I thought this was interesting...
Excerpt:
Although officials at Healthy Start Academy said they need more space for their students to play, neighbors said that space doesn't have to be in their backyards. The academy is planning to tear down two homes on Jackson Street in Durham to turn the land into a playground. ... Bergman and Polard are part of task force to stop Healthy Start Academy from demolishing the homes. The couple said the playground won't be safe. "[The playground] can possibly attract people all night long,” Polard said. “It’s not necessarily a secure situation for a neighborhood. We have families living here, we have children living here." But academy Executive Director Elizabeth Morey said the new play area has to be built because the current playground is way too small. "Our older students don't get to go out for recess unless it's a special day and we feel they really need it,” Morey said. “We've been using the back parking lot for them to go out and play."
Although officials at Healthy Start Academy said they need more space for their students to play, neighbors said that space doesn't have to be in their backyards.
The academy is planning to tear down two homes on Jackson Street in Durham to turn the land into a playground.
...
Bergman and Polard are part of task force to stop Healthy Start Academy from demolishing the homes. The couple said the playground won't be safe.
"[The playground] can possibly attract people all night long,” Polard said. “It’s not necessarily a secure situation for a neighborhood. We have families living here, we have children living here."
But academy Executive Director Elizabeth Morey said the new play area has to be built because the current playground is way too small.
"Our older students don't get to go out for recess unless it's a special day and we feel they really need it,” Morey said. “We've been using the back parking lot for them to go out and play."
This is the first time I've heard "We have families/children living here" as an excuse NOT to build a playground. Has anyone faced similar opposition from homeowners near your playground site? If so, how did you respond?
