Park-ing Restrictions in Garberville

On April 1, the Veteran’s park on the north end of Garberville was the scene of another disagreement–this time gentle.  The park has been cordoned off by orange webbing since many businesses and residents alike complained about what they perceived as hygiene and safety issues. In return, some homeless advocates charge that the homeless and others are merely using the park for what it was intended–“sitting in a place that by definition is meant to be sat in. Apparently, it is only for the use of the landed gentry, not the dispossessed class which has no other place to go.” (read the rest of this letter here.)

Yesterday, to quote Kathy Epling, “…Basically a group of people decided to sit in the park and talk to each other for a while on this beautiful day. Two sheriff’s cars (plus the officers of the law) pulled up; the officer chatting with Paul said there had been a complaint of trespassing from a citizen. The officer would not identify the person complaining but noted that the trespass was against the veterans; Paul noted that he is a member of Vets for Peace. Discussion ensued; Paul gave the officer his info.
I was told that at one point one of the officers talked about how they needed to make sure the park was being used properly”

“And how was that, asked one of the people?”

“Well, like people should just be sitting around talking to each other, enjoying the beautiful day.”

“Which is…what was going on.”

__________
Photo by Kathy Epling

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Dave
Guest
12 years ago

Shame on everyone involved for descriminating against American citizens!

As a veteran I’m appalled and angry that these narrow-minded people are making a mockery of the park’s name “Veteran’s Park.” Time to re-name it “Narrow-Minded Land-Owners Park.”

I sure didn’t fight for this country to see freedoms like this violated aganist my brothers and sisters!

tra
Guest
tra
12 years ago

This “no sitting in a public park” thing is just as idiotic and backward-thinking as Arcata’s attempt to criminalize begging with their new anti-panhandling ordinance.

I’ve had it with these aesthetic snobs who are seemingly hell-bent on pushing anyone who is poor or homeless out of our public places.

tra
Guest
tra
12 years ago

This “no sitting in a public park” thing is just as idiotic and backward-thinking as Arcata’s attempt to criminalize begging with their new anti-panhandling ordinance.

I’ve had it with these aesthetic snobs who are seemingly hell-bent on pushing anyone who is poor or homeless out of our public places.

tra
Guest
tra
12 years ago

From the letter that Kym cited in the original post, I especially liked:

How dare old men gather and talk in the sun on public land!

and

“My God, Jeeves, please make it go away, I can’t possibly swallow this sponge cake while witnessing such barbaric unsavoryness!”

suzy blah blah
Guest
suzy blah blah
12 years ago
Reply to  tra

The main problem Suzy has with the issue is, how can I dunk my sponge cake in my coffee without getting my fingers wet? It’s really awkward out in public. I never know what to do when I get to the last few bites so I just toss it away. But it’s all good, who knows, maybe some hungry lost soul will find it in a dumpster. Jah ble$$,

tra
Guest
tra
12 years ago

From the letter that Kym cited in the original post, I especially liked:

How dare old men gather and talk in the sun on public land!

and

“My God, Jeeves, please make it go away, I can’t possibly swallow this sponge cake while witnessing such barbaric unsavoryness!”

suzy blah blah
Guest
suzy blah blah
12 years ago
Reply to  tra

The main problem Suzy has with the issue is, how can I dunk my sponge cake in my coffee without getting my fingers wet? It’s really awkward out in public. I never know what to do when I get to the last few bites so I just toss it away. But it’s all good, who knows, maybe some hungry lost soul will find it in a dumpster. Jah ble$$,

Merry Meddler
Guest
Merry Meddler
12 years ago

I note that the concern over inappropriate peeing and pooing hasn’t inspired the Chamber folks to place a porta-potty where houseless folks can access it. I guess the strategy is “If we don’t give them a place to sit, they’ll walk on, and if we don’t feed them, there’ll be no waste to deal with as they stagger by.”
And yes, I am aware that houseless folks sometimes have multiple behavioral problems, and I suspect that under the circumstances many of us might sometimes be less than gracious as well.

Merry Meddler
Guest
Merry Meddler
12 years ago

I note that the concern over inappropriate peeing and pooing hasn’t inspired the Chamber folks to place a porta-potty where houseless folks can access it. I guess the strategy is “If we don’t give them a place to sit, they’ll walk on, and if we don’t feed them, there’ll be no waste to deal with as they stagger by.”
And yes, I am aware that houseless folks sometimes have multiple behavioral problems, and I suspect that under the circumstances many of us might sometimes be less than gracious as well.