I have a large oak tree on the edge of my property with a large branch hanging over my yard, just perfect for a tire swing that the neighbor kids would love. Can’t do that though, too much law suit potential.
I used to have this plan in the back of my head, to build a home of my own. It would have been a subteranian home, with a living room up top where you could look out a long picture window, across the lawn. As part of this I thought it would be great to have playground equipment out there for the neighbor kids to enjoy. I used to enjoy parks when I was a kid. I just thought it would bring live to the front yard, something I’d walk buy and take note off once in a while.
As you say, the legal exposure would be significant. You’d have to take out a good policy to cover anyone that got hurt. You’d also have to overcome the fears of the neighbors.
One way to do that might be to hold an open house so they could get to know you. Then you could have some gatherings where parents could sit and talk to you in the living room while they kept an eye on the children playing out front.
As long as you encouraged parents to be a part of the enjoyment of the small park on your lawn, I don’t think they’d be as inclined to think you were pulling a fast one.
You could provide some seats and tables on the side where they could do some paperwork or crafts while their kids played.