RE: [UC] Parklet

[Glenn moyer]

I think it is vital to understand the word "parklet" as a marker of fraud and propaganda.  Who can possibly object to the concept of a cleaner safer baby park?  This image is not  simple minded semantics, and I think that point is very important for people to recognize! All the suggestions for alternative locations that you and others have offered make much more sense for investment in small cozy spaces, when the government is running a surplus.  But that is not the goal of this marketing "pilot" project.   And if the people behind this wanted "green project investment" with Parks and street department money, I would add that all outdoor transit stops would first include shelter, seats, and plantings.  Sheltered bus and trolley stops would greatly encourage "walkability" and use of public transit.  But those city planners secretly pushing this, don't give a damn about thoughtful suggestions from caring citizens like us!   A few years ago, an audit including half of Phila. recreation facilities revealed that 100% were in need of basic maintenance.  If the taxpayers of Philadelphia found out that more Recreation money was being planned for the benefit of connected businesses in gentrified areas, they would be outraged at parklets! Looting the public treasury by plutocracy mobs is all around us.  These people are dishonest and ruthless. The parklet cloak is a smoke screen intended for the powerful marketing machine to fool all of Philadelphia.  Additionaly, terrified business owners and the tiny group of local gentrifiers can portray parklets as "green investments" and shout down everyone who dares to expose the con.  That is why the city announced this "experiment" in our local paper while keeping their "brilliance" from city wide exposure!  Depending on your point of view, you may see "parklet" as a brilliant choice of word rather than the simple idiocy it appears to be!  Why do you hate baby parks?  Why do you hate improvement?  Why do you hate successful neighborhoods?  We've seen this tactic here before, when we were told that BIDS make us cleaner and safer for a few pennies. The excellent suggestions for parklets on the list are a testiment to citizen involvement!  If the new cafe seating had anything to do with creating parklets, our suggestions are immensly better than these Penn/city experts.  But this evolving plot at theft is a cruel and outrageous lie  and noneo the gentrifiers are interested in suggestions for real baby parks! Glenn         -----Original Message----- From: Karen Allen Sent: Aug 17, 2011 11:49 AM To: UnivCity Listserv Subject: RE: [UC] Parklet I think the idea is a miss on a number of fronts. First, the name "parklet" (I use quotes because I don't like the conjured-up name) creates an expectation of sylvan greenery that is not met in the final product.  Call it what it is--outdoor seating.  As generic outdoor seating, it's functional, and looks OK. But giving it that particular name defeats its own purpose by inviting comparisons to a park, which it certainly is not.    Second, the seating could work in locations that need recreation or relaxation space, but it should not be directly tied to any commercial enterprise. The miss here is instead of finding neutral locations, it's  been placed next to a business with an outdoor cafe; thus drawing accusations of favoritism in its placement.    Here's a positive suggestion: the 45th/ Baltimore/Springfield  and 47th and Baltimore traffic triangles. They've both already been landscaped, and have enough space for small seating areas. 45th Street could be reconfigured mindful of pedestrian and auto traffic, and 47th is already fenced on the 47th Street side. They could help the overall 45th and 47th and Baltimore business strips without appearing to give favored treatment to any particular one.  And they could become  REAL parklets (without quotes!).    Date: Wed, 17 Aug 2011 06:14:11 -0500 From: herons...@verizon.net To: UnivCity@list.purple.com Subject: [UC] Parklet For the record, I don't like the looks of the parklet at 43rd and Baltimore either.  It does indeed look "industrial" and not very inviting.  I'm all in favor of new ways to develop public spaces (and I really like coffee-shops) but I have to say this project doesn't succeed.                                                                                                                                                  Al Airone ---- You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see . ---- You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see .