Open Says-a-he or Says-a-she.
Either Mayor Reed Gusciora or Recreation Director Maria Richardson have opened gates at Cadwalader Park to allow for some vehicle traffic.
Guests now can access inner oval picnic and barbecue areas without having to park in a remote parking lot then trudge several hundred yards with charcoal, coolers and other party items.
“Yes, it’s open to car traffic,” said a security guard. “You can drive in. Park near the picnic tables. Barbecue. Sit.”
A quick refresher notes several stationary gates were installed to control the flow of traffic and people into the popular West Trenton park.
While gates near an outer loop of the park remain locked, an opened blockade allows traffic to reach the pavilion. Motorists then must turn back toward Ellarslie Mansion. Cars can exit near Maple Ave.
The new setup, not announced by the administration, gets visitors closer to the playground.
Still, the damage has been done. On a beautiful summer day recently, not one child appeared in the playground area although an adult and child headed toward that destination.
While Frederick Law Olmsted designed parks to draw people outdoors and for integration of Blacks and Whites, although he recognized the latter as superior beings who could help the former raise their human social evolution game, Trenton remains a city separated by both class and color.
Olmsted considered parks perfect for persons looking to escape negative situations. The gates, installed under cover of Covid and without public input, deterred visitors.
In typical fashion of many politicians, city officials lacked chutzpah necessary for admission of this dangerous wrong turn.
The U.S ugly history began with a land grab and destruction of Native Americans and has continued with the acquisition of farmland owned by Blacks. Black farmers once owned an estimated 20 million acres of farmland in the early1900s, a number that has dipped by 90 percent today.
Land matters, whether it’s for farming or simply having reasonable access.
Anne Neal Petri, president and CEO of the National Association for Olmsted Parks, in an (sciencehowstuffworks.com) email interview with Wendy Bowman notes,
“While his physical landscapes are a remarkable legacy, the values behind them are equally important. Olmsted understood that the thoughtful design and planning of parks and public spaces have powerful social, environmental, economic and health impacts on the lives of people and communities.”
Bowman added, Once largely owned solely by the wealthy, public parks and civic spaces, Olmsted felt, were ‘democratic spaces’ that belonged to all Americans.
“He believed that well-designed and maintained parks and landscapes have the power to unite and strengthen communities by providing a place of rest and rejuvenation for all, regardless of class, wealth or ethnicity,” says Petri. “Long before science confirmed his views, he understood the power of parks to invigorate public health by restoring people’s connection to nature.
“In many ways, he was a social reformer, realizing that the landscape could advance mental and physical health at a time when cities were dirty, crowded and unhealthy,” she adds. “He called parks the ‘lungs of the city’ because they were designed to be healthful places for city residents.
These parks, especially in Trenton’s dirty, crowded and unhealthy areas, lose power when unnecessary restrictions limit access and mobility.
Even worse, Trentonians know first-hand the potential for political perils when decision processes lack transparency.
While the Cadwalader Park playground lacks visitors, a playground at George Page Park showed dozens of children atop numerous equipment items.
GPP looked appealing and inviting with grass mown, although ATV riders buzzed a nearby athletic field.
Back at Cadwalader Park, one employee on a riding mower attempted to maintain the 100-acre space. One employee has no chance to win the grass cutting Battle of Trenton.
When maintained and patrolled, this Olmsted gem represents a perfect destination for guests looking to enjoy outdoor life.
Visitors must respect the rules regarding noise levels, parking, alcohol, garbage etc.
Enjoy the park. Mr. Olmsted would love to know his beautiful creation remains accessible to all.
L.A. Parker is a Trentonian columnist. Find him on Twitter @LAParker6 or email him at LAParker@Trentonian.com.
