I think about that playground a lot. I remember what it looked like before the renovations. Gazing at the play structure was like staring at a long-forgotten relic. The remnants of something greater. I recall the sandy pits that sunk my tiny shoes. The rusted monkey bars stained my hands a dark brown, as if they punished me for desecrating their ruined bones. The structure hated itself, and that hatred seeped into the park. No one was there, save me, my parents, and the cries of distant cars hurrying onwards.

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Fast forward a couple of years and I'm playing at a different park, in a different neighborhood, far from the monolith that so effortlessly rejected me. I play on padded plastic flooring and climb spider webs made of soft rope and stainless steel ringing. I have fun in a world that flourishes from it, as other kids also play made-up games and ride plastic slides. Laughter surrounds the soundscape as parents idly converse on sidelined benches, relaxed knowing that their kids are in a safe, friendly environment.

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When my park is finally deemed unsafe by the city and a makeover has long been overdue, the neighborhood committee invites me to chime in. The committee asks for my insight on the playground, and I channel my experiences. I tell them about what I've seen and what I've felt and they listen intently, noting all they can and understanding the things they want to emulate. But I make sure to emphasize one thing the most, this world we design should allow everyone to enjoy it, to have fun in the structures it offers.

 

I walk by that park now and then, when I'm down and doubt my efforts to get into such a competitive industry. I look on at the new playground and see the children climbing small rock walls and teens scaling towers made of sturdy knots. They yearn to reach the top (all of them do) to eventually gaze off into the park from such a towering height, smiles on their faces when they feel a mix of pride as these young adults conquer that which may have scared them moments before. Those moments remind me why I wanted to make video games in the first place. And I walk on.