Should Public Parks include Basic Showers, Microwaves, 24/7 access, etc.?

[xMathFanx]

Should Public Parks include Basic Showers, Microwaves, 24/7 access, etc.?

Given the issue of homelessness, should public parks include showers, and a means to heat up food, a refrigerator(s), as well as bathroom stalls and tables already provided? Should parks be open 24/7, rather than close overnight? Would having basic access to hygiene, drinking water, a place to sleep, a means to heat/prepare food, etc., help alleviate many of the issues associated with homelessness? Or, conversely, would it make the problem worse?

 

[jamesrodom]

Should Public Parks include Basic Showers, Microwaves, 24/7 access, etc.?

Given the issue of homelessness, should public parks include showers, and a means to heat up food, a refrigerator(s), as well as bathroom stalls and tables already provided? Should parks be open 24/7, rather than close overnight? Would having basic access to hygiene, drinking water, a place to sleep, a means to heat/prepare food, etc., help alleviate many of the issues associated with homelessness? Or, conversely, would it make the problem worse?

There's an old saying: if cars had wings, they'd be airplanes. If your aunt had testicles, she'd be your uncle.

Well, if public parks had these amenities, they wouldn't simply be public parks anymore; they'd be homeless shelters. I think the two are completely separate, and should be kept separate.

 

[Thoreau72]

I guess the answer to that question depends upon how many homeless there are in any particular area or jurisdiction.

 

[PirateMk1]

Should Public Parks include Basic Showers, Microwaves, 24/7 access, etc.?

Given the issue of homelessness, should public parks include showers, and a means to heat up food, a refrigerator(s), as well as bathroom stalls and tables already provided? Should parks be open 24/7, rather than close overnight? Would having basic access to hygiene, drinking water, a place to sleep, a means to heat/prepare food, etc., help alleviate many of the issues associated with homelessness? Or, conversely, would it make the problem worse?

Isnt this what homeless shelter are for?

 

[WCH]

Been done.... to get them out of other areas.

https://mlf.org/community-first/

 

[xMathFanx]

There's an old saying: if cars had wings, they'd be airplanes. If your aunt had testicles, she'd be your uncle.

Well, if public parks had these amenities, they wouldn't simply be public parks anymore; they'd be homeless shelters. I think the two are completely separate, and should be kept separate.

@jamesrodom

I understand the concern you voiced, and that may in fact be correct. Though, it seems to me, if public parks were simply to add a couple things from what they already have, that is a shower(s) rather than just toilets and sink, microwave in addition to picnic tables, and 24/7 access rather than 16 hour access, then as long as people had a few dollars here and there, then they would have basic necessities of subsistence.


I can certainly see your point, though--as the situation could potentially get out of control rather quickly.

 

[xMathFanx]

Been done.... to get them out of other areas.

https://mlf.org/community-first/

@WCH

What are your thoughts about that project? Also, is that privately funded, or publicly?

 

[Acadia]

No. Parks are for recreation and families. That's not a good mix with homeless people, many of whom are not mentally well.

 

[joko104]

No. Bathrooms only.

 

[Renae]

Should Public Parks include Basic Showers, Microwaves, 24/7 access, etc.?

Given the issue of homelessness, should public parks include showers, and a means to heat up food, a refrigerator(s), as well as bathroom stalls and tables already provided? Should parks be open 24/7, rather than close overnight? Would having basic access to hygiene, drinking water, a place to sleep, a means to heat/prepare food, etc., help alleviate many of the issues associated with homelessness? Or, conversely, would it make the problem worse?

Sounds like a magnet to encourage homeless congregation.

 

[WCH]

@WCH

What are your thoughts about that project? Also, is that privately funded, or publicly?

I have mixed feelings. It's good to see them in shelters away for the downtown area [you can rent one on Airbnb]but, "homelessness" has been a racket in the area for years now. I have some experience hiring the homeless only to be sadly disappoint with their attitudes and goals.

IIRC it's privately funded with the largest donations coming from the Austin Downtown Alliance, of all people.

 

[ttwtt78640]

Should Public Parks include Basic Showers, Microwaves, 24/7 access, etc.?

Given the issue of homelessness, should public parks include showers, and a means to heat up food, a refrigerator(s), as well as bathroom stalls and tables already provided? Should parks be open 24/7, rather than close overnight? Would having basic access to hygiene, drinking water, a place to sleep, a means to heat/prepare food, etc., help alleviate many of the issues associated with homelessness? Or, conversely, would it make the problem worse?

Hmm... why beat around the bush? Just supply free public RV/mobile home parks complete with the fully furnished, RVs/mobile homes? Of course, these parks should have free laundry services, high speed internet access, cable/satellite TV, swimming pools, gyms and playgrounds. Those extra amenities could be added by state/local governments but the basics could be had with only a slight increase in federal borrowing.

That solved the homelessness problem - next we just need to supply free drugs/alcohol and watch the fundamental transformation of America happen.

 

[Xelor]

Should Public Parks include Basic Showers, Microwaves, 24/7 access, etc.?

Given the issue of homelessness, should public parks include showers, and a means to heat up food, a refrigerator(s), as well as bathroom stalls and tables already provided? Should parks be open 24/7, rather than close overnight? Would having basic access to hygiene, drinking water, a place to sleep, a means to heat/prepare food, etc., help alleviate many of the issues associated with homelessness? Or, conversely, would it make the problem worse?

If you mean public parks such as those found in cities:

• 365/24/7 high speed Internet access --Yes
• Potable water fountains --> Yes
• Public restrooms w/potable running water and a wash basin --> Yes
• "Etc." --> Probably not

If you mean public parks in the sense of Yosemite, Glacier, Denali, Acadia, George Washington National Forest, Dolly Sods, Yellowstone, etc., no, not beyond what Mother Nature makes available.

 

[jimbo]

Should Public Parks include Basic Showers, Microwaves, 24/7 access, etc.?

Given the issue of homelessness, should public parks include showers, and a means to heat up food, a refrigerator(s), as well as bathroom stalls and tables already provided? Should parks be open 24/7, rather than close overnight? Would having basic access to hygiene, drinking water, a place to sleep, a means to heat/prepare food, etc., help alleviate many of the issues associated with homelessness? Or, conversely, would it make the problem worse?

No!!!

 

[ALiberalModerate]

Should Public Parks include Basic Showers, Microwaves, 24/7 access, etc.?

Given the issue of homelessness, should public parks include showers, and a means to heat up food, a refrigerator(s), as well as bathroom stalls and tables already provided? Should parks be open 24/7, rather than close overnight? Would having basic access to hygiene, drinking water, a place to sleep, a means to heat/prepare food, etc., help alleviate many of the issues associated with homelessness? Or, conversely, would it make the problem worse?

I think it would be better to just have a municipal homeless campground with stalls, showers and so on, and have an accompanying city ordinance that states that any homeless camp that is not in the designated homeless campground will be destroyed by the city. The biggest problem that most cities have with the homeless is that the homeless typically trash city parks.

 

[xMathFanx]

Hmm... why beat around the bush? Just supply free public RV/mobile home parks complete with the fully furnished, RVs/mobile homes? Of course, these parks should have free laundry services, high speed internet access, cable/satellite TV, swimming pools, gyms and playgrounds. Those extra amenities could be added by state/local governments but the basics could be had with only a slight increase in federal borrowing.

That solved the homelessness problem - next we just need to supply free drugs/alcohol and watch the fundamental transformation of America happen.

@ttwtt78640

I think you may have really jumped over the top on that comment, although I understand why. What I suggested they add are things I would, personally, like to have at the park. I go to the local park all the time to train, relax, read, draw, telescope/star gazing--so having a shower and microwave, as well as overnight access would certainly be a plus.

Though, again, I certainly do understand the counter-argument--which, sadly, may be true. Unless one is mentally ill, either temporarily (such as PTSD) or permanently, then there is not any reason to be homeless for anything more than a temporary, transitionary period, in America.

 

[ttwtt78640]

I think it would be better to just have a municipal homeless campground with stalls, showers and so on, and have an accompanying city ordinance that states that any homeless camp that is not in the designated homeless campground will be destroyed by the city. The biggest problem that most cities have with the homeless is that the homeless typically trash city parks.

Yep, thus they are truly job creators - the only thing that they do not provide are the paychecks.

 

[Ikari]

Should Public Parks include Basic Showers, Microwaves, 24/7 access, etc.?

Given the issue of homelessness, should public parks include showers, and a means to heat up food, a refrigerator(s), as well as bathroom stalls and tables already provided? Should parks be open 24/7, rather than close overnight? Would having basic access to hygiene, drinking water, a place to sleep, a means to heat/prepare food, etc., help alleviate many of the issues associated with homelessness? Or, conversely, would it make the problem worse?

It wouldn't end up working very well and you'd see some very high localized crime. Denver had tried to just put in containers around the city. The reason was that so many people had become homeless, we were going to give them a place just to store their belongings until they could get back on their feet. But we had to take them out because we found that people were living in them and it became a den for prostitution and drug sales/use. It was well intentioned, but didn't turn out well.

This too is something that seems well intentioned, but it won't turn out well in the end. We do have homeless shelters, we should invest in those and keep them going and encourage the homeless to use them.

 

[ttwtt78640]

@ttwtt78640

I think you may have really jumped over the top on that comment, although I understand why. What I suggested they add are things I would, personally, like to have at the park. I go to the local park all the time to train, relax, read, draw, telescope/star gazing--so having a shower and microwave, as well as overnight access would certainly be a plus.

Though, again, I certainly do understand the counter-argument--which, sadly, may be true. Unless one is mentally ill, either temporarily (such as PTSD) or permanently, then there is not any reason to be homeless for anything more than a temporary, transitionary period, in America.

That was not my take on your OP since you specifically mentioned "the issue of homelessness". Public parks are not currently designed to replace (serve as?) homes and to do so would require much more than meeting the needs (desires?) of those that simply wish to visit them.

 

[Common Sense 1]

Nope!

 

[Taylor]

Should Public Parks include Basic Showers, Microwaves, 24/7 access, etc.?

Given the issue of homelessness, should public parks include showers, and a means to heat up food, a refrigerator(s), as well as bathroom stalls and tables already provided? Should parks be open 24/7, rather than close overnight? Would having basic access to hygiene, drinking water, a place to sleep, a means to heat/prepare food, etc., help alleviate many of the issues associated with homelessness? Or, conversely, would it make the problem worse?

We already have places like that. They're called homeless shelters, and they even come with a roof to keep the rain out.

 

[justabubba]

Should Public Parks include Basic Showers, Microwaves, 24/7 access, etc.?

Given the issue of homelessness,

an issue that is under-explored

... should public parks include showers, and a means to heat up food, a refrigerator(s), as well as bathroom stalls and tables already provided? Should parks be open 24/7, rather than close overnight?

this will have effectively designated the park one dedicated to the homeless. no parent would want their children to play there. even other adults would be wary. it would soon become a destination for drug buyers and those who prey on the vulnerabilities of the homeless ... and thus become a magnet for the police
can you imagine the issues that would surround a bunch of homeless people and a shared refrigerator for all of them. ditto for the food prep area

Would having basic access to hygiene, drinking water, a place to sleep, a means to heat/prepare food, etc., help alleviate many of the issues associated with homelessness?

it would. however, other issues surrounding a willingness to share facilities and the effort to maintain them for all comers would produce a whole new set of problems

Or, conversely, would it make the problem worse?

it would make the park MUCH worse (for the general public)

it would have mixed results for the homeless population

there are some present effective and economically sustainable programs now in place to provide shelter/assistance for the homeless. the one with which i am familiar is a small enclave that resembles a motel. each resident has their own studio apartment. the facility is secured and guarded. the residents are safe there as is the general public

 

[Rosie1]

I don't think it's a good idea. Such facilities would just be vandalized, if not monitored. Monitored, they would basically be more homeless shelters. The only answer to homelessness is more shelters and more aide programs. Many people do not want to fund such things, and certainly don't want them in their neighborhood. Stats show that most homeless people don't live through their 50's.

 

[Skeptic Bob]

No, that is not what parks are for. I AM in favor of more homeless shelters, however.

 

[ALiberalModerate]

Yep, thus they are truly job creators - the only thing that they do not provide are the paychecks.

We have a 4 and a half mile long scenic drive along the bluffs above the Missouri River in Kansas City. It starts just 2 miles from downtown. It's a beautiful place to run, walk, ride, or climb. Yet every year as soon as the leaves all drop from the trees you can see through the woods along it just how much the homeless trash it. Refuse all through the woods. Volunteer groups clean it up only for it to be trashed again.