Michael Holman writes:
Seems odd. Summer is upon us, and we hear discussion of new off-road mountain bike trails, new skate parks, tennis courts, improvements at golf courses and parks, wading pools, beaches and life guards, power boat races, milfoil harvesters, the fancy sports complex near Ft. Snelling, concession stand contracts, a possible hydro power project, possible marinas and excursion boats, wireless hot spots at city parks, a separate Park Police system, a $50 million tax-supported MPRB operating budget and nearly $20 million in additional non-tax-supported operating funds, over a quarter billion in book value assets, and the kids in Jordan have to play basketball in the street? Don't call the police, call the Park Board and City Council and Mayor.
Dennis Plante Responds:
Starting roughly 2-1/2 years ago, a small but determined group of residents in Jordan set about to do just that - go through the proper channels to obtain at least a passing park for the kids in our neighborhood. If I'm not mistaken, Jordan has probably the highest number of residents under the age of 18 in the City. Our "park" consists of 1 monkey bar playground (with swing) 2-3 horseshoe pits and a small un-staffed wading pool.
2-1/2 years ago we were told by parkboard officials that 2005 was the year Jordan Park was slated to be addressed (with upgrades coming sometime after that).
I am now taking the approach that if the City chooses not to act more quickly than that in addressing the issue, I will bring it to a head by forcing the removal of the basketball hoops (that are currently taking the place of the non-existent park). The kids in Jordan are no different than the kids in any other neighborhood in our fine City. They DESERVE the same oppotunities.
It'd be very easy to point-out that yes, the kids in Jordan could walk to a park closeby (say farview) to recreate, or that the neighborhood brought it upon it's self by allowing inappropriate behaviour at the basketball hoops that used to exist at Jordan Park. However, I've visited parks in more affluent neighborhoods of the City enough to know that such inappropriate behaviour exists at these parks as well. The difference is that the residents (in those neighborhoods) wouldn't stand for the removal of recreational facilities because of it.
You want to keep kids out of gangs and away from the drug culture? Gve them options. In neighborhoods (like Jordan) where the challenges (for the children) are even greater, they need MORE options than what is perceived as adequate, not less...
Dennis Plante Jordan
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