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The kids in our neighborhood are pretty cool. They ride their bikes like we did - fast and furious with no need for brakes. They scream a lot playing tag. They bark at my dog and run away when she barks back. They're kids.

The park by our house has a sign that says No Parking On The Playground. That's it. No name, no nothing. All that remains of the playground referred to on the sign is is a pile of dirt. Someone told me there used to be a swimming pool in our park, too. As a kid I spent a lot of hot summer days at the pool. Marco polo, tag, diving for pennies, underwater tea parties: I used to be in the water so long that my feet would be raw from the bottom of the pool. It makes me wonder what the kids in our neighborhood do all summer to escape the heat.

There is a tennis court in the neighborhood - without a net and an ice cream truck that hovers around. But I wonder I wonder where the kids take swimming lessons. Do they get the chance to sit on the bottom of the pool and watch the clouds go by?

It turns out that the our park's name is Peck Park. It is in the process of getting a face lift to the tune of $500,000. The city of Detroit, the UCCA (University Cultural Center Association) and the Art Center Neighborhood have come up with the funds. As I write this I can hear the demo crews digging up the cement of the old pool. I asked the contractors if I could check out the plans that the Silveri group in Royal Oak put together. My eye immediatly went to the water park section. Yes! Something for the kids! When I asked about it they said that part was nixed becuase they ran out of money.

Here's what the plans boil down to: The park will center around the flagpole with two paved and well lit walkways that will make an X through the park. Most of the trees and BBQ pits that are there will remain, they are adding seven well needed trash cans. They are putting in a volley ball area that will supposedly flood and freeze over to an ice skating rink in the winter. I'm not sure who will remove the snow from the ice skating pond...but it sure does sound like fun. There will be a performance area...Shakespeare in Peck Park. Why not? The inevitable plastic play ground is part of the plan. Hopefully it will be better than most of the lame ones in the housing complexes around here! What ever happened to monkey bars and the whirling tilting thing and tether ball? Too many law suits? Too much upkeep? Too much fun?

I grumbled all the way home "Who fu... plays volley ball anyway? $500,000 I could pay artists and we could rock a great park out! I know someone to pour concrete...basket ball court. Crab and fish shaped benches from someone else. A squishy floor where you could have a little water park. Interactive information on clouds and the nature around. A scented garden...must I go on?"

"Relax," I tell myself, "Breathe... Again."

This will be a good thing. It could be better, but it will be good. Maybe next time artists and children can be involved in the plans. In the meantime, Peck Park will be finished later this fall. Let's meet up for some charades at the performance center.

- Peace out,
Miss Michelle

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