A Tale of Two Parks

[Ocklawaha]

apvguy, Hey man, I'm not chest thumping out here,(NO HARM INTENDED)  we all want the same things. I just cringe at the thought of any forced roundup of a free people. I've spent years as a CITIZEN in the "3 Rd World" and this kind of stuff ain't pretty.

I suspect that we agree on the need for social services, but they must be made so attractive that those in need will seek them out without police intervention.

Ask anyone at MJ my attitude toward these folks. If they wander into a meeting, I shift to inclusive mode. Try never to leave one hungry or thirsty, and always leave a friend. Since we're talking about "law and parables" just remember "you can draw more flys with honey then vinegar."

We went through this on another e:news source about a year ago and it got REALLY ugly. Someone set up the police roundup theory and suddenly everyone wanted to: (take your pick) shoot them, sling-shots, floodlights etc... In this case it was hookers. But in no case is it right. I just wanted to stem the tide before it hit again.

Just my view...you see... been there-done that!

FRIENDS?

OCKLAWAHA

[apvbguy]

apvguy, Hey man, I'm not chest thumping out here,(NO HARM INTENDED)  we all want the same things. I just cringe at the thought of any forced roundup of a free people. I've spent years as a CITIZEN in the "3 Rd World" and this kind of stuff ain't pretty.

believe or not over the course of a day the homeless are violating many laws(sure they are petty), I guess you missed the part where I said a partnership[/b] between law enforcement and social service programs.

I suspect that we agree on the need for social services, but they must be made so attractive that those in need will seek them out without police intervention.

the homeless types usually loathe seeking help or assistance, that's why they are homeless. Social service agencies need to get proactive, out of their comfortable offices and onto the streets, to seek out, counsel and assist these people.
Unfortunately sometimes the people who need the most help reject any type of help and this is where law enforcement comes in, I know it's tough but the homeless need to be cleaned out, so you give them a choice of being helped by the social service types or being rousted by the cops. It's not pretty but it needs to be done.

FRIENDS? [/color][/b]

OCKLAWAHA

sure, while we see things from different perspectives we both are after similar results

[Ocklawaha]

the homeless types usually loathe seeking help or assistance, that's why they are homeless. Social service agencies need to get proactive, out of their comfortable offices and onto the streets, to seek out, counsel and assist these people.

In this we completely agree. Get the mission's the case workers, the care givers out on the street. We could start with local chapters of groups like "Hookers for Jesus", these are former street gals, that take the mission into the street corners at night! I encourage ANYONE with a heart for these people to check out Annie at:
http://www.hookersforjesus.net/

Unfortunately sometimes the people who need the most help reject any type of help and this is where law enforcement comes in, I know it's tough but the homeless need to be cleaned out, so you give them a choice of being helped by the social service types or being rousted by the cops. It's not pretty but it needs to be done.

With a few more Annies in this world, this step wouldn't be needed. Back in the day, as a hippie freak living out of a Chevy Van, I wouldn't have turned into a mission for all the tea in Tokyo. BUT, had others approached me, I would have opened the door and let them in. All it takes is our love and our time.

Sadly our history is one of violence, be it states rights, native rights, civil rights, or Jacksonville rights, it has a colored past of extreme violence often right from the top of our government. Our local "Pooping Man" on Youtube, is a case of a street kid, gone bad, head caved in by our police and now a brain damaged side show freak for I-Freak addicts. Had we just taken the suggestions in your first paragraph, none of this would have happened.

OCKLAWAHA

[thelakelander]

Text has now been added to this article:

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/872

[rjp2008]

Im having to spend an inordinate amount of time in Boca Raton on business, and I tell ya what, this place----as suburban as it is---- gets it.

The green spaces and public parks are beautiful.  Not just beautiful, but magnificent.   Banyan Vine covered trees that hug the drainage canals and sculpted ficus for miles.   The neighborhoods are well designed and the entertainment nodes are brilliantly executed.

Well, that is what Mizner intended when he planned the whole town way back as a tropical urban paradise.
It's not without flaws though - still have to drive everywhere and you feel like a drone at times.

Check out Red Reef Park (ocean) and Sugar Sand Park if you can.

[Ocklawaha]

It's not without flaws though -

Yeah, like spitting on anybody considered from a lower rank... IMO - the largest collection of utterly rude people in the State of Florida.

OCKLAWAHA

[JeffreyS]

The Detroit park isn't a pocket park.  I think a comparison to the pocket park near the Florida Theater would be better.  The article now makes sense however with the text.

[thelakelander]

The Main Street park is closer in size to the Detroit park than it is the one in front of the Florida Theater.  Besides, it really does not matter.  The success and failure of urban park spaces have little to do with size and more to do with having a mix of amenities and integrating with the surrounding environment.  Btw, the park across the street from the Florida Theater does not get much usage either.  Overall, our pocket parks have been a complete disaster if they were built for urbanites to enjoy open green space.

[TD*]

lakelander, even with ur text added i still don't like your article. I will wait on your next one to see what it can bring to the table.

[Lunican]

You don't have to like it.

[thelakelander]

Yes, we all have our opinions.  You don't have to like or agree with it.  Feel free to submit an alternative viewpoint article for the front page.  I'll make sure it gets uploaded.

lakelander, even with ur text added i still don't like your article. I will wait on your next one to see what it can bring to the table.

You don't have to like or agree with it.  Feel free to submit an alternative viewpoint article for the front page.  I'll make sure it gets uploaded.

[Keith-N-Jax]

I agree it is not the size of the park but the elemants. Why would one check out a book walk across sit in the hot Florida sun and then be constanly bothered by the homesless.Further more there is a nice courtyard inside the library thats nicely scaped and more suited to reading. I would like to know what the city leaders have learned on some of these trips they take to other cities(spending our tax money),, its obvious nothing. Hope they enjoyed their vacation.

[Steve]

lakelander, even with ur text added i still don't like your article. I will wait on your next one to see what it can bring to the table.

I don't see your point - are you trying to tell me that Jacksonville's park is better than Detroit's?  Here is the thing:  Building this thing is much worse then building nothing, because the park is a negative in our downtown, and it cost $700K.  Was the money really burning a hole if their pocket?  They should ahve saved the money.

If saving it was not an option (like a grant that was about to expire), then I can come up with a ton of better uses for $700K in our park system then building this POS.  This lot would have made an ideal lot for an RFP for workforce housing (remember, they had this opportunity before real estate went south).

[Jason]

Main Street pocket park before...









After RFP for mixed use infill....















That property had the potential to become a piece of something great for Main Street.  I'm not saying the corridor can't be saved now, but for the city to issue an RFP for the already vacant property would have gotten the ball rolling much quicker.  What better way to promote the largest public library in the state than to issue RFPs for residential infill along its borders and use the $700k on enhancing the fantastic park system we already have.

[TD*]

It was a good use of money, having a nice park is priceless. I enjoy the park. Cheers Jax