Inevitably new geocaches pop up that are in parks with playgrounds. We always approach these with trepidation - especially DH. While it seems like a good spot for a geocache, think about how suspicious it looks for a guy with a backpack to be lurking around, looking under this and that. As a mom with a child, I know how alert *I* am to anyone that looks out of place or suspicious when I'm out with DD at a park. We moms can give a real mean "evil eye" ya know. Not to mention that if you get a paranoid mom, you may suddenly be having to explain geocaching to the police.
Now luckily for us, we ARE a family with a young-ish child, so if we all go to the playground, it's not quite as suspicious - I hang out with DD and let her play while DH hunts for the geocache. But DH will rarely attempt a geocache at a park like this alone and I don't blame him.
So, if you ever are thinking of placing a geocache at a park with a playground, at least try to place it away from the playground equipment. In the case of the photo above, we ended up DNFing (DNF - Did Not Find) the geocache. We believe it was under the gazebo. You can only try for so long to poke around reaching under a gazebo that is smack dab in the middle of a playground when there are people around. It was impossible to look without anyone seeing you. DH tried for a short while, but it wasn't worth the evil stares of the other families, and when one of them pulled out their cell phone, we decided to bag it.
It's ok to place a geocache where "stealth" is required, but try to make sure it's even POSSIBLE to BE stealthy! And let's be sensible and not put it in an area where parents are going to view you as a threat. Like a mama bear with her cubs, you do not want to make a mom suspicious. Trust me on that one.
See ya on the trails....