vision2020@moscow.com: Noise in the park
Noise in the park
Cross Bert (bcross@uidaho.edu)
Fri, 24 Feb 1995 15:13:23 -0800 (PST)
As an old codger (or should I say "elderly impaired?)
hobbling around cyberspace and reading all the vision 2020
comments, I feel I should respond by presenting another point of
view about noise in the park.
I lived right next to East City Park (First and Hayes) for
17 years and my big noise problem at that time was the basketball
court. It was really a joy to see young people enjoying the
court during reasonable hours. Even when they put up the lights
it wasn't too bad. Then some of the college kids decided the
best time for a riproaring basketball game was after the bars
closed at 1.a.m. All of this happened practically under my
bedroom window so I complained, and in the eyes of some I became
the sourpuss of the neighborhood. Most, however, thought it was
reasonable and it seldom became a further problem.
But it did stimulate me to get on the Parks and Rec
Commission on which I served for 10 years, I also was on the
first board for Rendezvous in the Park but stepped out because I
felt I was generationally impaired.
I grew up on Guy Lombardo (the sweetest music this side of
Heaven!) who to my knowledge never used amplification. Neither
did John Phillip Susa. I've never been able to understand why
young people think loudness is so necessary for modern music.
When they grow older they're to be prime candidates for the
hearing impaired. So I have to ask, what's the big deal about
trying to keep the decibels at a reasonable level?
I've always looked at East City Park as a family park for
everyone to enjoy. It is something the city can be proud of.
But it's no longer centrally located and within easy walking
distance of large part of the city. Parking is a real problem
and it is in the heart of a residential district. I think it is
time to give serious thought to finding other places for both the
Renaissance Fair and Rendezvous in the Park, especially
Rendezvous. I have no specific suggestions but I'm sure there
are other sites to consider.
And please have some compassion for those people who do live
around the park. Remember that if things get too loud and
boisterous for you, you can go home to your nice quiet
neighborhood. They can't do that. I think they are reasonable
people who want to see everyone appreciate and enjoy a beautiful
city park
I've learned two new terms from this: technology impaired
(for people who know nothing about computers), and meeting
impaired (for people who don't go to meetings). Since I'm not
infatuated with the word "impaired", I guess I've tended to
overuse it. I've become "impaired" impaired.
This archive courtesy of:
First Step Internet