Re: [UC] MLK Jr projects in Clark park

[Anthony West]

Good heavens, Liz, I'm sorry you took my remarks that way! Anybody is welcome to volunteer in any park at any time. But I am personally unaware of any outdoor volunteer work that the officers of either FoCP or any other group have scheduled in Clark Park this winter. In my experience, seldom has such work been organized. That's why I can't imagine what projects people might join on 24 hours' notice -- there aren't any that I know of. Good volunteer projects take beaucoup advance planning most of the time. I was thrilled to death to hear Andrew and Greg and the gang over at Malcolm X Park did have something going. You rule, Greg and Andrew! You're a model for Clark Park to follow. Liz, if you want to lead a winter work project in the park, you know you'll have FoCP behind you all the way. Contact one of your officers and get something going. You know how to do that! You are a truly incredible Lifetime Supporter of the park. I honestly reported what park volunteers are working on in the winter season, that I know of. They are smoothing the way for this year's festivals and soccer leagues. They are planning complex rehabilitation work. They are also working on Charles Dickens' Birthday Party and figuring out how to raise the money needed to maintain the park come spring. If any of this is what you like to do ... contact your representatives and they'll hook you in. (Psst! I'm not your rep.) FoCP is far from the only game in Clark Park. You can volunteer there directly through a host of other cool neighborhood groups. Most of them have cross-membership with FoCP, though. -- Tony West  I appreciate lots of what volunteers, (including Tony, but NOT limited to the FoCP), do in and for Clark Park and other contributory work that strengthens are people and improves this environment we call home-neighborhood.   I disliked a few points in Tony's response.   1. No one should be told, "I can't imagine what useful work you could do..." I can imagine lots of things that can be done now, by both organized groups and by concerned individuals. For Example: I walked through the park today, as I do every other day, and noticed         a. what appears to be a killing amount of salt dumped on the grass and near a tree, on the 45th street perimeter of the park at the base of Regent Street.                  b. wind blown litter         c. wind swept twigs and limbs that could become trip and fall hazards This salt should be cleaned up.  I mean to do it, but forget to load tools in my car.  Maybe someone nearby can walk a bag, brush and dust pan over? The twigs and litter would make a good, private project for an individual or family. There are times when a better planned event brings the benefit of building community or providing cheer leading for good deeds, but as individuals, we can we can learn, and train our children, in the quiet satisfactions of doing what is right, without public notice.  I've found this type of private volunteer excursion lets me teach (and learn from) my kids and their friends.  Added benefits include fresh air, exercise and intra-family bonding.   2. FoCP is not the only game in Clark Park. I like most of the FoCP volunteers, but I recognize many are suspect to others. I believe FoCP will grow better through inclusivity, and through creating and posting community generated "Wish lists" and seeking out and empowering more Volunteers to do, and lead others to do, approved items which are on the "wish" list. When I volunteer, nothing chases me away faster than micro management or hearing criticism before thanks. Volunteers should be invited to tackle any number of self directed, maintenance or non permanent improvements. It would be so easy to design tasks such as aerate around one tree, mulch around one hedge row, pick up one full bag of litter.   3. Statements such as, "All true park-lovers are busy now on the devilishly-difficult redesign of the beloved but deteriorated North Park... raise my hackles.  It stinks of old time patrimony and competitive narcissism. I consider myself a "true park-lover".  I even have FoCP bona fides. (My family was the FIRST money donor at the "Lifetime" membership rate.) I am busy using the park, but volunteer in other areas in our community. I want FoCP to trust that I am doing good somewhere else, and I want to trust the people who volunteer for the park. But FoCP, like Spruce Hill Community Association and a recent board of the University City Swim Club has made TOO MANY moves that seem to come from too far outside of our community and which seem poised to disengage long time neighbors and center power in the hands of those with deeper wallets and better keyboarding skills. ---- You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see .