Troll Under Bridge May Return To Brookside

I opined about this in the NHI when Brookside was completed. This is great news for the children in Brookside (of which four of my grandchildren currently live) and the parents I'm sure.

Commissioner Radcliffe and I grew up in Brookside literally 30 yards from each other. I commend her for never forgetting about the love of community and thus ensuring that something as plain as a bridge can do wonders for a community that mean so much to us still.

I wish to also thank the entire City Plan Commission and Mayor Toni Harp for thinking about a community nestled in a part of the city that is often forgotten. On behalf of the genuine Brooksiders, we love you all for this gesture.

While some of my best friends are trolls, having an arch on the bridge may be a problem for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Here's a troll for you...

Sorry but we're building a how many dollars ?$ bridge so that people can walk fewer than 15 minutes to a public park? WTF! Stop spending money City Hall!

https://goo.gl/maps/C6GxMUitGDP2

@Robn,

It is apparent, that you know not what you speak of. That 15 minutes, is a child predators dream.

For children to walk to the park (without adult supervision) from Brookside, can be quite foreboding to dangerous. There are thick bushes and trees on either side of the road, and if there's no other cars on that stretch of the road, a child can easily be kidnapped. Conversely, by crossing the bridge (in plain sight) to go to the park, children can easily be seen by a whole host of apartment dwellers.

I often hear people complain about taxpayer's money being spent frivolously. Coincidentally, I never hear these complaints when this same money is used to directly help their children or their immediate community.

This expenditure isn't just about convenience as some would have it, more broadly speaking, this particular bridge is about potentially saving lives.

In case you did not know Robn, but the people in Brookside pay taxes too.

This is great news. Thanks to parks commissioners, Giovanni, and neighborhood residents for helping to push this forward -- one more step in making connections within West Rock, likely New Haven's most isolated community. Let's keep pushing in this direction!

Kevin McCarthy, I'm sure that the bridge will be ADA compliant. The previous bridge's arch would allow someone in a wheel chair, using a walker or crutches to cross the bridge.

I'm sure the arch of the bridge will meet ADA specifications & requirements. In fact the previous bridge's arch allowed anyone in a wheel chair, using a walker or on crutches to cross without any problems. And the safety factor not having to walk along the tree & bushes covered road should outweigh any cost concerns. Long gone are the days when those of us who grew up in Brookside could cut through the woods, walk up & down Beldon Creek take the long way home from a dance at Katherine A. Brennan (so you could be with your boyfriend or girlfriend) or hitchhike intown & back without having to worry about somebody causing us harm or death. As Brian Jenkins said the bridge will provide a safe way to get to the park just as we did back in the day.

BLJ,

You're so right. In fact I hate walking that long and winding road to the top of East Rock so much because its long and tiresome and also a child predators dream so if the city would just find some money to run a shuttle bus from my front door to the top I'd be very satisfied. Oh yeah also, please build me a half million dollar dwelling. That would be great too.

@ Robn,

Again, you know not what you're talking about. In order to get to the park you turn right onto Wilmot Rd. off of Brookside. Rather than wave the proverbial white flag on this one, you continue to willingly put your foot in your mouth.

The park you're referencing goes up Poor House Hill. The park The City Plan Commission, myself and others are talking about doesn't even take you up a hill. Only those who lived in Brookside during the 50's, 60's and early 70's know that we've given the hill that name. I venture to say that you of course would never have known that based on your description as to where you say the park is located.

Let me end with this, to spar with someone who is clueless, makes it difficult for others to discern the difference between the two. Finally, if building this bridge saves the life of one child, then the investment would have been more than worth it. Suffice it to say, only those with sound cognition can grasp that. So don't hurt yourself.

Lynn R., good to hear.

Robn, I've been told you're an architect. If so, you understand the value of connectivity. The footbridge will make it easier for residents to get to public facilities in addition to parks

Gentlemen you are both aware that there is an administration/congress in power which is hostile to our priorities, and that there are enormous, unsolved budgetary issues at the state level which we've all been told will lead to reduced aid for our city. You're also aware that 40% of our fellow citizens are below the poverty line and because of Balkanized town taxation, that burden rests squarely upon the middle class remaining in New Haven who currently have one of the highest tax burdens in the country.
But instead of reigning in spending, we're seeing things like this bridge and the construction of the Q House, and other expansions of city government which seem to indicate a lack of concern in city hall. doesn't that explain to you why someone might have a problem with this? Especially since it was described in the article as a cure for a 15 minute walk? (whether or not I identified the path correctly.)

Allowing a means for the children of Brookside to safely access the park where there is a play area, basketball courts and a football/soccer field will give them greater opportunity to incorporate exercise with fun, thereby helping to reduce such diseases as childhood obesity; the fresh air activities aiding in the health of those with predireliction to asthma. As one of the 'middle class' who are in the 60% above he poverty line, I appreciate my tax dollars (yes, I pay property tax for my New Haven home and Connecticut registered vehicle, as well as sales tax AND make charitable contributions to 5 not-for-profits, serve on several boards AND work in my community) being used in this manner. As has been said, the 15 minute walk from Brookside down and around to access the park is an isolated ealk dangerous for young children, ad is crossing Beldon Brook over tires and balancing on rocks. The Brookside bridge and the Q-House will serve primarily minority youth ... you have a problem with that Robn? It appears the majority of us commenting don't,. So are you part of that very small ... perhaps 1%? Hmm...

Hill: If we are concerned about childhood obesity and diabetes, we should stop worrying about 15 minute walks. Our obsession with safety is causing our kids to get less exercise, and hence diabetes. While I am not familiar with this area, I do wonder if the brush could not be pushed back to allow pedestrians to walk off the roadway. Besides, some of the greatest joys I had as a child were playing in the woods, and hopping from rock to rock or balancing on a single log to cross a stream or river.

1644, you're right that trimming the bushes can help with the safety issue. But for the seniors and people with limited mobility who live nearby, "hopping from rock to rock" is not an option.

HR,

Hmmm...race card much?

To repeat my earlier comments, Although City Hall has presented the illusion that Q House was a city agency, it wasn't. Q House was an independent failed non-profit. We have plenty of brand new schools that could serve as youth centers. However, using existing facilities wouldn't seem like a gift to a voting block and therefore the rest of the city is now burdened with a new facility and operating costs.

@ robn,

Here's where I agree with you regarding the utilization of schools as youth centers. However, we do part ways so far as calling the QHouse a failure. There are many (who are adults now of course), that were tutored and shall I also say nurtured by the programs and facilitators that were in the QHouse back in the day. And as a result of that nurturing, many are successful in today's society. We're there some mismanagement issues? Absolutely. Are you at liberty to label every entity that incurs mismanagement issues a failure? I hope not.

Interestingly, people who only look at issues from the outside, are pretty quick to write them off as failures. The issue should never be the building or the the bridge. The issue should always be the purpose of the structure and the importance of it.