Why is it that police shut down all the black parks... (Atlanta: house, centers)

[brownhornet]

... on the weekends? This seems odd to me as they let the parks remain open all week long but as soon as the weekend comes they block off the parks. They started doing it last year and it just doesnt make much sense to me. We used to go cookout at Mozley Park almost every Sunday and now they setup barricades and even put police patrols out there to keep people out of the park. They wont let you park at all and the only way you can go in is if you go park somewhere else and walk to the park. WTF kind of foolishness is this? I notice that they block off Mozley Park, the park on Memorial Dr, just started blocking off the park by the Marta station on Bankhead, Allgood...we moved to a park on Campbellton and now they're blocking that one off too.

I cant think of ONE legitimate reason for this. We were at Mozley every single weekend 2 years ago and not one act of violence occurred. So WTF???

[Adric]

Have you tried asking one of the police patrollers why the park is closed? That is a little strange that they would only close it on weekends unless there was an event or renovation planned.

[Bullbear]

Originally Posted by brownhornet

...
I cant think of ONE legitimate reason for this. We were at Mozley every single weekend 2 years ago and not one act of violence occurred. So WTF???

As usual, if in doubt, assume racism by the "white man".

[AnsleyPark]

Originally Posted by Bullbear

As usual, if in doubt, assume racism by the "white man".

I don't think brownhornet assumed racism. And how could he since the mayor is not exactly white nor is most of city council. Perhaps I'm wrong - brown hornet?

[RandyWatson13]

I assume its to stop all the cruising that happens at these parks with loud music etc.....To me its a part of life/that area and no biggie unless residents got tired of it or something happened.

You could ask a cop there, surely they know why.

[ATL Golfer]

Probably has nothing to do with crime.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by brownhornet

I cant think of ONE legitimate reason for this. We were at Mozley every single weekend 2 years ago and not one act of violence occurred. So WTF???

That is kind of peculiar, since the Mayor has been making a big thing about being sure all the rec centers were open. A guy in the Parks Department told me they'd done that.

Could it possibly be some kind of safety issue? After the floods in 2009, some park buildings had to be closed because mold was discovered. I know there have also been problems with copper thieves ripping off the AC units at some city parks.

However, if the parks are open during the week none of the that would explain why they are closed on the weekend. I agree with you -- I've been out there on Sundays and have never seen a problem. Like Adric said, why not ask the police? Or maybe get a hold of somebody down at Parks.

City of Atlanta Online: Department of Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs (http://www.atlantaga.gov/Government/Parks.aspx - broken link)

[MGD]

Originally Posted by brownhornet

... on the weekends? This seems odd to me as they let the parks remain open all week long but as soon as the weekend comes they block off the parks. They started doing it last year and it just doesnt make much sense to me. We used to go cookout at Mozley Park almost every Sunday and now they setup barricades and even put police patrols out there to keep people out of the park. They wont let you park at all and the only way you can go in is if you go park somewhere else and walk to the park. WTF kind of foolishness is this? I notice that they block off Mozley Park, the park on Memorial Dr, just started blocking off the park by the Marta station on Bankhead, Allgood...we moved to a park on Campbellton and now they're blocking that one off too.

I cant think of ONE legitimate reason for this. We were at Mozley every single weekend 2 years ago and not one act of violence occurred. So WTF???

may not be violence...may be other things going on that they picked up a trend on...like drug dealing. I have no clue but people aren't always violent but can find otherwise to abuse the intent of public spaces.

[912]

Black parks? Do we have coloreds only water fountains again too?

[cwkimbro]

Can't some of the parks be reserved for events?

Anyways... I just wanted to add my two cents... I have always hated how in every part of Atlanta (region no city) the parks close. Even, if they close off parts I wish they would would at least leave small fields that are highly visible form the major streets open to anyone who isn't being loud or disturbing nearby neighbors.

Growing up the Gwinnett County police would always make everyone leave after nightfall, but it happens just about everywhere. They were nice about it, but I was annoyed as a teenager I had no where to go on the weekends where I wasn't in a house or spending money somewhere. There is a total lack of usable public space at those hours.