Coming Together In Lucas Park
We skipped last weekend in Lucas Park but resumed work earlier today. This time we worked a reduced shift from 10am to noon-ish. In the past Andy Martello set up a BBQ to smoke meats & grill corn. We’d have a few of the local homeless because they knew that was the only way to get any of the food.
This weekend we skipped the food. We still had several homeless persons helping us in the park. I think we’ve earned their trust. That first day some were upset by our presence in their park. Over the last month they’ve seen we are not going to push them out. It has become our park.
![farrell&andy Farrell Chatwell & Andy Martello continue their conversation from the other night at the tap room. Turns out they are both Star Trek geeks... I mean fans.](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3156/2933061818_0574fa2df3.jpg)
![maureen Maureen Brown (in yellow) shows off her vivid artwork to some resident volunteers.](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3189/2933061518_f443d4f5d9.jpg)
Maureen had recorded a testimonial for Rice’s New Life Evangelistic Center. A few weeks ago she said she had not been paid for the work they gave her to do. Today she says she finally got paid but the additional work she was promised has not materialized. She does not feel safe on the street alone.
Over the last month barriers have been broken. Us loft dwellers that have been working in the park see the homeless in a new light. We’ve gotten to know many. They’ve gotten to know us. Fears of the other are diminished. We are all now acting different toward the other.
I didn’t get a picture of him but a man named Ernie also helped quite a bit today. Again no food was being cooked or offered. Ernie, Maureen & Farrell all helped because they wanted to help. Pride of place.
A month ago the park looked like this:
![lucas park 9/13/08 Lucas Park on the morning of 9/13/08](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3085/2853580295_e065193840.jpg)
And a similar view this afternoon:
![Lucas Park 10/11/08 Lucas Park on 10/11/2008. I donated a large quantity of Liriope (aka Lilyturf).](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3046/2932204575_56f074ffb8.jpg)
Homeless still use the park, I don’t expect that to change. But more and more residents are using the park
as well. We are mingling and getting to know each other. The experience has been nothing but positive for me and for many others.
On the 25th we’ve got a little Halloween event planned from 3-5pm in the park. We’ll have fun & games for the little ones. I think we are planning a costume contest for kids, adults & dogs.
With the bulk of the cleanup done we move into the next phase with a design charrette on Monday November 17th from 6pm-9pm. We need Architects – especially Landscape Architects to participate. An Arborist or two would be nice as well. Residents & the homeless will be represented.
For years now Lucas Park has been the meant homeless to many in our region. Now Lucas Park is becoming a place where we can all come together, talk and figure out our common bonds rather than our differences. We’ll never erase homelessness but we do our best to work for solutions to get the homeless off the street and into transitional housing as quickly as possible.
I realize everyday how lucky I am to still be living following my February stroke and 14+ hours spent on my cold concrete floor until my friend Marcia found me. I’m determined to make a difference for others.
Amazing.
Thanks for all you do for our fair city Steve. You’re a good man.
The secret now will be to maintain this initial burst of enthusiasm which volunteer efforts so often generate.
Regards the design phase. I’d get rid of the playgrounds. They were only put up as a sop the the day care center and never looked right in this Victorian setting.
Agreed on the playground, but not on both ends of the park is it needed. The fenced part should stay, from my perspective.
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And in light of your last sentence, I think you are bridging something very important. I have gone through such a range of emotion towards homeless individuals, both in personal action and inaction and by far, yours is the best I can hope for in myself, so thank you for leading a mature and logical charge in communication and community building.
Wonderful work — amazing results. Truly impressive. Keep it up, Steve.
Margie
PS I can’t wait to do breakfast on the corner. See you soon!