RE: Can parks revive decaying U.S. cities?
Sorry, but I have to agree with the naysayers. Coming from Michigan where all we hear about is the seemingly never ending troubles, trials, and tribulations of Detroit. I can not see where a city that no longer even HAS a parks and recreation department due to money problems, could possibly come up with the money to create a single park, much less maintain it. Think about it, this city can not even afford to cut it's own grass more than twice a year! Where are they going to come up with money to install benches, sidewalks, playground equipment, lighting, a bathroom & drinking fountain, fencing, sports fields, garbage cans, even a simple identification plaque would cost hundreds! Then the city would have to MAINTAIN them or else face the liability issue! Some kid gets injured on what is now city owned property.... Then there's the question of what to do about the criminal element. These parks would have to be patroled on some sort of regular basis. Right now I am aware of entire square blocks that have been completely abandoned so the city of Detroit no longer patrols, saving them money. And if you're thinking that at least this would encourage city's to create more jobs, maybe. But I doubt that the people hired would actually LIVE in the city. In Detroit at least, the COPS are even too afraid to live there!
From ANY city's point of view you're talking about more negatives than positives. Tear down any buildings, let the vacant land remain so and let nature take care of it's own.
