on the subject of accessibility, you know what sort of turnstiles they have at the airport? They've got these... things... like great wings that pull back to let you through, and then fall down again to block the next person. Stupidly expensive to use the AirTrain, but guess what? They let you go easily through the turnstile with your big bags, or strollers, or furniture, or, yes, wheelchair *without* having to hang out at the door, waiting for the token booth clerk to buzz you through.
This can only be seen as a good thing. I want more of those.
Please note, this list only (mostly) applies to places that cater towards children.
1. More wheelchair accessibility. I've noticed, actually, that places that cater towards children tend to be very accessible. Why? It's not because of wheelchairs. It's because of strollers. And much though I loathe strollers, I might appreciate them more if, say, I didn't have to lug them up and down two flights of stairs just to use the train. Plus, people in wheelchairs would be better off. It's a win-win situation.
That goes for buses, too. Those new, nifty buses (busses? I'm never sure) with the ramps in front, and low to the ground? Those are the best. things. ever! I don't have to hoist the kid up! I don't have to stand there while the bus "kneels"! Ana can walk right on! I don't have to creep off for fear of falling flat on the baby! It's great! (And, of course, I'm sure it's great for people in wheelchairs.)
Wheelchair accessibility is one of those causes I have got to get behind, and not in a vague "yeah, that's great" way. I don't know why I've been sitting on my ass about this. Heck, I might end up in a wheelchair one day. Anybody might. You never know. Better to move on this issue before it even comes up.
(This issue, of course, is the one that applies for everywhere, not just child-friendly places. I'd like the transit museum a lot more if it had a damn elevator.)
2. Dump the stupid toilets that self-flush. They never work properly. That's bad enough when you're a big, brave, grown-up person... but nobody really likes explaining to the hysterical toddler that no, the toilet won't randomly flush, and yes, we *do* all have to stand in the bathroom together, nobody gets to wander off on their own. That's the stupidest thing about the Brooklyn Children's Museum, those damn toilets. Seriously, whose bright idea was that? (And I'd be glad to get rid of those things everywhere.)
3. However, the BCM's bathrooms aren't all bad. They have these really cool seats attached to the toilet stall walls. Flip them down, and you can strap a baby or toddler to them - the babies lie down, the toddlers sit. Words can not express how cool I thought those things were. AND their regular stalls are just big enough for an adult and a single toddler. Slightly bigger might be nice, but I'm not complaining.
4. Here's something I've only seen once, and I thought it was such a great idea, but in the wrong place. The Staten Island Zoo, half their toilets (in the ladies' room, at least) are child-sized. Ana-sized, in fact. Not only is this easier for young children to sit on, but Ana, at least, thinks they're the coolest things. She almost begs to sit on those toilets.
Of course, the zoo isn't a child-centered place, though it is popular with children. What I want to know is why I haven't yet seen them at any of the city's children's museums. You'd think that'd make so much sense!
The same goes for child-sized sinks and water-fountains (or at least step-stools in the area of the water fountains and sinks). Soap and paper towels, though, can remain soly at adult height. And it's definitely not cool when the only water fountain on the floor is child-sized. Not cool at all.
5. Personal zip codes printed right on membership cards. If I have to announce my zip code one more time, I'll scream. Silently, but it'll still be screaming. If they keep asking for the zip code, visit after visit, wouldn't it be simpler to stick it on the membership card? I keep thinking to suggest that to the SICM, and forgetting. Must remember....
6. More public bathrooms. I see no reason there can't be public bathrooms in more city parks and playgrounds - the playgrounds, as well, could have the afore-mentioned child-sized toilets, just to make my life easier. And, of course, changing tables somewhere *other* than the accessible stall.
This city has a real dearth of public toilets. Honestly, I don't care *how* much cleaning public toilets need, sometimes you just have to go. I'd like to see some in the trains, too, now that I think of it....
7. More things to do on Mondays. Why the heck aren't any museums open Mondays? I know it's traditional, but can't some of them buck tradition and close on Tuesdays or Wednesdays or Thursdays instead? Please? Pretty please?
8. GATES ON PLAYGROUNDS. That you can close. And then the kid can't get out without you knowing. Maybe they could even beep when open. Dear GOD, that's so OBVIOUS, why on earth can't people design playgrounds sensibly?
9. Benches at bus stops. And bus stop shelters, too. Who designs where those things are placed? Can't they place them everywhere?
10. Platform Screen Doors. If I never again think I'm about to fall into the tracks, or be pushed, I'll die happy. AND, they apparently help control in-station climate. Safety, climate control, what's not to love? WHY THE FUCK DO WE NOT HAVE THESE??? I'm just the tiniest bit disillusioned with my city. Just a little.
Edit: 11. And while we're on the subject of accessibility, you know what sort of turnstiles they have at the airport? They've got these... things... like great wings that pull back to let you through, and then fall down again to block the next person. Stupidly expensive to use the AirTrain, but guess what? They let you go easily through the turnstile with your big bags, or strollers, or furniture, or, yes, wheelchair *without* having to hang out at the door, waiting for the token booth clerk to buzz you through.
This can only be seen as a good thing. I want more of those.
