All He Wants Is a Softer Landing

Earth Day ’09: The Children of Irving

My son fell down on the playground yesterday and skinned his knee pretty badly.

When he told me about the fall, the next thing out of his mouth was, “I can’t wait until we have some green out there.”

It took me a minute to understand what he was saying. Then I realized he was talking about replacing his school’s 50-year-old blacktop with green space.

He’s not looking to have less physical play at recess. He just wants a softer landing.

He’s not alone. Even though it’s discouraging to hear that parents have been pushing for green space at Irving for a decade, I’m hopeful that there is momentum now to get this project underway.

There are conceptual designs and money in the budget for an architect to budget the Irving Schoolyard Project in doable stages.

I don’t know how much of this green space my children will see before they leave elementary school. But this is our neighborhood and one more place to play soccer or run around on a less abrasive surface sounds pretty good.

That’s why I’m involved. But until last night, I don’t think my son connected the dots about why I was helping to organize a bake sale at the Farmers Market on Oct. 9.

When I mentioned that hopefully the bake sale proceeds will bring a few more hundred dollars into the effort, a light bulb went on and his spirits lifted, knowing his family is doing something, even if it’s just a small part of a pretty massive effort headed up by others.

We all know it’s time for more eco-friendly landscape, friendlier atmosphere, usable play space, and yes, a softer landing.