Mundo Verde/Mitchell Park Playground Controversy

[Anonymous]

The DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) is asking that Mundo Verde limit the number of students playing at Mitchell Park to no more than 25 at any given time.

While there have been no formal complaints of park misuse by students, nor reports of problematic interaction among students of the different schools using this public park, some people are apparently informing MV teachers that there is a quota on the number of students from their school who can play there, or saying they can't use the park before a certain time of day. No such restrictions have been conveyed to staff or students from the other schools who frequent the park -- Kids Corner and DPR Coop.

Does anyone have insights as to who would intentionally mis-inform teachers (and, by association, students and parents) that they are unable to use a public park?

As a Mundo Verde parent, to say I find this ludicrous is an understatement, and I'm eager to determine how this request gained traction within DPR.

I also welcome the opportunity to dialog with whomever has genuine concerns about the park's use.

Yours in taxpaying,

Jay F.

[Anonymous]

Interesting. As a parent from another of the area preschools that uses the park, I've always wondered if there has been or would be pushback from what is a very tony neighborhood. On the other hand, it is a relatively small space and I can imagine that there would be some utility to ensuring that there is equal access for all the schools as well as any neighborhood kids (there are some, although it is a heavily Embassy oriented neighborhood.)

Have you inquired with the other area schools to confirm that they have not been given similar guidelines? I believe that some of the other schools typically vary the outdoor activities of their classrooms and sub-classroom groups - some classes/groups will go to Mitchell, others will walk in the neighborhood, and others will go to Adams Morgan or other area playgrounds. I have seldom if ever seen more than 25 kids from a single school at Mitchell Park at the same time.

[Anonymous]

Jay, I'm confused. You say that DPR is asking the school to limit the number of students in the park, but then refer only to "some people" telling teachers that their use is restricted. Are these people DPR employees, on duty & with name badges?

I don't think that the school is required to change its practices unless someone from DPR contacts the school administration in an official capacity. That said, members of the school community should be attending meetings of the local friends-of-the-park org and should be a visible presence on cleanup/spruceup days.

[Anonymous]

Doesn't Bridges pre-school use public parks every day?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Doesn't Bridges pre-school use public parks every day?

Appletree does as well (at least Appletree Columbia Heights does).

[Anonymous]

I'm confused as well, as based on my (admittedly hasty and modest) research, I can find no provision for restricting access to a public park save the discharge of firearms, presence of un-leashed dogs, or the consumption of alcohol -- but I've been informed that the request is coming from the DPR.

Reports of teachers being told by others that they have to limit park use are also, as conveyed by me, hearsay and I won't pretend that I have first-hand interaction with whomever has said as much.

Regardless of whether it was a DPR employee or simply someone who lives near the park and would prefer less usage, however, the basis of their request is at best unfounded and at worst deceptive. I can't imagine someone would be so callous as to try and deprive children of their right to access a public playground; right now I remain in "benefit of the doubt" mode.

As for school community presence at park events, I've observed that MV has been exemplary in ensuring park cleanliness (very much in line with the school's environmental focus). I can't speak to friends-of-the-park meetings, but parents, administrators and teachers alike obviously understand its significance and value in terms of providing a safe, spacious, enjoyable recess location.

Again, that someone would attempt a regulatory end-run in order to limit a school's presence at the park without first directly engaging what is a very conscientious and conversant community suggests they realize the absurdity of the request.

Jay

[Anonymous]

It sounds like nothing more than grumpy neighbors complaining to school staff. That's too bad, but I hope that the school has the sense to ignore what won't be enforced.

In thinking of neighbors, remember that (by law) charter schools have no admissions preference for children who live nearby. Neighbors of charters get a chance to have folks from all over the city driving (or tromping) through their neighborhood, sometimes using their playgrounds, and there's zero direct benefit to people who live nearby. That's bound to engender resentment in some people, and I think it's on the schools to work as hard as they can not to alienate their neighbors.

[Anonymous]

Another MV parent here. With regard to presence on clean-up days etc., I have not heard of any such days so far or any meetings of the Friends of the Park. But, I know that if I were to hear of any, I would certainly participate and, I am pretty certain that many others in the community would also not only be willing to help, but would welcome the opportunity. The parents at MV are quite actively trying to form a community, and one of the main goals of the school involves sustainability. I can't imagine that they would not jump at the opportunity to help clean or otherwise support the park. I encourage anyone with suggestions on how the Mundo Verde community can help to approach the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another MV parent here. With regard to presence on clean-up days etc., I have not heard of any such days so far or any meetings of the Friends of the Park. But, I know that if I were to hear of any, I would certainly participate and, I am pretty certain that many others in the community would also not only be willing to help, but would welcome the opportunity. The parents at MV are quite actively trying to form a community, and one of the main goals of the school involves sustainability. I can't imagine that they would not jump at the opportunity to help clean or otherwise support the park. I encourage anyone with suggestions on how the Mundo Verde community can help to approach the school.

Your attitude is great! However, it's the school's job to reach out, not the community's to ask for help.

I assume that as a well-run school, MV's administration has already forged a good relationship with its ANC rep. I'll assume further that if there's discussion about Mitchell Park playground here on this board, there's much more constructive discussion going on in the school's internal forums. I'd hope that by tonight, someone will have volunteered to talk to the ANC representative about whether there are specific needs for the park that the school can help fulfill.

As I said upthread, a charter school offers nothing but headaches to the neighborhood where it's located, unless the school community dedicates itself to reaching out.

[Anonymous]

At the risk of hijacking the thread, I think that the notion "a charter school offers nothing but headaches to the neighborhood where it's located, unless the school community dedicates itself to reaching out" is downright dismal. I hardly consider children in a playground a headache, but perhaps I have an inherently optimistic disposition.

A community is exactly that -- a community, especially in a diverse urban environment. For any category of participant to sit back in expectation that others win them over sets an exclusionary, tiresome, prove-your-worth tenor.

Imagine community members of every stripe -- residents, schools, businesses et al -- meeting each other on consistently civil terms of community contribution. All are vital. All have much to offer, and none can claim preferential ownership of or entitlement to publicly funded space.

In this case, the community could have addressed this issue by reaching out to the school directly; the school was unaware of any concerns until this suspect mandate emerged. Instead of encouraging conversation, they immediately set an adversarial dynamic that added the unnecessary hurdle of justifying something that, as far as I can tell, doesn't require justification.

Jay

[Anonymous]

DPR also doesn't let LaSalle elementary (DCPS) use the gorgeous athletic field right next to their school. It's such a travesty!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another MV parent here. With regard to presence on clean-up days etc., I have not heard of any such days so far or any meetings of the Friends of the Park. But, I know that if I were to hear of any, I would certainly participate and, I am pretty certain that many others in the community would also not only be willing to help, but would welcome the opportunity. The parents at MV are quite actively trying to form a community, and one of the main goals of the school involves sustainability. I can't imagine that they would not jump at the opportunity to help clean or otherwise support the park. I encourage anyone with suggestions on how the Mundo Verde community can help to approach the school.

Your attitude is great! However, it's the school's job to reach out, not the community's to ask for help.

I assume that as a well-run school, MV's administration has already forged a good relationship with its ANC rep. I'll assume further that if there's discussion about Mitchell Park playground here on this board, there's much more constructive discussion going on in the school's internal forums. I'd hope that by tonight, someone will have volunteered to talk to the ANC representative about whether there are specific needs for the park that the school can help fulfill.

As I said upthread, a charter school offers nothing but headaches to the neighborhood where it's located, unless the school community dedicates itself to reaching out.

I don't know what MV has done so far in terms of outreach. Yes, they should do it if it hasn't been done already. But, if the community wants something, they should ask. Remember that this is an extremely new school trying to do a lot very quickly, so things might slip through the cracks at first. Not that the neighbors should be penalized for that, but seriously, there is a big to do list for starting a school, so if the neighbors have suggestions, it would probably help everyone for them to share.

[Anonymous]

Seems like some neighbors have askd you to limit your use of the playground. What's your response?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Seems like some neighbors have askd you to limit your use of the playground. What's your response?

In my opinion, the neighbors would like to tell 60 3-5 year-old children each day that they won't get to play or run around at all that day (assuming this cuts down the usage to half of the school throughout the day). To me, that is an unacceptable solution.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Seems like some neighbors have askd you to limit your use of the playground. What's your response?

In my opinion, the neighbors would like to tell 60 3-5 year-old children each day that they won't get to play or run around at all that day (assuming this cuts down the usage to half of the school throughout the day). To me, that is an unacceptable solution.

I agree with you 100%. But this should be a wake-up call for the school to reach out to the neighborhood to see how it can help the neighbors (since waiting for them to come to you has yeilded untenable results.

And I think it furthers the point that charter school neighbors are inconvenienced with zero direct benefits.