If anyone worried this park would get no use, those concerns can be put to rest. Morning, noon, or night, any day of the week, Heaven is getting use.
By the smell of it, some basic park amenities could be added, like a portable toilet.
There are trash cans throughout the space, some getting more use than others. This is partly an issue created by park users who are leaving empty cans on the ground rather than walk a few feet to use the next available waste can. At the same time, there are trash barrels overflowing. There are no Big Belly compactors on site; these solar-powered receptacles reduce the demand for trash hauling and include a compartment for recyclables. A few of these could make a difference since a lot of the trash left in the park consists of soda cans and bottles, all of which can be recycled.
Park users have been keeping most of the paint on the inside walls and ground at this low-cost recreational venue in Downtown North.
Bottom line: Heaven is getting use and the influx of (mostly younger) park users has not caused the social fabric to unravel.
Linda
Though I’m way out of the age range of the park’s active users, I love to go there and just sit and watch the skateboarding and biking. The trash situation, though, is disgusting. There’s no excuse for it, either from the users’ or the City’s point of view.
Richard
I have to wonder why the city does not have regular trash pick up in this park? I see so many of these city wide sidewalk cans overflowing.(they removed one near PPT as it was only emptied 2 times during this summer.) Yes people should be more responsible but, we all know what’s up with that.
Love the photo’s of the art.
I find it odd that there are not portable johns and of course along with a portable john comes the task of cleaning it each week. But most of the time its hold your nose or puke from the condition of them unless one hits it right. So again we look back at the city. They install trash barrels and Johns but then have a hard time of emptying or cleaning them.
I don’t know if I like the Big Belly idea. It takes away from the local economy of can and bottle redemption. Correct me if I am wrong but I think it is rather hard to retrieve cans from the belly.
You know me I am so relieved that the social fabric of this wonderful society hasn’t unraveled. I was so worried about that. Long Live art! Long Live Heaven! and most of all Long Live the Young!
Kerri Provost
If it hasn’t unraveled, I think that’s only because you’ve been hibernating.
You’re right about the cans and that part of the economy, but I’m looking for evidence that this spot is even getting attention from the people who collect cans. Basically, some kind of trash/recycling separation is what I was referring to because once you take the recyclables out, the garbage receptacles would not be so nearly overflowing. Of course, this points back to the question of why recycling bins on the streets are not the norm yet in Hartford.
Richard
I wondered about that too, attention from those who collect cans. It sounds like it would be a gold mine. Maybe that isn’t on folks route. Anyone got any ideas about how the word could get out? When I see someone in the early morning on the way back from the laundry I will mention it. I know one guy who comes down Laurel Street who I see every Sunday on his way to Stop and Shop. I got to stop by there during this envision fest thing and take a look at the art. I so enjoy what the young folks create.
Yeah, a rah rah to hibernating. Will look into it a bit more as all of this caring can be very warring on a person. I got to check out these big belly compactors and see if I can get anything out of them. I would hate to see the city put those everywhere and kill off the redemption side of recycling.
Anyway on another note today is the anniversary of the murder of Victor Jara in Chile, 1973 by the military junta. Please pause a moment and remember him and all of the thousands murdered and disappeared. (off subject I know but can’t help it)