miami missing a central park. (Tampa, Orlando: restaurants, shops, bus)

[Coconut1]

Originally Posted by MadManofBethesda

Huh?

I lived in DC itself and the DC metro area in general for 25 years and I haven't the slightest idea to what you're referring.

Um, it's a little place called the National Mall.

[MadManofBethesda]

Originally Posted by Coconut1

Um, it's a little place called the National Mall.

LOL. Is that what he was trying to talk about? The National Mall is not now nor has it ever been referred to as the Lincoln Memorial Park. Moreover, not only does the the Mall have absolutely nothing in common with NYC's Central Park, it is not a central gathering place for local residents. A better analogy to Central Park would be DC's Rock Creek Park. The OP obviously knows absolutely nothing about DC life, and apparently doesn't know much about Miami either. This entire thread is ludicrous.

[boner]

My family bought a brand spanking new home at 5420 SW 95th court a year or two before I was born in 1961. This property sits across from one of many county parks run by the Dade county park and recreation. It was my and the other neighborhood kids playground. Everday afterschool there were at least 4 staff on duty a janitor cleaned up at night. We did arts & crafts played football baseball Bball track and field ping [pong tennis gymnastics. The staff were professional and it was a very structured environment where children could go and make friends or find out what kind of potential they might have in all kind of various sports and other endeavours. Nothing was off the list if you wanted to draw or paint or do ceramics or what ever they would make it happen. Afterschool weekends what ever that park was always full of people pursuing interests having fun and taking advantage of what was then a well run park sysytem. We didnt have optomist football or baseball I had to go to Westwood and Tamiami for that but having that park 10 steps from my door for my entire elementary school childhood was truly a gift. And It wasnt like Miller park was the only park that put on all these sports and activities. Other parks i would travel to when playing football and baseball also had all of these activities and sports. Want to check out a football no problem, basketball no problem they would even come have a pick up game with ya if you asked.

Some time atheletes from the U of M or wannabe FINs would find this little park and spend some time working out running or getting into shape or maybe one of our pick up games. It was a great place. A few years ago I went back and was surprised to see one of the staff I knew as a child still working there. He was the Janitor at the time and had got a promotion to staff counselor or what ever you would call them. Were talkin 35 to fourty years and he couldnt recognize me although I could never forget him. Its sad to me if the park and recreation is another of the the things that used to be great about that city is also suffering. I know it was an important part of my childhood and I would like to think that other children could have the same experiences. Miami doesnt need a central park if the dade county park and recreation is anything what it used to be I'd put it up against any park system in the country

[Coconut1]

Originally Posted by MadManofBethesda

LOL. Is that what he was trying to talk about? The National Mall is not now nor has it ever been referred to as the Lincoln Memorial Park. Moreover, not only does the the Mall have absolutely nothing in common with NYC's Central Park, it is not a central gathering place for local residents. A better analogy to Central Park would be DC's Rock Creek Park. The OP obviously knows absolutely nothing about DC life, and apparently doesn't know much about Miami either. This entire thread is ludicrous.

Well I don't see what else it could possibly be. That's the only park area at the Lincoln Memorial.

As for Central Park being a central gathering place, FWIW I don't know anyone that gathers there. They may go there sometimes but in terms of going some place with people it's usually to a restaurant or bar.

[rnc2mbfl]

Oh God, not another thread to belittle Miami by identifying what it doesn't have instead of focusing on what it does have. No thank you.

[MadManofBethesda]

Originally Posted by rnc2mbfl

Oh God, not another thread to belittle Miami by identifying what it doesn't have instead of focusing on what it does have. No thank you.

Yeah, what is it with this board? I participate in a few and read a few others and all of them have a little negativity. You know, people who hate the city/area for whatever reason and feel the need to post about it. But nothing like the nuts and trolls who sometimes populate this one.

[Felix C]

Latent racisim projection. Miami really is a city with a predominant and controlling hispanic influence. Nothing else like it in the USA. Shocking to folks who are unused to the experience.

[bale002]

Originally Posted by Felix C

Miami really is a city with a predominant and controlling hispanic influence. Nothing else like it in the USA.

Really?

Actually it's pretty balanced. Look at the balance of county commissioners, probably also the board of education, the Beacon Council, probably also the University of Miami, the Miami Airport board and management team, who leads PortMiami, and where the financing comes from for Miami's and Florida's major infrastructure projects (road, rail, air and sea transport, major real estate development, water management).

You will find that, on balance, not much has changed in the past hundred years or so since the days of Henry Flagler.

Having said that, the Cubans and other Latin Americans have made a highly significant contribution to making Miami a major hub for international trade and the capital of a major interregional nexus on the global circuit, a reflection of their entrepreneurial spirit allowed to prosper on US soil.

So actually Miami is a classic US story, maybe a little late in coming and with a particular geographical and cultural slant, naturally, but a classic US story, like many other places in the US. Men like James K. Polk (US president 1841-1845) would have been proud (look it up).

[WINTERFRONT]

Originally Posted by Felix C

Latent racisim projection.

Care to elaborate? and what this has to do with Miami lacking a central park?

[Felix C]

Responding to #27