Game Boards FTW (for the win)

Hear me out, m'kay? I was reflecting on my day yesterday and almost posted some fodder for an upcoming daily-ish email. But my topics were not well represented in existing forums... great discussions that could use a nudge.

The biggest topic invading my brain was game tables in public spaces. They just ooze community and shared space. I'm specifically talking about chess/checker tables. Big, heavy ones that can't decide to abscond in the middle of the night.

As long as they're there, they are a constant reminder that community  could be happening. They don't have to be located in a waterside park in some urban core. In an effort to build community here in my hometown, I am seriously thinking about experimenting with some designs, getting permission to install one or two, and see what happens.

But help a feller out, won't you? What do you think of my idea? Who knows how to build these? Where would be the best placement so that people might actually use them?

j

I think it's a great idea! It looks like there are a few examples in Europe, like these giant chess sets in a park in Geneva, Switzerland.



It would want to be where people are likely to gather naturally, like a public park or plaza. With seating areas for spectators and possibly close to shelter and refreshments.

Yes! That's the sneaky part. You can't put them out in Timbuktu, but they might still be neglected if they aren't in a strategic area, either.

They have to be in a comfortable, accessible place that is close to amenities. Somewhere there is a lot of foot traffic. Somewhere you can get a latté or a street taco and not feel stupid for bringing a bag of chess pieces or checkers...

Jim

Nancy Reading wrote:I think it's a great idea! It looks like there are a few examples in Europe, like these giant chess sets in a park in Geneva, Switzerland.

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It would want to be where people are likely to gather naturally, like a public park or plaza. With seating areas for spectators and possibly close to shelter and refreshments.

An idea! Here is a diy fake flat stones for a patio. You could use the concept for tabletops, and make a wood form for a center column. That is, if someone else knows how to be sure the table top does not tip off of the pedestal. I envision tiles for the chessboard



I have seen YouTubes of people making forms out of cardboard, for very different products.

There is a large ground chess board near a popular walking path in my local city, similar, but smaller than the picture Nancy posted.  Instead of having to stand, there are park benches so that seniors can sit to play.

I like the idea of the Geneva one because there are multiple boards close together. I think if people see one pair playing, they might be more comfortable starting their own game, but if there's only one board, they can't do that.

I'm not sure how many people still play chess. What other board games would work for this sort of situation?

Two problems i have with public chess boards are 1) you have to bring your own pieces and then if you already have pieces its not like carrying your own board is difficult...and 2) you cant stop midway through a game and have strangers finish it because theres no way to mark whose turn it was last.

As for other games that are suitable i would like to put forward mankala, parcheisi, and backgammon. Connect 4 is a popular community game, and it would be cool to make batttleship work but it probably wouldnt.

where i live (Brazil) they are still quite common. Sometimes people will use the tables to play dominos or checkers or cards, or will just hang out there. They are always made of concrete (very much like the picture).
There are a lot of public plaza type things, because of the nature of how cities here are laid out (all start focused around either walking or public transit, even if nowadays most people have cars) and most every one has these tables and some kind of benches. Many also have "outdoor gyms", fixed exercise equipment. The idea is generally the more ways you encourage people to come use these common spaces, the safer and better-used they become. Adding a community garden bed, dog play area and bird feeders is also common.

I know personally my issue with these places is always visibility, as they tend to get used by homeless people or drug dealers if they're hidden under trees or bushes. The best public squares have shade from high trees.

There are so many different game boards for outdoor besides checker and chess.

Tic-tac-toe, 4 in a Row, and a lot that I don't even know the names for.

I would be lovely to make something for all of them ...

Tereza in Portland we had, possibly still have?, stationary checkers/chess boards in the main square downtown, but now adays a lot of people are hesitant to hang around down there, because even though its out in the open things are pretty lawless, tents and stuff, people ODing etc.  It was getting a bit better for a while (finally) but now its sliding again.  Back in my 20s everyone would visit and congregate there, glad where you live people still do.