Do you have a city park near you?
I don’t live near a small neighborhood park but I’m very near the huge White Oak park that runs along the bayou from Studewood. It is well used by all kinds of folks, young and old. Places where you can get in a good walk, like linear parks, are always popular but I see many of our other parks are underutilized and frankly a little run down. Don’t get me wrong, green space for the sake of green space is very important to me but I’d like to see more of our parks be centers of activity for neighborhoods. They are very important to our seniors and youths’ quality of life. They should provide not only a place to admire nature but also the space for activities that need a little more room. Dog parks are an easy way the city can provide outdoor space without a lot of expense and concrete. And concessions. It’s hot here but a cool drink or snow cone might entice me to get my exercise in. As I visit Super Neighborhoods around Houston I hope to talk more about neighborhood parks. I have a friend who just boils when he sees another expensive city park open while we have so many pressing city issues unsolved and unfunded. I agree with him. This is no time for unbridled spending but making sure the parks we already have are beautiful assets to neighborhoods,not deserted and litter strewn, is a good way to increase quality of life without spending a lot I think.