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When I saw the video link, I was hoping for some sort of throwdown.
It would be nice if the members of Boulefrogs would teach classes to others so that it is used more than 2 times a week…
Again, please explain why four courts are needed when only about fifteen people in the neighborhood play this game. I don’t see the guys on the basketball courts looking over and going “wow, that’s cool, gotta check that out” if that’s what was being hoped for. No, you don’t bite. However, you are taking a large part of an urban playground for a game that few play and fewer have even heard of.
This story was anything but a recap of the situation. It was total propaganda for the pétanque players right down to snippets of innocent elderly people and fun-loving jugglers. Here’s the thing. These people are nice and kind, but it can’t be denied that their share of the park does not match the needs of the larger community. And they know that. We met and they admitted that the idea snowballed and then the developers decided to make the courts the centerpiece of the park despite it being only a fraction of usage. In effect, everyone agrees that we need to pressure the parks to continue with complete renovation and move forward so that everyone can enjoy the improvements. Because with the way it stands now, there is a disparity that wasn’t shown on the news. With the way it stands now, pétanque is a symbol of gentrification in a diverse neighborhood. But it doesn’t have to remain this way. I know that they interviewed Matt for at least 20 minutes and all they took were two comments that make him sound like he disagrees with the pétanque players. All we are saying is that it’s time the city get moving on making the playground a nice place for everyone, not just those that are well-networked authorities in the neighborhood who can pull a few strings.
Who do I call to have someone shoot video about the diverse group of 20-50 somethings who are black, white, and Asian who play basketball each week on busted goalposts and cracked courts? Why do they have to look at the manicured and bricked pétanque courts and wish? Do a story on that! So if you’re reading CBS6, you can write me: curt.fritts@gmail.com
OMG – that was awesome! The lesson here is “don’t mess with people who have metal balls.” Ha, ha, ha. You got served – Bull Frog style!
(and before anyone gets any ideas – I am not a Bull Frog and don’t know any of them, but, boy, I like how they play)
That is so not a true recap.
I absolutely agree with UMC regarding the basketball courts and I don’t even play basketball. However, I see lots of other people from CH playing basketball there every single day. I see CH people at the playground with their children every single day. I see CH people using Tricycle Gardens every single day. I see CH people using the sidewalk behind the park every single day. Pétanque players??? Only Thursday night and Sunday afternoon. Sorry if it hurts the pétanque players feelings but you just don’t rate in the overall scheme of things and 4 courts is overkill and a huge waste of taxpayer dollars.
Well at this point, its just important to remember that we want to move forward and have some equality. No one is out to “get” the petanque’ players. I was disappointed in CBS’ coverage and the obvious manipulation by someone with a connection. Again, come talk to the “Users of Chimborazo Playground.”
They got rid of a handmade skatepark that tons of kids used and built that stupid park. This city is hilarious sometimes.
“One person said we should be lynched”??? Are you freaking kidding me? These petanque players are out of their minds. I mean really, who said that? What Mark didn’t cover in this story is how many of the petanque players were in an organization called Friends of Chimborazo Playground, which influenced and agreed on designs that turned the playground into a petanque plaza. I think THAT IS THE STORY that Mark is missing.
This is too bad. It is a nice sport. It gets people together to converse, get to know each other and maybe make better neighbors. You have something pleasant going on in your neighborhood. Go out and try it. You might like it.
The whole video clip made me cringe! These folks just do not get it that a family orientated community does not want 8 new petanque courts in the middle of their community park… there is no logic or fairness to their elitist mindset. Everyone I talk to cannot understand why 10 or 15 people are willing to hijack a once vibrant community park that caters to such a diverse group of people. The present situation is a fiasco, and I remain extremely concerned that a so few are spoiling so much for so many. Someone needs to explain to the masses the rationale for disfiguring so much community hard cape sq footage to construct something that will only be used for approximately 4 hours a week by 10 to 15 people.
I will be very interested to see what happens once the Bulldogs get the petanque plaza drainage fixed. It will be quite challenging for anyone (minus the 20 petanque players) explaining to new young families joining our community why we have 8-16 petanque courts (lost count) in the only area that young children can play or run freely.
Regardless of the outcome of this selflessness, the existing (fixed) courts will have to remain fenced off, as they are of considerable risk to all those that enter the park, especially children on bikes, basketball players and general foot traffic. The ideal situation to any ‘level headed’ ,’ community minded’ individual would have been to construct the courts (2 max, essentially 4 playing surfaces) at the edge of the park.
The ‘crusade’ to limit the number of petanque courts will only end when the last lynched victim realizes the silliness of a few that represent the majority of the fair-minded, community minded Bulldogs…. Compromise, Community and the Courage to acknowledge that we are not always right and that it not just about us.
John #11. Here is the “lynch” comment in question posted by Human Honey Badger on May 31:
“Human honey Badger
lets lynch the petanque players. Or at least stand aruond the fence and taunt them into submission!”
Nice Guy!
You are also wrong about the design process. The “influence” pf the petanque players on the design was limited. The final design was not what the petanque club prefered.
I think the bullfogs have no community spirit, very sad. Great points #11
This whole episode is shame. The petanque players make up less than 3% of people that utilize our park, yet contribute squat to compromise or improving their image or that of our community as a whole. For the most part, they are a bunch of aged, retired geezers that obviously do not care about growing our diversity of young families and home ownership.Throwing out statements that people should be lynched just adds ”fuel to the fire”, very unnecessary and is not helping alleviate a problem that has been around ever since the concept of an annual petanque superbowl crossed their minds.
For the most part, they are a bunch of aged, retired geezers that obviously do not care about growing our diversity of young families or welcoming young familes to our community.Throwing out statements that people have said that they should be lynched is absurd and just adds ”fuel to the fire”, to a very sad story. The annual petanque superbowl dream continues……
I think we need a pool!
Gee, John S. that was a useful post. Really moved the process forward. So glad you are here to make a real contribution to the solution.
http://www.mahalo.com/how-to-chalk-a-soccer-field/
Kids can run, players can play, water can drain and volunteers can paint.
I call this gross misuse of park space…
Church Hill’s “BIG DIG.”
I’m with Tresa. Bring back the pool.
With a little bit of work, we can transform the tennis court into an adhoc THUNDERDOME and then challenge the Boulefrogs to a battle for park supremecy.
So when is Mark going to do a spot on the baketball players and what they think about the whole growth of the park? In the past month he has done a spot on the Tricycle Garden and the petanque situation. Funny thing both programs have a common family connection.
The game looks like a fun way to bring a community together. Two courts – OK, but, considering our urban constraints, four courts is a waste of valuable space. One has to consider the amount of usage and actual needs of our neighbors in Church Hill. Why not install an appropriately-sized playground sprinkler for the kids? NYC has them adjacent to many playgrounds and when installed properly are a true asset to the community. The link below shows some examples:
Link: http://timeoutnewyorkkids.com/things-to-do/58175/best-fountains-and-sprinklers
I would like to continue this broken record. I’m angry. It’s a shame, cause everyone worked so hard and had allocated money for a legit skatepark, or at least a first phase. I respect the pentague players, but I have a strong distaste for their outright stubborness and stretching of facts for their cause. It amazes me how many folks came to the meetings for reasons other than pentague, and this still happened. Luckily, in the city we have learned to build our own spots, pour concrete on our own property and not wait on the city/ parks b.s. and their sub par contractors. It’s a shame there isn’t something for the youth that needs it the most.
When and where is the next meeting for ‘Friends of Chimborazo Park’ ?
Yeah, not much of a news story to me. I’m sad if anyone has received personal threats. And I’m still amazed that this comes down to that. It isn’t about your quirky game. Have fun, it’s great to have. But the park is a disaster. The plans are one sided. And the real story is no where to be found. Meanwhile the whole thing gets devolved into and us vs them discussion. I would probably have a blast playing. But that doesn’t change the fact that as one of the many families living here I would rather have a balanced plan.
@ Gordothebarbarian, how about a Braveheart-style open field charge? The petanque balls kind of resemble small cannon balls. Keep your eyes open for light artillery.