Fix the Grove before "fixing" the parks
I know that people weren't crazy about my comment about people from other areas in the county using our parks and we should not redo the parks for them.
I didn't mean it to sound snobby, all I am saying is, let's fix the infrastructure first -- the downtown area, then we can worry about the parks. Let's fix the areas that the Grove residents actually use. Most Grove residents don't use the parks unless their is a food festival or the arts festival and things like that.
Those volleyball and soccer players and most of the majority of those hundreds of people in Kennedy Park on the weekends are from Westchester, Coral Way, Kendall and Hialeah, which is all well and good. But they bring food and drinks to the park and don't go to the Grove stores and restaurants and I don't feel we need to remake our parks for people who don't support the Grove since that seems to be the majority of people using the parks.
I think that most of the Grove residents who use the parks use the dog parks or dog park areas. And even at that, I have one friend who brings her dog from Shenandoah to the park all the time. She makes the long trip to use the Grove facilities, doesn't spend a dime, and goes home. I felt taken aback when she told me, I felt like saying, let your dog crap in your own yard, why bring him here?
So I say, let's cater to the Grove residents and fix the downtown area first, which is the area that we use most. I really don't want to leave the Grove daily for lunch and shopping and other things. But I am forced to. I eat, drink and shop more than I use the parks and that is the case here for most Grove residents.
I didn't mean it to sound snobby, all I am saying is, let's fix the infrastructure first -- the downtown area, then we can worry about the parks. Let's fix the areas that the Grove residents actually use. Most Grove residents don't use the parks unless their is a food festival or the arts festival and things like that.
Those volleyball and soccer players and most of the majority of those hundreds of people in Kennedy Park on the weekends are from Westchester, Coral Way, Kendall and Hialeah, which is all well and good. But they bring food and drinks to the park and don't go to the Grove stores and restaurants and I don't feel we need to remake our parks for people who don't support the Grove since that seems to be the majority of people using the parks.
I think that most of the Grove residents who use the parks use the dog parks or dog park areas. And even at that, I have one friend who brings her dog from Shenandoah to the park all the time. She makes the long trip to use the Grove facilities, doesn't spend a dime, and goes home. I felt taken aback when she told me, I felt like saying, let your dog crap in your own yard, why bring him here?
So I say, let's cater to the Grove residents and fix the downtown area first, which is the area that we use most. I really don't want to leave the Grove daily for lunch and shopping and other things. But I am forced to. I eat, drink and shop more than I use the parks and that is the case here for most Grove residents.
posted by Tom Falco at 9:49 AM
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7 Comments:
The fundamental problem that I continue to have with your argument (and much as I agree with the fact that people from outside the neighborhood tend to make a mess of the parks) is that parks are a public good that belong to all residents of the municipality, which I consider to be a very different thing from private businesses. I frankly do not believe that government has an obligation to support private business, but it does have an obligation to assure that citizens are getting the best possible benefit from the use of public lands.
In any event, I don't see any connection between parks and improving the business district (unless improvements somehow generate more traffic for the business district). As others have mentioned, I think that the only thing that would help the business district would be to have more professional offices within walking distance. If you look at what keeps shops and restaurants alive on Miracle Mile, or Brickell, it is mostly professionals and staff out on their lunch breaks. Either that, or higher-end niche restaurants cater to those crowds (Tarpon Bend, Ortanique, Houstons, etc., although they are chains, they are a big step above Hooters and the like) in the evenings.
Miracle Mile is, of course, also helped by its reputation as a place for wedding shopping -- dresses, jewelry, etc. The downtown Grove doesn't have any such cachet.
I think that, if the downtown Grove is going to be saved, it will be done by places like Cefalo's or 3484 Main Hwy., whose proprietors are working hard at developing a niche for themselves that will keep people coming back.
You want outsiders to come to the Grove to shop and spend money? Open a Wal*Mart downtown or better yet, how about a Home Depot! Oh yeah, they did that and everyone in the community screamed.
Mr Grape: The city/county can correct the downtown of Coconut Grove with infrastructure improvements (ever notice the condition of the street lights that are supposed to resemble gas lights)? And, the city/county can do a complete overhaul of our parks, which are in poor condition. It does not have to be "one or the other" if our politicians simply did their jobs....while we keep the pressure on.
But, please don't complain about those who are willing to invest in our community, whether it be home depot or anyone else. They add an amenity to that old, run down shopping center and provide jobs, tax base and activity to the grove.
Here's the thing:
If you fix up the park adjoining the Grove, more people - and more LOCAL people - will visit. Yes, many people bring food with them; they almost have to, don't they? Where are the sandwich shops that someone walking the neighborhood might stop in? Heck, restaurants could offer a picnic basket special, and gain a new line of income.
I consider parks to be part of the essential infrastructure of a city, not an "extra."
All very valid points here. Improvement to the Grove is improvement to the Grove. Whether that lies in public parks or downtown doesnt matter. I really dont see how much downtown can be improved outside of either reducing commercial rents or attracting higher end retail that can afford it. Food wise, I think the Grove is looking pretty good right now. THere are a lot of nice new restaurants and social hangouts and I look forward to seeing the improvements.
I agree with swlip though as he brought up a point that I have mentioned before. THe Grove lacks the business crowd and loses out on their contributions to the community. Lunches, happy hour, dinners, etc. So, the Grove needs to come up with a new way of attracting people to come enjoy what it has to offer.
Sorry to disagree with you m-adman, but I have to agree with Grapevine -- we don't need to fix up the parks for outsiders, we need to fix up downtown Grove for the residents.
If Miami-Dade belongs to everyone, how about everyone start sharing the outrageous taxes we pay in the City and in the Grove. I think as Grove taxpayers, we should decide where the money is spent.
ive visited the grove plenty of times, with friends and we always prefer to get our food to go, for the main attraction of sitting at the park. the peacock & kennedy park is part of grove's heritage, makes the grove unique. i think without these parks i could care less to spend any time with the grove.
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