Grand Hope Park: An Appreciation

I too love that park and remember the park’s opening. I was working in the Financial District at the time (in the gleaming new Gas Co. Tower!). But I remember bitter disappointment at the building of the fence, which to me completely disconnected the park from the surrounding neighborhood.

I think the time has come for that fence to come down. But if people think GHP still needs a fence, how about a lower fence, say between 4’ and 6’ tall? I can think of many small parks in NYC with short fences that have been very successful and that don’t seem to be overrun by homeless people or criminals.

Also, the clock should be fixed…I didn’t even realize it was broken.

David Kennedy writes:

I actually don’t mind the fence at all. I think it is well done and integrates very well with its surroundings. I also think it is very successful in establishing public order. One only has to look at the ongoing problems with Pershing Square. Given local political realities and the unwillingness to maintain order in public places, I’m perfectly happy with the fence and the security which oversees the park. I think a good rule of thumb is for evaluating a park is: “Is it a good place for kids?”

I also think the model of Grand Hope as a private park open to the public is probably the future of park development downtown. Given the lack of foresight and planning on the part of the city, I think it will be expensive for the city to acquire land for parks. I imagine developers will create these kinds of public/private spaces as ammenities for residents.

Just spend some time there and compare the experience of Pershing Square and Grand Hope and I think the utility of the fence becomes obvious. I think the idea of open spaces inviting to all is very appealing. However, the reality of street people in downtown means different choices have to be made to create successful parks.

I completely agree with you about Pershing Square. It is three blocks from Skid Row, 5th and Main. That park needs a heavy police presence, and that the City’s neglect of this critical piece of the urban fabric is shameful.

But IMO, Grand Hope Park is a completely different story. I would argue that the South Park neighborhood is not full of homeless like the Pershing Square area. Thus, the fence IMO is totally unnecessary. I spend plenty of time in Grand Hope Park, and I bring my daughter there too.

And BTW, GHP is not a “private park”. It also is not the result of a “public/private” partnership. The CRA paid for the park 100%. It is a “public park”.

It’s pretty sad that you (or anyone) would think of GHP as a private park. Although I can see how you would think this, given the big ugly fence surrounding it. The fence effectively turns the land into a private front lawn for FIDM and the Ren Tower.

If I have a choice between a fence that enables the park to be closed at night and police tape, i choose the fence.

i have no problem with the fence. i don’t think it’s unattractive. it only prevents people from entering the park when the park is closed.

i don’t know why it’s sad to think of that park as private. or for the park to feel as if it’s private – just so long as it is assuredly open to the public.

I think it’s sad (in the sense of pathetic) that the park was built with public money, yet people might not go in because they don’t even know it’s a public park.

An going back to my first post, there’s no reason for the fence to be as high as it is. Parks in NYC and elsewhere are far more threatened by vagrancy, and yet they do fine with a shorter (4-6 foot) fence.

(Police tape is far worse, admittedly. Pershing Square is a big mess and needs to be completely reconcieved, IMO.)

i don’t think there is a problem with people not taking advantage of the park because they think that it is private. during daylight, the gates are open. the signs posted state the rules. to me, it was obvious that the park was open to anyone who wishes to enjoy it provided they abide by its rules.

are there people out there who are avoiding the park because they think they’re not allowed in? i find that hard to believe. there may be people out there who enjoy the park but don’t know who owns the land, but i don’t think that really matters much.

i think without a real fence and without security the park would be at risk of being used for the same criminal behavior that caused pershing to be closed off. perhaps in 3 or 4 years, this will not be the case. but, imho, for the time being, DTLA (even the very northern boundary of south park) is not NYC. the problems in pershing were caused in part by the lapd cracking down on criminal behavior in skid row. to me, this suggests that just because an area is several blocks from the ” trouble areas” doesn’t mean it is immune to the problem. the last thing any of us want is children playing where intravenus drug users are shooting up.