Thread: City Seeks Ways to Adapt Parks to Immigrants

October 29, 2009, 7:30 am

City Seeks Ways to Adapt Parks to Immigrants
By Jennifer 8. Lee

How should city parks adapt to immigrants? Various cities have been considering the question.

In Minneapolis, for example, a large influx of immigrants from Somalia meant more soccer and cricket pitches, and fewer tennis courts. In Chicago, the city’s large Mexican immigrant population is attracted to city parks less for the jogging trails and more as a type of town plaza for large social gatherings.

In New York, where some 40 percent of the city’s population is foreign-born, it’s been a constant quest to adjust the 1,700 parks, playgrounds and recreation facilities that stretch across the five boroughs. “In a way we are always playing catch-up,â€

So much for assimilation in our park system. Special allowances made for ethnic grous that just reinforces the need to hang onto your group and not assimilate.

And the department is translating many signs into Spanish, Korean, Italian, Chinese, Russian and Haitian Creole. Already, the department has posted 7,000 foreign-language signs, according to Mr. Benepe. He also said the department was making an effort to hire employees who can speak to residents in their native languages.

You know, I just don't know what to think about all this. The only thing that comes to mind is who pays when these people decide to change neighborhoods? Also, this certainly puts a city-sponsored turf I.D. perimeter on these places. Used to be that the way you knew whose area you were in was by the signs on their business storefronts.

Who pays ALWAYS is the American taxpayer.

It's totally ridiculous.

I'm about to go into meltdown over this insanity.

These peole come to this country and yet it's this country that's expected to adapt to their lifestyles and customs and expectations! Has this country completely lost its' mind? Assimilation no longer required!

Where are they getting all these bleeding heart liberals? So much for the American way!

Imagine what's happening in our schools. It's really out of control but not one politician here will address the problems except to encourage more IAs!

Yup, just keep catering to them and they'll never learn English.