“When you see in Italy and Argentina plazas and piazzas really being used by all the people of a neighborhood, it’s a wonderful part of urban life,” Andersen said."
I'm not sure exactly what section of the park he wants to turn over to private enterprise. The western half of the park has the ball field, basketball hoops, hosts hockey games and is where people illegally let their dogs run around off the leash. While it may not be a grand public interactive space on the caliber of South American or European cities, to call that section of the park "underused" demonstrates either a willful ignorance, or a staggeringly self-centered view of public space.
Yes, that section of the park is used for sports and dogs, but it is by far the less popular half of the park. It is also the unattractive part of the park, with it's shabby playing field and chain-link fence. Developing that area into an an attractive piazza/plaza that can be utilized by everyone is a good idea.
ReplyDeleteOpen space is at a premium in the city, even in Carroll Gardens. If this becomes filled with lovely plantings and furniture, there will be no place to play team sports, teach our kids to ride their bikes, or just run wild. It could be renovated, with furniture on the periphery, but it should be kept open space for play.
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