Description
Excerpt from my email to Jay Ash dated 7/12/2013 that went unanswered.
Sadly, in the last two years, the park has become an eyesore. Almost half of it is now mostly dirt, which turns into mud during rain/bad weather. The perimeter, which was once meticulously weeded and mulched, is now becoming infested with weeds and hasn’t been mulched in two years. If it weren’t for neighbors with green thumbs, the garden in the middle would probably also be full of weeds. Another neighbor has been known to mow the grass himself when it gets too high because it seems that keeping the grass manicured is no longer a priority. The only thing to have changed recently is the sprinklers are back on..
I wonder if part of the neglect/lack of upkeep is because many people in the neighborhood have dogs and use the park to walk them - and the City figures that the park will be ruined by the dog traffic. This is an understandable concern, but one that I do not think is merited, as the majority of dog owners using the park live in the neighborhood and care about whether or not it is in good shape. If maintenance is a budgetary issue, I find that disappointing, as I have to believe that waterfront residents are one of the highest paying taxpayer groups in the city.
I wish I could upload additional pictures.
7 Comments
Anonymous (Registered User)
I love the fact that the area is fenced in, but I hate it when other dog owners just come in & not pick up after their dogs.
I too have had to do some of my own cleaning, but at the 2 parks near the police station because people are litter bugs and cant clean after themselves. I have noticed that these past days that since the Liquor store on broadway has been closed for repairs, the park has been cleaner. I guess the drunks & bums are going elsewhere to get their liquor.
Newcomer (Registered User)
Jen C (Guest)
I have lived in the neighborhood for 12 years and seeing the park turn into a wonderful spot was such a testament to the city's support of the neighborhood. It is disheartening to think that might no longer be the case.
Acknowledged ChelseaDPW (Registered User)
Closed ChelseaDPW (Registered User)
Jen C (Guest)
Newcomer (Registered User)
While I thank the DPW for "cleaning" our much beloved park, there seems to be something missing. As you can see in the attached photo there are still leaves and trash along the fence on the outside of the park. Would you please include this in your cleaning schedule?
And as another suggestion as you may know many of us bring our dogs to this park, would it be possible reduce the amount of mulch since it can be toxic to dogs and instead up the grass area available? It wouldn't be a bad idea to temporarily close the park after seeding to give it a chance to grow.