Real-Life Decision Making -- Solution
You build the gate out of a soft or mild steel.
You'd please half of the group by building an ornamental gate out of a softer metal, but you'd probably feel guilty knowing that it won't wear as well.
Curtis Evans is a member of a blacksmith's guild. He says this is just one of many decisions that a blacksmith must face. Deciding how much to charge for a job and what metal you should build something out of is common in a blacksmith's job.
"The gate would wear too quickly," agrees Evans, "but it would be easier to build."
Because the metal is so soft, you could make the gate much more ornamental. But being in a playground, the design probably doesn't matter as much as the ability to wear well.
A mild steel has a very low amount of carbon, says Evans, and is OK to use on items that don't get too much wear, like a decorative railing. He also adds that some larger items can also be made out of a milder steel because "a larger item has more inertia and won't wear as fast."