New Haven Independent

Neighbors & Lowe’s Revive Pocket Park

by Allan Appel | July 14, 2008 8:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (8)

nhijuly12%20014.JPG Lewis Park — where young parents and their tots, teens, canines, and, by shade of night, drug users and prostitutes, all compete for its worn-down amenities — is about to receive a makeover.

On Saturday morning, 45 residents three weeks and older gathered at the arrowhead of green space where Front Street elegantly curves toward the river 100 yards north of Grand. They were celebrating the park’s being selected as the recipient of Lowe’s Heroes Program that will provide the materials, means, and manpower to redesign and re-equip the park. Residents had the challenge of coming up with a consensus for changes to the park, and quick: Volunteers from the Lowe’s store, some 20 to 30 strong, were champing at the bit to work with locals and the city to do the project, as early as August.

Could the community come up with a consensus, and fast, and not end up looking the fine Lowe’s gift horse in the mouth?

nhijuly12%20002.JPG Chris Ozyck said that Lowe’s had called his organization, Yale’s Urban Resources Institue (URI) Greenspace, which coordinates public/private partnering the stewardship of some 50 sites a year in the city. Lowe’s asked for three potential projects to be the object of their volunteers’ efforts. Ozyck suggested”the Montessori School in Dwight, a project with the friends of East Rock Park, and Lewis Park.”

He said he thought Lewis Park was chosen because of the proximity to the store on Route 80, and the small size of the park, about eight-tenths of an acre. “In such a small space,” he said, “I think they felt they could make a real impact, and they’re right.

“Lowe’s is going to provide materials, plantings, sod, fencing, water and kid apparatus,” he said, “whatever we come up with on our wish list. This is, of course, all with the enthusiastic approval of the city, but it’s a terrific opportunity. They’ll send over 20 or 30 of their staff, plumbers, carpenters, and they’ll work with us, and we’ll transform the place. The materials they don’t have in the store, they leverage from their vendors. It’s a great thing.”

The community had to come up with a consensus balancing the needs of older and younger kids, the desire of neighbors to see beyond the trees to the river, and the concerns of the immediate neighbors, such as Carol Tripp, who has lived in the little blue house adjacent to the park for 60 years.

nhijuly12%20006.JPG “What I don’t want,” she said, “is kids playing baseball down there. That’s the way it was before the little kid apparatus was put in. Do you have any idea how many balls go over the fence and break the windows? Keep it a tots place, make it unattractive to teens!”

David Zakur’s concerns included plantings, lighting renovations, and a redesign that would eliminate the shaded corner of the park, midway between the elevated back section and the front. At night, he said, people shoot drugs and prostitutes do tricks there.

“The idea,” said Ozyck, “is to cut back the trees, increase illumination, get more families in here, and have the good uses drive out the bad.”

Would a splash pad in the upper area of the park, asked a resident, make sense if it could be used for only three months a year?

nhijuly12%20013.JPG Shouldn’t these cheap trees be cut down? asked longtime resident Neil Collins, pointing to the pear trees along Lewis. “Their branches and more fall down every day after a storm,. They were thrown up cheaply 20 years ago, obscure our view of the river, and lower our property values.”

And should the new benches be backless ones? asked Fair Haven Alderwoman Erin Sturgis-Pascale. She thought that might be ideal for parents so they can rotate and watch their children play in all directions. But what about the non-rotating backs of older folks?

Negotiating such concerns, Ozyck, Zakur, and other community leaders, such as Lee Cruz of the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, wrested consensus: The upper area of the park should be devoted to what was termed a children’s interactive zone. That would mean water as an element. Not necessarily a splash pad, but perhaps a water table.

The swing set would be reoriented and the sand beneath it taken out and replaced with the environmentally superior mulch. Everyone agreed that this upper park area would then be connected to the lower via a cascade of slides that might be especially fun on snowy days.

The bottom larger section of the park would see, among changes there, three large shade trees replacing the fence on Front, and a dog exercise area, all fenced in a kind of horseshoe run around the central little kid climbing apparatus.

nhijuly12%20005.JPG “One of our main goals will be achieved: Keeping the kids away from the poop,” said Heather Findlay, as she and her three-week-old Cole and new dad Paul Nunez and his new Isabel both pondered their next gazillion walks with their kids in the new Lewis Park of the future.

As to benches, some would be backless, some with backs. As to the cheap trees being taken down on Lewis, Ozyck said that could come in time working with the city. Zakur and others were enthusiastic about replanting the base of the wall in the upper area with juniper, pulling out the decaying railroad tie stairway, which has been the magnet for drug users.

The project happened fast: Lowe’s called on July 2, the presentation. The choice was made on July 3. A preliminary list of materials was submitted after the holiday. July 12, the consensus design was achieved. Old-timers such as Collins, who identified himself as having moved into the area during the DiLieto Administration, appeared to be won over.

“I’m used to fearing people bearing gifts here, but this looks terrific. It’s good to see.”

nhijuly12%20014.JPG Other plans included water fountains and a neighborhood information kiosk (“Lost: a tabby cat with black nose”) to be constructed at the arrowhead of the park where Front and Lewis meet.

“This is a work in progress,” cautioned Zakur. “We can change it at various stages, and the city is committed to putting in resources too. They will cut the grass and prune the trees, but it’s up to us to maintain the apparatuses and much else. It all depends on our staying involved.”

Nearly 30 people signed up to help the Lowe’s volunteers on the work days, soon to be scheduled.

Among the participants were members of several other local park support organizations — Chatham Square Neighborhood Association, and the soon-to-be organized Friends of Dover Beach Park, up at the north end of Front opposite Q Terrace.

nhijuly12%20003.JPG These are part of a charm bracelet of Front Street’s parks that, increasingly, will be connecting the neighborhood to the common river they share. A presentation on this, “Rediscovering the Connections to the Quinnipiac,” by Lauren DuCharme, a graduate student at Ball State University in Ohio, pictured with local developer Fereshteh Bekrhad, preceded the Lewis Park rehab.

Ozyck said the materials and sweat equity being provided by Lowe’s through this program is easily $20,000. The person to thank at Lowe’s can be reached here.

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Comments

Posted by: Matthew Breisch | July 14, 2008 7:41 PM

I can't wait for the renovations. We use the park almost everyday now that we have a little one. Our dog never much cared for it.

Chris and Dave, I hope you guys follow through with what you said. That is, if not everyone agrees about a certain idea it won't move forward. I still think the dog "run" is a bad idea. First, the park is too small to be divided again for a dog run (the park is already smaller than a dog run). Second, everyone is complaining about fencing everywhere (isn't there an initiative to remove all the chain link fencing on Front St?), but with a dog "run" the fencing will nearly be doubled - half of which would be ON Front St! Not too mention, the dog run scheme has the park divided into three portions with fencing. That's way too much fence for such a small park.

So, I have a proposition for the dog people. Everyone over here knows that Joe is helping us build an outdoor (pizza) oven, fireplace, and charcoal grill. Our yard will be fully enclosed by then. Bring the dogs over here, and have a slice of pizza while the dogs run around.

As for the park, put in a new fence around the perimeter and plant some type of thick (preferably evergreen, or maybe privet) hedge along it. Plant some arborvitae along the retaining wall. Throw a few shade trees towards the center, as mentioned. After that, leave it to the playground designers to place equipment.

See you for pizza and beer soon.

Posted by: ball-zee | July 15, 2008 1:45 PM

The first comment I have is that the Lowes business should be praised and thanked by the community for putting out an effort to clean and revitalize this decaying park. Second I would like to comment on the quote by Carol Trip who doesnt want the park being used as a baseball field or it seems by teens looking for a small place to play. If you have lived next to a park for 60 years then you, of all people, should realize that children of all ages need a place to go and just because the community leaders and neighbors now have small children doesnt mean you should take away from the teens of the area to appease your new needs and concerns. A community park should be used for all.
I agree in a way with Matt who says the dog runs should go. Maximize the space for human entertainment and you will not have to worry about unconcerned citizens leaving their dogs fertilizer all over the play area. Now inviting everyone with a dog to use your yard is rediculous and non functional for the neighborhood. Also I hope your new addition is well permitted and up to code before something happens in your new back yard dog run/ pizza restaurant/grill that the community can use daily.
I say make the park into a basebball field and point the homers at Carols house and bring your poop filled animals to the new dog park at the house/pizza joint.

Posted by: Matthew Breisch | July 15, 2008 10:08 PM

Carol has done a lot of great work for this community. She has been here since birth (in the same house even) and has done much, on her own time, to benefit the people in this area and has asked for very little in return. I believe some of the quotes were not exactly accurate. Carol would like to see kids of all ages enjoy the park, adults as well. The only thing she asked in the past was that they end baseball because they were breaking her windows. I don't think that's too much to ask, especially considering the amount of time and effort she has devoted to this area since who knows when. Well before I was born anyway.

NO BALLS-ZEE, maybe we should move the baseball field to your side yard.

No hard feelings NO BALLS-ZEE, you can stop by anytime for some pizza, even if you don't have a dog. FYI, the so called "fertilizer" is used to fuel the oven. It gives the pizza an incredible taste. And certainly we are permitted. We had the health inspection just today. We are a fully licensed restaurant with a liquor license and kennel permit. Hope to see you soon.

Posted by: ball-zee | July 16, 2008 11:53 AM

I apprecieate and maybe misunderstood Carols comments but still do not believe baseball should be banned from any park for children. Also Carol just because you live near a park for 60 years doesnt give you the right to regulate the activities of children. Baseball is an american pastime and is meant to be played in a park. Should we ban your unlicensed and non permitted huge pizza oven encroaching onto neighbors property? Should we check with the town on zoning rules and regulatons for out door kitchens and dog runs on private property. Because I think that the smoke and eyesore you are creating with this huge pizza oven and grill is not zoned correctly and will effect neighbors in the same way a small game of baseball will effect carols house. Again I cant wait for your new space to open and have pizza and beers with you. Good day

Posted by: Matthew Breisch | July 16, 2008 3:29 PM

The park is too small to play baseball in that's the problem. I'm guessing you work in New Haven and drive home to some suburb somewhere where you live in a ranch on a flat, quarter acre lot. Maybe, you have an in-ground pool. I am guessing this because if you lived over here you would realize the park is too small to play baseball in - that is why Carol's windows were being broken. In any case, baseball sucks. That's why few kids play it unless their parents force, or coach, them into it.

As for my set up, for someone who likes to keep bringing up rules, permits, and zoning, you sure know jack about it, so why don't you put a call in to the building department and check it out for yourself (946-8048). Need a copy of my A2 survey? Maybe you can take that up to Planning, then swing by Zoning, then make a final stop at the BD. Why don't you get this done and get back to me by Friday.

Posted by: ball-zee | July 17, 2008 11:47 AM

I do work in New Haven and unlike some people my cars are registered in the city I live in not in Michigan. So dont get all in an uproar about people not from your area because you are not even paying car taxes in this state and you use old permits in the window for new jobs. Good plan if you dont go and publish your new area on the internet. I will call the number if you like and give them your address and neighbors comment on the monstrosity you are erecting.
On your comment about baseball sucking. I only say this, you must be loser with no physical skils to play a sport that involves ability. I applaud paents who make their kids leave the house and get alittle exercise even if they want to sit around all day and get fat.
Also for someone who is straight lying about their permits and zoning it takes some marbles to put your name down and stil try and lie some more.

Posted by: fair haven mom | July 18, 2008 11:23 PM

I'm the mom with the baby on the playscape.
i hope that ppl reading these comments don't get the wrong idea about our neighborhood.
this is normally one of the friendliest places.
the exchange you saw above is not indicative of the neighborhood i know and love. I am thrilled that our little park was chosen for such a generous gift from our neighbor - Lowe's. I am certain that the community will ultimately rally around the improvements....they are after all improvements! and they are FREE! i hope we can keep all of this in perspective.

btw Allen, backless benches were suggested to discourage overnight sleeping - hopefully that will become the city standard

Posted by: Another Fair Haven Mom | July 21, 2008 9:23 AM

I want to echo my friend "Fair Haven Mom's" sentiment. As opposed to this becoming a forum for two people who appear to have personal issues with one another duking it out, can we please use this space to talk about how generous Lowe's is to consider our little corner park for the Heroes Program funds, and thank Lauren DuCharme for coming all the way from Boston to present her wonderful vision for our neighborhood, Chris Ozyck for coordinating the efforts, and David Zakur for putting together the initial wish list? Let's focus on the GOOD, guys!

Neighbors & Lowe’s Revive Pocket Park

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