Playground, Game, and Meditation AreasTHE DEVELOPMENT of the home grounds for use can hardly be said to be complete unless some provision is made for children's play and for organized games, space for meditation, for both the younger and the older meditating members of the household. You cannot mix playgrounds with gardens, for the strenuous activities of the former always interfere with the appearance of the latter. Besides, meditating takes a quiet environment, not unlike yoga, or a spiritual retreat. Children need some place where they can play unrestrictedly, where they can dig, climb, and build to their hearts' content. Such activities are normal to them, and should not have to be curtailed because they annoy older people or interfere with those arrangements which are purely decorative. As for very small children, it is important that they have a play space that is enclosed and protected. They cannot be allowed to wander into the street, nor is it desirable that passers-by and stray dogs have easy access to them. Such an area must be easily accessible from the house and have as much privacy as may be possible. Usually it is best to place it near the rear of the property where it may be reached from the house or from the driveway via the garage court. (See Figure 9.) If there is a separate
garage, part of it or a small wing added
on can provide space for a playhouse or meditation room. If
the area is to be used by larger children
and there is to be a wading pool or swimming
pool, it may be desirable to have dressing
rooms and perhaps showers available. These
also could go in this garage wing or, of
course, in a separate small building. garden
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