GSu to restore Hurt Park (Atlanta, Washington: military, eat, friendly)

[Gulch]

Relevant 2014 article from CAP about homelessness in Hurt Park:

Can feeding the homeless be a bad idea? | Downtown Atlanta

When I arrived at downtown Atlanta’s Hurt Park on a recent Saturday morning, it was quiet and calm. But a crowd started to gather and quickly grew to about 100 people, confirming the reason I’d come.

Hurt Park is one of several spots downtown that have become regular sites for “street feeding” of the homeless. For years, it’s been a common practice for church groups — many from the suburbs — and other well-meaning people to feed the homeless in downtown Atlanta.

Groups bring prepared food to parks and parking lots, particularly on weekends. Many feel the powerful calling of their Christian faith to do so.

That day, four different groups gathered to feed the homeless in a three-hour period. I saw the homeless and poor line up several times — for a prayer, for clothes, for toiletries, for sandwiches and even for a plate of spaghetti.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by cqholt

People also got dressed up to get on an airplane. It's a different, more casual time now.

It's definitely a more casual time, though I'm not sure the homeless folks are making a fashion decision.

I'm just noting that at one time Hurt Park was a place where middle class families would put on their best and visit on a Sunday afternoon.

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by arjay57

It's definitely a more casual time, though I'm not sure the homeless folks are making a fashion decision.

I'm just noting that at one time Hurt Park was a place where middle class families would put on their best and visit on a Sunday afternoon.

Did they ride the old streetcars down there?

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by Gulch

Relevant 2014 article from CAP about homelessness in Hurt Park:

Can feeding the homeless be a bad idea? | Downtown Atlanta

Thank you, Gulch. That's a very interesting link.

[bryantm3]

Originally Posted by arjay57

It's definitely a more casual time, though I'm not sure the homeless folks are making a fashion decision.

I'm just noting that at one time Hurt Park was a place where middle class families would put on their best and visit on a Sunday afternoon.

my grandparents and my dad had their picture taken there when they were picnicking sometime around 1959, and got in either the constitution or the journal. no idea where i would begin to find something like that.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by cqholt

Did they ride the old streetcars down there?

It is certainly possible they did in the early days, cq.

By the time I came along, the city had pretty much migrated to the new trackless trolleys. I remember riding those things down to the Municipal auditorium for the big Transit Company Christmas bash. They'd let you out right at Hurt Park.

[JoeTarheel]

Originally Posted by tikigod311

Do students ever hang out at the park as is? Everytime I have been by, it is just covered in homeless people. I don't recall ever seen a park that elicits sad feelings like that one...

I took an informal survey: students generally don't like hanging out with the homeless.

So glad to hear this about Hurt Park! There is a beautiful fountain there that needs to be restored and running at all times, and this needs to be more of a gathering spot for students - as does Woodruff Park. Both are right in the middle of campus....maybe they can figure out a way to make it more student-friendly and less vagrant-friendly?

[DreamerD]

Originally Posted by tikigod311

Do students ever hang out at the park as is? Everytime I have been by, it is just covered in homeless people. I don't recall ever seen a park that elicits sad feelings like that one...

Maybe that's why it's called Hurt Park. Just kidding but yeah, I never used to see too many students there. I always wondered why they call it a park. It sure doesn't look like one to me. I'm glad they are going to restore it. Can't wait to see what it'll look like.

[DreamerD]

Originally Posted by cqholt

The 'bums' have every right to use it, within the park's regulations, as everyone else. Where should they be 'kicked out' to?

I agree that they should not be kicked out. It's a public space.

[AtlantaIsHot]

Originally Posted by DreamerD

I agree that they should not be kicked out. It's a public space.

The reason the homeless congregate there is probably because so few others use it. If it was more crowded the homeless probably wouldn't feel comfortable there. They tend to gravitate toward underused spaces.