This morning I received my copy of the "Charles Villager" which announced "New Wyman Park Dell Playground Embraces Nature". I was pleased to read of the proposed changes and benefits the residents of our communities could receive from this plan. From that article I learned that "The new and expanded playground will include an initial phase which should be under construction before the end of 2012, and future phases, which requires a Friends fundraising campaign." Since the City’s Department of Recreation and Parks (the same people that so quickly came to restore the 26th Street Playground Basketball Court this past weeks) are involved this initial phase this should be completed without much delay. However, the words “future phases” and “requires a Friends fundraising campaign” bother me. The first two words remind me of what happened to the “Reading Garden
The last part of the above quoted sentence got my interest in that several years ago I questioned the fact that the Spaghetti Discos, at that time, were supposed to have raised more than $30,000.for playground renovations. When we saw no renovations in the neighborhood taking place I asked about those funds, where and when were they to be used. This seemed to cause quite a to-do and an angry response from a member of the Charles Village Community Foundation which we were told was the group holding the funds. I never understood the concern caused by the question and never really got a response to my inquiry. It would appear that the funds are needed now so that the new Playground area can continue to move forward on one of the future proposed phases. So now may be a great time to use these funds to ensure the continuation of the proposed phases.
I also read that the new playground would include "a portable ping pong table". This seems odd to me in that the children in this community would really want the project to have a basketball court in the Dell to service the children north of 29th Street ' t seem to be a logical thing in that it will have to suffer the outdoor elements which may be why it is to be “portable”. And, portability also means it could easily be removed (as in stolen) if not locked up when not in use but who then will oversee control of this. The article boasted the "Ping Pong in the Park, [as] an informal programming activity” and again, who would control the activities on a regular basis? Who will be allowed to participate in those activities?
A compelling notice at the end of one of the paragraphs in the Charles Villager article included the following quote: "At the February workshop families and children offered important input, such as the desire that a portion of the playground and plateau area include opportunities for nature-based play." We have sat in on any number of “plans”, “projects” and other “design your own perfect place” programs. We saw the promoters of such projects encouraging children, and adults alike, handing out paper and crayons and cut-outs to imagine and play-build their own personal Eden, like some kindergarten class. Was this the same kind of workshop offering “important input” for “nature-based play” similarly lead? Some of the outcomes of earlier workshops in our neighborhood touted possible “butterfly gardens”, “humming bird sanctuaries” and the like. But often the people putting together such workshops already know what they want to do and, unfortunately for the participants, the “feel-good” workshop can result in nothing other than a way to show “community support” even if the community is not fully aware of the end result, if there actually is any result.
One must hope that the plans in the article meet fruition so that the community has another site for its children to enjoy and that truly benefits the people in Charles Village
Was there anything in the write-up that talked about doing something about the dog problem? Right now the Dell is nothing but a dog park. I have talked to many people with small children who will not take their children to the Dell because of the dogs that are running loose and the plethora of canine feces.
ReplyDeleteThe people who "walk" their dogs in the Dell do not seem to be aware -- or do not care--that the city has a lease law that requires them to keep their dogs on a lease at all times.
Until something is done to get rid of the dogs, there is no point in spending a cent of anyones money on the dell.
I think we just just stop spending money on the Dell and
let it go to the dogs.
Dear Chris,
ReplyDeleteThank you for you post regarding the playground in the Dell. Like you, we are excited about this new feature and feel it will be a benefit to Charles Village and Baltimore. I also thank you for recognizing the Department of Recreation and Parks as they have been a great partner in our effort and, as you indicate, in the 29th Street playground as well. I feel I do need to respond, however, as many of your comments related to the playground project seem to be based on conjecture of what you thought the process might have been. It is unfortunate that you can criticize a process without being involved in it or take the time to contact someone who was to be better informed. You made some points about the process. Your points are based on other experiences you have had, completely unrelated to the Dell playground process.
I do agree with you 100% that all too often a community participation process is done just for show and the result is already figured out ahead of time. That is precisely the reason that none of us came to the workshops with the pre-conceived idea that there should be a basketball court....as you assumed in your post that this is something children would want. What we did learn from the workshops was that there was a desire for ping pong in the park....something none of us had thought of before. One of the workshop participants suggested this so it could be considered for the focus area (the entire part of the park surrounding the Union Monument...not just the playground itself). This was in response to a desire to provide a variety of activities that would appeal to a variety of people (including adults who are there with their children) and activate the park (with positive activity) at various times of day. To our delight, this individual donated two portable picnic tables to the Dell (safely kept in the maintenance building when not in use)and started an active Facebook group, Ping Pong in the Park. As a result, a group of people are using the park, playing ping pong several times a week...an activity that did not exist before. Anyone who wants to be involved in this can play. I imagine you can sign up on Facebook. In addition, this individual has offered volunteers from his Air Force squadron to help stabilize and construct nature trails through the woods adjacent to the park. This was another idea that came out of the workshop.
While we didn't use crayons in any of the workshops, we did have quite a few "kindergarten" level discussions because we had many kindergarten level children and young families participate in the second workshop. It was a great afternoon; I am sorry you did not participate in either workshop to see this first hand.
On another note, I understand your disappointment that the project will be phased but don’t understand why this is so troubling. Many projects are phased based on availability of funding, resources and other factors of which you would be aware had you participated in the process or made a point to inquire.
You had also expressed doubt as to whether there was any "end result". I am pleased to report that with the success of Ping Pong in the Park, donated ping pong tables, the offer to help restore nature trails and with the first phase of the playground going out to bid in a few weeks, there were, indeed, results. We are proud of these results, as are you with the results you and the volunteers for the 29th Street playground project enjoyed. And we are thankful for those efforts. Thank you again for your interest in the playground. I hope this provides some clarification.
Regards, Tom McGilloway
Dear Chris,
ReplyDeleteThis is a follow up to my last post regarding the Wyman Park Dell playground project. In your post, you also also referenced that the kiosk has never been developed so I'll provide some background on that aspect of the park as well. Those who participated in the park master planning process in 2005 know that the master plan is a long-term guide for the park and that the kiosk is a long-term project in response to several comments that came out of the workshops to have a place for coffee and refreshment. By having a placeholder for this element (in a location where it could be economically viable and where it will not detract from the historic integrity of the park) it can be implemented as the opportunity arises or is pursued. While, indeed, it may never happen, there is a chance that it can be by having it be part of the master plan, rather than not included at all. As with any park master planning effort, particularly in a city with an under-funded and under-staffed recreation and parks department, it is important to include long-term large capital projects as well as smaller projects that can be implemented immediately by a variety of partners .Happily, many elements of the master plan have been and continue to be implemented through a variety of partnerships. These projects include reconstruction of the historic stone wall; the removal of excess roadway at 29th and Charles, resulting in an expanded park and safer intersection; the planting (and keeping alive during three dry summers) of 30 native shade and understory trees; the planting of over 100 shrubs and perennials; the on-going removal of invasive plants; programming the park with events that include Movies in the Park, Winter Solstice Celebration, The Big Draw and walking tours; the repair and painting of the maintenance building and the routine pick-up of litter.
The implementation of these projects would not have been possible had it not been for the constructive partnerships with Baltimore City, JHU (30 Beta Fraternity brothers volunteer monthly in the Dell; the baseball team volunteers twice a year and the new freshmen volunteer each year as part of the Presidents Day of Service), Serve Greater Baltimore who volunteers in the Dell twice a year, not to mention the many volunteers with FWPD who coordinate these efforts and raise funds for future projects.
I hope this has provided some additional clarification for you regarding the kiosk and other aspects of the Dell. I would hate to have misinformation circulated. Please let me know if you have any additonal questions or need any additional clarifications(you can get in touch with me or any of the Friends through the FWPD website). I also encourage you to let us know if you would like to be involved in future playground work sessions as you have a lot of thoughts on the subject ...we'll make sure you are added to a contact list. We do not have any scheduled at this time but we are always looking for additional volunteers and participants. In the meantime, our next cleanup is October 27th. We will have about 15 volunteers from Serve Greater Baltimore in the Morning and about 30 JHU Freshmen along with the Beta Fraternity in the afternoon. Our focus will be planting and mulching trees, trash removal and graffitti removal. We'd love to have you join us. It is amazing to see how the park is shaped and cared for by the people who dedicate the time to being involved. If you are interested, the morning session will be from 10-12 and the afternoon session from 10 to about 3 PM.
Thank you, again, for your interest in the Dell . Regards, Tom McGilloway
Let me advise you where the information for my blog post came from so that you may understand my perspective on this. It came from the article printed in the Fall 2012 issue of "The Charles Villager" which is considered by many to be the official paper of a our local group of communities. The information printed therein is considered by some to be "etched in stone" and expected to be something that has actually been accomplished. Years ago, in reporting about the "Kiosk" the "Charles Villager" article made it appear that the kiosk would be created in no short order but from your comment, it apparently may never materialize.
DeleteWith regard to the playground, this have been talked about being updated for many years and several years ago the CVCF was holding money raised from the CVCA's "Saghetti Disco" for playgrounds. I repeatedly asked with respect to these funds when they were to be utilized on this project, because this playground needed improvement and Charles Village children were getting older as they waited for the funds to be released. I was criticized publicly in a local discussion list exchange of e-mails for having the audacity to even question when the improvements would take place. As for participating in the Wyman Park Dell projects, I have attempted for years to participate in Friends of Wyman Park Dell but never received any response to my inquiries. Again, a few months ago I made an effort to attend a meeting of the group but my request for information on the meeting was ignored by the organization.
It is also very nice of people who "dedicate the time to being involved" in projects in the park but I trust you also utilize the provisions of the CVCBD's "Baseline Agreement" with the City which outlines that responsibility of the City's Dept. of Public Works [to] "provides horticultural maintenance" at "Charles Streeet and 29th Street - Confederate Soldiers and Sailors Monument. Weed, mulch and trim shrubs. Generally done twice a year, approximately 1/2-day work for supervior and 2-man crew".
I would like to know if the Joseph Beuys permanent exhibit which was installed in the Dell about 13 years ago is being protected. We have not been able to find any evidence that it still exists there although it was quite a coup for Charles Village to have this installed. I hope it hasn't been ignored or removed.
I can assure you that my wife and I do not claim for anything until we accomplish it. Otherwise, these would be empty promises. About the announcement in "The Charles Villager" about potential improvements of the Wyman Park Dell, why not wait until these accomplishments are finalized and let the citizens of this community see the actual results, not what is hoped for, anticipated and/or claimed to happen which may never occur?