Columbia Heights Listserv Debates 11th and Monroe Park

DSCN0127, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

The original notice says:

“There will be a meeting held on 4 June 2008 at 1125
Spring Road, NW (the Mental Health Center), at 7:30pm,
About the park at 11th and Monroe Streets, NW.

The purpose of this meeting is to provide a public forum
for all the residents, especially those from ANC 1A04 and
1A07, to address concerns or make suggestions about the
park. Residents of other Single Member Districts in ANC
1A are also invited to participate.”

Apparently folks are upset that residents from ANC 1A04 and 07 are given a greater stake in the issue presumably because they live closer to the park.

I thought this was an interesting follow up comment from the listserv:

“The park is a community asset and there are many citizen interests in
the park – to use it for recreation, to use it for relaxation, to use it
to escape the heat, to walk by and not be harassed, to have a good night sleep because no one is in it drinking, to no smell urine/excrement when you walk in an alley, to feel safe and secure in your home/street because it is free of crime, to watch you property value rise because you have an attractive green space nearby.”

Personally, I think those that live right near the park do have a greater stake but obviously those in the general area would like the atmosphere of this park improved. What do you think – does proximity to the park give one a greater stake?