A Recent Debate: Schools vs Parks
I came across an article that really made me stop and think about the impact one thing has on another.
There is a place in Harlem known as the St. Nicholas Houses. It is a housing complex located 127th and 131st Streets and 7th and 8th Avenues in Harlem. Between this 14 building complex there is an open air park. Green grass, a playground, trees, and benches. This is a place where children and families can go, have fun, and forget they are in a city – even if just for a minute.
The Harlem Children’s Zone (HCZ) is very well known for their efforts and successes in the city. They first came about in 1970 with the city’s first truancy-prevention program. From there they had had many other successful programs that focused on keeping the city’s head above the water when they were dealing with, what some may have felt was, a sinking ship. Between the crack epidemic in the 1980’s and 1990’s and the visible sight of families giving up on their community HCZ was focused on turning this beautiful city around.
So why is there angst between HCZ and many Harlem community members? It seems that HCZ has plans to build another Charter School within the city.
Wikipedia defines a Charter School as “schools in the United States are primary or secondary schools that receive public money (and like other schools, may also receive private donations) but are not subject to some of the rules, regulations, and statutes that apply to other public schools in exchange for some type of accountability for producing certain results, which are set forth in each school’s charter“
Many people would usually not complain about a new school being built. Especially one that really has its roots set on making sure their city’s children have the support systems they need to succeed. But when the HCZ announced that the community’s open-air park was the site chosen for the charter school – it was like a piece of Harlem’s heart was being cut out.
So what will this do to the city? Removing some of the last open greenbelt space, trees, a place to walk our pets and play with our kids – for a school.
It is a highly controversial debate. Here is the original article I read. What do you think? Do you live in or around this area? How do you perceive this to affect your daily life?