This whole skatepark ordeal reminds me of the reality show Survivor, where inside alliances are formed and galvanized, strategies are plotted, and immunity from public process and scrutiny is granted, then granted again for privileged access to the spoils of a valued green-space splendor and the once-spacious neighborhood playground haven it will permanently occupy as its reward.
There, the producers create a fractious and desperate atmosphere to maximize drama and to present pop-up obstacles. At this point, castaways bump into one another to try and find secure ground (maybe even overlapping territory) to find some leverage point and bearing to stand firm.
Those left behind are continually driven off and treated as some intrusive annoyance.
That same description applies to a lot of us who are neighbors to Crowell Park. The concrete skatepark plan has now miraculously arrived here at its apparent hand-selected, but unsuitable, resting place.
The Crowell Park playground provides a serene, natural space for young children to play; one which is, and has been, heavily utilized by parents and their pre-school and school-age children. As it is now, the playground allows neighborhood children to relax, play, picnic, and interact with one another and...