During the 1980s and '90s, New York City parks commissioner Henry Stern insisted that all new city playgrounds incorporate animals to climb on. But over the years, that playground equipment was replaced by more modern, accessible designs, and the concrete animals were discarded one by one. But no more. From now on, they will be taken to Flushing Meadows Corona Park, where the “Home for Retired Playground Animals” has been established. The first inductees are two dolphins, one aardvark, one elephant, one camel, and one frog from all over the city. Last Friday, the Parks Department held an official retirement party for the first group of concrete creatures installed there. Children who grew up playing on these animals can now visit them anytime, and even take their children to see them. However, a sign asks visitors not to climb on them, because they've had enough. That's what retirement is all about. See pictures of the new park installation at Time Out. -via Metafilter
(Image credit: Daniel Avila/NYC Parks)