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PEOPLE PLACES vs. SPORT SPACES

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Contributed by: DR. SEAN REIF D.C. on 6/2/2007

Currently, open space takes 2 forms in suburbia: 1) ACTIVITY AREAS for organized sports (softball, tennis, swimming, soccer, rugby) and 2) preservation areas (wetlands, drainage channels, steep slope areas, flood plains & retaining ponds.

As the population ages, we tend to hang up our cleats and give our bats and gloves to the next generation. Too much emphasis being placed on active recreation areas used only by a limited range of people during a limited amount of time. The rest of the time places go unused. This is insensitive to a broad range of citizens, it is also an inefficient use of public land and tax dollars.

Neighborhood parks are easier to access, contain more familiar faces, and can be easily monitored. Good community design utilizes open space and green areas. Using visually open spaces is a method to foster a feeling of openness in a community. When playgrounds and parks are within walking distance of every resident. Ideally, neighborhoods should be designed with a park or miniparks distributed throughout and linked by walking paths. In all cases, parks should be in a convenient, centralized location and be bordered on at least 2 sides by public streets.

Most people do not live where major recreational activities occur. Large scale acquisition of land on the fringe of developing suburban areas for these larger regional or District parks. Typical suburban schools construct its fields, tracks, playgrounds, courts to equipstudents and staff use during school hours. What happens after school or during the summer? Not much. The facilities sit idle for the most part. School sites are assets to the community and could be vastly more utilized than they are.

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Submitted By: DR. SEAN REIF D.C.

posted on 6/2/2007 @ 11:33:21 AM

Rated Story

Members of the community want to find a democratic way to resolve conflicts among us. We seek an authoritative procedure for collective choice that is inclusive, fair, and consistent, and that minimizes unsatisfactory outcomes. Voting combined with majority rule, seems to be the obvious democratic solution. The outcome is inclusive as everyone is permitted a vote, and fair as votes are weighed equally. However, there are plausible cases where this strategy yields ABSURD OUTCOMES.

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CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

DR. SEAN REIF D.C.

THORNTON , CO

DR. SEAN REIF D.C. has posted 1087 stories and 1256 comments since joining on 9/14/2005. DR. SEAN REIF D.C. 's average story rating is 2.97.

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