Neighbors meet to discuss Grove parks
A group of concerned neighbors met last night in the North Grove at one neighbor's house. I was invited but did not attend, I'll report here what I hear from people that did attend.
The purpose of the meeting was the Glass House and the Coconut Grove waterfront. Basically people want the waterfront opened up, they want a community center, but surprisingly, not at the Glass House, but at the Expo Center, which is slated for demolition in November, after Burn Notice vacates the building.
The Friends of Peacock Park group was also present at last night's meeting. The bottom line is that neighbors want what Coral Gables and other areas have -- a large community center where children and adults can partake of activities. They want games, computers, activities, etc. They don't want to have to drive their kids to the Gables when we should have the same amenities here.
The Friends of Peacock Park would like the park reclaimed as a park and not have it turn commercial.
Of course the mangrove wall is always a concern, as people would like the promised "windows" to be cut into them to allow the water view; this is at Peacock Park. It's been in talks for years, but DEP and DERM have other ideas about the mangroves. They want they left alone.
Speaking of Burn Notice, I had to laugh, a lady emailed me from somewhere outside the state, she is coming to town and wanted to know if the Expo Center gives tours like Warner Brothers and Universal do in Hollywood, CA. I guess the Expo Center is throwing off illusions of grandeur. I had to inform her of what it really is.
There was a special on The Doors last week, I was excited to see film from the infamous concert at the Expo Center (Dinner Key Auditorium) where Jim Morrison exposed himself in 1969. They didn't show the exposing part, but it was just interesting to see the building and the time and the people there and just get a feel for the whole place in 1969.
Anyway, the neighbors are serious and threatened to protest if they have to.
The purpose of the meeting was the Glass House and the Coconut Grove waterfront. Basically people want the waterfront opened up, they want a community center, but surprisingly, not at the Glass House, but at the Expo Center, which is slated for demolition in November, after Burn Notice vacates the building.
The Friends of Peacock Park group was also present at last night's meeting. The bottom line is that neighbors want what Coral Gables and other areas have -- a large community center where children and adults can partake of activities. They want games, computers, activities, etc. They don't want to have to drive their kids to the Gables when we should have the same amenities here.
The Friends of Peacock Park would like the park reclaimed as a park and not have it turn commercial.
Of course the mangrove wall is always a concern, as people would like the promised "windows" to be cut into them to allow the water view; this is at Peacock Park. It's been in talks for years, but DEP and DERM have other ideas about the mangroves. They want they left alone.
Speaking of Burn Notice, I had to laugh, a lady emailed me from somewhere outside the state, she is coming to town and wanted to know if the Expo Center gives tours like Warner Brothers and Universal do in Hollywood, CA. I guess the Expo Center is throwing off illusions of grandeur. I had to inform her of what it really is.
There was a special on The Doors last week, I was excited to see film from the infamous concert at the Expo Center (Dinner Key Auditorium) where Jim Morrison exposed himself in 1969. They didn't show the exposing part, but it was just interesting to see the building and the time and the people there and just get a feel for the whole place in 1969.
Anyway, the neighbors are serious and threatened to protest if they have to.
posted by Tom Falco at 6:00 AM
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10 Comments:
I just had to laugh at this "the neighbors are serious and threatened to protest if they have to."
OH NO, A PROTEST!
All joking aside, before adding new parks and tearing down buildings, can Peacock Park be cleaned up and fixed? The gate to the boardwalk is almost always locked up and the boardwalk itself is full of graffiti - which, ironically, is prohibited according to the new rules sign. Cutting windows into the mangroves may reduce the likelihood of graffiti, people drinking and leaving empty bottles of beer around, and stop others from sleeping / defecating out there.
Anon 9:19
While I don't think the situation would get quite as extreme here, you might want to look at a current newspaper and look at what is happening in Turkey and read about what can happen when people protest about a local park.
Also, no one defecates or or sleeps in those mangroves. I walk there most every day and have never smelled the smell of human excrement. However I have seen people urinating in those trees most every day. Homeless people, baseball and kickball players and even the occasional tourist with a little kid that just can't hold it anymore. It is a problem that could be easily solved by opening up the bathrooms in the old Community Center or locating a couple of Porta Potty's by the far wall.
Now I know a bathroom in a prominently located park used by hundreds of locals and tourists every day is not as important as astroturfing a small dog park that is used by a select few so that their dogs can crap without the fear of real grass touching their butts, but it's time think about throwing some City dollars in the direction of some toilets and not in the way the City usually does.
Also, no one sleeps in the mangroves. Any local knows this. If you don't understand why saying people do is an absurd and blatant falsehood to those of us who live here I suggest you go down to the end of the park at about 9pm in short sleeves and a pair of shorts and you will learn a very valuable lesson for your future here in SoFla AND you can meet with our unofficial State Bird.
Have fun!
I do agree with you about the gates being locked on weekends though.
Who's the genius who decided to lock down the boardwalk for the last three weekends in a row???
If i were both of you i wouldnt worry to much about those parks theres major plans to put high rises there very soon.yes there will both still be parks but much smaller in size.just park of making progress as they say.believe me not everything that shines is gold.enjoy it while you can grovites
Sorry, I wasn't clear and I used the wrong word. I was talking about the boardwalk and meant urinating, not defecating. I've seen people sleeping on the BOARDWALK, not in the mangroves. I've been out there very early almost every weekday morning for the past 2 years and, several times, I've stumbled across people sleeping on the boardwalk and urinating from it. Also, the gates are locked almost everyday now, not just weekends.
If you get Commissioner Sarnoff to move into the Mutiny - as in across the street from Peacock Park - then you bet yo sweet ass that park would suddenly find $100s of thousands of dollars dedicated to making it look jut lovely.
Just please - no astroturf. Can you believe our green commish put plastic grass in a park??????
I'm still not clear on what was decided at the meeting.
Are you telling me that people just complained about the present and future use of the neighborhood parks (which the Grove has many) but neither Marc Snarnoff or Ron Nelson were involved and nothing certain was determined?
Can you find out more info? There is a concerted attack on public parks and open spaces and every other form of real estate to take it from and into special interest (if not private) hands.
Come on Tom I know the Grove can put up a better fight than what's been reported.
im telling you get ready for high rises lots of them
They need to bring a Chipotle to the Grove.
I live in the Mutiny and I agree the park is falling apart and the boardwalk is vandalized and in need of repair. The other day i walked and almost fell on a lose board I should have fallen sued the city and collect money and use part of it to make the park better by dedicating it to my self with restrictions on use. The park needs a face lift in a way to see the bay. We pay for parking but i can park my tiny boat for free under the boardwalk and the trees. We need to take the park back.
they cant even catch a little red headed girl.much less fix the grove
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