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OTR RAP SESSION III
Rap Session III Washington Park

OTR Rap Session III
Thursday November 16, 2006
Comments on Washington Park

Page 1 of 5

OTR RAP SESSION III

November 16, 2006
Washington Park Initial Community Feedback

1.

What are the things that you like about Washington Park and would not want to
change (what works)?
a.

The pool near the school
b.

The classic layout/design of the park
c.

Center gazebo, great old trees
d.

Historical feel
e.

Washington School and the families invested in it
f.

The school and the people of OTR
g.

I like the abundance of weeds and homeless residents
h.

School, pool, gazebo, the trees, and the people/community including the
homeless people
i.

The pool, playground, and the school. Why does the park have to be
extended to 14
th
Street?
j.

The public school, gazebo, vegetation, current neighborhood people that
spend time there
k.

Buildings in the vicinity frame the park with rich history
l.

Trees are wonderful
m.

The wall invites a brief stop anywhere along the way and not have to walk
to a particular destination to sit down and chat
n.

The massive, old trees give the park a sense of scale yet there are quiet
pockets such as the gazebo
o.

Band stand (gazebo), mosaic bench, sign tribute to the affordable housing
struggle, swimming pool, bathrooms
p.

The park is a place where all should be welcomed
q.

Lots of trees
r.

Trees, fountain, place where families can go for recreation and family
events
s.

The large trees, slight hills, historic statues, citizen active well used park,
central gathering area, stone walls, entrance markers, swimming
pool/playground
t.

Large trees, perimeter fence, gazebo, all visually link to Music Hall
u.

People in the park. All kinds of people including OTR residents, homeless,
neighborhood residents.
v.

I appreciate having a place of rest in a busy urban environment

2.

What are the things that you do not like about Washington Park and would want
to change (what does not work)?
a.

Getting rid of the school. The students are to be relocated to Rothenberg
and new jobs should be created to replace the ones at Washington Park
Elementary
Rap Session III Washington Park

OTR Rap Session III
Thursday November 16, 2006
Comments on Washington Park

Page 2 of 5

b.

I love the gazebo but want it moved
c.

The loitering, drugs makes for an unsafe environment at night
d.

Need better lighting. Less of the yellow lighting
e.

Use as a homeless camp
f.

No using the school
g.

More Trees
h.

The open-entry should not be fenced in
i.

Trees; need more trees
j.

The perception that it is unsafe and unwelcoming. Presently, it seems that
only the OTR locals will even walk through the park. There is a lack of
diversity
k.

People like to be in the park with no yards
l.

Need more lighting at night, security, cleanliness
m.

The homeless, drug and alcohol element next to children seeing
devastation and hopelessness
n.

Fountain at southeast corner not functioning, bathrooms are dismal and
people are always urinating around the building instead of inside of it
because it is locked perhaps a urinal that has no door hidden behind a
wall?
o.

There is a perception of the park as a hang out for open drug sales
p.

Needs more organized recreational activities
q.

Move gazebo to do horseshoes, Frisbees, full court basketball, kickball,
running circle

3.

What are the things that you think are most needed in an improved Washington
Park (what is missing)?
a.

Kids recreation. Need more recreation opportunities than the pool, family
recreation: Bocce ball, horseshoes, etc, a better basketball court
b.

More programming, more benches, a fountain
c.

Basketball hoops, expanded, updated playground, play area
d.

Use as a overall public space that everyone feels comfortable using
e.

Lighting in playground area
f.

Need more flowers
g.

Bike trails
h.

Athletic fields
i.

Flower gardens
j.

Lack of organized recreational opportunities for youngsters
k.

I would love to look at New York Citys Washington Park as a model:
large central fountain with seating, outdoor chess tables (permanent
fixtures), public sculpture surrounded by gardens
l.

Need flowers and less weeds
m.

Lack of picnic tables, lack of open space for games, scary at night, the
need for a permit to hold an event
n.

More support of public education and the children in the neighborhood
o.

Flowers both annual and perennial, ice skating rink, recycling center
Rap Session III Washington Park

OTR Rap Session III
Thursday November 16, 2006
Comments on Washington Park

Page 3 of 5

p.

Areas for children and adults to socialize, improved restrooms, basketball
courts, field for games, jungle gym, more lights, recycling center
q.

Horseshoe pit, grill areas, better restrooms, colorful flags on certain days
to bring attention to the park and invite people, better lighting
r.

Community center for tutoring and after-school programs. Keep up safe
equipment and clean quality restroom facilities 24 hours 365 days a year
s.

Sculptures, more seating, more footpaths, flowers and gardens, ice rink,
memorial or reflecting pool that could become an ice rink, a performance
stage, street performances, athletic opportunities such as basketball
t.

Seats with small tables to invite a short stay, a picnic, a meeting. Have art
sculptures
u.

More grass and green space
v.

Chess tables, play areas for children, sculpture and art
w.

Recreational opportunities for youngsters, keep restrooms open, recycling
center
x.

Lights during evening hours, more community programs in the evenings.
Newly renovated school with updated technology more inviting to the
community
y.

Fountain, better performance space, concession arcade, more naturalistic
play area with climbing hill ad rope swing. Do not add brighter lights
z.

Outdoor café, ornate fountain the size and feel of Fountain Square
aa.

A spirit of inclusion, respect for neighborhoods, improved restrooms and
keep them open, recycling center
bb.

Have live events, music, Shakespeare in the park/theater
cc.

Recreational activities for youth

4.

What are the things that you think are most needed in the areas around
Washington Park to help make the park and the neighborhood more successful?
a.

Security, increase police presence.
b.

Better lighting
c.

Food vendors
d.

Why not extend the park all the way north to Findlay Market. Use Big
Vision to leverage transformation and revitalization of this part of town.
Ninety percent of the properties either vacant or need very expensive
rehabbing
e.

More affordable housing for families to enroll their children to put into
Washington School
f.

Support of the residents, safety and cleanliness, Drop-In Center and
affordable housing
g.

Public schooling, Drop-In Center, lighting, sculptures, water feature,
playground, baseball space
h.

Affordable housing for the kids in the public school, Drop-In Center, more
outdoor recreational activities
i.

Affordable housing, Drop-In Center should stay
j.

More affordable housing for renters to reside in the community and utilize
the school and park. Recycling center, Drop-In Center
Rap Session III Washington Park

OTR Rap Session III
Thursday November 16, 2006
Comments on Washington Park

Page 4 of 5

k.

Better lighting, cobble stone paving on roads on all four sides to slow
traffic, restaurants with outdoor seating
l.

Local business that can respond and adapt to the transitional community
such as cafés and small groceries
m.

Landscaping which will transition into the park itself
n.

Eliminate the social service agencies in direct eyeshot of the park
o.

A mix of housing types. Increase homeownership and cooperatives, renter
equity. Some more commercial and office. Keep the Drop-In Center
p.

Drop-In should not be moved, add affordable housing, make area a place
where all are welcome
q.

Business that assist with employment, home purchasing banking,
education, on the job training. Truly meshing as a diverse community.
r.

Active and open storefronts with retail and cafes. Anything to get more
traffic and users in the park. A carrousel like that in downtown Mansfield.
Long curved benches as seen in historical photos