Reader Comment Of The Week: WNYC Transmitter “Playground”

d writes in regards to this post about Greenpoint’s public lavatories— or more accurately the lack thereof: Gross. And people think Transmitter is a dog run because of the chips, it’s not a dog run, yet people let their dogs poop in there and don’t clean it up. Now, I love dogs, but I haven’t forgotten last summer when the heel of my shoe ended up in poo.

The chips do lead to a certain ambiguity as to whom this park services: humans or canines. To my recollection the only place in our public parks are to be found are in the dog runs. If you go to the dog run at McCarren you’ll see it’s at least one full foot deep with the stuff. What I find curious is how this “interim” public space is “categorized”. Initially it was referred to as a park— but once it was pointed out that it did not meet the Parks Department’s own specifications of what constitutes a park it has been deemed a playground. Once again, this is curious given there is no equipment for children to play on/with so, as d has observed. It has been employed as a dog run. This would be fine and dandy (god only knows Greenpoint needs one) if people would be more considerate about scooping up their poop. It should be noted that in this respect the Parks Department has made their stance very clear.

Or have they? Let’s look more closely at the sign to the left.

Here’s the deal: there is no “designated area” to let one’s dog run without a leash— but it is not completely clear that dogs are not permitted to go off-leash either. It is not unreasonable to presume that the wood chips do lead some to believe this is a dog run. Then again, you’ll always have people who— for reasons only known to them— will not follow the rules. Case in point: consuming alcohol.

Here’s the deal: I personally don’t care if people imbibe in our parks— provided it does not pose a problem to the other users. Let’s face facts: we all know this is going on.

Rather, what I want to know is exactly what these people are doing? Staging a re-enactment of Cool Hand Luke’s infamous “50 eggs” sequence perhaps?

Oh wait, you need a permit to do that!

Miss Heather


Comments

3 Comments on Reader Comment Of The Week: WNYC Transmitter “Playground”

  1. nbenford on Sat, 3rd Jul 2010 7:26 pm
  2. This “park” is preeeety much the worst park in the city I’ve ever been to. There is no shade and seemingly no thought to the layout. What is the thing in the middle? What? It just makes no sense… Even as an “interim” design. They should rename it Heatstroke Piers Park. I much prefer the Shit Tits Park.

  3. d on Sat, 3rd Jul 2010 8:13 pm
  4. I assumed they left chips there because construction was supposed to begin this spring…which it didn’t I’ve noticed…and they didn’t want to plant grass that would just be torn up. Still, there is no excuse for people not to pick up the poo.

  5. missheather on Sat, 3rd Jul 2010 8:35 pm
  6. The latest is construction is supposed to start this fall (October, methinks). I’ll believe it when I see it; this city is in SERIOUS financial straits and stuff like this typically is the first on the chopping block.

Tell me what you're thinking...
and oh, if you want a pic to show with your comment, go get a gravatar!

You must be logged in to post a comment.

  • NYS Flickr Pool

    The One CrewSnowy SeagullsWalking the Dog in the Snow
  • Ads