Mayor's vaunted 'pocket park' suffers neglect...or worse

The 2008 sign was misleading since the Council
had neither been consulted nor approved the Pocket Park.

In the summer of 2008, as the real estate market had collapsed (and therefore also the development market), Plainfield Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs turned a vacant West Front Street lot slated for development into a 'pocket park'.

And proudly proclaimed such with the sign shown above. Except, of course, that it was misleading because the City Council had not been consulted (they, and they alone, can create a park, which must be by resolution), nor did they approve the expenditure of any funds in relation to its creation (considered a mere nicety by Robinson-Briggs, which the brewing flap over the Senior Center 'fitting out' simply repeats on a larger scale).

The 'pocket park' was originally outfitted with two benches for passersby.

The sign came down as soon as the oversight in not consulting the Council was pointed out.

Although always somewhat scraggly, the little park with its two benches eventually was taken to heart by those who shop, dine or pass through the neighborhood, and small knots of people could be seen morning, noon and evening enjoying a brief respite.

That is until recently.

I noticed this week that the benches had been removed, leaving visitors nowhere to sit down.

The scraggly grass was nearly overcome with dandelions (actually a rather pretty sight -- I am partial to dandelions, and besides they make a great wine).

What has happened to the little park that earned its way?

Has the Mayor given up on it?

Or perhaps is she less than thrilled with those who found it attractive?

The 'pocket park' lost its benches recently.

---

• Plainfield Today --
• 8/10/2008: "Plainfield's latest 'park' not its greatest"
• 9/30/2008: "The market meltdown hits Plainfield" -- Pocket park section is halfway down.

-- Dan Damon [follow]

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