April 10, 2009
Sundays
9 Comments »We weren’t real sure where to go with this post, so we thought we’d just open it up for conversation. How have Sundays been in the park been this spring? We noticed last Sunday was the first day the gates were closed, and the crowds were modestly smaller from a few weeks ago when there were traffic jams on every road in the park. Neighbors have told us about street racing on Westover Road and gunfire. And we noticed quite a bit of trash in Fountain Lake on Monday Morning (though the city cleaned it up promptly). With the starting point being that all of us want the greater community to enjoy the park as much as we do, we’d like to get a lively conversation going here, which we want to share with the city. Speak your mind, share your opinion, air your grievances.
The April meeting of the Byrd Park Civic League will be discussing this problem at the end of its agenda this Saturday at 10 am in the Byrd Park Roundhouse.
The Sector (313) has revised its plan for this Sunday although historically Easter is a slower Sunday was many families attend other organized events like Maymont or Easter on Parade.
Please attend the meeting so we can present a unified and clear request to the City and Police.
I’m eager to see how the discussion of this issue goes on this site. But, I’m not clear what the request is that is going to be presented to the police. I’m assuming that this comment thread is not intended to debate and shape that request?
Cruising aside (something I don’t witness down at my end of Rosewood – although we do hear gunshots too often), the fact that so many people from all over Richmond embrace Byrd Park with such enthusiasm makes me proud to live in this neighborhood. However, if people are gonna party in the park, then responsibility needs to be promoted by some means. I’m not sure what options are being promoted, though.
I can’t make the meeting because of family obligations, but if someone could post a summary of the conversation here or e-mail it to me so I can post I’d appreciate it.
Thanks to Recreation and Parks and the police of the Third Precinct for closing all the traffic gates around Byrd Park yesterday. The racing cars and gunshots were gone, and in their place were kids able to freely ride their bikes. Joggers and walkers of all ages were able to safely enjoy the park, and dog walkers could enjoy the park without worrying about the cars and noise level. It was a good day. Please, everyone, check on Sundays to make sure the gates are closed around one o’clock. If they are not, call 911. By preventing the racing cars, we are really helping to encourage all of our citizens to come share our park.. An added benefit is that there was very little litter this morning to pick up- I know Parks and Recreation were happy about that.
I would think one would need to call the non-emergency number (804 646 6842) for the Richmond Police versus 911 as respects road closures. I too am relieved with less traffic as it was getting a bit scary around here and I was heartbroken to see so much trash thrown in the lake.
The trash/cruising is definitely an issue. I love that people are taking advantage of the incredible weather to visit the park and spend family time together, but the message needs to be sent that the park should be left in a better condition than they found it. It’s just a shame to walk through the park on Monday morning and see trash everywhere. I hope that somehow we can get this message out to the public.
Byrd Park is one of Richmond’s golden nuggets but it needs to be protected from those who have an inclination to engage in inappropriate behavior. The above remarks have educated me regarding why there are gates that lock on Sunday afternoons. The RPD needs to have regular patrols there using mounted and bike powered patrols.
How was the park this weekend? Did the gates get shut?
Jay and I ran early this morning and the trash was pretty bad, lots of flyers as well as the normal.
The concerns and comments for the most part here are good and well spoken so to this I would ask why is the RPD not more visable. Bikes, mopeds, foot patrol come to mind. In a city where if you’re drunk in public five or six cars may show up. If shots are fired….hey you’re like Patty Labelle….ON YOUR OWN!!! The park has been attracting hundreds since the early seventies all through the eighties and nineties. The police need to step up to the plate. There are drug houses and more in this community and they’re aware but “nothing we can do until someone gets hurt” is what I’ve been told? What kind of crap is that? As for the littering I believe it’s from persons not from the area more so than not. The loud music? It’s the park for crying out loud. Back in the 70′s that was how you rode through…then when you left out…you turned it back down. We’re living in a totally different age here..