It was the wooden castle-style playgrounds that were most popular in the 1980s and 1990s, until it was uncovered that they were not necessarily the healthiest for children to play on.
Though many assume these wooden playgrounds were discontinued because of splinters, the majority of treated wood used for these structures contained harmful chemicals, including arsenic. Long-term exposure to arsenic has been linked to cancer.
Tests were done to check the surface of children’s hands after playing at parks like this, and many had significantly higher arsenic levels on them. Many older playgrounds have since been removed or upgraded to align with current safety expectations, reflecting changes in design practices and risk management approaches.
