Nikki, I hope you received my response to your previous email.
Thanks for your interesting observations on tennis. Notice that Minneapolis has tennis courts in parks all over town. The type of elitist discrimination you suggest is not a part of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. The Minneapolis park system is a wonderful example of democracy in action. Theodore Wirth is considered the father of recreation in the Minneapolis parks. His design intent and philosophical overview was that there would be no exclusions nor elitism - any where in any park. Wirth was so successful at this that he won the inter-racial council award in 1940. When Wirth arrived in Minneapolis in on January 10, 1906, Minneapolis children were not allowed to play on the grass in a park, they had to play in the streets. Wirth tore down barriers and placed "Please walk on the grass" signs on the lawns. This was just the beginning of him opening the parks for active recreation. Wirth set a goal to place a playground park within six blocks of every home. He encouraged swimming, skiing, golfing, sailing, horseback riding, hiking, baseball .. you name it. He even provided the schools with a football stadium. He continually expanded public recreation opportunities within the park system. Among the many recreation amenities Wirth provided in our parks were tennis courts all over town. He organized a recreation department with staff, therefore the common person could have lessons and be able to participate in a sport that had previously been perceived as elitist. With today's demographics Wirth would certainly be encouraging more public soccer fields as well as football fields in the parks. However, they would have to be well designed and have plenty of room with full public access. Joan Berthiaume Minneapolis Parks Legacy Society ----- Original Message ----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> Sent: Monday, October 31, 2005 9:20 AM Subject: Re: [Mpls] Yes, size matters. My question about this historic-preservation objection to the playing field on Nicollet Island is what is so darn historic about 3 asphalt tennis courts surrounded by 10 foot tall chain link fence? And if tennis doesn't disturb your sense of history, why do football and soccer? Perhaps because tennis is the sport of the aristocracy and the foot sports are of the peasantry? Nikki Carlson Linden Hills (yes, I am a De parent) REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules<http://www.e-democracy.org/rules>. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED]<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html<http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html> For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract<http://e-democracy.org/mninteract> ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls<http://e-democracy.org/mpls> REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[email protected] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
