Cummings vs Cove
Soundbounder, a new comrade in the local blog-a-verse with an eye towards "local Long Island sound coastal access" wonders why the disparity in pertiness between Cove Island Park & Cummings Park in his first post. Go give the new kid your comments... then give me some too.
Having actually spent some time at Cove Island yesterday I'll say my opinion is the park's "niceness" is more the work of natural beauty than anything specific the city does to upkeep it. They do a pretty good job of keeping the place neutral - it's not getting crapped up, but I can't really point to anything other than the occasional donated bench as an example of investment in the park. Unless I'm really missing something, my guess is the the most significant recent upgrade was bike cops becoming Segway cops. 
Random aside, this summer we were eating in the little pavilion at the Cove and were witness to how technology can go from cool to pathetic in a split second. I sat on this antidote because I genuinely felt bad for this dude. Gizmo Duck wheeled into the pavilion to soak in some adoration from the two limbed losers condemned to hoof it across a few acres or parkland. His attempt at a fancy spin dismount left him with one foot lodged in the chariot. The Segway started spiraling with ever increasing speed as he hopped around it with his free leg until the possessed personal transport device finally broke free. The Segway sent his host a few feet up in the air then down in a rather ungraceful landing on his back. The machine continued the other direction into a pillar where it brought apart into 3 or 4 pieces like a cheap toy.
But I digress.
I think Cummings Park isn't kept up any better or worse than any of the city's parks, its just tidal marshes and bluffs look much nicer than parking lots and a bath house with all the charm of a bomb shelter adjoining a sandy beach. Unfortunately people in the burbs usually don't demand nice public spaces beyond a well groomed soccer field since yards are viewed as everyones own private park.
4 comments :
Cove
Yo, good find, JT.
Here's what I posted at the site:
"People have been complaining for, I think a couple of years, about the destroyed pier. I think a bad storm destroyed it. A little odd that it's still in disrepair. I have a feeling Cummings sees a lot less traffic (people, I mean) than Cove. And doesn't Cove have more walking paths?"
I only recall going to Cummings once. I recall it as mostly parking lot with a pier, whereas at Cove, there's lots more to do.
Thanks for the free publicity.
You make some valid points about bluffs and tidal marshes being much more attractive.
Regardless, the natural setting has nothing to do with the cleanliness and condition of the two parks. I stand by my comments that Cummings is not as well maintained as Cove Island.
Also, I disagree strongly with your comment that suburban yards make public parks less significant.
Unless one owns waterfront property, or belongs to a private club, these beaches and parks are often the only coastal access sites available. That is the entire purpose of my blog.
Thanks again for your insight.
http://soundbounder.blogspot.com/
Hi Matt,
I’m not arguing public parks (coastal or otherwise) are less significant in light of suburban yards. Well maintained parks are a key assets to any city in that they help build community and provide connections to nature. My argument was suburban development in the last 50 some odd years has placed an exclusive focus on privacy & personal space. Parks in the minds of most people are something you drive to for a soccer game or a weekly trip to the beach 2 months a year. They aren’t woven into the everyday fabric of most people’s lives so public pressure is not placed on their upkeep which only makes them worse, which attracts a seedy element, which makes less people go, which only allows the seedier elements to thrive, etc. I think if the Mill River Park revitalization is a success you’ll see people turn their attention to getting Cummings and West Beach up to snuff.
Post a Comment