an examination of purple park

Central Railway Park, known by the locals as "Purple Park" should be the jewel of Ashland's eye. At the center of town, on the 5th Street Corridor, this park is walking distance from downtown shopping, residential areas, community centers, and everything else one could hope to be able to walk or bike to.

But the locals don't seem very fond of the park.

Why?

Purple park is home to baseball/softball fields, tennis courts, batting cages, and even a playground, yet it is usually empty, except for those passing through.

Upon closer inspection, its easy to see once you know what to look for. Central Railway Park used to be known as the park where the homeless spent overnights, and it seems as if City Officials have something out for the poor souls who have been unlucky enough to no longer have a safe place to sleep.

Purple Park lacks any comfort. From sunrise to sunset, the park is in direct sunlight. Only two pavilions placed there have any protection from the sun, and in one of those areas there is absolutely no seating.

Although the city of Ashland was officially colonized in 1854, there are no old trees in the park. All the planted trees are small and mostly ornamental, so they will not grow to tower. Everything that was planted to 'Beautify' the park was not planned with children in mind. What this means mainly is that even in the future, there may never be trees big enough to climb, to rest beneath, or protect our children's delicate skin from the harsh UV rays.

The two playgrounds available have only two seats for parents. One picnic table underneath a small tree and one bench. Adults who bring their children to play have no place to sit comfortably, which this author considers an accessibility issue. Without comfortable places for the parents, children do not get the same amount of play necessary for their development.

In addition, after an incident at the porta-potty, now the only accessible toilet facilities are locked at night and monitored 24/7 by camera. Too bad the monitoring with the camera doesn't check the toilet levels (overflowing), refill the hand sanitizer (ripped off wall) and with the complaints about used needles being found, there still is no sharps container. It seems as if the worry isn't about the safety of our children.

Purple park also has a skatepark, or at least what looks like one to those who don't skate. While being a highly physical setting, the earlier point of constant sun exposure needs to be brought back to mind. The skatepark is in direct light, has no seating area to rest, view, and interact with other skaters, and is painted black. Exercise, black paint, and high heat is a recipe for sunstroke. Logically, to mitigate this danger to our children and adolescents, there should be access to water nearby.

There isn't. The closest water fountain is in the locked concession booth, unable to be accessed unless its paid for. There is no water available in the entire park, and that combined with the lack of sun cover makes the center of Ashland a desert that must be endured, not enjoyed.

To top off the issues, every bench along the walkways was donated to the park by the Ashland Rotary. The main playground was paid for by the Ashland Lions Club.

The main point to this is that even though it is a city park, it is not designed for the use of anyone, let alone children. Whether it is an oversight, bad planning, or just plain ignorance, the City of Ashland has created a space that is inhospitable to community and living.