Fight For Your Olmsted Parks!

Tuesday, 10 AM, Council Chambers
13th floor, City Hall.

The Council vote is the the last line of defense of this egregious scheme of the mayor, to consolidate power through patronage jobs.

FILL UP THE ROOM

I think the fact that the Conservancy can leverage grant, philanthropic and volunteerism is enough of a reason to keep them in charge of the parks. As someone who worked for the old city parks department for years I can attest that there were many people who did not take their job nearly as seriously as most of the people who work and advocate for the park. The parks and system as a whole was just gaining enough momentum to really make some huge changes!

A recombined Delaware park, a partial 'restoration' of Agassiz circle and Humboldt (whatever the DOT will allow). The fact that the parks are seen as a system by everyone for the first time in generations is amazing. They are a city park and park system, not a neighborhood park and one that is historically significant to the whole development of park planning, landscape architecture and sustainable design.

The premise that Olmsted built his parks too is emblematic of the country as a whole. The parks were seen as truly democratic spaces in the city. A place where everyone, no matter their class, creed or race can and should go to mingle, relax and enjoy nature. Nothing in America is built with such aspirations for a better society anymore and it would be a shame to watch that aspiration slowly die again like it did previously under city control...

And how is it that a mayoral administration can run roughshod over the will of the residents?

Is there one city resident that says to themselves, "Hey, the city taking over the parks -- that's a great idea! They don't have other things they could be concentrating on. Wish I'd thought of it!"

I didn't think so.

The Conservancy folks have worked very hard to make sure that this historic gem looks as good as possible, raising money, recruiting and training volunteers and making a real difference in the curb appeal of our city. Why undo this excellent effort to transform our city into a GREEN and livable community? The fact that they double the money that the government provides as well as raise millions to restore the parks seems like a no brainer....who else can do this? Can the Mayor? Why doesn't he join forces with the Olmsted folks, support them in their mission and move on to figuring out how to really improve the other city parks that have languished? I hope everyone will come out to the Common Council's Finance Committee meeting tomorrow. They need to see that the OWNERS of the parks are paying attention. We elect government to serve US, not the other way around! They need to do the right thing and not punish the Conservancy for getting in the way of whatever political agenda someone may be pushing.