Garden History and Playgrounds Galore

A playground in Madrid...

Alexander Pope's drawing of 

Twickenham Church, 

from his own garden...

and Langston Hughes' Children's Garden.

All found at gardenhistorygirl and playscapes.

They're the vision of arcady [at] cox [dot] net,

the hand behind several delightful blogs.

Here, a bit more about Hughes (via gardenhistorygirl and "The Life of Langston Hughes," by Arnold Rampersad):

"...But most of the patch of earth beside the front steps, about six feet square, was barren from years of trampling by neighbourhood children, who had little time for flowers. Langston decided to rescue it, and teach the children a tender lesson at the same time. He named the plot their garden.

From Amy Spingarn’s home upstate in Dutchess County came nasturtiums, asters and marigold. Under his supervision, aided by Mr. Sacred Heart [the gardener!], each child chose a plant, set it, and assumed partial responsibility for weeding and watering the garden. On a picket beside each plant was posted a child’s name. Proud of the garden, which flourished, and prouder still of his children, Langston was photographed at least once beaming in their midst."