During the summer we spend many afternoons or nights at the Boys & Girls Club park just a block from our Challenge House...it never fails that the kids will find a friend to play with, I will find a parent to chat with, and we will enjoy the spirit of community that lives in our neighborhood.
Tonight as we walked to the park it was with a bit of the spirit of observation and a bit of sadness at the state of humanity. You see, earlier this week an article was published in the local paper about land being condemned in our neighborhood to build a new park. It is a project that I am quite familiar with as discussions have been on-going since before we moved to our street corner. The comments in response to the article were mostly unsupportive, but the tone behind them ranged widely from disapproval of land being taken in general to disparaging remarks about the people that would frequent "another inner city park." I had to stop reading as an anger in me rises at the ignorance of people that have likely never even stepped into our neighborhood parks.
So with these thoughts still fresh in my mind we took our one block walk. On the way we passed the soccer field catty-corner to our house where there are soccer games every Sunday from spring to fall. The remaining families were walking the parameter of the field with trash bags cleaning up the field and stands from anything tossed aside during the day....we exchanged waves as often we do as I do not speak Spanish and many of the ladies do not speak English. However, a smile and a wave can convey so much in a community.
As we approached the basketball goals I immediately noticed three courts were in full action. An older gentleman with a grey beard and bright yellow hat completing his island look was coaching boys that looked to be 9-11 years old...layups, running laps, preparing for a game this coming week.
On another court a group of middle school boys shot hoops. One of the moms gave them pointers from the sidelines...while high schoolers sat on the hoods of their cars watching. These young guys looked like they could play for hours, whereas their younger counterparts where ready for a rest on the bleachers.
On the third court was a middle aged man, going through different moves alone. You could envision an opponent on the court as he would, turn dart and weave. Finally a few Highschool boys asked to shoot with him...one of the boys I had known since preschool...no father-figure, lots of energy and often misunderstood. I watched this boy shoot sporadically looking for the approval of the older player...shot after shot bricking off the rim. The original player would shoot with a finess only gained through years of playing the sport...a hard-earned love of the game...
My eyes glanced to the playground as my kids joined a group of other kids climbing up thon slides, going down others, chatting at the top in their makeshift fort, before running to the swings. A girl, maybe on the brink of adulthood, maybe just a teen came over to where I sat and my kids ran over. The little girl with her had a bright red bow along with a dozen flower barrets holding her braids...she was beautiful and a curious 2-4 year old.
"What's your name? What are you doing?"
My kids jumped right in sharing names, inviting her to our Challenge House for snacks and books...they love to invite friends they meet at the playground for snacks, because sometimes they will stick around and play for a while.
As the misquotes began to bite we started our walk home. A little boy was leaving with his dad. I asked if he liked soccer and he nodded yes as he kicked me his mini soccer ball...I kicked it back and waved to them both as we headed home.
Arriving home my heart is full of hope and contentment as I think of the amazing childhood my kids get to experience from our city park. The mentors they get to see on the courts, the friends they get to make on the swings and slides, the example that is set by those that take pride in keeping the park clean.
City parks may not be understood by some...it is sad I think that some families do not get to experience the Sunday afternoons and evenings we get to enjoy. It is a community like no other...
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