Artists make child's play a priority in Yogyakarta

Slamet Susanto and Tarko Sudiarno, The Jakarta Post/Yogyakarta

While malls, office buildings and upmarket residences are being constructed in Yogyakarta at a rapid pace, there are less places for children to play.

This lack of facilities has prompted artists and architects who are concerned about the negative effects of too much time indoors on children, to join together in establishing a playground in Rogocolot, Bantul, here.

With few alternatives, said artist Popok Tri Wahyudi, parents would either take their children to malls, which made them more preoccupied with buying things, or let them stay at home.

At home, many children would have no one to socialize with and would occupy themselves watching television or playing on the computer, he said.

Architects Eko Prawoto and Edy Purwanto and sculptors Ali Umar and Eriyanto participated in the project.

Every Sunday for one month between July and August, the Rogocolo residents and the artists worked together to build the playground.

They cleared a 60 meter by 15 meter area of land belonging to the Madukismo Sugar Mill factory, planting a variety of plants, including mango and banana trees, and setting up equipment.

Some areas of the playground were covered with sand to protect children who fell over from injury.

Popok hoped the project would encourage other groups to build similar playgrounds.

Ali said the project had cost the community little. The group of artists and residents spent Rp 10 million (US$1,000) on equipment and sand, while everyone worked for nothing.

Rogocolo resident, Sumardi, 65, said the playground was a welcome addition to the village,

"We are delighted, particularly as we have been involved in every stage of construction," he said.

The children's response to the playground has been the most rewarding. When it was declared open last Saturday, hundreds of children from various kindergartens in Bantul turned up. Some played on the monkey bars, some on the swings, while others were content just to play in the sand.