Obama Swing Set And New Inspiration
Monday, February 8th, 2010
When Barack and Michelle Obama installed a swing set for their daughters at the White House, it set the country abuzz, and prompted a lot of people to reconsider what they thought was most important for their families. What the nation saw, watching the footage of the two young girls racing across the south lawn toward this play set, and realizing that the new First Family were trying to give them as normal a life as possible in their new circumstances, said a lot about what could be accomplished if simple family life was kept paramount.
The children’s swing set has been waiting in the wings in recent years, as other forms of entertainment took its place for awhile, most notably television viewing and computer gaming. But it’s always been ready to make its big return when interest grew again. After all, this is a type of play that can be universally enjoyed, by friends and family alike. The swing set is moving into the backyards once again, returning from its sojourn in parks and playgrounds where even play became more formalized and scheduled.
The set installed by the Obamas was made and set up by Rainbow Play Systems of South Dakota. Rainbow swing sets went through a rocky period a few years ago because some major parts that were made in China were prone to breaking; one girl broke her wrist when she fell from a defective set. Greg Foster, owner of Rainbow Play Systems, spoke of the recalls and other problems at the time the White House set was installed, mentioning how all the important parts of a Rainbow swing set are now made in the U.S.A. and inspected here, with only very minor parts still made in China. There have been no more safety issues since.
The wood swing set at the White House doesn’t just have traditional swings, but includes a fort, climbing wall, ropes, and a picnic table. The set was installed within sight of the Oval Office, so the girls’ father can sometimes watch them play as he works. This may be a “backyard set” writ rather large, and yet it embodies the same principles as any swing set in any ordinary yard: healthy play, parental involvement, and the goal of providing a safe, loving family environment.
Matthew McMillan is a leading expert in the genital wart treatment. His works are regularly featured in online health publications on matters relating to genital warts home remedy. For more information, visit treatmentforgenitalwarts.com.