Anonymous wrote:Because the world does not revolve around kids

Maybe it should

Hmmm. There area ton through the south. I’m in Texas now and have driven to both coasts, tons of big nice playgrounds

In France, my home country, there is a restaurant (or multiple restaurants) and a playground at every full-service rest stop, and there are many more of these rest stops per unit of distance than in the US.

I used to drive to Pennsylvania rather often at one point, and the rest stop we used has a playground, pet spot and vending machines. It's true that it's not typical of US rest stops.

The difference is that France decided long ago to create an ecosystem along the "autoroute" (highway) that would allow users to never leave the highway, so that they could get to their destination more rapidly and with greater ease. The rest stops are owned and operated by the highway operator, in partnership with certain chains of restaurants. It's in that operator's interest to make the stops as comfortable as it can.

The US did not develop such a plan, and therefore users of interstates or similar need to leave the road and look for their own accommodation or food or entertainment, except when a state decides to create a nice rest stop, perhaps at a border, or scenic outlook or historical location.

Anonymous wrote:I'm totally overprotective I admit it, but I don't go to playgrounds anywhere near highways. Too easy for someone to snatch a kid and be gone in a flash.

Hadn’t thought about that- but it’s the best response yet

I'm totally overprotective I admit it, but I don't go to playgrounds anywhere near highways. Too easy for someone to snatch a kid and be gone in a flash.

Anonymous wrote:There's one at the South Mountain rest stop on I-70 in Md. But generally they are just to go to the bathroom and get a snack.

Every time we stop at this one it’s so hard to drag the kids away. We’re usually not taking a long trip so we don’t need to burn energy, but I’d love this playground off 95 when we’re heading to Maine.

Anonymous wrote:Because the world does not revolve around kids

Why don't more national parks offer daycare??

Because the world does not revolve around kids

They are usually right on the side of the interstate, plus all the traffic from the rest stop. Even if they were fenced in, parents could take their eyes off for one second and there could be a tragedy.

Expensive

People don't stay very long, communities/states prefer to invest in playgrounds that their community can access, and most people wouldn't utilize them.

There's one at the South Mountain rest stop on I-70 in Md. But generally they are just to go to the bathroom and get a snack.

They don’t really want people lingering. Get in and get out.

Liability.

I see people walking their children and pets around the grassy areas of rest stops. Why were playgrounds not incorporated into the design of rest areas?