RSS FeedNew Poll…How Do You Use Parks?
With the glorious weather arriving, we turn our thoughts to spending time outdoors. There are a number of parks in downtown DC and we’ve always been curious about how workers, residents and visitors make use of those parks so check out the new poll on the right and place your vote.
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Comments
Agree with previous comment. you need to add another response to your poll — avoid due to unsafe conditions and pan-handling
As the weather gets nicer, the above-mentioned issues increase, so I start avoid those parks. Fortunately, the parks with some sort of “security” presence (use the term loosely) offer a nice alternative. Fortunately the Smithsonian parks and gardens haven’t been overrun yet.
I have noticed a distrubing trend this week outside the Old Post Office.
On Thursday there was a local crowd gathered at a bench on the 12th street side. My bike was locked to a signpost in their midst, so I had to excuse myself as I walked among them to reach my bike. They were drinking cans of beer and other spirits. I reported this to a SAM guy who happened to be standing on the other side of PA avenue.
On Saturday were was a group of locals gathered at the northeast corner of the building (the main entrance used by tourists). They were laying on the sidewalk, leaning on the building, and basically living there for several hours. While I stood elsewhere on the plaza I could hear their loud and colorful language. Not very pleasant for our many young tourists. I plan to report this problem to the Old Post Office management office on Tuesday when they reopen.
Our tourists should be treated better than this.
There are two parks within walking distance of our place on the Hill – Stanton Park and Lincoln Park. Both are great dog parks and a nice spot to meet up with neighbors. We also like to use DC’s parks for picnics but try to hit up the more secluded spots for this. Parks that aren’t as dog-friendly tend to have better grass and, you know, less poop.
My dog was kicked and I was slapped near the small green patch behind the Navy Memorial by some homeless man. They’ve taken over downtown parks!
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Our parks have been taken over by vagrants, so they are often unpleasant places for the rest of us. This situation is made worse by the fact that they are permitted to set up semi-permanent residence there (tents, boxes, etc.) and charities provide the convenience of free meals delivered directly to them there. I don’t blame them–they’re doing what is best for them given their situation, I suppose, but it doesn’t make parks a nice place for the whole community to enjoy.