My companion and I drove down to St. Louis' waterfront to watch the Mississippi River rising to record-breaking levels. Streets and roads were blocked and we were unable to get through. We drove on until we came to Carondelet Park which provided a spectacular view. We could see the river as it carried heavily-loaded barges, some covered by water. All sorts of wooden items like gates and fences were hurtling past with the speed of the churning river.
As we looked around the park we found small historically significant buildings with old soiled signs advertising a summer concert held more than 100 years ago. The river continued to rise. It seemed to mock us as it flowed past. Homes and apartment buildings were close by. Picnic tables, swings and and rest rooms once in use are now in disrepair. Public parks are places for all of us to enjoy if they are not neglected by users and government.(*) It is in them we can watch the moon rise and the sun set, where children can learn to ride a bicycle where older people can meet friends and teenagers play basketball. As we stood in Carondelet Park the rain began once again. The river seemed to increase its flow taking with it our hopes and aspirations for the future of public parks and land.
(*) The St. Louis Post-Dispatch article, "St. Louis Parks Show Signs of Neglect," by Janelle O'dea
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