[UC] A history of prostitution in Clark Park

[Anthony West]

Dark deeds, like bright deeds, are oft done in public spaces. Clark Park 
is a marvelous public space where the entire community comes together, 
in many good ways -- but also, at times, in ways that cause problems. 
Commercial sex, for instance.

Today, it's not a big issue. But from 1990 to 2000, a lot of commercial 
sex took place in Clark Park after hours. It appeared to be related to 
the crack epidemic. Community volunteers regularly harvested both 
condoms and crack vials from the playground. We put a brave face on it. 
One of our neighborhood artists, Amy Orr, created crack-vial artworks! 
Still, it wasn't a good thing.

Starting in the late '90s, after Dr. Vladimir Sled was murdered by 
junkies at 44th & Larchwood, a comprehensive response emerged. 
Neighborhood town watch, Penn and Philadelphia Police 18th Dist., and 
UCD began to patrol Clark Park at night. Working in partnership, the 
vans that parked along the borders of the park at night were spotted, 
tagged, reported, and steadily driven away. By 2001, they were largely a 
memory.

But they can come back at any time, if the neighborhood changes once 
more in their favor. There are no guarantees in urban life. A city 
community must keep working to maintain its standards and its values.

I part ways with any of my neighbors who has publicly identified himself 
with applauding that crack epidemic. That's not the "Clark Park Culture" 
we want to preserve. We can do much better than that in West 
Philadelphia -- and in the park we love. Make love for free, but not for 
pay.

-- Tony West
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