Ferguson/ Judson

Hearing both Rebecca Furgeson and the Minister at Judson speak about the park renovations was really interesting. I enjoyed hearing both sides of the argument, and in many ways I understand both sides. Personally I am not against the park being cleaned up, but I am against the way the park is being renovated. Closing the park until 2010 (and knowing the NYC Parks Department, probably more like 2012) is a little ridiculous. I feel that small changes could have been made over a longer period of time, which would allow larger areas of the park to remain open.
Moving the fountain is not only completely ridiculous but a giant waste of money that could have been used to profit the city in better ways. I understand that they want to recycle the water to make it more environment friendly/ more sanitary in general, however I don't believe the best way to do that is by digging up the entire fountain and moving it several feet.
I found what the Minister at Judson said about gentrification to be quite interesting as well. As someone who lives on the park, I admit, I would prefer not having drug dealers in the park all the time. However, I do understand that people don't want the village/ the park to lose its charm/ radical freedom. When does gentrification cross the line and when does it move society in advancement? Perhaps it cannot do one without the other.

Catherine Gargan