Dear Andy: I suspect that I am not going to sway you, but why not try?
You say: "As far as the plan. I support it because I want some things fixed which have been broken for quite awhile, such as the lights, and to see new trees planted." These are maintenance issues, not planning issues. They are not addressed in the plan and there is nothing incompatible with being against the plan and wanting those matters addressed. I do too. You say: "Those recommendations that I had doubts about have been removed or separated off as issues on which we, the community, need to come to consensus on before they're implemented." I do not know exactly which recommendations you are referring to here, but there are many who are still strongly against many components of the plan that have not been removed. There are no issues, however, which have been separated out. They are either in the plan or have been removed. Moving the Dickens Statue is out. A new building for bathrooms is in. You say: "I also support it because I've attended Friends of Clark Park meetings and although we would have a lot of discussion we weren't able to do some of the things we wanted to do. There were plenty of good ideas presented but we were a relatively small group and didn't have a lot of money and a park is surprisingly expensive to maintain and keep operating." Again, these sort of concerns appear to be related to maintenance and are not addressed in the plan. You say: "One other point about the plan. I believe that every issue that was raised during the planning process was recommended by some member of the community so although we may not agree with all these ideas, they're all from neighbors." True enough, although I have always felt that the planners drove the process and in the course of the meetings took every suggestion, no matter how bad, and put it in because doing a plan that just renewed our present facilities was not innovative to win them any awards at the annual landscape planner's convention. Although the ideas may be from neighbors, so is the opposition. You say: "I disagree that we should delay implementation of the plan. This process has already taken the best part of a year and I'm getting older all the time." Always remember you will never be as old as me. There is no rush here to change things. There is no deadline. Again, maintenance issues must be taken care of and that is being done. To simply push this plan ahead simply because it has taken a year is not in the neighborhood's best interests. Pushing forward a plan with significant community opposition simply causes community leaders to spend time and energy continuing to fight about the plan when that time and energy could be put towards more beneficial enterprises. We should get it right even if it takes longer. In the grand scheme of things it is unlikely to make a real difference as funding will be much slower to come by unless there is a consensus in favor of the plan. Sincerely, Matt -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Andrew W. Cole Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2001 11:36 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: Illegal drugs, truly filthy sex and FAIR PLAY ... uh ... er ... ah ... I support the plan Fellow Clark Park Enthusiasts, As a member of the Friends of Clark Park for the last few years, basically we seem to do a lot of those things that Parks and Recreation should do but don't. We pick up the leaves, do plantings, fix stuff like the signs going into the park, and generally try to pick up where Parks and Recreation leave off. These are many things that I personally feel that Parks and Recreation should do but they don't seem to have the money so I'm not sure how else to handle this. Over the last two years, UCD has also helped out by fund raising (the Party in the Park and other work) which now provides funding for some of the trash pick up, mowing, and other maintenance that again, should be done by Parks and Recreation. By the way, I believe that Michael Africa, who does work in the park, is paid by either the Friends of Clark Park or via UCD for his work. He's been great and I hope he's willing to continue at the park. As to John's general question about responsibility, it's the same thing I asked when we moved here in 1997. Who's taking care of the park. As a long time bureaucrat, I was always sure that someone was shirking their responsibility but I've now come to believe that, at least in part, Parks and Recreation is trying their best and that it's our responsibility, as users of the park, to make sure the park is taken care of. If anyone has leverage with the City or with Parks and Recreation I'm sure all of us would appreciate any additional efforts to keep Clark Park maintained and the facilities in good repair. As far as the plan. I support it because I want some things fixed which have been broken for quite awhile, such as the lights, and to see new trees planted. Those recommendations that I had doubts about have been removed or separated off as issues on which we, the community, need to come to consensus on before they're implemented. I also support it because I've attended Friends of Clark Park meetings and although we would have a lot of discussion we weren't able to do some of the things we wanted to do. There were plenty of good ideas presented but we were a relatively small group and didn't have a lot of money and a park is surprisingly expensive to maintain and keep operating. One other point about the plan. I believe that every issue that was raised during the planning process was recommended by some member of the community so although we may not agree with all these ideas, they're all from neighbors. I too love Clark Park, it's one of the major reasons why my wife and I (and Beau, the three legged dog) live where we do. I disagree that we should delay implementation of the plan. This process has already taken the best part of a year and I'm getting older all the time. Take care, Andy John Ellingsworth wrote: > > -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- > Hash: SHA1 > > What is it again that the Friends of Clark Park do? > > I walk by the park every day, use it every day (my dog even more than > I), and still the park looks the same all year round (AND I LIKE IT > THAT WAY!) > > I see workers cutting the grass, but I assume that they are from the > Parks department. Is this correct? > I know that one of the young men from MOVE voluntarily walks through > the park after weekend events, cleaning up debris left over. Is he a > Friend? (He is definitely friendly.) > > I see trashmen removing trash; not sure where they are from. Are > they the Friends? UCD? > > I see that the flag pole in the center of the park NEVER has a flag > raised on it. Should the Friends do this? > I see that the pavement along all of the walks is broken, shifting > and, generally, in need of replacement. Do the Friends remedy this? > I see that the lights in several of the poles along the walks have > burnt out bulbs which need replacement. Do the Friends do this? > > I see groups of people holding events - plan them, clean up > afterwards, leave the park as it was before they arrived. Are they > Friends? > > Question: > Who is responsible for Clark Park, and what are those > responsibilities? > > Thanks, > > John Ellingsworth > Virtual Curriculum > Project Leader > > - ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Elizabeth F. Campion" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2001 11:33 AM > Subject: Illegal drugs, truly filthy sex and FAIR PLAY > > > > > Re: Illegal drugs, truly filthy sex and FAIR PLAY > > (But not in the first paragraphs) > > > > Dear Neighbors, > > > > The attached is Matt's letter. > > Several things in the letter should be given careful consideration. > > > > 1. Membership in the "Friends" is important. > > Vote for or against Matt's resolution, or even skip the voting, > > but joining supports some wonderful volunteers. > > > > Dues are minimal, and the good that has come from the "Friends" > > has been enormous. > > The park is our "Vatican City". > > It is where our diversity is most obvious and at its best. > > e.g. Africans, South Americans and WASPs coach kids of all > > colors and cross the gulf between Public, Catholic and > > Private schools homogeneity. > > Kids' soccer has been a boon to the neighborhood and our children. > > The park has been better maintained. > > Neighbors are developing a vocabulary and skills to improve their > > own gardens. > > A pool of volunteers has been created to help out at regular > > events. > > An example: The Annual May Fair has been restored as a grand > > community event. > > I hope a Board member responds to all with Membership Information. > > > > > > 2. A "Premise" is important. > > Do "Green Space", Recreation or Events deserve priority? > > > > > > 3. Neighborhood WILL is critical to the success. > > I sensed that the Neighborhood had a majority vote > > > > for > > mature trees and > > green space ,and > > > > against > > buildings > > public restrooms > > unnecessary tree removal > > Change - for change's sake, or to plump the budget. > > > > The proposed plan indicates otherwise. > > What is the neighborhood will? > > What is your desire in this matter? > > > > > > 4. I also sensed that some of the wonderful volunteers were feeling > > > > > > frustrated > > (that their opinions and efforts were under appreciated, and > > or being taken for granted) and > > > > fearful > > (that protest would cost money or sever other ties deemed > > valuable.) > > > > Can we send thanks without seeming to succumb to undefined fears? > > > > > > My own use and history have me siding with Matt. > > Here are some things to consider - > > > > Public Rest Rooms are often: > > > > Neglected > > Mouse and insect infestation > > inadequate supplies > > Trash removal inadequate or missed > > Cleaning schedules not adequate or honored > > > > Abused - by all of: > > Inconsiderate slobs > > (smelly seats, wet T.P., > > soggy sinks, over stuffed trash containers > > fires from carelessly discarded cigarettes.) > > Deliberate malice > > (graffiti, smashed equipment, deliberate fires) > > Thieves (who steal supplies and equipment) > > The mentally ill > > The addicted > > > > Misused > > For sexual liaisons or > > Drug sale / consumption > > > > Locked and unavailable > > (relief teases?) > > > > I have been in public restrooms in controlled settings > > (zoos, theme parks, gas stations, etc.) which are filthy. > > In uncontrolled settings (parks, highway rest areas) even > > in wonderful neighborhoods (Valley Green, Kelly Park, etc.) the > > restrooms are often germ centers and/or locked. > > When I was at PENN (1973-1977), it was the woman's rest rooms where > > rapes and purse snatchings took place. > > As a postscript to 9/11, a public rest room seems a possible vector > > for terror or mayhem. > > > > I do NOT want Clark Park to be merely a Rec Center or have a Public > > Restroom Building. > > I believe the current one-holer, in the charming cottage on the > > 45th street side of the bowl, could be improved and key-controlled > > for > > adequate use by the groups (Soccer kids, etc.) who are endorsed by > > the friends. > > > > I was born in University City. > > I love Clark Park and still use it regularly. > > I attended a few of the planning meetings regarding the development > > of the park. > > I was not able to attend them all, because of scheduling conflicts. > > I had a strong sense that many of the natural and frequent park > > users, including: > > Some elderly neighbors who don't go out after dark > > Other working parents with limited time > > Non-list members who received inadequate notice > > Kids and Teens, many of whom get their mentoring at the park, > > because > > parents are unavailable to them or for meetings. > > Note: Kids often feel excluded from things like "planning > > meetings" and > > have their own scheduling conflicts (homework and curfews). > > were also unable to attend meetings. > > > > I also want to create an alternate scenario to one of the most > > beautiful things that was said at one of the meetings. One woman > > spoke elegantly about the history and right to Basketball courts > > and even to the need for expanded Basketball court(s). But, as a > > lifetime resident, I offer an alternative view. > > I can remember Clark Park - before Basketball Courts. > > It was a quieter, gentler place. > > I have vague memories that the Courts were both > > a sop to "integration" and > > a misguided attempt to increase recreation opportunities. > > I have stronger memories of the consequences. > > Neighborhood recreation became MORE segregated > > Black Teens centered on the Kingsessing Rec Center > > White Teens centered on Clark Park. > > The most troubled (troubling?) age range (unsupervised teens) > > saw an abrupt increase in usage. > > Younger white kids (myself included) were ultimately shutout of > > both the Pool at Kingsessing and the Swings at Clark Park. > > Our parents would only let us go to the pool with an older > > sibling. > > That older Sibling was willing to take us to Kingsessing, > > so that he could use the courts. > > When he switched to B-Ball at Clark Park we lost access to > > the pool. > > When we had access, the pool and courts at Kingsessing were > > integrated and > > teens of different races were friends. > > After the split, the same teens became were competing "gangs". > > Incidents of older teens bullying younger kids became so common > > that many parents revoked the privilege of > > playground play from their younger teens. > > Under age drinking became obvious, and > > suddenly available to a much younger group. > > The elderly hated the noise of the bouncing balls and > > became segregated near the flag pole. > > Many ultimately stopped going. > > A can remember a sturdy Holocaust survivor who could not adjust to > > the noisy ballplayers. > > He saw them as dangerous "Hitler youth" types. > > Perception drove him away. > > I knew many other recent immigrants and visiting scholars who > > sought recreation outside of UC rather > > than compete with the ball players. > > > > I know that steps have been succeeding to reintegrate Kingsessing. > > The very diverse SFDS Cub Scouts has had wonderful meetings and > > events (the Pine Wood Derby, Ceremonies, Rec opportunities) at > > Kingsessing. > > > > Increasing the duplication of recreation opportunities dilutes > > integration efforts. > > Kingsessing should keep neighborhood Football, Basketball and > > Swimming and the indoor programs that their building and their > > access to the Library building support. We can help Kingsessing > > continue the trend toward integrating use and access through out > > the neighborhood. Clark Park already has an Incredible (and > > wonderfully diverse) Soccer League. Let's not duplicate or > > introduce inferior Basketball, let's think about setting up a > > children's "Classic" theater in the bowl, establishing lacrosse or > > field hockey, formalizing a chess club, increasing gardening > > opportunities (maybe neighboring schools can be encouraged to > > tackle planting of annuals) and let's make sure everything offered > > at Clark Park is open to diverse crowds across race and age and > > well beyond the limits of these lists. > > > > So, I have spouted off again - these are just my opinions, > > but, I am in support of Matt's position regarding the plan for > > Clark Park and if I can not make the 10/22 meeting, I am a member, > > and Matt has my proxy for his vote. > > > > All the best! > > Liz > > > > Elizabeth Campion > > Neighbor & Real Estate Broker > > E-Mail : [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > Direct & VM: 215-790-5653 > > Cell Phone (for emergencies only): 215-880-2930 > > Mail to : > > P.O. Box 23632 > > Phila, Pa 19143 > > PRUDENTIAL, FOX & ROACH > > Reception:215-546-0550 > > Shared Fax: 215-546-9781 > > Office at > > 210 W. Rittenhouse Sq., Suite # 406 > > Phila, Pa 19103 > > > > -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- > Version: PGPfreeware 6.5.8 for non-commercial use <http://www.pgp.com> > > iQA/AwUBO828lwbexkNIm1OFEQJlDgCg7ygWle45m2/KlzMGjONbTqCrwTgAnREH > np6lK8spvpjM5azMmEXXo0fX > =6MOn > -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- ---- You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe, see <http://www.purple.com/list.html>. Archive is at <http://www.mail-archive.com/>.
