tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30306615.post6289723848088196367..comments2024-02-28T11:29:36.860-05:00Comments on just up the pike: those who use downtown's pocket parks are first to get kicked outDan Reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10594208011755406956noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30306615.post-57620046419096680442009-10-26T16:19:49.051-04:002009-10-26T16:19:49.051-04:00Right now there's not a single spot where skat...Right now there's not a single spot where skateboarders can legally skate in downtown Silver Spring (or any other part of Silver Spring.) We get kicked out from every spot, and security guards scream at, harass, and even attempt to grab and tase kids for skateboarding. <br /><br />They're good kids and they deserve better treatment. And they deserve to have a legal, safe place to skateboard.Sk8ter Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01495765910774527740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30306615.post-44642807734959998052009-10-24T11:16:06.016-04:002009-10-24T11:16:06.016-04:00The fence + gate - despite the sign - does make it...The fence + gate - despite the sign - does make it seem unwelcoming at Discovery.<br /> Agreed that the spots of green - even small ones like tree boxes and planters give some visual and psychic relief. However, all these pocket parks seem to be are piles of concrete and rocks -- and who but skateboarders is interested in occupying that dead space? <br /> It is ironic, as Dan points out, that developers build these "pocket parks" almost to the exact specs of what a skateboarder would desire and then kick them out when they use it. There is a disconnect at a basic design level here.<br /> The community wants/needs/begs for green space and relief. These are not the solution.WashingtonGardenerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03950523974356540767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30306615.post-48195621188852869582009-10-22T13:57:09.014-04:002009-10-22T13:57:09.014-04:00There's a gate around the Sensory Garden, but ...There's a gate around the Sensory Garden, but I've never had any trouble sitting in there.Barbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13131816863066652184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30306615.post-30467719606433366982009-10-22T13:41:11.069-04:002009-10-22T13:41:11.069-04:00I do think there is some value to passersby of hav...I do think there is some value to passersby of having open/green space to see, even if they don't stop and hang out in it. How about this - require the benches, etc., in the pocket parks to be made out of materials that won't be harmed by skateboards, and let the skaters have at 'em. How much damage could they really do to those funny metal tables in your picture, for example?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30306615.post-26713644890652178222009-10-22T09:42:38.562-04:002009-10-22T09:42:38.562-04:00Great essay! Just wanted to add that it is the un...Great essay! Just wanted to add that it is the unused spaces that end up becoming the potentially dangerous spaces. If you chase away those with a legitimate use for the space, you will get very bad results. I thought that was Urban Planing 101.Cillahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04075735328528247277noreply@blogger.com