Kids turn junk lot into playground

One person's trash has become someone else's playground in Rio Rancho. The nearest playground for the kids of the Cielo Grande subdivision is a mile-and-a-half away.

[annb]

I hope they can get some donations for real play equipment. The club leader is adorable!

[LilStinka]

These children are not only using their imagination and creativity but they seem to be working well together. They are trying to do something positive and constructive. I hope all the parents can come together with a safe and fun solution for the children of their sub-division.

[what]

They want to put up a wall made from bails of hay. And that is better than a play ground made from scrap. What are the kids going to do now. Sure treat those kids like cattle and herd them up and give them hay. Whose lame idea is that?

[prplrose]

Way to go kids :-)

These complaining idiots don't realize that these kids took this upon THEMSELVES to create an area for them to have fun, to look out for each other and to be creative. At least they are not causing problems, being loud and rude, running through your yards, teasing your dogs, etc. Be proud of what they did, DON'T knock them nor their parents. If it bothers you so much then get off your lazy a55's and help build them a real play area. Donate your time and money, afterall it is YOUR community also, if you have kids or not and also if you don't like the sight of their play area.

[Sunny Delight]

What a wonderful group of kids, working together to entertain themselves and not sitting in front of the tv or playing some game inside that is full of violence. And, shame on the ADULTS(?) that are dumping their cast-offs on the mesa rather than taking it to the dump where it should be taken.

[Debby]

Children are doing what children used to do. Using their imagination. Kudos to the children. Maybe it is "unsafe"; but, it is probably a lot more fun.

[Melinda]

Although I wish my son had a safe park to play in, I am more than proud that he can use his imagination and is the kind of child that gets along well with others- regardless of their age, race or quarrels. Unline some of the parents in my community that have flat out said I am a bad parent for letting him do so. Too many rocks in NM for people to be throwing stones.

[Baffled]

Kids+broke down couches+rusty pipes+scorpions+parents who are ok with sending their kids out to play in who knows what kind of trash= BAD PARENTS.

If those parents who are fighting to keep the trash piles there put the same energy into talking to the city I bet you could get a park built.

I know it is easier as a lazy parent to send your kids off to play out side in a PILE of TRASH then actually participate in your child's life but come on parents when will you see it unsafe? when i kid get bit by a snake or impaled by a rusty pipe?

[Comment]

You never hear about kids playing using their imagination. Good for them and hopefully in the near futute they will get their park.

[Be Realistic]

Unfortunately this story presented as it was will not gain the attention of the City. It makes it sound like some poor little children are about to have their only outlet destroyed by the "Evil Home owners" of Cielo Grande. In other words, this sounds like nothing more than a neighborhood dispute when that is truly not the bottom line.

Truth of the matter is, there's been no development in proximity to the subdivision in the 4 years it's existed. Instead of dropping in a park in the open corner of the community as originally planned, the builders made a stagnant water pool that collects mosquitoes. The children are playing in rusty, bug infested trash unsupervised and away from the community, on someone else's property. This detracts from home values when prospective buyers drive by and see this pile.

If you want the city to engage, show them the stagnant water and point it out as a health risk. Then outline the illegal dumping that they aren't doing anything to address. It wouldn't take but a few dump trucks to fill in the corner lot with some dirt, lay down some mulch, and put in a couple benches and a playset.

Everyone supporting their unattended children playing in a trash heap is rediculous and too narrow minded to actually look for a solution, but would rather just battle with their neighbors who are doing the right thing. Put those kids to work in a fundraising effort. How's that for constructive? "Good kids" shouldn't have an issue with that. If the city won't build a park because the subdivision is too small, then ask them to provide a dumpster for use. Come up with something other than "My kids are fine playing in the junk because there's nothing else to do, boo hoo me".

[Chris]

These kids don't have anywhere else to play in this area. This subdivision is out in the middle of the mesa - where do you expect them to play? I think it is great that they are using their imagination and creating a place of their own. They get yelled at for playing in the streets and in other's yards, so they are forced to come up with something else to do. It is much better than being kept inside to watch TV or play video games. The city needs to build them a REAL park. Help the kids!!!!!!!

[Eltorro]

Let the little kids play in whatever they want to play in. Rio Rathole city government could care less about those kids because they live in a subdivision of less than 25 acres. Humpf.

Chances are the kids are having fun and learning how to get along with other people while doing so. You go kids, enjoy, summer is almost over and this might be one you remember for quite a long time.

[Silk_the_Absent1]

On the one hand, yes, I agree that there should probably be a park there. Doesn't have to be huge, just a clean patch of Earth with a swing or two, a sandbox (sans Puncturevine), etc.

On the other hand, if there wasn't a park when they moved out there; even if one was a future possibility; what were the parents planning on doing with their children until it was built?

[bbb]

Baffled wrote:

Kids+broke down couches+rusty pipes+scorpions+parents who are ok with sending their kids out to play in who knows what kind of trash= BAD PARENTS.
If those parents who are fighting to keep the trash piles there put the same energy into talking to the city I bet you could get a park built.
I know it is easier as a lazy parent to send your kids off to play out side in a PILE of TRASH then actually participate in your child's life but come on parents when will you see it unsafe? when i kid get bit by a snake or impaled by a rusty pipe?

we never had organized play grounds or parks. we made forts out of christmas trees. we played in trees. we played in dirt. we played on construction sites. we played in empty barns. and yes, we got bitten by insects and broke bones. no snake bites i can remember but i do remember, we had lots of fun.

[Chris]

You know, it's funny how some of you can judge the parents when you don't even know each us. My children are very involved in extracurricular activities and I am VERY involved in my children's lives. You obviously DON'T know me and don't act like you do! The fact is that they need some free time to be kids and play with their friends. You all don't let them play in the neighborhood because they make a mess of your yard or the street or they don't pay attention to the wreckless drivers that are constantly speeding through the neighborhood. So you force them to do something else. What good does it do them to be so involved in activities their whole childhood, rather than to have fun and be kids together. Life is too short. STOP judging people that you don't even know. It seems to me that YOU are the bad parent for judging others and how they raise their own kids. Grow up! These kids are helping themselves and doing a great job!

[Mike]

Baffled and Be Realistic must be from another planet (NYC maybe?) For as long as there has been a mesa out there, there have been people dumping their discarded appliances, etc, and normal, innovative, industrious boys have been building "forts" and clubhouses. I'm 62 years old and did it on the east mesa back in the 50's, and spent most of my day out there in the summers, coming home only for lunch (if I didn't take it with me to eat in my fort) and dinner. I applaud these young entrepreneurs for using their imagination and desire for exploration. It's a learning experience, probably better than that provided by many of today's schools. One question for the two naysayers: when is the last time you saw a rattlesnake? Get a life!!

[BeenThereDoneTha t]

"It wouldn't take but a few dump trucks to fill in the corner lot with some dirt, lay down some mulch, and put in a couple benches and a playset."

Obviously you have no idea about the complex bureaucratic legalities of getting public playground equipment installed. Engineering safety certifications,zoning changes, signs etc... In total a simple 60`X60` area with a couple benchs and a swingset via the city can easily cost upwards of $50K!

[Upda Hill]

Kudos to the kids for creativity. But, it appears neither the kids nor the parents appreciate the physical danger and health risks associated with this make-shift playground. Would they change their minds after a few of the kids come down with plague or Hanta virus from the mice living in the trash? Sounds like child endangerment to me.

BTW, when I was a kid, I played in my own yard, and invited friends over with parental approval. But, we had real parents back in those days.

[isaiah franklin]

dont talk about my parents like that!!! you dont even know them!!!

[just wondering]

FINALLY a NICE story about kids and how they are getting along. The young man, Isiah, I believe his name was, seemed very organized and laid the rules out well.
Though this is not the ideal spot for these children to play, they are all getting along. They are varying ages, from what I could tell from the story, races, and I would venture to guess cultures as well.
Rio Rancho should be ashamed of themsleves as should the builder. Builders come in and out of NM like lights go on and off in a house. These kids are making memories that will last a life time. It is too bad that the city and the builder have limited to them to couches box springs and couches dumped illegally.