Playgrounds have gotten much better than they were a few decades ago when I was a kid. I don’t see any reason that that can’t continue with putting an emphasis on including shade.

This accounts for about 90% of the problem with everything. Voter turnout in my state in the primary, where we have mail-in voting for all (IE: no excuse for people not to vote), during a presidential election year, was below 50%. And then people complain about their elected officials! People don't attend public meetings, they don't contact their elected officials, they don't come to political party meetings or get involved -- but those same people will tell you to your face that both parties are the same and that they feel powerless to fix government! Especially at a local level -- school board, city council, county, and state -- the average citizen has so stinking much opportunity that they don't even realize their own power! You want to get something fixed? Set up a meeting or two with your electeds. Don't get the response you want? Find ways to create a citizens movement. Can't get what you want in your municipality? Find a sympathetic state legislator or two who can push from the top town. Really upset? Run for office yourself or help get the people you want elected.