Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

When the idea hit me, I started by looking up gimp. But I didn’t even know how to spell it. Then gimp came up as an app to enhance the use of photoshop on computers. I finally found the description of the summer activity that was enjoyed when we were kids at our neighborhood playground. Here is the definition found on the internet.

“Gimp is a flat or round plastic string used in crafts. It comes in a variety of colors and can be plaited, braided, knotted or woven. Other names include boondoggle, craft lace, lanyard or scoubidou. Children enjoy making braided ropes or lanyards for key chains or friendship bracelets, but adults enjoy creating projects with it as well, and the crafts created can be complex. Braiding or weaving crafts with gimp stimulates creativity and hand-eye coordination.”

We didn’t know any of that about gimp except that we enjoyed making stiff out of it. All we had to do was show up at a Somerville playground in the 60’s and 70’s and the councilors handed out the gimp and we went to town.

The playground counselors would pass out the gimp and show you how to use it. I made things out of gimp at The Brown Schoolyard and Powder House Park. Other Somerville people added their comments about gimp, in quotes.

Powder House Park

“I remember at the playground we had counselor trainees teaching us. It was called Camp & name of the playground you went to. They had games, crafts and snacks and it was so much fun. They should bring these things back. Yet, I know, wishful thinking.”

“I remember those days! That was back in the 1950s. I tried to make a necklace with that. I never could get it started. Once it was, then I would finish it. It was kind of tricky but the person in charge was always there to help you.”

“At Powder House Park! They charged a little bit for the materials and it was a big deal to get the money from mom … maybe 25 or 50 cents? Choosing my gimp colors, then sitting down and attaching the clip end onto the chain link fence to start the braiding was a right of passage!”

Some kids played with gimp at YMCA camp. I went a couple of years but all I remember was going to Hood’s Cherry Hill Farm. Most of the friends who remembered doing fun activities at city playgrounds recall making good friends as one of the most vivid.

“I loved making these at the parks. Started at Northeastern then Burns. Such great memories. Also loved dodgeball and jacks.”

The Brown School schoolyard.

“One of my favorites!! Grimmon’s playground every summer. Also, the chains we made out of gum wrappers!”

“I really wish I could remember how to make the (gimp) box at the end of the lanyard. Wore mine whenever I roller skated. Always knew wear my skate key was. I wonder, if I made one today could I place the car key fob on it? I’d never misplace or drop my car and house keys.”

There was a store on Broadway near Clarendon Hill Apartments where we got our gimp.

Some closing thoughts about having fun at our city’s playgrounds with gimp.

“I loved doing the ‘box stitch’ to bring the chain into a loop and finish off the piece.”

“I used to love making them. Looking back, I think having those recreation parks open for us as kids and teenagers kept a lot of us out of trouble. Great memories!”

Great memories!

Gimp crafts are available on the internet.