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The Power of a Park

Fast Company blogger Seth Kahan wrote a great peice earlier this fall about the community re-engagement to restore marvin Gaye Park in Washington DC. the Power of a Park. It had formerly fallen into disrepair and been overrun by drug users and dealers, earning the nickname "needle park".

It's an interesting read, and made me think about Seattle, where we have been on a new park development binge for several years. Parks are great, but to the point of the article, in addition to just creating net new greenspace, how many parks do we have that have become eyesores and hotbeds for criminal activity after hours? I know of 5 or 6 off hand that are in such condition- and with some community involvement could be recovered not just to provide safe enjoyable greenspace we like so much, but could become catalysts for the commnities around them, to provide neighborhood engagement and a source of garss roots community revitalization.

Check out the article and let me know your reaction.

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Posted by Ricky D Sadler on 11/10/2009 01:05 AM

Comments (3)

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3 Comments on The Power of a Park

NOV

When parks are used regularly by the public, the other "elements" tend to go elsewhere. There's nothing like a group of Moms to tell wanna-be gangbangers to behave!

I agree * parks or "green space" are inviting for residents and if located and graded properly, they CAN deter crime. When I look at an overhead of Manhattan and see the HUGE green space of Central Park, I wonder how NYC would be DIFFERENT if that same sqft of green was scattered around the city and not just in one big area.....great for BonJovi concert though!!

NOV

Hello Ricky, i am glad to hear about your park binge. As landlords and property managers, we really must go beyond maintaining tenant occupancy, for the community affects housing! I did read the article and am impressed. I was just in a community meeting yesterday along with a group of other landlords as we met to attempt to resolve problems facing one of the distressed neighborhoods.

Please keep us posted on your progress, for i am interested!

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