Common Spaces That Are No Longer Common

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	Forums > Off-Topic_Chat > Common Spaces That Are No Longer Common
Diana Sinclair Posts: 10119 Joined: 3rd Apr 2008 Location: USA	quotePosted at 15:34 on 7th August 2008 In this mornings paper there was an article that got my dander up. Apparently, a Sunday school teacher was playing soccer with the high school youth group from her church on Boston Commons when a park ranger very politely stopped the game midway through because a resident near by the Commons telephoned a complaint. The ranger informed the group that organized sports on the Common were prohibited and they must move along (This is a new law voted in within the past month). Similarly, several years back, Salem Commons (where I live), also closed their Commons to "group activities". It used to be that during "Haunted Happenings" (a Salem festival held during the month of October) Salem would open the season with a huge parade that ended at the Salem Commons and there would be venders (who paid a hefty price to be there) etc., all set up to enjoy the festivities. This is/was an annual event that is very much looked forward to by most Salem residents. Not to mention the local merchants, many who depend on the income made during that one month to get them through the winter. Again, the Commons was closed to group activities due to the complaints from the very wealthy residents who chose to build their homes near the Commons grounds. I find the closing of a public Commons to groups of children or any community gathering to be infuriating. These are supposedly common grounds where the community can gather and enjoy activities together. Boston and Salem are not large areas geographically speaking and for the most part the Commons are the only open space large enough to host such activities. I am curious to know if Britain is experiencing similar closures of public areas, and if so how do you feel about it? My favourite: Pictures \| Towns \| Attractions
Krissy Posts: 15430 Joined: 8th Jul 2008 Location: USA	quotePosted at 15:37 on 7th August 2008 That's just crazy. So let just keep everyone shut up in their houses and away from the world. I just don't understand how the world is thinking anymore. My favourite: Pictures \| Towns \| Attractions
Stephanie Jackson Posts: 3911 Joined: 13th Apr 2008 Location: UK	quotePosted at 17:39 on 7th August 2008 It's not happening here yet Diana - but if your country is doing it now we are bound to follow suit in the next few months!!! There has been problems on housing estates where children like to play ball where moaning minnies get signs put up with No Ball Games Allowed! My favourite: Pictures \| Towns \| Attractions
Peter Evans Posts: 3863 Joined: 20th Aug 2006 Location: UK	quotePosted at 20:28 on 7th August 2008 A few farmers tried to close and fence off public right of way's. But there was a big hullabaloo from the rambling assotiations and groups of hikers that they have mostly been reopened. I believe, if it is common ground, then nobody has the right to stop the common people from using it providing no damage is being caused. My favourite: Pictures \| Towns \| Attractions
Diana Sinclair Posts: 10119 Joined: 3rd Apr 2008 Location: USA	quotePosted at 20:47 on 7th August 2008 I agree with you completely Peter. My favourite: Pictures \| Towns \| Attractions
Peter Evans Posts: 3863 Joined: 20th Aug 2006 Location: UK	quotePosted at 22:41 on 7th August 2008 Not that many years ago, my son and a friend and myself went hiking along the ridgeway path. We put up the tents when we were tired and set of when we awoke. The camp sites were cleared up after us, and nobody would have known that we had been there. Although a few farmers saw us, the only thing they said to us was hello lads. Asked a few quetions about where we were going and wished us good luck. A lot of the land we walked accross was private, but there was a public right of way that we were using. We hiked 75 miles along this path and were met with a chat and good wishes from everyone we met. All thanks to the people who faught for our rights to walk on public paths accross private land. So a big thank you to all those strong fighters. We also hike over the mountains in Wales, and through farms as well with no problems. Thanks to the people who faught for our rights. My favourite: Pictures \| Towns \| Attractions
Peter Evans Posts: 3863 Joined: 20th Aug 2006 Location: UK	quotePosted at 22:43 on 7th August 2008 If you want your rights to the common land Diana, you must fight for it or lose it competely. We did here and won. My favourite: Pictures \| Towns \| Attractions
Wolf Posts: 3423 Joined: 9th Jul 2008 Location: Australia	quotePosted at 01:21 on 8th August 2008 In Australia commons are called reserves, they are there for the enjoyment of the public, and yet there are instances of some councils, banning ball games and even the flying of kites. !!!??? So much for our FREE countries. My favourite: Pictures \| Towns \| Attractions
L Posts: 5656 Joined: 10th Jun 2004 Location: UK	quotePosted at 07:44 on 8th August 2008 Where I live, the recreation ground we have was donated to the children many years ago by a man in his will who owned the land, on the proviso that no balls games were played on a Sunday! My favourite: Pictures \| Towns \| Attractions
Diana Sinclair Posts: 10119 Joined: 3rd Apr 2008 Location: USA	quotePosted at 13:51 on 8th August 2008 On 8th August 2008 01:21, Wolf wrote: In Australia commons are called reserves, they are there for the enjoyment of the public, and yet there are instances of some councils, banning ball games and even the flying of kites. !!!??? So much for our FREE countries. I guess we're as free as the law makers want us to be Wolf. My favourite: Pictures \| Towns \| Attractions