Make parks safe

I have read a couple of stories this week regarding how some of our valuable park space is being used. Your article “Dozens may face HIV risk” was particularly troublesome. People’s and High Bridge parks are both in our neighborhood and have reputations as havens for “out-of-the-mainstream” behavior. It is no surprise now that the health of many people may be in jeopardy as a result of behavior that is allowed to continue in these parks.

Earlier in the week, you ran an article about a group requesting better access to the river. Apparently, this is an activity with too many difficult hurdles for the city to overcome.

I suggest it’s time for the city to examine a long-term plan for this valuable park resource. I would love to be able to take my family for a walk in these parks. However, given the way they are currently used, family outings in the park are not advisable. We should be encouraging more public access along these shorelines. The more public access and recreational opportunities, the less comfortable it will be for illicit activity.

In the park design business, if you ignore graffiti it will get worse.

Len Zickler

Spokane