RE: Re: Esperanza

H* A*

Judy,

You are a great American!

Adam

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Grow19@aol.com [SMTP:Grow19@aol.com]
> Sent:	Monday, February 21, 2000 4:21 PM
> To:	community_garden@mallorn.com
> Subject:	[cg] Re: Esperanza
> 
> to all -- a copy of my letter to Mr.Landman
> -------------------------------
> 
> 
> Dear Mr. Landman, 
> 
> I write to you regarding the destruction of community gardens in NY.  In 
> Washington DC I direct a community garden program, and have been a member
> of 
> the American Community Gardening Assn for 10 years.  In seeing this sad 
> situation unfold in NY for the last several years, I must tell you that
> the 
> issue is not open space vs housing, gardens vs development, gardens vs 
> real-people-in need.  This is absurd.  The issue is creative and
> thoughtful 
> and thorough citywide planning, which if not right includes both open
> space 
> and development -- housing and other development -- and would certainly 
> provide just as much financial gain for the developers involved (likely
> much, 
> much more).  
> 
> NYC has an opportunity to examine the value of community open space and to
> 
> include such in a comprehesive planning process.  There is no need to
> develop 
> land that is in productive use before using up the many many vacant lots
> that 
> continue to sit in NYC.
> 
> What does open space provide people?  How might is contribute to youth 
> education?  to lower crime rates, to improved public health, to improved 
> urban environment?  Where else might housing and other development be
> placed?
> 
> No way is it possible to say in NYC that if these particular lots are not 
> taken, there will not be enough housing.  It is simply not possible to say
> 
> that until all of the existing vacant land is used up.  
> 
> The planning process in NY is clearly complicated by political issues, 
> financial and power relationships between the mayor and community board 
> members and developers.  These people are not generally skilled at or 
> terribly interested in the sociology of community.  
> 
> It is a mistake to think that central park or other large tracts provide
> for 
> the open space needs of everyone in ny.  This is absurd.  People need open
> 
> space and green near home and they need varieties of open space -- to
> walk, 
> sit, read the paper, walk the dog, play tennis and basket ball, grow
> flowers, 
> relax, etc etc. 
> 
> And a city needs balance.  It needs housing and other commercial
> development 
> along with open space spread out equitably throughout the city.  
> 
> Make no mistake.  The issue is not open space vs development.  It is
> planning 
> vs politics & short-term financial gain.  To think otherwise is simplistic
> 
> and short-sighted.  To think otherwise to be complicite with the
> politicians 
> and developers.   
> 
> Your readers deserve better.  Please make yourself open to the issues and 
> learn more about this.  
> 
> Thank you,
> 
> Judy Tiger
> Garden Resources of Washington
> 1419 V Street NW
> Washington, DC  20009
> 202-234-0591/phone
> 202-234-0592/fax
> 
> _______________________________________________
> community_garden maillist  -  community_garden@mallorn.com
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