parklife : cal anderson
Careful observers of the city parks scene may have noticed that the fences keeping people from tromping over the newly seeded lawn in the recently renovated Cal Anderson Park [seattle.us] were quietly removed early this week. While the park is now once again open to children, addicts, dogwalkers, bums, sunbathers, and other recreation-seekers, the official grand opening ceremony takes place tomorrow afternoon.
Now that the Lincoln Reservoir has been successfully “undergrounded”, the park has room for things like “water features”, basketball courts, a reflecting pool, and an all-weather surface at the playfield. Be there from noon to 3 pm to witness the cutting of a ribbon (possibly with a giant pair of scissors!), walking tours, and free bookmarks for the first 150 attendees.
I guess the budget was too tight for Cal Anderson or Olmstead bobble-headed dolls?
You’re right. The park is open to anybody and everybody. Its a great space and amenity for this high-density neighborhood. ALL PEOPLE are welcome … not all behaviors, though. So, fill the park with legitimate, creative and cool living right in the heart of the urban jungle. And keep the illegal behaviors out with your presence. The more you bring your friends, lovers, children, boyfriends, girlfriends, mothers, grandpas, bookclubs, picnics, frisbees, croquet sets, kites, chess pieces, remote control boats, unicycles, music, and just good old living, the less the bad crap’s going to happen.
I have to say I am dumbfounded by the new signs around the fountain and wading pool. “Humans and dogs not allowed in the water.” No dogs, I can understand. But humans? If they didn’t want people in the water, why create such a welcoming space? It was made to walk though. The fountain’s stream calls out to you to sit on the side and put your feet in. On opening day, everyone was enjoying the water. Then the signs went up. Does this piss anyone else off?
trey: I guess that I don’t mind the water features not being open for use as public baths or wading pools. I think that if the water was used by people, it would quickly become much less inviting.