The city council should also consider two rules for Alexandria’s public parks.
First, there should be a rule banning motorized vehicles (specifically four-wheeler atvs) in the city’s parks. Of course disabled individuals should be allowed to use “scooter chairs” and motorized wheelchairs, but motorcycles, mopeds, motor scooters, and atvs have no place in the parks. I also think motorized kids’ vehicles are a nuisance, and probably should be banned, too.
The second rule should ban smoking in the city’s parks. I find it extraordinarily annoying to run in Compton Park, doing what I can to improve my cardiovascular health, and having to run through clouds of cigarette smoke. It is a matter of public health, too, because the surgeon general issued a statement today (http://www.newstarget.com/019491.html) saying that secondhand smoke is dangerous at any level. It’s not a daily problem for me at Compton Park, but not a week goes by when I have to pass through secondhand smoke at least one time.
City council should pass those rules and fund the manufacture of signs stating that these rules are in effect.
Why didn’t anyone think about maintaining these parks when the downtown walking trail idea was being tossed around? Money from the waterpark study could have helped out too.
You obviously do not keep up with all that your local officials have done for your health lately. You stated that there should be a rule about smoking in the city’s parks. Well dear, cardio king/queen, that has already been passed in the recent city ordinance banning smoking from ALL public places. City parks ARE included in this ordinance as they are maintained by city funds. However, I must ask, guardian of the track, if secondhand smoke is a matter of public health as you have stated,is it anymore of a bother than the exhaust fumes from the vehicles that travel down Wakefield right next to the running path you are obviously utilizing?? I mean, apparently those fumes (carbon monoxide), which will kill in a matter of hours if you are subjected to them, would seem to be a greater threat to the community. I say that as long as we are outlawing secondhand smoke in obviously open outdoor areas where it will disperse quickly into the atmosphere, why not outlaw the even more heinous vehicle exhaust that threatens us everyday?
I wonder if the Council will step up police patrols to stop the vandalism in these parks? New bathroom fixtures torn out of the walls, aircondioners ripped out of buildings, lights shot out, playground equipment destroyed and broken glass thrown everywhere. All of this and more occurs often yet no one tries to catch the criminals.
Doubtful c.s. Why? Simple, that’s because the cops are stationed at the Gate on Jackson Street every night. Roll by there, around say 10pm-2am, and you’ll see three to four units shooting the breeze.
Not at the Gate? Explore through Charles Park or CP Extension and you’ll see a couple units patrolling. Not there? How about a nice jaunt through the auto dealerships going to the Airpark. I’ve seen cops in these places night after night ranging from 9pm-3am. During this period i’ve driven through 3rd Str., Bolton Ave, SQ, Downtown Alex., and other portions of the city and not seen a single cop night after night. Not one.
Hell, the Reserve Sheriff’s deputies at Sonic and McDonalds on Lee Street do more time in these areas than the city police. The ones directing traffic outside of Raising Cane’s see more action than APD. Tell me this isn’t an outrage. When you’ve got eight, yes eight, on duty APD sitting around for two hours at the Gate it makes you wonder. I doubt Jackson Street needs to be guarded on a Tuesday night during the school year with such manpower. I highly doubt that we need four officers sitting around near Turpin Pontaic drinking Coke at the same time.
I have nothing against cops, I really don’t, but come the fuck on. I highly doubt APD ventures into some neighborhoods nightly and it leaves nothing to the imagination as to why vandalism is rampant and yet unchecked.
You are missing the hidden point. It is once again, US and THEM. THEY have it and WE want it. The one park in a white neighborhood is maintained–and people in the neighborhood do regular maintenance also while the other parks in other neighborhoods are torn up by people in those neighborhoods. Do the people who live there do anything to maintain the area or just sit and wait once again, for someone else to do it?????????
Many of the people who live in the areas where the parks are in bad shape have absolutely no regard for anybody else’s property. They consider it funny to destroy things. Please don’t make this a black/white issue. Some whites do this just as much as some blacks. It’s a matter of NO class.
Before making your decision re funding for the Alex City Park, go to the LA state police website (or Google LA sex offenders). On the link that shows names, pics and locations of known sex offenders, put in the name of one of the streets near the park.
If you have parks you will have children and if there are children they will attract the interest of predators. The only way to protect kids anyplace and anytime is responsible adult supervision and genuine parental concern. The days when we could ride our bikes to the park and play until “suppertime” are forever gone.
Of interest is the obvious fact that the only councilman to look after the conditions in his district was Fowler. The other guys were obviously unconcerned and/or unaware until election time. They ride arround in their fancy cars and hang out at their private saloon to drink and carouse with the other “important” people and couldn’t care less about their consituents. It is way past time for a change.
Agree with Anonymous – It’s funny that two councilmen are now running for the leadership spot in Alexandria and at least one was quoted in the parks article. What’s worse is a committee, including private citizens, was assembled, at the request of the Council, to consider a new bond issue and to report back to the Council on how $22 Million could be spent to move some badly needed projects forward. If I am not mistaken $3 Million is to go parks that have previously been neglected. This being the case, why make the issue a front page story and further polarize the City along racial lines?
You have to wonder the REAL intent of the article when you know the rest of the story.
The real intent of the story, no matter what is provided to certain members of society, shows that there is no respect or pride for self, others, the neighberhood or the community.
Anything needs ongoing maintenance however the deteration is worsened by vandilism and lack of care by users. It is funny that the facilities furnished by the government in the primary white/black family oriented neighberhoods usually are well maintained by the citizens as well as the city.
Wonder why the tennis nets shown in the photo are torn up?
In the end it will be the fault of the whiteman and the city council will spend enormous sums of money to fix the problem for their bretheren. Maybe we can find another Bayou through the ghetto to build a running/walking path around.
CenLamar 
The city council should also consider two rules for Alexandria’s public parks.
First, there should be a rule banning motorized vehicles (specifically four-wheeler atvs) in the city’s parks. Of course disabled individuals should be allowed to use “scooter chairs” and motorized wheelchairs, but motorcycles, mopeds, motor scooters, and atvs have no place in the parks. I also think motorized kids’ vehicles are a nuisance, and probably should be banned, too.
The second rule should ban smoking in the city’s parks. I find it extraordinarily annoying to run in Compton Park, doing what I can to improve my cardiovascular health, and having to run through clouds of cigarette smoke. It is a matter of public health, too, because the surgeon general issued a statement today (http://www.newstarget.com/019491.html) saying that secondhand smoke is dangerous at any level. It’s not a daily problem for me at Compton Park, but not a week goes by when I have to pass through secondhand smoke at least one time.
City council should pass those rules and fund the manufacture of signs stating that these rules are in effect.
Why didn’t anyone think about maintaining these parks when the downtown walking trail idea was being tossed around? Money from the waterpark study could have helped out too.
compton park runner…
You obviously do not keep up with all that your local officials have done for your health lately. You stated that there should be a rule about smoking in the city’s parks. Well dear, cardio king/queen, that has already been passed in the recent city ordinance banning smoking from ALL public places. City parks ARE included in this ordinance as they are maintained by city funds. However, I must ask, guardian of the track, if secondhand smoke is a matter of public health as you have stated,is it anymore of a bother than the exhaust fumes from the vehicles that travel down Wakefield right next to the running path you are obviously utilizing?? I mean, apparently those fumes (carbon monoxide), which will kill in a matter of hours if you are subjected to them, would seem to be a greater threat to the community. I say that as long as we are outlawing secondhand smoke in obviously open outdoor areas where it will disperse quickly into the atmosphere, why not outlaw the even more heinous vehicle exhaust that threatens us everyday?
I wonder if the Council will step up police patrols to stop the vandalism in these parks? New bathroom fixtures torn out of the walls, aircondioners ripped out of buildings, lights shot out, playground equipment destroyed and broken glass thrown everywhere. All of this and more occurs often yet no one tries to catch the criminals.
Doubtful c.s. Why? Simple, that’s because the cops are stationed at the Gate on Jackson Street every night. Roll by there, around say 10pm-2am, and you’ll see three to four units shooting the breeze.
Not at the Gate? Explore through Charles Park or CP Extension and you’ll see a couple units patrolling. Not there? How about a nice jaunt through the auto dealerships going to the Airpark. I’ve seen cops in these places night after night ranging from 9pm-3am. During this period i’ve driven through 3rd Str., Bolton Ave, SQ, Downtown Alex., and other portions of the city and not seen a single cop night after night. Not one.
Hell, the Reserve Sheriff’s deputies at Sonic and McDonalds on Lee Street do more time in these areas than the city police. The ones directing traffic outside of Raising Cane’s see more action than APD. Tell me this isn’t an outrage. When you’ve got eight, yes eight, on duty APD sitting around for two hours at the Gate it makes you wonder. I doubt Jackson Street needs to be guarded on a Tuesday night during the school year with such manpower. I highly doubt that we need four officers sitting around near Turpin Pontaic drinking Coke at the same time.
I have nothing against cops, I really don’t, but come the fuck on. I highly doubt APD ventures into some neighborhoods nightly and it leaves nothing to the imagination as to why vandalism is rampant and yet unchecked.
You are missing the hidden point. It is once again, US and THEM. THEY have it and WE want it. The one park in a white neighborhood is maintained–and people in the neighborhood do regular maintenance also while the other parks in other neighborhoods are torn up by people in those neighborhoods. Do the people who live there do anything to maintain the area or just sit and wait once again, for someone else to do it?????????
Many of the people who live in the areas where the parks are in bad shape have absolutely no regard for anybody else’s property. They consider it funny to destroy things. Please don’t make this a black/white issue. Some whites do this just as much as some blacks. It’s a matter of NO class.
FYI:
Before making your decision re funding for the Alex City Park, go to the LA state police website (or Google LA sex offenders). On the link that shows names, pics and locations of known sex offenders, put in the name of one of the streets near the park.
Interessant, n’est-ce pas?
If you have parks you will have children and if there are children they will attract the interest of predators. The only way to protect kids anyplace and anytime is responsible adult supervision and genuine parental concern. The days when we could ride our bikes to the park and play until “suppertime” are forever gone.
Of interest is the obvious fact that the only councilman to look after the conditions in his district was Fowler. The other guys were obviously unconcerned and/or unaware until election time. They ride arround in their fancy cars and hang out at their private saloon to drink and carouse with the other “important” people and couldn’t care less about their consituents. It is way past time for a change.
Agree with Anonymous – It’s funny that two councilmen are now running for the leadership spot in Alexandria and at least one was quoted in the parks article. What’s worse is a committee, including private citizens, was assembled, at the request of the Council, to consider a new bond issue and to report back to the Council on how $22 Million could be spent to move some badly needed projects forward. If I am not mistaken $3 Million is to go parks that have previously been neglected. This being the case, why make the issue a front page story and further polarize the City along racial lines?
You have to wonder the REAL intent of the article when you know the rest of the story.
The real intent of the story, no matter what is provided to certain members of society, shows that there is no respect or pride for self, others, the neighberhood or the community.
Anything needs ongoing maintenance however the deteration is worsened by vandilism and lack of care by users. It is funny that the facilities furnished by the government in the primary white/black family oriented neighberhoods usually are well maintained by the citizens as well as the city.
Wonder why the tennis nets shown in the photo are torn up?
In the end it will be the fault of the whiteman and the city council will spend enormous sums of money to fix the problem for their bretheren. Maybe we can find another Bayou through the ghetto to build a running/walking path around.