Adding food services to parks is a way to build activity

Can you hear this, National Park Service? (For the most part, NPS does not allow food service in parks on federal reservation spaces such as Dupont Circle. Kiosks such as those common in NYC could make a big difference in adding positive activity to often overly dead spaces. And over time, positive activity crowds out negative activity. On the other hand, you have to do this in areas with the potential for a fairly large number of peoople.

Perhaps it is possible to bring this up in the public participation process around the initiative, a joint planning exercise by the DC Office of Planning, the federal planning agency, the National Capital Planning Commission, US Commission of Fine Arts, National Park Service, and Architect of the Capitol.

Planning Together for Central Washington details the five shared core objectives for the center city's future: 1) Welcoming Atmosphere, 2) Well-Connected Public Space, 3) Distinctive Spaces, 4) Green and Sustainable and 5) 21st Century Transportation.

See "Taste of N.Y. on the Common?," subtitled "Boston considers Central Park-style restaurant," from the Boston Globe:

A clutch of Boston officials journeyed to New York City parks yesterday in search of ways to rejuvenate their own urban centerpiece, Boston Common. And they found that serving food - whether it be hamburgers and milkshakes, or wine and cheese - may be the answer.

Boston officials, marveling at the vibrant scenes they found in New York, said they are exploring the idea of establishing a full-scale restaurant, a simple food kiosk, or something in between to attract diners to the Common.

By establishing a lively attraction in the park, they hope to drive away illicit brown-bag drinkers, drug users, and other unsavory characters who have added a touch of menace to the Common, especially at night.

Schenley Park, Pittsburgh (in early November 2006)